I love teaching quilters. A day in the classroom with like-minded souls brings out the best in me. We learn, we laugh and we have fun.
I love teaching quilters. This was one of QM’s Block Party events.
But occasionally a student will say something that baffles me. It’s usually about combining quilt fabrics. Let me give you a little background.
Welcome to Stash Bandit, online home of Diane Harris. I was a Quiltmaker editor for 11 years (one of the best jobs ever); now I’m giving energetic trunk shows and inspiring classes to quilt groups. My ideas and how-tos live here on Stash Bandit. I’m glad you’ve chosen to visit during the 100 Blocks Blog Tour.
It will always be a thrill for me to see one of my quilts on the cover of a magazine. I don’t know if other designers feel the same, but it’s very exciting for this one.
Quiltmaker named the design “Can You Find It?” It’s bright and colorful and it’s easy to make.
Funny thing: I was never the least bit interested in making I Spy quilts. And then I had a grand baby! Now I have two little guys, and the ideas for I Spy designs just won’t quit.
If you haven’t picked up a copy of Quiltmaker’ May/June issue, look for it on newsstands now. It’s also available from Quiltmaker in paper or electronic forms.
It’s giveaway time on Stash Bandit! Becca bag designed by Joan Hawley; made by Diane Harris of Stash Bandit.
Let’s have a giveaway to celebrate. It will include a copy of the issue, a stack of 4.5″ novelty patches (more than enough to make this quilt), a cute zippered Becca bag, some quilt magnets I make and other quilt happiness. I think you’ll like the package that arrives on your doorstep! There will be three winners.
To enter, leave a comment before midnight Wednesday 4/26 telling me which part of quiltmaking confounds you. Your answers will become topics for my how-tos.
Thanks for visiting Stash Bandit. I’m glad you’re here!
The winners have been chosen and emailed: Diane, Helen and Carole. Thanks for being here and for participating!
You can use 10″ squares—precuts or cut-by-you from stash—to create an easy quilt while you learn about combining fabrics boldly. I discovered this recently by accident when I mis-cut for a project that turned into a dead end. Meet The Accidental Quilt.
It’s very simple, but you can make it interesting by combining fabrics in unexpected ways. It doesn’t take a lot of fabric or a lot of time. It can be a great charity quilt, a baby quilt or a dorm room quilt. Perfect for the car or the camper.
I wish I’d been the first to say it.
I don’t know who was the first to say it, but if there were a Patchwork Bible, this statement would equate to Genesis 1:1.
The most creative quilts evolve through experimentation. My most recent “I Spy” quilt is a good example.
Can You Find It? by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.
My idea was simple: Use a novelty print at the center of a Churn Dash quilt block. I made a test block to begin.
I love using many different fabrics of the same color to generate interest in a quilt. On a recent design, I created red and green pieced borders and I love the way they turned out. They finished off a scrappy quilt quite nicely.
People often ask me about combining fabrics and how I do it. So let’s talk about those greens.
Last night I visited Colorado Springs Quilt Guild to present “Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts.” It was so much fun! They’re lively and enthused and it shows. Even the business meeting was enjoyable. If you live nearby, consider paying them a visit.
Scarlet Spin by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.
I shared about 60 scrap quilts with a goal of helping people see what makes a scrap quilt work, or not. We talked about fabric styles, color and design in a way that quilters could understand and apply to their own projects.
Swoopers by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.
Here’s an example of something we talked about on my Swoopers quilt, above. It’s a very bright and scrappy quilt that features many Flying Geese in the center, and half-square triangles for one border.
Take a look at how I kept matching Flying Geese together. And the same is true for the triangles in the border. It’s very scrappy, but by keeping sets of matching Geese and HSTs together, I avoided too much chaos.
That’s just one small way to make your scrap quilts work a little better!
Deb Frazier shared her red and green scrap quilt: spectacular in its brave use of color.
Show and Tell at CSQG was really good. I captured several wonderful scrap quilts such as the red and green one above. This quilter was fearless—and it shows!
Mary Ellen Bridges displays her scrappy batik beauty during CSQG’s Show and Tell.
The batik quilt above with narrow black sashing was so pretty! I think most batiks work together pretty well. The black pulls everything together on this one.
I’d enjoy a visit to your quilt group to share my quilts! Please visit my pages on trunk shows and workshops to learn more.
How do you make a successful scrap quilt? Learn my best tips and scrap secrets during this trunk show of 50+ scrappy quilts made over many years. The wide variety of styles means there’s something for everyone. 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!
Scarlet Spin by Diane Harris for Quiltmaker. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.
I’d love to share Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts with your group. My goal is to leave you inspired, excited and confident that you can make beautiful quilts for the people you love—often from the fabric you already own. Please contact me today to schedule some ruckus-raising quilty fun! Visit Let’s Talk Quilts to inquire.
All Drezzed Up by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.
Tilting Windmills by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.
See more quilts in the Gallery.
Visit Let’s Talk Quilts to learn more about booking a program for your group.
A little bit lecture, a little bit hands-on demo: That’s what Let’s Play Drezzup is all about. Learn how a Dresden Plate quilt block is made, and then see many amazing variations on this traditional pattern. There are infinite ways to jazz it up and they’re all so much fun—you won’t know where to begin! Get tips on fabric selection and using acrylic templates. And best of all, wrap your mind around the math behind Dresdens. More fun than you’d ever imagine!
All Drezzed Up by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney for Quiltmaker. Used with permission.
I would be happy to share my quilts with your group! My presentations are full of inspiration and fun, and my goal is to give you ways to be more successful and have more enjoyment as you make beautiful quilts for the people you love.
Diane’s Dresdens aka 28 Dresden Drive by Diane Harris. Photo by Mellisa Karlin Mahoney. Used with permission.
See more quilts in the Gallery.
This edged Dresden is just one of the many variations you’ll see in Let’s Play Drezzup.
Visit Let’s Talk Quilts to learn more about booking a program.