New Talk: Build a Scrap Quilt Brick by Brick

Written by Diane Harris on . Posted in Blog, Classes, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Open Classes for Everyone, Quilt Lifestyle, Trunk Shows

You’re invited to an online presentation I’m giving soon:

Build a Scrap Quilt Brick by Brick, tickets $20 on Eventbrite

It happens live Sat Aug 24 but it will be recorded to watch at your convenience, too.

Brick Block baby quilt by Diane Harris, EQ rendering

If you attended the Conquer Your Fabric Scraps Summit and upgraded to the bundle, then a ticket to this talk is included. But if you didn’t and you’d like to come, you may purchase a ticket any time this week.

Just Bricks by Diane Harris

One of my interests is taking simple ideas and seeing how far I can run with them. I love designing quilts that feature just one patch, such as a brick.

In this talk, some of the things we’ll cover include:

  • What IS a brick
  • What sizes to cut
  • Many ways to use bricks for scrap quilts
  • The Brick Block
  • The L Block
  • The Frameup Block
  • The Windmill Block
  • Pictorial quilts with bricks
  • And more!
Basic Baby Windmills quilt by Diane Harris. Photo by Kristin Laing Photography.

And the best part? I’m creating a handout that will show you how the bricks are arranged for many of these ideas! You can print it and have it at your fingertips as you begin your own journey with bricks. Normally, each quilt idea would be developed into a pattern for sale, which would retail for around $12. So if you get 10 ideas worth $12 each, that’s $120 worth of content that is included with your $20 ticket to the talk.

Trust me when I say that you’re going to get excited about making scrap quilts with bricks!

Get your ticket now and I’ll see you on Saturday. And remember, you can watch the recording if you can’t attend live. 😊

Home for Christmas is a brick quilt by Diane Harris.

Rotate That Baby and Conquer Your Scraps

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

I finished a quilt top this week but before we get to that, here’s an invitation to a free event for anyone with scraps.

I’m sharing a new talk called Smashing Sashing during the Conquer Your Fabric Scraps Summit.

And I’d love it if you’d be there. A ticket to the summit is complimentary. There will be 21 teachers all sharing their best tips, tricks, ideas and inspiration for diving into your scrap fabrics and making good use of them in wonderful ways.

You’ll find all the details and registration (it’s free!) on the Summit’s main page. I hope to see you there!

Full disclosure: You’ll be offered the option to upgrade your ticket for a fee, which gives you extended access to all of the presentations as well as a bundle of goods: patterns, classes and more. If you upgrade, I will earn a commission. But you can take in all of the Summit at no charge and it’s fine if that’s what you prefer. 😊

Here’s the scoop on my latest project.

Early this year I decided to jump in for the Tiny Nine Patch Challenge, hosted by Taryn @reproquiltlover on Instagram. There were three sizes from which to pick and I decided on the middle size. The squares are cut at 1-1/4″ so the Nine Patch will finish at 2-1/4″ x 2-1/4″. Small enough to be super cute but not so small as to make me miserable.

Make a Summer Splash on The Quilt Show

Written by Diane Harris on . Posted in Blog, Classes, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Open Classes for Everyone, Quilt Lifestyle

If “sampler” makes you think of blocks in rows with sashing, let me introduce something new!

A few years back I designed Petit Patchwork as a way to teach several techniques to quilters at a retreat. It was fun to make and it’s an attractive little quilt.

Petit Patchwork by Diane Harris

Fast forward to last year when I was a guest on The Quilt Show with Ricky Tims (Alex Anderson was recovering from surgery) and crew. They’d seen Petit Patchwork and invited me to design this year’s summer quilt project. When I learned how it would work, another small sampler seemed like the right choice. And that’s how Summer Splash was born.

Early sketching for blocks and layout ideas

Scrap quilts to love: Ideas and fun by quilters!

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

There was a wealth of scrappy inspiration at the guilds I visited recently.

This quilt, made by Becki in Arlington, Texas, was one of my favorites. She worked with third graders after a guild friend hosted a similar project for her grandchildren.

Becki’s finished group quilt ready to gift

It exudes joy and I fell in love with it. Becki is on the left during show and tell at the Trinity Valley Quilters’ Guild meeting, where I shared One Hundred Small Quilts.

Becki observed that it was pretty easy to tell which blocks were made by girls and which ones were by the boys. I think that’s a fascinating part of human nature.

Make a Scrap Quilt: Brick by Brick

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

Welcome to Stash Bandit! Let’s talk about bricks!!

I’ve been playing with bricks for years and some of my favorite quilts feature this simple rectangle which is twice as long as wide. Let’s start simply. This is the easiest scrap quilt ever!

Cut a wide variety of fabrics into patches 2½” x 4½”. Pair a lighter brick with a darker brick. Sew the patches together along the long edge to form a unit. Press toward the darker brick. Now you have a unit:

Arrange the units into Row 1 by rotating the second unit and then every other unit as shown below. Sew the units together and press seam allowances to the left.

Make Row 2 in a similar way, but rotate the FIRST unit, and then every other unit. Sew those units together and press seam allowances to the right.

Snag a seat: Playtime with your quilt scraps = victory

Written by Diane Harris on . Posted in Blog, Classes, How-tos and Ideas, Open Classes for Everyone, Quilt Lifestyle

Learn to use your leftovers to make beautiful stars and so much more!

There are seats in a StarQuar Scrap Quilts workshop on Zoom Saturday, Feb 24 from 9 to 3 Central, and I’d love to have you grab one! The cost for the workshop is $65 and you can sew from the comfort of home. A guild in Massachusetts is opening the class to those outside of their membership, so no matter where you live, you’re invited in for a day of fun, playful adventure. Click here to learn more or register.

Learn how I manage my scraps, how I cut quickly and efficiently and how I make unique and beautiful quilts from unlikely fabrics.

StarQuars play in a big block.

I’ll share all my best tips and tricks with you in this one day workshop. You’ll be invited to go way beyond stars, too. StarQuars become all sorts of interesting things when you unleash your imagination!

Kitties in Windows by Diane Harris

It is so much fun to see how beautifully your scraps can play together. We’ll talk about color, value, contrast, scale and more.

Scrappy StarQuars quilt by Diane Harris

If you’re in the mood for a scrappy adventure with like-minded makers, don’t delay. Grab yourself a spot in this workshop by getting a ticket on Eventbrite now!

This workshop will not be recorded.

See the supply list right here.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Quilt on,

My best quilt on Birkenstocks?!?!

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

You never know!!!

I have just finished applying to be a featured artist with Michael Grey Sandal Factory, which means that one of my best quilts could be printed onto leather and made into classic Birkenstock sandals!!!

Photo from mgsandalfactory.com, art by Kasey Rainbow

How cool would that be? I am ridiculously excited for the possibility, even though I suppose the odds are slim that a quilt maker would be selected.

Art by Ada Sisa on Birks by
Michael Grey Sandal Factory

I envision my most well known and recognizable quilt, Star Silhouettes, printed on luxury leather and worn on the feet of quilters everywhere!

Star Silhouettes by Diane Harris. Quilted by Julie Lechner.

Or maybe one of the versions of Tango?

Tango by Diane Harris.

Or maybe Framework?

Framework by Diane Harris

Or even Nine Patch Jambalaya?

Nine Patch Jambalaya, designed, made and quilted by Diane Harris

Like I said, you just never know!!

Quilt on,

Bask in winter warmth: Quilt Cruise Hawaii

Written by Diane Harris on . Posted in Blog, Classes, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle

It’s one of my favorite places, and you’re invited to join me there next January!

I’m beyond excited to extend a warm welcome to Quilt Bee at Sea: Hawaii 2025. Join me and World of Quilts Travel as we set sail on Holland America’s the Koningsdam Jan. 11 to 28, 2025.

Maui sunset, photo by Diane Harris

Of the places I’ve been, Hawaii is one of my all-time favorites. It is truly magical. And that’s why I’m so enthused about this trip! And when you add in all the fun times of quilting together, teaching and learning and making new friends, I can hardly stand it.

Maui blossom, photo by Diane Harris

And I’m a flower gardener, so the tropical varieties of the South Pacific are endlessly fascinating. There’s a new blossom everywhere you look.

Holland America’s the Koningsdam

Holland America has a great reputation, and the Koningsdam is one of its loveliest ships.

I will teach Log Jam on the Quilt Bee at Sea.

We’ll depart from San Diego and our days at sea will be for classes. Once we’re in Hawaii we’ll simply enjoy the islands. And while we cruise back home, we’ll learn in classes once again.

If you’d rather simply sit and sew – we have you covered with a dedicated sewing space just for you! Bring your UFOs and join our exclusive Quilt ’til You Wilt marathon group. You get to choose how you cruise! The other (amazing) instructors will be Debbie Maddy and Dana Woodard.

I will teach “StarQuar Scrap Quilts” on the Quilt Bee at Sea.

Quilt cruises are a wonderful opportunity to travel with quilting friends and to make new pals who share your passion. The camaraderie is second to none; many quilters develop lifelong friendships on similar cruises.

Sea turtles on Maui, photo by Diane Harris

Non-quilters are welcome, so consider bringing a companion or your family. There will be something for every interest on board and in port. There are no additional charges for non-quilters who travel along.

Too excited to keep reading? Go to the cruise page now!

Fascinating plant life is abundant. Photo by Diane Harris.

The 2024 cruise sold out quickly. Don’t wait too long to book—I don’t want to sail away without you!

Read reviews from past participants:

Click here to check it out on World of Quilts Travel today!

~ Aloha ~

A little deep cleaning, a bunch of memories

Written by Diane Harris on . Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Quilt Lifestyle

My weekend retreat plans were cancelled…

…due to snow, ice, wind and cold. Instead I went through some tubs of very old patterns from the 80s and 90s. It was pretty entertaining.

The first things I ever sewed were garments, so I guess it was natural for me to carry that idea forward into my quiltmaking years.

There were a lot of vest patterns. They just wouldn’t stop. Seems I was enamored with anything textural.

And the vests kept coming. Remember pin weaving? I took the class but I never made the vest.

Honestly, how many patchwork vests is a girl going to wear? Even back when they were cool?!

At least this one is a little more artsy. Out of all these vests, I made exactly zero.

But wait, there’s more. Here’s to other garments:

I had a thing for tops and jackets. Or at least for the patterns for tops and jackets.

Notice the name? It’s “can you stand it” spelled Kanustandit. Clever, or stupid? You decide.

I was wildly optimistic about making and wearing patchwork garments.

May it was the “Ninety Minute” promise that lured me in?

I STILL think the Mismatched Medley shirt is really cute. This is one I kept. But how many of these did I actually sew?

Again, ZERO.

Embroidery patterns also took a hit.

I used to do lots of primitive-style embroidery, and I sold a few pillows from the “Bless Us” design and others to friends and neighbors. It was fun to make a few dollars here and there to help support my quilting habit, as I wasn’t working away from home in those years.

Here’s another thing I noticed:

If you needed a handout, you typed the words on a typewriter and you drew the diagrams by hand. You went to a store to make the copies. People didn’t have copiers at home, let alone computers or drawing programs. It was primitive compared to what we have today.

Even Fons & Porter handouts were drawn by hand! I took a class from them around 1987. The copyright says 1986, and they weren’t yet well known.

My guild in Norfolk, Nebraska invited Vivian Ritter to teach for us. She worked for Quilters Newsletter at the time and to me she was a real celebrity.

Her diagrams were hand drawn and extensive. It makes me dizzy to think about the hours people spent creating materials for quilt classes back then. Even now, I spend a lot of time creating handouts, and that’s with computer resources readily available.

How things have changed!

Every time I go through my patterns, handouts, clippings, etc., I cull a few more. But it always feels like I’m getting rid of old friends. They’re so familiar. I’ve looked at the pages of these things dozens of times over 30-plus years.

In the end, I’m comforted by the idea that they did what they were meant to do. They put a few dollars into the pocket of a designer and a shop owner. And they inspired me, entertained me and spurred me on to the next creation.

Maybe that is enough. 😊

Quilt on,

Have you saved patterns, handouts, magazines from the past? How old are your oldest ones? Why do you save them? Please tell me in the comments.