Free Pattern – Full Bloom Poppies

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Luana

Every once in awhile we get a Floral collection that is so gorgeous, so eye-popping, that we just have to put it in our weekly Free Quilt Pattern lineup….and this is one of our favorites!

The perfect delicate full bloom of a field of Poppies is captured in this quilt, with alternating black and white backgrounds, which set off the flower illustrations like jewels in the perfect setting.

Start with a panel of Poppy blocks, and build this 70″ x 70″ quilt from there…you’ll be proud to feature this quilt in one of your bedrooms…or present it as a gift to someone who spends a lot of time in their flower garden.

… from the ‘Full Bloom’ collection by Deborah Edwards for Northcott Fabrics.

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Creative Nudge – Mummy Needs COFFEE!

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Luana

I love quilts that tell a story, don’t you?

This quilt by Mathea Daunheimer in New Zealand (“Mummy Without Coffee”) tells a story, and it gives me a good excuse to put 2 of my favorite topics into one fabric collage – Dragons and Coffee!

Do you ever wake up growling and spitting fire because you haven’t had that first cup of coffee yet? Mathea’s quilt captures that moment that we coffee-drinkers know so well. Her story-telling elicits snorts and giggles because she helps us to laugh at ourselves.

I’ve added a border of Dragon and Coffee fabrics that we have in stock, because …no, we don’t have a pattern for this dragon quilt…but you can still make your own Dragon & Coffee quilt.

“Mummy Without Coffee” is an original one-of-a-kind piece. However if you’d like to learn more about her technique you can head on over to her blog at espartafiberarts.com to see how she stitches her drawing, then paints in the colors.

Yes I did have coffee with Mathea in New Zealand, and she has a hilarious self-deprecating sense of humor! You can see her 2 quilts from the New Zealand Quilt Symposium on my photo page.

On Friday I’ll be flying to Quilt Market in Houston, and on next Tuesday evening I’ll be giving out the cash award for Group Quilts at the award ceremony. Hope to see you there …please come say hello!

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana

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Travel Calendar:
Oct 27 – Nov 2 – Quilt Market & Festival – Houston
Nov 8-13 – Color Marketing Group – Portland OR
Dec 29 2017 – Jan 5 2018 – Tanzania Africa Wildlife Migration Tour
Feb 22-25, 2018 – QuiltCon – Pasadena, California
Nov 14-20, 2018 – POLAR BEAR Tour – Join me in Churchill

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Free Pattern – Tiger Fields of Gold

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Luana

Tigers are an endangered species in the wild, and this week’s Free Quilt Pattern focuses on this iconic Big Cat, with 2 tigers relaxing in their natural habitat.

The central digital-printed Tiger panel is exquisitely detailed, and we’ve added a pieced border with grassy coordinates and a Hoffman hand-dye. This 56″ x 42″ quilt design makes a stunning wallhanging that is sure to be a conversation piece wherever it is displayed.

… from the ‘Naturescapes Fields of Gold’ collection by Phillip Allder for Northcott Fabrics.

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Our Sewing Group has Grown

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Luana

We had another great Sewing Day in the eQuilter Classroom, making more comfort quilts for hurricane victims. Today we made more tops, started to layer and stitch quilts, and next time we will do some more layering and start the bindings. Several quilts came back from last week, having been quilted and bound and finished. So our pile of comfort quilts is growing.

Every quilt that is made to be donated, will end up in the hands of someone who has suffered terrible losses, so remember that the label is very important for the person who receives the quilt. If you are making a quilt for disaster relief (with eQuilter, or any other group) I encourage you to document your quilt with your name, date, place, and a message of hope and comfort to whoever will receive this gift of love. You can put this on a label on the back, or stitch it into the quilt itself. It will mean so much to the recipient.

Very special thanks to the ladies of the Rocky Mountain Wa Shonaji quilt guild, who came up from Denver. Last week we had 12 quilters, and this week we had 24!

Also thank you to The Presser Foot – BERNINA dealer in Longmont – who provided this week’s machines. Everyone who sat in front of a BERNINA had an extra special experience sewing today.

Our next sewing days will be
Saturday Nov 4 & 18, 9 am to 4 pm.

PLEASE call us (303-527-0856) or email Customer Service, and RSVP so we know how many sewing machines we need, how much coffee to brew, and how many cookies to bring for you!

LONGARM QUILTERS:
If you live in the area and would like to help us quilt these quilt tops, please give us a call. We can provide batting and backing on request. We have several quilt tops piling up so now we need to get them stitched and finished.

Yesterday I had a staff member of the Carter Center visit our offices and my studio. I took her to visit the quilt exhibit at the Dairy Arts Center, which is closing on Sunday. My portrait of Rosalynn Carter will be in the HerStory exhibit in Houston, so she was anxious to see my studio and learn about the process of making the quilt. We discussed eQuilter’s charity program, and the comfort quilt project.

On Friday I’ll be flying to Houston for Quilt Market and Quilt Festival. I’ll be meeting with our NASA Engineers Without Borders group to learn more about their project saving the homeless boys in Maua Kenya. (which we are supporting financially)

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul

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Free Pattern – Crystalline Zodiac

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Luana

This one is for the Astrology fans – our exclusive eQuilter Free Pattern made with our exclusive eQuilter Digital Printed fabrics!

Whether you are a professional astrologer, or a daily horoscope reader,
this gorgeous 73″ x 94″ quilt will illuminate the essence of all 12 signs.

Big enough for a bed quilt…stunning as a wallhanging for an office or living room…this quilt will be a lively conversation piece no matter where it is seen!

… from the ‘Mystical Zodiac’ collection by the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Creative Nudge – A Kiwi in Morocco

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Luana

My globetrotting to quilt festivals abroad continues to be an international experience in more ways than one. This week I’d like to feature the work of New Zealand quilter Valda Sutton, and her 2 quilts in the New Zealand exhibits that were inspired by the Middle East.

Ottoman Odyssey (vertical quilt on the left) was inspired by her visit to Turkey, and Memories of Morocco (green mandala) is self-explanatory. Her work reminds me of what I saw at the Alhambra in Andalucia in Spain last year, and also of the Egyptian quilters – the Tentmakers of Cairo. The Moorish and Islamic patterns and designs with flowers, geometrics and paisleys are so captivating, with the jeweltones of the glazes used in their ceramic tiles.

Every time I share photos of quilts from shows, we get requests for the pattern! These are one-of-a-kind original quilts created by the quilt artist. However I’ve created a collage of similar fabrics for those of you who are inspired by this design aesthetic. You can see more Kiwi quilts from the 2015 show here.

I’ve posted these quilts on my photo page with several detail shots, so you can admire Valda’s intricate piecing and applique work. I’ll be uploading more quilts from New Zealand throughout the week.

On the way back from New Zealand I had 2 long delays totaling 10 hours, ballooning my travel from 22 hours to 32 hours. My delay in San Francisco was caused by the smoke and fires, but I certainly couldn’t complain about a delay when thousands were losing their homes. I am sure many of you were following Pokey Bolton who had to evacuate from her property in Napa – and we are relieved to see she is back in her home with some damage from the smoke.

If you are aware of a California guild effort to make comfort quilts for fire victims, please forward that information to me through Customer Service. I will share that information with my network.

This Saturday we are having our 2nd Sewing Day for Hurricane Victims, and we thank The Presser Foot for providing the BERNINA machines for our upcoming event. You can see photos of the quilt tops we made last week, on our Facebook page.

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana

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Travel Calendar:
Oct 27 – Nov 2 – Quilt Market & Festival – Houston
Nov 8-13 – Color Marketing Group – Portland OR
Dec 29 2017 – Jan 5 2018 – Tanzania Africa Wildlife Migration Tour
Feb 22-25, 2018 – QuiltCon – Pasadena, California
Nov 14-20, 2018 – POLAR BEAR Tour – Join me in Churchill

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Free Pattern – In Bethlehem

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Luana

We are well into October, and many of us are working on Christmas gifts and holiday decor.
This week’s Free Quilt Pattern makes a quick 48″ x 56″ wallhanging that will bring the blessing of the Nativity into your home.

The central panel is filled with all the traditional details of the Nativity story, shimmering with gold metallic accents. You’ll find the Angel, 3 Wise Men, and even the animals in the stable, in this family portrait of Bethlehem. We appreciate the fine thoughtful details of this artist’s illustration, including the glowing windows of the background city, and the individual pieces of straw in the foreground.

The jeweltone coordinates are also highlighted with gold and stained glass effects, to make the pieced border. You will love working with this beautiful quality fabric as you cut and sew this very special wallhanging.

… from the ‘In Bethlehem’ collection by Liz Dillon for Quilting Treasures.

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.

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Sewing Days and the eQuilter Classroom

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Luana

Wow, we had such a great day here in the eQuilter classroom! A fantastic group of quilters showed up, drooled over our fabrics, picked out their favorites, and made quilts for hurricane victims. Next week we will work on layering and quilting these quilt tops, and we’ll start making more tops.

We have interest in having a regular sewing group so in addition to next Saturday’s planned Sewing Day, I will announce one or two more days in November.

Many thanks to Blakeman Sewing for providing today’s beautiful BERNINA machines, and we look forward to The Presser Foot bringing us machines next weekend. Much coffee was quaffed, many cookies and donuts were consumed, and many lovely quilts were made! Some of the ladies are going to take them home to finish, so we are sending them home with batting and backing. I am just amazed at how prolific this group has been here today.

Our eQuilter classroom is open to groups or individuals who would like to get together to sew comfort quilts, to be delivered by Mission of Love to those most affected by these recent hurricanes.
WE PROVIDE THE FABRIC!

Next Sewing Day:
Saturday 10/21 – 9 am to 4 pm – Presser Foot Longmont providing machines.

PLEASE call us (303-527-0856) or email Customer Service, and RSVP so we know how many sewing machines we need, how much coffee to brew, and how many cookies to bring for you!

Our big news is that we are putting together a calendar of classes, creative retreats and other events for our eQuilter Classroom. Some of the events we have planned for 2018 include a weekend class with Australian artist Lisa Walton (who is also the new President of SAQA), and a ‘Chromazone’ color forecasting conference for Color Marketing Group. Stay tuned!

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul

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Free Pattern – Wild and Free

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Luana

Attention HORSE LOVERS – You know who you are… This one’s for you!

This week’s exclusive eQuilter Free Quilt Pattern features this exceptionally detailed Digital-printed central panel with gorgeous horses running wild and free.

Top and bottom blocks feature small horse vignettes, and the quilt is finished with an engineered border made from a wide “stripe” of running horses.

Make this 58″ x 64″ quilt as a wall-hanging, lap quilt or small bed coverlet. It is a conversation piece for any Horse-loving family or community!

… from the ‘Wild And Free’ collection by Laurie Snow Hein for Northcott Fabrics.

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.

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Creative Nudge – A Day in the Shire

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Luana

Kia Ora! …..and many thanks to all of you who came out for my lecture here in New Zealand!

In a couple hours I am headed to the Christchurch airport for my 23 hour trip home. I’ve had a wonderful 2nd visit to New Zealand, in Wellington, Rotorua, and Auckland. When I get home (and catch my breath) I’ll post photos from my Lord of the Rings tour, and my visit to Hobbiton.

Many of us use Quilting, Crafting, Sewing, and Creative Making, to center ourselves in a crazy world. Many of us travel to beautiful places or conferences to push the Reset button in our busy lives. Going to a quilt festival does both!

My two favorite things on this trip (besides the Quilt Symposium, of course!) were attending the WOW show in Wellington, and visiting Hobbiton. For both experiences, I had a big happy smile on my face the whole time, just marveling at the creativity expressed in creating these fantasy worlds.

It was a pretty miserable cold rainy day when I went to Hobbiton, but I borrowed an umbrella and tramped up and down the Hobbit paths, immersing myself in the experience. Eventually I got to the place where I felt like I was really in another time and place, and my escape from reality was complete. I slept like a baby that night, and had lovely dreams.

This kind of experience explains the growing popularity of CosPlay, but it also underlines our need to get out in Nature to reconnect with our Humanity. The Hobbit Shire is immersed in the beauty of Nature, and to dream of such a life – even for an hour or two – helps us to reconnect with our top priorities as human beings who are just a part of this beautiful world we live in.

Next year in Nov. 2018, I am going to celebrate my 60th birthday with the Polar Bears, and YOU are invited to join me! This will be my 4th trip to photograph the polar bears in Churchill, and we are going to have a birthday dinner party out on the tundra at night. Reservations are open now and payment plans are available! See here for more details.

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana

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Travel Calendar:
Oct 27 – Nov 2 – Quilt Market & Festival – Houston
Nov 8-13 – Color Marketing Group – Portland OR
Dec 29 2017 – Jan 5 2018 – Tanzania Africa Wildlife Migration Tour
Feb 22-25, 2018 – QuiltCon – Pasadena, California
Nov 14-20, 2018 – POLAR BEAR Tour – Join me in Churchill!

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