Let’s Tango! Fun, easy class.

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

There’s still time to register for Tango, a class that happens live tomorrow 4/8 from 11 to 5 Central. If you can’t attend live, you can watch the recording later at your convenience.

Tango by Diane Harris. Photo by Kristin Laing Photography.

Easy piecing has never been so much fun! And Tango looks great in any color recipe or fabric style you choose.

I’ve searched high and low for the name of this quilt’s maker. If you can help,
please let me know. It was started in one of my Tango classes.

The number of finished quilt photos I get indicates that many people do finish their projects, and that’s the best news! None of us needs one more UFO.

Here’s an EQ8 version that I adore. I might have to make this one.

If you want a smaller quilt or a larger quilt, that’s easy to accomplish. The quilt does grow (or shrink) in 9″ increments but otherwise, it’s very doable.

I made these yellow, gray and white blocks recently and I can’t wait to quilt them.

One of the beautiful things about Tango is that you can make it very controlled or very scrappy, or somewhere in between. You can often sew from your stash with no extra purchases needed.

Stephanie Lockhart made this Tango from Alison Glass fabrics and
shot it in a delicious setting.

Once again, you can attend Tango live on Friday, 4/8 from 11 to 5 CDT, or you can watch the recording later at your convenience.

Tickets are $65 at eventbrite.com. Get yours now!

Upon registration, you’ll get an email with a link to the supply list and the Zoom link to attend live, even if you plan to watch the recording. Everyone who registers will have access to the recording.

I hope to see you in class!

Manage your scraps beautifully: Two online quilt classes!

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

Join me online January 26 and 28 for scrappy fun during the Quiltfest Virtual Schoolhouse.

Simply Bricks by Diane Harris


#1: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 10 to 4 EST, online workshop for Quiltfest Virtual Schoolhouse

Scrap Management: Brick by Brick

Bricks are so easy to cut and sew but the potential for amazing designs is endless! This class is beginner friendly but more experienced makers will gain new insight regarding value, contrast, scale and more. You may choose from several sizes of bricks and you’ll precut so you’re ready to hit the ground running. A ridiculous amount of fun!

Trunk Shows: Ripe for Picking

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

Just a quick post today with info about my trunk shows for quilt groups. This is the main thrust of my business and it’s what I love doing the most—and where I think my strongest skills reside, too.

Petit Patchwork, designed and made by Diane Harris of Stash Bandit

When I share a trunk show, it’s more than “here are pretty quilts I made.” The quilts taught me lessons, which I’ll tell you about.

Father & Farmer by Diane Harris. Quilted by Julie Lechner.

They use techniques to get a message across, which I’ll explain. They’re held together by something that I’ll point out, suggesting how you can use that in your own quilts.

Framework by Diane Harris, top before quilting

These days I am mostly booking virtual trunk shows on Zoom. I learned to love it during the pandemic and I think people actually learn more in a virtual setting than they do in person.

Ring Around the Rainbow, designed and made by Diane Harris

If I’m within a six hour drive, I’ll consider visiting your group in person. I have six trunk shows available.

The most popular is Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts. Here’s the official description:

How do you make a successful scrap quilt? Learn Diane Harris’s best tips and top secrets during this trunk show of many scrappy quilts made over the years. What is a scrap quilt? Who can make one? Why would you create with scraps? How is it done? From the Stash Bandit herself, discover ways to pull your scraps together, strategies for using your stash and even what does not work. You may never make an ordinary quilt again!

Then we have this one that’s especially popular from August to December:

This one is so much fun to give because who isn’t happy about Christmas? We always have a great time! I once bought a t-shirt that said “Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells” across the front but I haven’t had the nerve to wear it to a trunk show yet. See more of Jingle Bells here.

A trunk show that is finally picking up steam is this one:

I can’t tell you how much fun it was to build this trunk show! I made sampler quilts for a couple of years. They are so interesting to create, and there are still more on my list. Never enough hours, are there?! See more here.

If you’re interested in creativity, you’d like this one:

It’s all about how I took one simple quilt block and designed dozens of quilts from it. It’s about starting to think like a designer. People leave inspired! More about Windy Wonders here.

And finally, this one:

I love Dresden Plate. It’s a design that has gotten a bad rap and you only have to look on eBay to see why: Awful examples of Dresdens abound. This one is a combo trunk show/hands-on demo and how-to with examples of variations to whet your appetite for more. I have fewer completed quilts in this one but it still gets rave reviews. See more Drezzup here.

The trunk show I’ve been giving the longest—10 years now—is One Hundred Small Quilts.

This one doesn’t translate well to virtual so I only give it in person. Part of the appeal is seeing about 130 small quilts in one place, laid out on display after I talk about each one (quickly!). It’s a great evening with tons of ideas and takeaways. Everyone gets so excited and I love that!

So if your quilt group is hiring presenters for the next couple of years, I’d appreciate being considered. I’m happy to provide references—people who’ve hired me and been happy with my performance.

Please get in touch: diane@stashbandit.net

Let’s Talk Quilts!

The Brick Block: Join me and learn!

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

I’m excited to offer a new class on a simple design called The Brick Block. It will be held live on Friday, June 25, but if you can’t attend live you can take in the recording and you won’t miss a thing!

The Brick Block baby quilt by Diane Harris, EQ rendering

This beginner-friendly block has so many possibilities that more experienced makers can enjoy it, too. And while you don’t need a teacher to make the block, I am going to unlock many secrets about fabric choices for you—ideas that you’ll be able to apply to all your future quilt projects.

You can make it scrappy, or coordinated, or scrappy coordinated! You can make the blocks big or small or somewhere in between. You can make a few blocks or dozens. And I will show you how to make any combination work so that your quilt is smashing!

Best of all, as long as you have a bit of a stash (that is, fabrics on hand that you love), you can make this project from the fabrics you already own. And the pattern is included in the price of the class.

Sound good?

Here are the details:

Friday, June 25, 9 to 11 AM CDT
You will register in advance
Attend live or watch at your convenience for 30 days
Unlimited repeats for 30 days
$20 covers pattern, class, handouts and
follow-up show & tell

Here are a few more things you can do with The Brick Block:

Scrappy with limited palette

You could make a patriotic quilt with scrappy or more planned fabrics.

Scrappy in sherbet colors

You could make a baby quilt with batting or without, in which case you’d be making more of a receiving blanket.

The Brick Block in a barn raising setting

You can use just one background as shown above in the barn raising setting. You may not want to make all of these decisions before the class, but if you come and see all the possibilities, I think you’ll quickly narrow it down. Then you can shop your stash, and if you need to purchase something, you know it won’t go to waste.

Scrappy Bricks by Diane Harris

You can even go completely scrappy like I did with Scrappy Bricks. I’ll show you how to make this work!

I will also help you improve your piecing accuracy with a couple of easy tricks. 😊

Register now; space is limited.

Just $20 to equip you with many ideas you can use in this and future quilts!

I can’t wait to meet you.

Let’s see what’s hiding in your stash!

A few more details:

Check out the supply list here.

When and how I host the followup show & tell depends on a few things but as soon as I know, I will email all who registered.

This class is beginner-friendly but fun for anyone who wants to expand their skills with color and fabric selection!

Still have questions? Email me: diane@stashbandit.net

Another idea!

UFO Clinic for Quilters

Written by Diane Harris on . 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.

Blocks I made a quilt retreat

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.

Easy Quilt Binding by Machine Class is Open

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

Would you like to learn to bind your quilts with a method that is easy, fast, sturdy and beautiful? Then my easy quilt binding by machine might be exactly what you need!

Friday, Feb. 26, 11 am to 2 pm CST

or

Saturday, March 27, 1 to 4 pm CST

$39.99

Class will happen on Zoom and is open to anyone, anywhere. I’d love to have you join me!

This is me, Diane Harris.

Would you like to see the supply list before you decide?

Click here to see the supply list.

You’ll practice all the steps of binding in class and leave well-equipped to bind your next quilt in a fraction of the time. Now you can finish a quilt more quickly and still be proud of the result.

Some of the things we’ll cover:

  • Auditioning fabrics for binding
  • Using stripes for binding
  • Tricks for cutting
  • Pressing for success
  • Mitering the corners
  • Adjusting your machine
  • Joining the ends

Tickets are available through Eventbrite and your cost will be $39.99. Here is the link:

Click here to see the tickets or purchase either time slot

I can’t wait to see you in class!

Learn My Machine Binding Method!

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

I’ve been binding my quilts on the machine for more than 20 years with a technique that’s fast, beautiful and sturdy.

Are you free on Saturday?

Join me for Mock-Hand Binding by Machine, a live class with me, Diane Harris from Stash Bandit, from 9 am to 12 pm Saturday, Dec. 12.

The fee is $35.

(Yes, this will be offered again and next time it won’t be so early for people on Pacific time.)

Go straight to registration

or read on for details.

This all-machine technique imitates a binding sewn down by hand, but in a fraction of the time. I’ve been binding my quilts with this method since the 90s so I know the tricks to make it work along with the pitfalls to avoid.

PLEASE NOTE: It’s best if your sewing machine has a blind hemstitch, but you can make a regular zigzag work if need be. I’ll also show you other binding secrets to make your quilt look its best!

Blind hem stitch is used for this technique. Lots of machines have it!

I have 36 years of quiltmaking experience along with many years of teaching. From beginners to pros, everyone in the US* is welcome in this class, which will be a live demonstration of the technique along with written instructions and photographs in the handouts. You’ll leave with everything you need to start binding your quilts quickly and beautifully. Let’s do it!

*The platform I’m using on Zoom is still in Beta (testing) mode and is limited to US users right now. Word is that it will open to international registrants at some point before long.

Mock-Hand Binding by Machine

9 am to 12 pm CST

Saturday, Dec 12, 2020

$35

Click here to register.

You’ll get a link to the supply list when you register. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Quilt on,

Introducing Open Enrollment Classes

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

I’m excited to offer something brand new! Open enrollment classes are pre-scheduled and presented live to anyone, anywhere. Now you don’t have to wait for me to do a Zoom class with your guild, and the best part? You can sew from the comfort of your own space.

Hand-Look Binding by Machine is the first class I am offering for open enrollment.

None of us is happy about the pandemic, but one bit of silver lining is taking a class without leaving home. It is a luxury to have all of your fabric and supplies at your fingertips. My students are loving it!

To You, With Love by Diane Harris

Each class will be presented at a particular time. You can browse through the list and if there’s a topic you like at a time that works, you just click through to OnZoom to register and pay.

Rainbodacious by Diane Harris

Once you have registered and paid, you’ll get an email with a link to the supply list. From there, I’ll be sure you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare, and you can always email me with questions: diane@stashbandit.net

Ring Around the Rainbow by Diane Harris

Right now I’m writing the supply lists and handouts, making step-outs and shooting samples as needed. When a class is four weeks away, I can list it with OnZoom.

If you’re not familiar with OnZoom, it’s a new feature that Zoom is rolling out whereby clients can offer paid events. I had to apply and it’s in beta, which means they’re still testing parts of it. So far I love it. As an attendee, I don’t think you’ll notice any differences between the Zoom you’re used to and OnZoom.

Bitty Blocks Row by Row by Diane Harris

I have two classes open for registration:

Hand-Look Binding by Machine, $35

and

The Brick Block: Stash Bandit Briefs, $10.

Stash Bandit Briefs is something I’m super excited to offer. They are brief, concise little classes or lessons for just $10, and currently the pattern will be included.

You’ll find all the details of open enrollment as well as an ever-evolving list of offerings on the Open Enrollment page.

I can’t wait to see you in class!

Who the heck is Diane Harris?

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

If you found me because of Global Quilt Connection, you might wonder! Here’s my story.

Diane Harris

I spent 11 years as an editor for Quiltmaker magazine, where I wrote pattern instructions and product reviews. I shot how-to videos and wrote a variety of articles related to quilts and quiltmaking. It was a dream job!

My Scotch on the Rocks quilt on the cover of Quiltmaker, 2016

I was the online voice of Quiltmaker for most of that time. In the early days, we were figuring out what it meant for a business to be online, along with everyone else. It was exciting, exhausting and fun!

My Dresden Plate video for QM has had more than 175,000 views.

Some of the editors helped promote the magazine by giving trunk shows of the quilts from our pages. I loved doing that, and I got good feedback from quilt groups. So when my time with Quiltmaker ended, since I’d been making quilts for 30 years, I started Stash Bandit and began sharing my own quilts in trunk shows.

I’d been teaching quilters here and there as requests came up over the years, so I added classes to my lineup as well. Writing for a pattern magazine is a form of teaching, so it seemed only natural.

Let’s Play Drezzup is billed as a trunk show but a lot of teaching
also happens during the one-hour presentation.

There are three components to my business. The trunk shows and classes are the most visible part. And they’re probably the most fun!

Color Coded by Diane Harris, quilted by Julie Lechner.
From American Patchwork & Quilting, June 2019.

The second part is that I still design and make quilts for magazines. That helps me spread the word about Stash Bandit and leads to calls from quilt guilds. It’s fun to see your work in a professionally styled shot in a national publication! And it’s always a happy day if your quilt makes the cover. Never gets old.

Color Coded by Diane Harris; quilted by Julie Lechner. Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting®️. ©️2019 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

And the third part of my business that I’ve just added this year is helping other quilt-related businesses with social media. I manage this area for a couple of entities and I love doing it. And it’s fine with me if my name is not publicly associated with that work. I’m an introvert and I don’t love the spotlight so much.

I manage social media for HQ Stitch by Handi Quilter as the brand ambassador.

The most visible of those is working as brand ambassador for HQ Stitch by Handi Quilter, a line of three (fabulous) domestic sewing machines. I love the machines, and it’s my job to use them and write about them. Which I happily do every day! Learn more: HQ Stitch on IG @hqstitch and on Facebook/hqstitch.

Wild Garden by Diane Harris, no pattern available.

One area that I have not forayed into is the pattern business. After a trunk show, people naturally ask me where they can buy the patterns for my designs. I don’t have a great answer!

Improvising a Round by Diane Harris

It takes a lot to bring a pattern to the market. I’d spend a lot of time and money to do it. And then you have to sell an awful lot of patterns to cover all of that before you start making a profit. And that is just one of the reasons. The others are probably not interesting to a blog reader!

This little quilt is a freebie! Grab it!

I would much rather show people how to make their own unique quilts by understanding how fabrics work together. I’d like to help them unlock their creativity and be fearless in making something outside their comfort zone. So that is how I work and where I place my focus:

I use scrap quilts to help others understand fabric, color, design and quilting techniques.

The giant pineapple quilt called Welcome is a freebie! Grab it.

Some patterns remain available from the various magazines. And a few are freebies on my own website.

So that’s a bit of my story. It’s nice to meet you!

I’ve started offering virtual trunk shows and classes in 2020. I’d love to bring one to your quilt group! Get in touch and…

Let’s Talk Quilts!

You could help me out here by leaving a comment if you’ve been to a class or trunk show of mine. A few sentences about your experience would help others to know what they’re signing up for. Thank you!

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