Posts Tagged ‘quilt design’

Scrap Quilt Classes Upcoming

Written by Diane Harris on July 6, 2022. 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.

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.

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! 😉

Rollin’ Along: Review & Giveaway

Written by Diane Harris on June 1, 2022. Posted in Blog, Giveaways, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Quilt Lifestyle

Ideas for 2.5″ strips abound in new title

My friend Anne Wiens from Montana sent me a copy of the newly published Rollin’ Along from Martingale and Moda Bake Shop. Compiled by Lissa Alexander, it features a dozen clever designs by Moda Bake Shop creators.

_{Rollin’ Along is a new book from Martingale and Moda Bake Shop.
It was compiled by Lissa Alexander.}

One thing I noticed right away is the nice variety in the designs. There are some traditional looks and there are modern vibes. There are super easy quilts and more challenging designs. There’s even a Dresden Plate quilt with a super fun twist!

_{Summertime Fun! This quilt by Jessica Dayon is patterned in Rollin’ Along.}

Maybe you want to sew for summer. There are quilts to fit the bill like Summertime Fun by Jessica Dayon (one of my favorite sewalong hosts).

Or maybe you’re itching to sew for the winter holidays. You can make Backcountry Cabins by Jen Daly as Christmas-y as you like.

Anne’s Storm Warning features a clever technique that looks especially great if you have striped fabrics. You really can get that large center square from 2.5″ strips! I’m anxious to give it a go. (Visit Anne’s blog here for fun and interesting posts, and visit her pattern shop right here!)

There’s something to love in all 12 designs and I feel sure you’ll find several quilts to make. Use a Jelly Roll you already have or go scrappy by cutting strips from your stash.

Jennifer Keltner at Martingale created a trunk show of the quilts. Take a look.

What is not to love?! Don’t the quilts look amazing? And it’s surprising how large they are! So if bed quilts are on your “must make” list, this book has them.

Let’s have a giveaway.

Fill in your email below by midnight on Friday, June 3 and click “sign up” to be entered. If you’re on a device and the form does not appear or doesn’t work, just leave a comment and I will enter you manually. Thank you for visiting Stash Bandit, and look for Rollin’ Along at your local quilt store or wherever you buy books. It’s a keeper!

O r der it directly from the publisher right here!

_{By entering, you agree to receive occasional emails with helpful, useful and practical tips on making scrap quilts. Of course you want to get those! (But you may easily unsubscribe any time.)}

The winner of this giveaway is Bev from New York, who says she has never won anything, ever! Thanks so much to all who participated! 😊

Mangelsen’s + Stash Bandit

Written by Diane Harris on May 25, 2022. 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.

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/

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!

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 April 7, 2022. 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!

Becoming a student again

Written by Diane Harris on April 6, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Quilt Lifestyle

I took a class this week with a quilter I’ve long admired.

The class was Psychedelic Baby, taught by Katie Pedersen @sewkatiedid from Seattle. Katie was one of the first people I saw doing improv patchwork many years ago—maybe 2010?

One of Katie Pedersen’s improvisational Psychedelic Baby quilts

I’ve enjoyed her work all these years and jumped at the chance to learn from her when Omaha Modern Quilt Guild brought her to town.

Need a winter pick-me-up?

Written by Diane Harris on February 19, 2022. 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!

Protected: Scrap Management: Brick by Brick

Written by Diane Harris on January 25, 2022. Posted in Inspiration, Students Only

Cope and Hope in Quilter’s World

Written by Diane Harris on January 13, 2022. Posted in Blog, Inspiration, Magazines

I have a new design in the Spring issue of Quilter’s World, on newsstands now. It has a beautiful cover with lovely spring colors.

Make a note to pick it up when you’re at the grocery store or grab it online!

Cope and Hope by Diane Harris of Stash Bandit, quilted by Julie Lechner @beenquiltin,
photo courtesy of Quilter’s World.

As the world shut down in the spring of 2020, I thought about quilters staying at home and making quilts to calm their hearts and minds. I couldn’t get the idea of a house quilt out of my head.

Lucky: A free quilt pattern

Written by Diane Harris on January 8, 2022. Posted in How-tos and Ideas

Visit this page to find your shamrock pattern courtesy of Diane Harris at Stash Bandit:

I can’t wait to see what you make!

It’s Quiet Over Here.

Written by Diane Harris on January 7, 2022. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration, Open Classes for Everyone, Quilt Lifestyle

I think the holidays took the wind right out of my sails.

Or maybe it’s that we’re sailing into Year Three and that’s disheartening. I’m having a hard time concentrating, organizing, motivating. I think I am not alone.

The start of a new year always feels like a good time to clean up the studio. Of course I do it periodically but I’m no clean freak and my husband would say that I’m a walking tornado. When I can’t see the top of my sewing table, I know it’s time.