Kathy Schmitz and Serenity

The blog tour is almost over.  Hope you are having fun.  Before I share my next new pattern with you, I want to tell you about a great blog written by my friend Kathy Schmitz.  Kathy is a fabric designer for Moda (and the designer of the fabric used in my block) plus an artist extraordinaire.  I was first introduced to Kathy’s fabric when I opened my first quilt shop 10 years ago.  I became an immediate fan, anxiously awaiting her next fabric line.  Over the years and many quilt markets later, I am honored to say that Kathy has become my friend.  It is because of her support that I am designing patterns today.  Kathy’s blog is found at www.kathyschmitzstudio.blogspot.com.  Her artwork and amazing embroidery and quilting patterns can be found at www.Etsy.com/shop/KathySchmitz and www.kathyschmitz.com.  I hope you love her work as much as I do.

The next new pattern I would like to share is called “Serenity” and features Holly Taylor’s new fabric line called “Trail’s End”.  This line includes balis and prints and I have used both to create this 36” wall hanging or table topper.  This pattern retails for $10.

Paper Chain

What reminds you more of being a kid than paper dolls.  The next pattern I would like to show you is called “Paper Chain” and features the new fabric line “Odds & Ends” by Julie Comstock of Cosmo Cricket.

The finished size of the quilt is 48” square and features mostly piecing with applique only in the border.  This quilt would make a cute play mat for a little girl, a fun table topper for spring or summer or a cute wall hanging for a little girl’s room.  The retail price for this patten is $10.

Check out this cute fabric which is featured in the center of some of the blocks.

Fontainebleau

Thank you to everyone who has visited my blog and entered the contest.  I will draw the names of the lucky winners on the morning of May 5, after the blog tour has completed.  It is so much fun for me to see where you all are from.  How different our world would be without computers!

Here is the next pattern I would like to share with you.  It features both piecing and applique and uses French General’s upcoming line called “Chateau Rouge”. 

This pattern is called "Fontainebleau" and is named after the beautiful royal chateau south of Paris, France that we were fortunate enough to visit a few years ago.

These are pictures of Marie Antoinette's bedroom and the Throne Room at Fontainebleau.

My finished quilt measures 61” x 75” and the pattern retails for $10.00. 

Blue Rhapsody

Happy May Day! Hope you are enjoying  the blog tour!  I promised a sneak peak of my patterns being introduced at Quilt Market in Kansas City in May......

The first one I want to show you is called "Blue Rhapsody" and it features Deb Strain’s new fabric line for Moda called “Spa”.  I just finished making it and it has gone to the top of my favorite patterns.  (I used the same fabric to make the blue color way for my block)

The applique pieces are all very large which makes the result very dramatic.  I believe it would also be very striking in a variety of colors.  The finished quilt is 66" x 80".  The retail price of this pattern is $11 and it includes a color fabric guide to help sort out all the different blue fabrics.

I have two more “Spa” patterns to show you but you are going to have to wait.  Deb’s fabric line will be in stores in August and my new patterns will be on line by May 15.

Welcome to my blog, this last day of April and the first day of the 100 Quilt Blocks blog tour!  April in Chilliwack, British Columbia, where I live, has been cool and wet which is perfect weather for quilting.  We have had just enough sun to make everything green and the gardens are full of daffodils and tulips. 

My block was inspired by the artwork of Kathy Schmitz featured in her “Full Circle” line of fabric.  Four coneflowers are placed around a simple wreath representing the annual cycle of the four seasons.

I love the dramatic contrast of the red and black on the beige background.  I have done up my block in 2 more color ways featuring fabrics by Deb Strain and 3 Sisters to show you how easy it would be to incorporate this block into a variety of projects --- table runners, placemats, the feature block on a tote bag…..

The extra blocks were made using fusible web and the original block was made using hand applique.  Please see my blog entry for March 31 which shows my favorite hand applique method. 

If you would like to win a copy of 100 Quilt Blocks vol.5, please send me an email at barb@coachhousedesigns.com with your name and address and I will select a lucky winner.  I will also be drawing 4 extra names to win one of my new patterns being introduced at quilt market.  My new market patterns feature the fabrics of:  Deb Strain, Cosmo Cricket, Holly Taylor and French General.  Let me know which of the four designers is your favorite and if your name is chosen, I will send you a pattern from that group.   Check back on my blog in the next couple of weeks leading up to market to get a sneak preview of my new patterns!

Have a great blog tour and thanks for stopping by.  Visit my website at www.coachhousedesigns.com.

I am very excited that my block was chosen for Vol. 5 of Quiltmakers 100 Blocks.  Join me on Monday, April 30 for your chance to win your very own copy of Vol. 5!

I am going to be showing off my block featuring the fabulous fabrics of Kathy Schmitz along with some other combinations to stimulate your creativity.  See you then.  Barb

PS.  Happy 84th Birthday Dad!

Two of My Favorite Tools

A lot of my patterns feature applique. I like the quickness of fusible web but I find that it is not that durable for pieces that are going to be used and washed repeatedly. I failed at needle turn so I now do all my hand applique using a freezer paper template on top. The fabric is cut out 1/8" to 1/4" larger than the paper template and snipped in the curves to allow the fabric to be folded to the back of the applique piece along the edge of the paper template.

My first favorite tool is Roxanne's Glue-Baste-It which I use along the outer edge on the wrong side of the applique shape.

I then use my second favorite tool, my Clover Awl, to turn the overhanging fabric edge to the back. For me this is a quick way to prepare applique shapes which I then sew down to the background with a slip-stitch.

Try it...you just might like it!