Posts Tagged ‘Christmas quilts’

Holiday Designs by Stash Bandit, Part 2

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

My exceptional longarm quilter said to me recently, “I think everything you do is modern.” I’d commented that I didn’t think of myself as a “modern” quilter, and her response gave me pause. I’ve been (very happily) fielding inquiries from modern quilt guilds, and the truth is that some things I design and make lean toward the modern aesthetic, some are traditional, and some are hard to put into a category.

Oh, Christmas Wreath by Diane Harris; quilted by Julie Lechner @beenquiltin

Today I’m introducing Oh, Christmas Wreath! This design is decidedly modern: solid fabrics, negative space, clean and fresh. Oh, Christmas Wreath appears in the Nov/Dec issue of Quilty, on newsstands now. I hope you’ll grab it when you see it or order it online in paper or digital format.

Holiday Designs by Stash Bandit, Part 1

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

The Nov/Dec issue of Quilty magazine is on newsstands now, and I’m very excited to have two new quilt designs inside.

Ever since I started building the Jingle Bells Trunk Show to share with quilt guilds, I’ve been obsessed with making Christmas quilts. I’m constantly working on new ideas, and these two were a fit for Quilty. You may know that magazines work months in advance, so I actually pieced these in April and May for an early June deadline.

My Little Christmas Tree Quilt

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

Merry Christmas! I hope your holiday is full of the love of family and friends. Let me tell you about my little Christmas tree quilt, Twinkling Bright.

It all started with this small block that I call a Baby Windmill. I’m on a mission to design as many interesting quilts as I can with this as the starting point. You can read more here.

One Hundred Small Quilts #1

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

I’m going to start sharing my quilts here in short posts. They’ll give you an idea of what my trunk shows are like, which is the thrust of my business, Stash Bandit: I’m a speaker and a teacher on the topic of quilt-making.

Nested Nicks by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.

When a quilt (or several) intrigues you, I hope you’ll visit my Trunk Shows page, or get in touch via Booking Inquiries. You can email me, too: diane@stashbandit.net. Let’s Talk Quilts! 

How to Make a Scalloped Quilt Border

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

By the time I finish piecing a quilt’s center, I’m ready to be done. In the past, sometimes I’ve attached plain ol’ borders and called it quits. But when I’ve given more thought and effort to a border, it has paid off. Scarlet Spin is a good example.

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

I’ve learned not to rush to the finish line, but to take time to do the border justice. Bonnie Hunter influenced me with her borders, which can be as involved as the quilt center. I don’t think she has ever slapped on a plain border and called it good. 

Quilt Fatigue: Have You Had It?

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

I have quilt fatigue over my current project, and I’m betting you’ve had it, too. Here’s how it goes—you’ve pieced 30 or 40 quilt blocks from your favorite fabrics. You’ve enjoyed the heck out of making this patchwork. But you have many more blocks to go, and somehow your attention begins, inexplicably, to drift.

My current project: Fractured by Kathy Doughty from the book Making Quilts with Kathy Doughty, ctpub.com.

It’s not the project’s fault. In fact, I love my current endeavor. It’s Kathy Doughty’s Fractured design from the Making Quilts book. It’s amazing! It goes together quickly and easily, it’s perfect as a scrap quilt, and it makes for a real “wow” factor. What’s not to adore?

Nevertheless, because I got restless, because I have quilt fatigue, I found an empty space on the studio floor and started this little gem. I’m having so much fun with it! It’s going to be my next free pattern. It’s been done many times before but not with these exact fabrics or with my exact fabric sensibilities. It always feels good to make something uniquely my own.

This will become my next free pattern, although truly you don’t need a pattern—it’s just half-square triangles. If you’re just getting started in quilting, maybe you’ll enjoy having instructions, and if you want to use your stash, I’ll talk specifically about combining fabrics in ways that work.

Right now I’m trying to decide if I can work in some navy. I definitely want it to say “Christmas,” and if I stray too far from the recipe, that message could get lost. Stay tuned.

All the quilts in this post will become part of my “Jingle Bells” trunk show for quilt guilds. It’s so much fun to share holiday quilts and get people excited to sew for Christmas well ahead of time. Call and book your program today!

So how do you work through quilt fatigue? I’m afraid this happens to me often, which I why I have a lot of UFOs. When I hear someone say they have zero unfinished projects, I’m astounded. How do you even do that?! Maybe you can give the rest of us some guidance in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

Check out the current free pattern for a small scrap quilt called Christmas Dance that finishes at 27″ x 31″.

Christmas Dance by Diane Harris. Photo: Kristen Laing Photography.

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Jingle Bells Trunk Show

Written by Diane Harris on . Posted in Blog, Trunk Shows

If you’re new to Stash Bandit, welcome! I’m happy you’re here. Today I’m sharing a bit about a new trunk show called “Jingle Bells” that I’ve prepared for quilt groups.

No matter the time of year, the Jingle Bells trunk show of Christmas quilts is sure to get you in the mood for holiday quilting. Large and small, pieced and appliquéd, modern and traditional—there’s a little something for everyone.

Nested Nicks by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.

I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I’ve had making these quilts. Even though it’s March, I’m humming Christmas carols.