Author Archive

Wild Goose Chase Handout

Written by Diane Harris on April 8, 2021. Posted in Blog, Complimentary, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration

Hi, if you’re here for the Quilter’s World/Annie’s Catalog Wild Goose Chase handout, welcome!

Here’s a link to the math for making 2.5″ x 4.5″ Flying Geese three different ways as shown on the FB Live on Thursday, April 8.

Get the Wild Goose Chase Handout here.

Watch the recording:

Watch the video recording of Wild Goose Chase: Three ways to make Flying Geese with Diane Harris of Stash Bandit.

Check out the Quilter’s World FB page for other video tutorials I’ve done in the past. And if you’re into other kinds of crafts, too, Annie’s Catalog is chock-full of great ideas.

Giveaway #6 at Stash Bandit

Written by Diane Harris on April 5, 2021. Posted in Blog, Giveaways, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration

There’s been a resurgence of interest in cross stitch. Have you noticed? I have a special place in my heart for cross stitch because when I married in 1981, my new sister-in-law Ruth Ann introduced me to it. I was a fanatical stitcher for decades. I still have many samplers in my home, and recently my daughter asked if she could have one. I think she considers it part of her heritage!

Now a number a quilt designers are also designing cross stitch patterns, including It’s Sew Emma (Fat Quarter Shop’s house brand) and Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet.

Giveaway #5 at Stash Bandit

Written by Diane Harris on April 3, 2021. Posted in Blog, Giveaways, Quilt Lifestyle

We’re up to the fifth giveaway of 10. I’m going to try and get all the rest of the giveaways posted within the next 10 days so stop back often to leave your comments on all of them for a chance to win.

Today’s giveaway features a variety of really cool stuff! The Fat Quarter Shop is one of my favorite businesses and I’m a big fan of their products of all kinds. A while back they purchased the Triangles on a Roll business and it’s a marriage made in heaven!

Plus and X Block Instructions

Written by Diane Harris on March 18, 2021. Posted in Blog, Complimentary, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration

One thing we’ve talked about in Scrap Quilt Secrets is the Plus and X Block. It became popular a few years back when a Japanese quilter named Setsuko Inagawa entered a quilt with this block into the Tokyo show, and a quilter named Jan Burgwinkle took photos and posted them on flickr. People went wild and soon there were Plus and X quilts popping up everywhere.

I made mine in the first few years of the frenzy and I didn’t pay any attention to value. Here’s what I mean.

Giveaway #4 and Welcome!

Written by Diane Harris on March 14, 2021. Posted in Blog, Giveaways, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle

If you’re new to Stash Bandit, welcome! My Scrap Quilt Secrets sessions on Sundays have brought in new people and if that’s you, I’m happy to have you.

I’m doing a series of 10 giveaways to celebrate a milestone on Instagram. This is #4.

UFO Clinic for Quilters

Written by Diane Harris on March 3, 2021. Posted in Blog, Classes, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle

I had an idea the other day and I decided to go for it! I’ve hosted a UFO workshop many times in person but I wondered about doing it virtually. I think it will work!

You’re invited to join me

Join me for an informal two-hour session and get help with a UFO (that’s quilt talk for UnFinished Object) that has you stalled.

About this Event

I’ve helped scores of quilters regain momentum to finish UFOs and get their sew-jo back. Whatever the problem is, I can help you figure it out and start moving toward completion.

Maybe it was ugly fabrics or a technique you didn’t understand. Perhaps the instructions were unclear or the method was too difficult—or maybe you just need a cheerleader to urge you forward.

I’ll be happy to do what it takes to move your UFO into the finished pile.

I’m in! Take me to registration.

A 10 person class will make it possible to help everyone. I will ask for your patience as I work out a system.

I can’t wait to tackle your UFO together!

Click here to register.

This session is an experiment and is priced accordingly. Future sessions may be priced differently.

Day 2 Giveaway: Fabric!

Written by Diane Harris on February 22, 2021. Posted in Blog, Complimentary, Giveaways, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration

Stash Bandit is celebrating with 10 days of giveaways and this is Day 2!

I recently finished piecing a throw-size version of a quilt called Maisy Daisy, which I ran across in a back issue of McCall’s Quilting. Its scrappy deliciousness called to me.

Maisy Daisy, designed by Maho Schwartz, made by Diane Harris

Then I made the exciting discovery that McCall’s put the pattern online at no charge, so if you like it, be sure to grab it here.

The quilt was designed by Maho Schwartz. I made just 12 blocks but the original has more. Totally up to you!

Booking Specials for Quilt Guilds

Written by Diane Harris on February 16, 2021. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle, Trunk Shows

As part of my 10K Celebration, I’m running a special on virtual trunk shows for quilt guilds for a limited time.

Read all about it.

Day 1 Giveaway

Written by Diane Harris on February 16, 2021. Posted in Blog, Complimentary, Giveaways, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle

Stash Bandit is celebrating with 10 days of giveaways and this is Day 1!

I have two great books on quilts made from 2-1/2″ strips and a specially-curated bundle of those strips in blues and neutrals.

I have been doing a monthly Facebook Live with Annie’s so it is fitting that I feature one of my favorite books of theirs: Time-Saving Quilts with 2-1/2″ Strips.

In case you’re wondering, I’m not being paid for this and I don’t get a commission on the books. I really just like this title and want to share it with you. 😊

And if you’re a scrap quilt lover like I am, I hope that you’ve discovered Susan Ache.

Stash Bandit is Celebrating!

Written by Diane Harris on February 16, 2021. Posted in Blog, Giveaways, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle, Trunk Shows

I hope you’ll join me to celebrate a milestone! Stash Bandit reached 10,000 Instagram followers on Sunday, Feb 14 and that calls for a party!

10 days of giveaways
“Scrap Quilt Secrets” Class Launch (it’s complimentary!)
A new pattern that’s fun and easy (and free!)
Sneak peeks of what’s ahead
Booking specials on Stash Bandit trunk shows

Father & Farmer by Diane Harris, quilted by Julie Lechner

Let’s first talk about the launch of my complimentary series of classes: Scrap Quilt Secrets. Why am I giving away six hours of instruction on fabric, color and making dynamite scrap quilts? Here’s why:

I want to visit your quilt guild!

I’m doing this series to give people a sense of my style and a taste of what I share during my trunk shows. And there’s another reason:

I love to talk about scrap quilts!

People are hungry to know how to use the fabric they already own to make beautiful scrap quilts. They want projects with cohesion rather than a messy jumble of chaos—and that’s what I will teach you.

You can sign up for one, any or all of the six one-hour sessions. I will give a presentation on a scrap quilt topic and then we’ll have discussion where you can ask questions or show me your fabric and get help.

The first session is Sunday, Feb 21 from 2 to 3 pm CST. It will happen on six consecutive Sundays: Feb 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28. Sign up for one, any or all. Missing one won’t put you behind. Each one stands alone.

Subscribe to the blog.

I’ll also publish a new complimentary pattern this week for my easy, simple, modern design called Nights in White Satin.

Nights in White Satin, EQ rendition, by Diane Harris

I designed this quilt in EQ8 and I’ll start piecing it this week. Join with me if you want to! It would be a good time to get EQ8 for yourself or to learn how to use it. Lots of great info at The Electric Quilt Company.

Pattern coming later this week!

But wait! There’s more! 🤣

For quilt guilds, I’m running booking specials this week.

Discounts plus a quilt!

I am giving a 15% discount on virtual lectures booked for any time in 2021 or 2022. And for the first three guilds that book a virtual lecture, I will send you a quilt which you can award to a member, donate or use as a fundraiser. This offer only applies to new contracts not already in place or in progress.

Offer ends March 31, 2021.

See my trunk shows here.

Thank you for your support over the first four years of my business adventure. I so appreciate it!