Last minute spots in Tango

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

If you’re free on Friday, Oct 7, there are spots available in a Tango workshop I’m teaching online.

I teach this one infrequently so it’s a nice opportunity if you want to make a quilt that’s fast, easy and attractive. You can see the supply list here.

This Tango in African fabrics was started in one of my workshops. I dubbed it Safari Tango. I failed to record the student’s name. If you made this, please send me email.

This quilt looks great in any fabrics or color recipe you can dream up. My students have done amazing things with it!

Betsy M’s Tango in aboriginal fabrics is dynamic.

Your background can be dark or light—it looks great either way.

Some yellow and gray blocks I made recently
for a new version of Tango

Not only will you learn to make this quilt design, we’ll talk a lot about color and contrast, value and scale, texture, mood and more. I love unlocking the secrets to these ideas for quilters!

Stephanie L’s Tango in Alison Glass fabrics

As you can see, there are myriad options for color choices. I am going to start a new Tango this week in Figo Fabrics that I got at Mangelsen’s in Omaha recently. They are delicious.

Tango by Diane Harris. Photo by Kristin Laing Photography.

This is my original Tango in bright, happy colors on white. I still love this quilt. Okay, here are the details of Friday’s class:

Time: 9:30 to 4:30 Eastern
Place: Zoom
Tickets: $65 (click here to register)
Experience: Priceless 😊

Thank you for reading! If you’ve taken Tango already, feel free to leave a comment with your feedback. Much appreciated!

Quilt on,

Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts: Online!

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

Get tickets early and SAVE on my most popular trunk show.

If you make quilts, you generate scraps. And you probably also collect fabric. How do you bring these treasures together into a beautiful quilt? Let me show you!

Big Cheese, designed and made by Diane Harris of Stash Bandit

Join me LIVE for my most popular trunk show, open to everyone, everywhere, on Monday, Sept 12, 2022 at 7:30 pm Central.

Early Bird Special: Tickets are reduced to $13 if you purchase by end of day on Friday, Aug 5. Tickets from Aug 6 on are $20.

Windows in Time, designed and made by Diane Harris of Stash Bandit
Quilted by Julie Lechner @beenquiltin

During the trunk show, we’ll examine quilts in many different styles to see why they work—and sometimes why they don’t. Whether you make traditional or modern or art quilts or a combination of these, you’ll find helpful insights to make your quilts sing.

Star Silhouettes, designed and sewn by Diane Harris. Quilted by Julie Lechner @beenquiltin.
Image: Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting®. ©2022 Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved.

Discover why some scrap quilts are beautiful and some are a jumbly mess. Learn ways to bring diverse fabrics together. See how auditions make a difference in the final results!

Simple Four Patches in browns and brights, blocks by Diane Harris.
Inspired by Jolene Klassen at Blue Elephant Stitches.

Gather many ideas for starting with what you have and moving forward into glorious scrappy miracles. Leave matchy-matchy behind and embrace a little clash. Create quilts that SPARKLE!

Early Bird Special: Tickets are reduced to $13 if you purchase by end of day on Friday, Aug 5. Tickets from Aug 6 on are $20.

Day at the Beach quilt top by Diane Harris of Stash Bandit

Learn more about me here.

See more of my quilts here.

Learn more about booking an event!

Trip Around the Tulips top by Diane Harris

I hope to see you on Monday, Sept 12 for Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts. Get your tickets now and save!

Quilt on!

Online events coming up

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

Scrap quilt BONANZA and binding by machine

Two online events are scheduled for August and I’d love to have you join me.

StarQuar Scrap Quilts

You may have seen my Star Silhouettes quilt on the cover of American Patchwork & Quilting this summer.

American Patchwork & Quilting’s cover photo, July/August issue 2022.
Image: Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting®. ©2022 Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved.

It’s based on a simple idea that leads to some pretty interesting quilts—a regular BONANZA of scraps. I’m teaching this concept in person and online soon. There are many quilt patterns to choose from (included), and the sewing is easy.

Limiting the palette yields interesting blocks.

Join me on Zoom Thursday, August 4 at 10 am for StarQuar Scrap Quilts to learn about this little unit and other helpful concepts for making dynamic scrappy quilts.

An EQ rendering of another idea for StarQuar units.

The full day class is $65. Get tickets here. Lots and lots of ideas. Your head will swim—in a good way!

Easy Quilt Binding by Machine

I’m happy to be sharing my machine binding technique again! This online workshop happens Saturday, August 27 from 11 to 3 Central. Register right here.

I bind my quilts by machine—have been for 25 years.

I’ve been using this method for about 25 years and it has stood the test of time. It’s fast, sturdy and beautiful. I think you’ll love it.

You’ll love binding by machine.

We’ll also cover other binding topics to beef up your skills for finishing. Binding doesn’t need to be a job you dread or put off. It can be done quickly and it can look great, too! A great investment of less than $40. Get your tickets to this online class right here.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Quilt on,

Upcoming Fun with Stash Bandit

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

Lots of online and in-person events are coming up!

Pine Burr Workshop

Last minute seats available in an online Pine Burr workshop on Friday, July 22 from 9 to 4 Central. A Texas guild is hosting and the class is open to people outside their group.

The start of a Pine Burr block.

This is a very old technique that I’ve adapted for the machine. It’s easy and relaxing and the results are stupendous. The full day class is $65.

Pine Burr can be spontaneous and free or more planned, as you see here.

These blocks are addictive and so much fun to make. I’ll show you several options and plenty of inspiration to get you rolling. Read more and reserve your spot right here.

Jingle Bells Trunk Show

Seats available for Tango on Sunday

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

I’m teaching Tango on Sunday, July 10 and the sponsoring guild has made some seats available!

I get a lot of requests for this class but I only teach it occasionally so if you’re free on Sunday, July 10 from 10 am to 4 pm Pacific time, this is your chance! Register right here for $65 + fees.

Tango by Diane Harris. Photo by Kristin Laing Photography.

My Tango is bright but yours doesn’t have to be! I have another sample in blues and browns, mostly reproduction fabrics. It’s lovely! Here’s another version made by a former student:

Tango by Stephanie Lockhart in Alison Glass fabrics

You can go for a three-dimensional look if you prefer:

A three-dimensional look in Tango

Here’s a description from the ticket page:

Join me Sunday, July 10, 2022 for Tango and learn how quickly these lively blocks come together. I’ll help you build a color recipe to make your fabrics sing. Get lots of scrappy tips plus options for making Tango in different sizes. Choose a more subdued look if you prefer and rest assured, these are entertaining! I can’t wait to unlock the secrets of these simple blocks for you. Prepare to bust your stash!

The full day class is $65 and there are about $6 in fees charged by Eventbrite. See more details and register today! REGISTER NOW

Here’s a snazzy one by Tina Craig, also started in my workshop. She used African fabrics and called it Safari Tango. I love that!

Safari Tango in African fabrics by Tina Craig @seasidestitches

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by email: diane@stashbandit.net. I’m happy to help.

Maybe I’ll see you in class!

Tango forth,

Scrap Quilt Classes Upcoming

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

Everyone is welcome at “StarQuar Scrap Quilts.”

I’m excited to share the concept of “StarQuar” units in one local and one online class in the next few weeks. Won’t you join me? This is the idea on which Star Silhouettes is based.

Star Silhouettes was designed and pieced by me, and quilted by Julie Lechner.
It appears in the July/August issue of American Patchwork & Quilting.
Image: Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting®. ©2022 Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved.

We’ll cover scrap management in the context of StarQuar units.

And you’ll learn my best tips and tricks for successful scrappy quilts, too. Concepts include color, value, scale, texture, density, line and pulling all your scraps together in a beautiful way.

Scrappy stars are just the beginning!

This little unit has unlimited potential and I’ll show you many of the designs it can create. You can sew from your scraps, your stash, with precuts or with your favorite yardage.

This unit goes way beyond star blocks!

Believe me when I say that making stars from StarQuars is only the beginning. There is so much more! You’ll discover dozens of ways to use these units and you might come up with something I haven’t considered. This is a completely entertaining way to sew and I’m anxious to introduce you to it.

When and where?

Locally, StarQuar Scrap Quilts happens on Saturday, July 23 at Mangelsen’s in Omaha, Nebraska from 10:30 to 3:30. Find details and registration here. There’s a lovely new classroom at Mangelsen’s and you’ll enjoy it! The store is easy to find and there’s lots of free parking (not to mention amaaaazing fabric inside).

Online, StarQuar Scrap Quilts happens Thursday, August 4 from 10 to 4. Find details and tickets here. Many quilters really like virtual learning and sewing from the comfort of home. Your stash is at your fingertips!

I’d love to see you in class very soon. Register today! And thanks for visiting Stash Bandit!

Keep quilting,

Looking for the magazine with Star Silhouettes? Find it at Mangelsen’s, Barnes & Noble and many newsstands. If all else fails, call me. I have issues! 😉

Mangelsen’s + Stash Bandit

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

I’m very excited about a new venture that begins next month.

I’m joining creative forces with Mangelsen’s in Omaha, a family-owned and local fabric, hobby, craft and just-about-everything store. I’ll do a series of events at the store beginning with my most popular trunk show on Sunday, June 5.

Hope & Cope by Diane Harris. Quilting: Julie Lechner @beenquiltin

I’ll be sharing about 50 scrappy quilts. Each one has something to teach us about combining fabrics in unexpected ways. There are all sorts of styles.

Windows in Time by Diane Harris

Whether you like reproductions, or brights or a feminine look, there’s a little something for everyone.

A scrappy doll quilt for my granddaughter Lucy.

Tickets for this trunk show are $15 and they include a discount coupon for use at Mangelsen’s on the day of the event. Don’t delay—get yours here: https://www.mangelsens.com/events/make-extraordinary-scrap-quilts/

Big Cheese by Diane Harris

Not only am I bringing tried and true favorites, I’m bringing everything I pieced during the pandemic. We’ll have a bonus section featuring the tops that aren’t yet quilted.

MerryJoyCheer by Diane Harris. Photo by Kristin Laing Photography.

I did some new improv work, similar to MerryJoyCheer, above. This kind of making is unbelievably entertaining and I’m looking forward to sharing my new creations.

As a natural follow-up to the scrap quilt trunk show, I’ll teach “Color, Contrast & Cohesion: Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts” at Mangelsen’s on Sunday, June 26, 12:30 to 4:30. Registration is open and tickets are $75. Reserve your spot now!

Scrappy blocks on the design wall

I am so happy to partner with Mangelsen’s and I look forward to seeing many of you in person for the upcoming events we have planned. It’s going to be so much fun!

Best wishes,

Trunk show tickets here

Workshop tickets here

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!

Need a winter pick-me-up?

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

How about a scrappy trunk show? Come and enjoy!

On Thursday, Feb 24 (just five days away) I’m giving Windy Wonders on Zoom to everyone who’d like to get a ticket and come.

Scarlet Spin by Diane Harris for Quiltmaker. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.

This live event on Zoom will begin at 7:30 pm CST.

Tickets are $15 at eventbrite.com. Grab yours now!

Tilting Windmills by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.

You’ll hear the story of how I started making Baby Windmills, and how I built a trunk show of designs based on one simple block.

The start of an early Baby Windmill quilt design

Plenty of tips on scrap quilts will be included, along with how-tos for making Windmills in any size you choose.

I’m in! Take me to tickets!

Most basic Baby Windmill quilt. Photo by Kristin Laing Photography.

The trunk show lasts about an hour, to be followed by Q&A. Ask anything you like about scrap quilts!

If you’ve heard Windy Wonders or another Stash Bandit trunk show, feel free to leave a quick review in the comments. I’d appreciate it!

Get your ticket to Windy Wonders now.

I’ll see you on Zoom!

Small guild? Big idea!

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

There are hundreds of small quilt guilds all over the world.

And I know firsthand that their programming is limited by their budgets. So I’ve come up with a plan to make it easier for smaller groups to book a program with Stash Bandit (that’s me!).

Here’s how it will work.

The live presentation will be virtual through Zoom.

Available to groups with 50 or fewer members on their paid roster (honor system).*

The fee for a one-hour trunk show of your choice is $10/person on the roster. For example, if you have 35 members, $10 x 35 = $350. (The standard fee is $525.)

You will be guaranteed a seat for every person who registers for the meeting on Zoom.

I will make the remaining seats available to others.

The deadline for your members to register for the meeting is 10 days before. This gives me time to fill the rest of the seats.

For very small groups, I may request a date other than your normal meeting time.

I will limit the number of these programs I do each year.

The Jingle Bells Trunk Show is great from July to December.

Does that sound good? 😊

Please share this info with the program chair at your quilt group.

Cope & Hope is part of “Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts.”

I have six trunk shows from which to choose. Today I’ll highlight three.