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

Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts on Zoom

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

I’m sharing my most popular trunk show Thursday evening, March 21 at 7 pm on Zoom and you’re invited to join me. Tickets are $15.

A guild here in Nebraska was badly snowed out recently. I’ve invited them to this trunk show on a complimentary basis, and I decided to offer tickets to others at the last minute.

Get your $15 ticket from Eventbrite by clicking here!

I’ll be sharing some of my best tips and tricks for making great scrappy quilts. Just above is Lingering Effects, which appeared on the cover of Quiltmaker Jan/Feb ’24. I think the border is what takes this quilt to the next level.

Asterisk, above, is a design by Karen Griska that I’ve been teaching with permission. It was quilted by Julie Lechner.

It is one of those designs you just can’t mess up. Any and all fabrics look terrific. There’s one secret to each block, and I’ll tell you what it is in Thursday night’s talk.

Row Your ‘Bow was a thoroughly entertaining quilt to plan and create. There is so much clash in these fabrics, and that’s what makes them sing! It was quilted by Julie Lechner. You can see this quilt in the 4200 series of Love of Quilting on PBS. It hasn’t aired in my area yet so if you’ve seen, it, you’re ahead of me!

There will be lots to see and many ideas to consider in the Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts trunk show. This is a great chance to kick back and enjoy it. Get a ticket now for just $15!

I look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes,

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,

UFO Bonanza in Omaha

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

Wouldn’t it be great if someone could jumpstart a UFO (or two) for you? How helpful would it be to have a coach and a cheerleader to tackle your UnFinished Objects?

Let it be me! Join me at Mangelsen’s in Omaha on Monday, Dec 4 and get revved about your UFOs once more.

No matter what stopped your progress, bring your quilting UFOs to this unique work session and get started again. Maybe the instructions were bad. Perhaps the technique was beyond your skills. Or somehow you simply lost your sew-jo.

Whatever the problem, we’ll brainstorm solutions together and start moving toward a finish. This workshop is fun and inspiring, and you’re bound to leave jazzed up about your projects once more. 

Workshop runs from 10 to 4 and is $65.

Learn more or register here

A UFO I reimagined and finished during the pandemic

Sometimes a person with “fresh eyes” can see things in a UFO that you cannot. I can’t tell you how much fun it is to embrace whatever people bring to class and solve the issues in a creative way—together!

This house quilt was a UFO because the sashing I originally planned didn’t work with the scrappy reds I’d embraced along the way. When you’re alone in your sewing space, this kind of situation can be discouraging and overwhelming.

But when you have an experienced quilting and UFO veteran at your side?

It becomes an inspiring adventure into creative problem solving.

Join me at Mangelsen’s in Omaha on Monday, Dec 4 for all the fun. I can’t wait to see what UFOs you bring me!!

Learn more or register today for the UFO Bonanza.

Have a great and creative week!

Conquer Your Fabric Scraps Summit

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

Here’s an invitation for you: Please join me for a complimentary event focused on practical ideas for managing your scraps.

It takes place next week, Nov 6 to 9, online. There is no charge to listen to a curated set of presenters offering strategies, tips and ideas for scraps and scrap quilts. I’m sharing two different presentations.

The first is “Save Fabric, Save Time: Techniques for Scrap Management.”

It’s a 29-minute talk with my best tips for not getting under the pile with your leftovers.

Cope and Hope by Diane Harris. Quilted by Julie Lechner.

My second talk is a 43-minute look at how you can “Beef Up Your Backgrounds.”

This is a topic I’ve learned so much about in the past few years. Once I discovered how to make scrappy backgrounds, my quilts improved drastically. I’m sharing my best tips for how to take your quilts to the next level by jazzing up the backgrounds. Such a simple idea but oh so valuable!

Spinster by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney.
Used with permission.

Some of the other topics include creating designs with coordinated scraps, artful creations from tiny scraps, the magic numbers method and the art of controlled scrappiness. There are many more, truly something for everyone. There’s nothing to lose, it’s totally free to listen and it happens Nov 6 to 9.

Tango by Diane Harris of Stash Bandit

Full disclosure: You’ll be offered the opportunity to upgrade your ticket for a fee. With that fee you can have early access, longer access, and a host of bonus materials. But it’s not necessary if you don’t want to upgrade. There is tons of free material with your complimentary ticket. I just don’t want you to feel blindsided when the upgrade offer comes.

Click here to sign up for the Conquer Your Fabric Scraps Summit and get your free ticket!

I will see you there!

Quilt on,

Color Class: Boost Your Quilts to New Heights

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

It can be done—I can help you wrap your mind and your creative dreams around these basic ideas. They’re essential for making successful quilts, scrappy or not.

Join me next week on Thursday, Oct 5 from 11 to 5 Central on Zoom for my popular “Color, Contrast & Cohesion” hands-on workshop.

Attend live or watch the recording! Totally convenient.

Framework by Diane Harris
Click here for a basic tutorial!

Choose from several patterns (included) and use the simple piecing to work out the ideas in a practical way. I’ll come ready, willing and able to help you!

I Spy a Milk Cow by Diane Harris

This workshop is a crowd pleaser because you’re learning each step of the way. Why do some fabrics look great together up close, but die tragically when you stand back?

Just Bricks by Diane Harris

What does value mean in the context of quilt making? How can you tell what a fabric’s value really is? Can the value change?

The Brick Block baby quilt by Diane Harris

What does value have to do with contrast? What is the difference? Are they even connected? And how can you use the fabric you already own to make unique and beautiful quilts that are truly inspired?

All of this and more in
Color, Contrast & Cohesion

Tickets for this full-day class are just $55 on Eventbrite. Click here to learn more or reserve your place!

I would love the chance to walk with you into a fearless creative journey where you combine fabrics with ease and confidence to create amazing quilts you’ll be proud of. Join me next week and get started!!!

I can’t wait!

Tango at Mangelsen’s Sept 29

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

Bringing a scrappy adventure to Omaha! Join me, won’t you?!

Tango is a quilt that looks good in so many “outfits.” And the piecing is fast, fun and easy, leaving you free to think through fabric choices and let the prints do almost all the work!

Tango by Diane Harris. Photo by Kristin Laing Photography.

This is my original Tango quilt made in brights and whites, with quite a few dullards thrown in for balance. But your Tango can look completely different!

Color, Contrast & Cohesion Online

Written by Diane Harris on . Posted in Blog, Classes, Open Classes for Everyone

Join me for a workshop designed to elevate your quilts to new heights

Attend live OR watch the recording at your convenience!

Color, Contrast & Cohesion with me, Diane Harris of Stash Bandit happens Thursday, Oct 5 from 11 to 5 Central on Zoom.

The three C’s—Color, Contrast and Cohesion—can make or break your quilt! Learn to control them with practical exercises as you begin a simply pieced scrap quilt. Choose from several designs!

Tilting Windmills by Diane Harris

Learn why color is the least important of the three C’s. Discover ways to unify diverse fabrics and wrap your mind around the way value and contrast work together.

Zoom and Omaha workshops open

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

There are three upcoming classes. Please come!

Hand Look Binding by Machine on Zoom

Monday, April 17, 11 to 1 Central, $35 on Zoom (recording available after live event)

Get a ticket now!

See the supply list here

I’ve been binding my quilts by machine for 25 years and they’ve stood the test of time. Come and see how you can bind quilts quickly and beautifully on your machine.

Tango

Saturday, April 22, 9 to 4 Pacific, 11 to 6 Central via Zoom, $75 (non-member price)

Register for Tango

There are seats open in this class sponsored by East Bay Heritage Quilters. Come and get started on this beautiful quilt that looks great in any fabric genre. So much fun!!!

Tango created in EQ8

Tango by Stephanie Lockhart

Tango by Diane Harris. Photo by Kristin Laing Photography.

Register for Tango

Walking Foot Quilting at Mangelsen’s in Omaha, NE

Live session, Friday, April 14, 10 to 4, $55

Get more info or register now

Serpentine stitch with a walking foot on Asterisk, a Karen Griska design.

You can quilt your own projects if you know just a few simple tricks for your sewing machine and its walking foot attachment. Join me and I’ll show you how!

Get more info or register now.

I hope to see you soon!

Quilt on,

Open to all: Jingle Bells Trunk Show

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

Let’s Zoom: Thurs eve Dec 1, Christmas quilts galore!

I’m really excited to be sharing the Jingle Bells Trunk Show on Zoom. Lots and lots of Christmas quilts for you to just sit back and enjoy from the comfort of home. This presentation is open to all and tickets are on sale now.

My selvage-decorated Christmas trees

Everyone has a front row seat and there are plenty of detail shots. Since I sew mostly scrappy quilts, I’ll share my ideas about what makes each quilt work (or sometimes not work). If you enjoy scrap quilts, there will be some great takeaways.

Home for Christmas, designed and made by Diane Harris, quilted by Julie Lechner.