Rainbow Zig Zag Quilt

There are some great spectrum, or rainbow, quilts on the various web sites (like Flickr and Pinterest). Their simplicity (but in no way simplistic) really appeals to me.
I participated in an online spectrum charm swap and have put the 5" square together in half square triangles and tried to arrange them in order form darkest to lightest. Sometimes it worked out. I had quite a few left over (like I received way more orange than any other color) so I think I am going to make a few pillows to go with this quilt.
I was assigned yellow/green as my color and sent in a half yard of each color cut into 5" squares. I got a package back with one from everyone else who participated. Such a great trade I think.
I am participating in an eye spy swap too. This time I sent in a yard cut into charms. We had to put a picture of our fabric on the swap flickr site so we could make sure there weren't any duplicates.
Have you participated in any on line swaps?

Urban Cowgirl Peek

We are all loving Urban Chiks new line, Urban Cowgirl! This quilt top was made with a jelly roll and Cluck Cluck Sew's pattern Off the Grid. It is waiting in the long arm queue. I cant wait to see it all quilted up.
This is going to be a popular line. People are talking about it and loving it too. We have already finished 4 bolts (there are 27 in all). These gone bolts have been reordered but we wont be able to reorder for much longer.
I am wondering what I should buy for my stash. Jenele already put some aside for herself before it ran out.  Smart lady.

Sock Knitting Class

Judy is setting up her knitting classes and up first is socks!
Learn to knit socks on one needle.

Dates: Feb 12, March 6, 13, 27th  10-12PM
Where: The Quilt Barn classroom
Fee: 40$ plus supplies

More knitting classes (including beginner) to be announced soon.

Also, Jenele is teaching a  binding class March 17th 10-11:30. The fee is 10$. Bring in a project that needs binding to work on.

Chemistry Valentine Runner

Lori made a table runner out of the new line from Cosmo Crickets, Chemistry.

She used the table runner pattern from the book Fresh Fabric Treats by Moda Bakeshop.
Some of you might remember Heather made this runner out of Sweetwater's Countdown to Christmas fabrics.

I am thinking my middle daughter needs a big full skirt from one of these to wear on Valentine's Day. The stripe fabric would make a great big bow at the waist.

Our last post, Amy's Puzzle Quilt, was missing the text. I have it back so pop back over and read about this great quilt.

A Stitch in Color Puzzle Quilt

Amy made this amazing quilt and it is on display here at The Quilt Barn. She used one jelly roll and orange yardage from a new line called A Stitch in Color. It is stunning.
The pattern is from Moda Bakeshop, Puzzled Quilt. It is a free pattern.
Amy said this pattern came together really easy.

The backing is a whole cloth cheater fabric. Its like getting 2 quilts in one. I love this backing and want to recover a chair in it.
She quilted it on the long arm using a puzzle pattern. Of course.

Tula Pink Love Quilt

This quilt was started back in December but is bound up and ready just in time for Valentines Day. It came together quickly using Tula Pink's Love pattern, 8 fat quarters and 3 yards for the background. The scrappy binding is leftovers from the fat quarters. We will be getting this pattern in soon.

Heather custom quilted it and it is stunning. Really, you should come in and see it for yourself.

I am linking up here

Valentine Pillow

Our Quilt Barn window needed a Valentine pillow and I found lots of great inspiration online. Amy, from Diary of a Quilter provided this great tutorial for the pillow. The linen is from a French General 54" bolt from the store.
I am really enjoying these Valentines projects.

Valentine Quilt

I am really in a Valentine mood this year. It doesn't hurt that red is one of my favorite colors. I wandered the store and grabbed some of my favorite red and pink fat quarters.

I cut two sizes of hearts out of the cardboard from charm packs (I always save them and the layer cake cardboard for either templates or for the girls to draw on while I am sewing). And cut our 2 sizes from each fat quarter.

I layed out a length of white fabric and cut it to a length I thought looked like a crib size. I folded it in half to mark a middle crease and then free handed a large heart shape with the amazing marking pen we have that disappears with heat.

I spray based 2 or 3 hearts at a time and then machine appliqued them using a blanket stitch and red variegated thread. I kept going until I had covered the large heart shape on the white fabric.

I spray basted and bent pinned the top, backing and batting and outlined most of the hearts with a red perle cotton. I then free motion quilted the random hearts on the white backing. I have been practising my free motion quilting. I started with a loopy swirl but it looked terrible so I picked it out and went with the hearts. They were were so much easier.

The binding is a solid red from French General.

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Valentine Tree Carving Quilt

Today we are starting a series on Valentine Projects.
Pinterest never ceases to provide wonderful inspiration. I saw this quilt (the link will take you to the pinterest picture) and put it on my Valentine 'make' list.

I should have stuck with quilting from the middle out like I usually do but I jumped around a bit and got a few more puckers than I would have liked but overall I am quite pleased with the results.
Here is the link to the original picture on happylifedesigns flickr page.

More Classes

Heather is teaching  Simply Charming Mini Quilts classes from the book of the same name.
Classes will be the last Thursday of the month 6-8 PM, 12 quilts in 12 months.
You can use up your scraps or use a fat eighth pack like Heather did (several mini quilts can be made from one pack).
Each class is 5$ with the purchase of the book, Simply Charming Mini Quilts.
The fabrics shown are from the Walk in the Park line

 Amy is teaching an apron class Tuesday April 10, 1-3 PM.
 Fee will be 10$ plus supplies. The Amy apron pattern is being used.
Amy used Urban Cowgirls fabrics for this apron.

Lori is teaching an apron class as well.
This class is Saturday February 4, 11-12:30 PM.
Fee is 10$ plus supplies.
Lori will be using the Lori Apron pattern (How do I get a Tara apron pattern?).

Space is limited in these classes so pop in and sign up.