Bright New Day, Modern Tristan Quilt Part One

NEW YEAR AND THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT(S)!

I'm pushing out of my comfort zone with my first project in my new studio!  First with fabric choice (I'm a longtime fan of muted, earthy, romantic), and then with technique (a traditional quilter at heart, who loves scrappy, simple patchwork).  I'm going bold and modern!

I have a special baby quilt to make for my friend Barbara's new grand-baby.  His parents are beachy, bold, and modern, and so is my plan for the quilt.  It's the perfect project for improvisational piecing, where I have an overall plan but am willing to go with the flow and adjust as needed.

Additionally, I'm in love with pre-cuts, and the new fabric line 'Acacia' by Tula Pink for Westminster Fabrics, and the bold bundle of Kona solid pre-cuts by Robert Kaufman Fabrics.  So I picked a pop color (bright aqua) in a 1 yard cut, and a charm pack of Acacia, as well as one of the Kona solids, and I'm off!!

 My overall plan involves chain piecing alternating solid and print 5" charm squares, and laying them out in rows with longer 5" strips of the aqua.  The aqua will build a central canvas for some more detailed machine quilting designs I've been wanting to try out.  

I laid out the rows with the aqua panels more toward the center of the quilt and the charm squares toward either end of each row.  Then I pinned post it notes with the row order number to the 'top' of each row for ease of assembly.  I found the aqua needed a little help, so I grouped the rows into twos and threes and added 2 1/2" Acacia Jelly Roll strips between them.  As I construct, I'm making sure to offset the charm square seams, so no nesting issues or pressing direction 

I'm still piecing, so I'll add a picture of the quilt top shortly, so you can see what I mean.  But in the meantime, I'm in love with the cheeky colors and perky prints...little raccoon faces peering through purple ferns and the cheerful mix of geometrics and forest elements.

I'm already tossing around ideas for the free motion patterns I will use, and what I love most is the fast and free way the quilt is coming together.  Pre-cuts save SO much time in the planning stage...no cutting or measuring in a quilt like this.  And they save in extra fabric and waste as well, since I used up all but two of the print squares, and the solid extras I can save for another project.  In under twenty minutes, I was sewing pieces together and in under two hours, the quilt top was laid out and nearly complete.  

I'll be back with you in a few days with Part Two as I finish the top and square it up to quilt.  In the meantime, push some boundaries of your own.  It's the New Year.  Try something outside the box.  No time like the present!!  ;)

ORGANIZE YOUR FABRIC AND SUPPLIES!!

As I get things unpacked in my new space, and get my shelves and sewing stations set up, the age-old problem of storage comes up.  I have a few rules that take awhile to set up, but have made my daily projects so much faster and easier!!

I use boxes for everything!  Pretty hat boxes stack on top of bookshelves and file cabinets, and look fantastic in my bright and busy room, but they MUST have labels so you can put your hands on what you need later on.   They're the best for odd shaped items, and things you don't need very often.

I use a Brother Tape Labeler for almost everything, since it's fast and durable and uniform.

For the rest of the supplies that I use more often, I use clear boxes, also labelled but stackable so I can see what I need especially colors or types.

My fabric goes in large clear tubs I buy at Costco, and I sort and group the fabrics by color range (neutrals, pastels) or type (Batiks, Vintage/Flour Sack).  They stack perfectly on the shelf of my 10 foot quilt frame with room for a row on the floor as well.  Fabrics I use less often (velvets, upholstery weights) I keep in labeled large plastic tubs in the garage.  They are in a couple of stacks where I can get to them easily and where the detailed label puts my hand on what I need fast.

I label even what I can see, so I can find the right item at a glance.

More ideas for setting up your studio space coming in the next weeks.  Next subject:  lighting and ventilation!!  See you back here soon!

hugs, Beth

We have the technology, we can rebuild her...

Getting back to work!  
Well, the move is over, the dust has settled and the unpacking has begun.  On Saturday morning, my intrepid friend Lindsay came over and the two of us, armed with strong coffee, cleared the floor in my new studio space, put down the area rug, and opened the back of the equipment trailer.  A little like Indiana Jones opening an ancient tomb, Lindsay and I ceremonially opened the back door/ramp.  A creak, some rays of light filled with swirling dust mites, and there they were.  My treasures had been gathering dust for a few weeks, calling my name.  I have to admit, my heart beat a little faster.

That trailer had been holding my Husqvarna Viking 10 foot quilting table and mega quilter, my trusty Babylock six needle embroidery machine, my Pfaff construction machine, my Babylock serger, a twenty year old embellishing machine, and an old singer treadle.  Also stored inside were twenty clear storage bins of fabrics, countless boxes of books, supplies, notions, tools, and momentos that inspire and entertain me...fairy dolls, a ceramic dragon, a resin unicorn, antique china teacups to hold bobbins, thimbles, snips and clips.  The tools of my trade were waiting for me.

We started with the big stuff, (that's what I would recommend to others starting a new space) and configured the practical work area.   Bookshelves must be easy to reach, work tables organized against walls, my corner desk laid out.  Then moving from table to machine,  I walked the space to make sure it was laid out conveniently and productively.  Leaving room for storage and supplies, dusting off all the clear bins of fabric and smaller bins of threads, glues, ribbons, buttons, notions, etc. we started placing my supplies. 

Lindsay gave up after several hours, but I was at it till the wee hours, unpacking books and instructionals (even a four language translation dictionary) and touching and placing my 'things'.  It is hard work physically and emotionally to organize a new workshop, but I love the useful and beautiful things I use every day to create.   I've missed having them at my fingertips and knowing I can spend a free hour and put my hands on what I need.  My studio is as important as setting up my bedroom or bathroom, and I am glad it has begun.

It will take me several more weeks (I still have to work most days, and this is a big job), but I got the quilter reattached to its cabling, and computerized Qbot.  I found the parts and the power plugs and I'm almost ready to turn on a machine.  Maybe this weekend...

Meantime, my pre-order promotion winds down as I wait for the box of new books to arrive.  Thank you all for purchasing your copy.   And let's get sewing!!  
hugs,
Beth

PRE-ORDERS HAVE BEGUN!  THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY PURCHASE ADVANCE AUTOGRAPHED COPIES!!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/165918797/beth-maitland-pre-order-promotion?

For those about to start quilting...here's my thought for the day:

LOVE QUILTING!!  Don't be intimidated.  Start small.  Just begin your first seam, sew your first block, set your sights on a simple goal, and YOU CAN DO IT!!!  In the tea chapter, I show you how to make little tea mats (or hot pads).  Great first project!!  One thing sends you confidently to the next!

YES YOU CAN!!
love, Beth

QUILTING BOOK PROMOTION!! Autographed copies for Pre-Order

Well, it's been a work in progress (like all of us and everything I touch!) but October brings the actual physical copies of my first quilting book to life!!

In just over two weeks, they can start to ship, and I'm running a promotion!

FIRST 100 COPIES PRE-ORDERED AT MY ETSY STORE WILL BE AUTOGRAPHED by me on a special page at the end of the book!

I'll have the promotion ready for pre-orders by the end of the week!  Meantime, I am so grateful to my friends and fans for the cyber cheering and enthusiasm.  I posted this today on Facebook.  And I mean it!!

THANK YOU DEVIN AND SOAP OPERA DIGEST for all the attention lately!! My quilting book has GONE TO PRESS!!!! and will have physical copies in hand in just over two weeks. RUNNING A PROMOTION: first 100 copies sold through my etsy store will be AUTOGRAPHED!! Will begin taking pre-orders later this week!
After the roll-out, they will be available online through all major retailers, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, etc. Will get you more details as they unfold, but thank you all for your support and encouragement.
Lesson: Never to late to see a dream through!!

eBook available now
http://store.vook.com/storefronts/book/bewitching-fresh-stitching-enchanted-needle-series-book-one.html#.UlwTWRayfzI

Check back to pre-order by the end of the week!!

Cheers!  Beth

HAPPY FALL!

The Santa Ana winds are starting to blow, and the leaves from the Sycamores across the street are piling along the fence.  The grape vines are losing the last of their leaves and the pumpkins are on the porch...waiting.

It is the season of change.  For me personally as well.  The studio move is finished, but the job of unpacking has not yet begun, and I can't really picture how or when it will all be ready to start production.  It's a whole new space, and I haven't even had time to lay out what work station goes where!  Usually by this time of year, I'm in full Holiday Manufacture Mode, and there are projects everywhere.  Bits and pieces of quilts, edges of fabrics in hoops waiting for embroidery, and already my gift wrapping central is traditionally stocked and ready for my wrap-as-I-finish method of preparing for a handmade holiday.

This year, things are going to be different.  And I'm learning to be flexible and roll with what happens.  I haven't begun to prepare for Christmas.  I won't be unpacked by then anyway, but I do intend to have my studio working again by the end of October.  That means a different approach to gift making and giving as well.  No long production days, so projects will have to be instant!  Simple, quick, fabulous.  That will have to be the name of the game.

While I brood on it, I will start picking quick projects that can be finished by assembly line, or made with co-ordinating materials.  Moving has also revealed a lot of personal things I'd like to get rid of, so I will be making theme gifts that include treasures I want to pass on, mixed with handmade accessories in theme baskets.  Maybe antique china cups and saucers with table linens that match, or silver cheese spreaders with a new cheese board and personalized napkins and a table topper.  I also want to include some gifts for my family that use Christmas colored fabrics without Christmas motifs so they can use these gifts all year if they wish.  And I want to shoot tutorials on these quick projects for the Dramaqueenbee YouTube Channel also, so we can all share fast and lovely project ideas for the season.

Lots on my plate, but lots to look forward to also.  Please join me in multitasking this fall and we'll make this holiday season memorable and special.  Yes we can!!

The only place I can think of to start...is the first box.  Shall we?

Moving Studio

This month, September, I'll be moving my home, pets and sewing studio 125 miles back near Los Angeles and in closer proximity to work.  I've been blessed with more work than I can do, and the commute from my beautiful Central Coast home has become too much.  In addition, my daughter will leave this month as well for her first year in college, an amazing new phase in her life, and a lump-in-my-throat send off for my only child.  A lot of change for one poor quilter to take.

The move was quickly conceived because of time deadlines, and I've found that the sewing studio is the biggest challenge for packing, moving, and divesting.  Out with the old...quick, before I have to pack and lift it.  This has been a real purging, and almost as emotional for me as having my daughter out of reach for the first time in 18 years.  I'm struggling with donating that tube weaving machine I've never used, or that rhinestone setter that I've had in a drawer for years, preferring a hot set method now that leaves stones in place longer.  All these things are long ago retired, but I'm troubled by 'what if I need it one day?'  But they've got to go!!  Anybody else out there reorganizing?  Is it this hard for you to let go?

I can't even FACE the fabric.  I have dozens of clear boxes with organized quilting fabrics by style and color, labelled and in reach.  But then there are the larger colored trunks full of velvets and upholstery fabrics for my purses...and the cardboard boxes I didn't quite get to unpack from the last move.  Oh my gosh.  Where did all the thread come from?  Three packing boxes of rayon embroidery thread cones alone.  Then construction thread, specialty thread, quilting thread, surger thread and wooly nylon...

Anybody else out there with this compulsive hoarding?  It started when I was a starving actor and didn't have enough money to buy supplies.  I'd grab things on sale and stock up for gift projects and the like.
Now it's just addiction.  And it's obviously out of control.

The best I can do is vow to go through it all at the other end and downsize there.  Donate, reuse, use up.  It's a lovely dream.  We'll see if it happens.  I'll let you know.

Meantime, goodbye lovely studio, hello new space.  See you in October!