Have you been enjoying the winter Olympics? In general I am not a huge sports fan. But for some reason I am always drawn to the Olympics. This year has been particularly fascinating with the patchwork theme in the Russian design. To keep with the Olympic spirit, I thought I would offer the Electric Quilt cutting chart for twelve blocks that are my representation of some of the sports represented in the winter Olympics. I've used a number of standard blocks in EQ and in Block Base. I did make a few changes to make them a bit easier to piece. I also took some liberties on the block names. (You do not need EQ to use these charts.) Cutting charts will all be for a twelve inch block. Block 1 - Ice Dancing![]() This block's published name is 'Square Dance". Block was published by Michael James and is from Block Base. I thought it would nicely represent my favorite Olympic sport "Ice Dance". Click on block for a link to the rotary cutting file. I love Meryl Davis and Charlie White - the US Olympic team ice dance leaders. Their symmetry and artistry is breathtaking. I started taking ice dance lessons a couple of years ago -- so I feel I can really appreciate the challenges this sport represents. My dream is to be able to have just a fraction of the skills they demonstrate on ice. Maybe just one twizzle -- or even a three turn in a partner hold position. Future Blocks My plans are to post a block every day or two and to provide a layout at the end. If you do end up making any of these blocks, I would love to see pictures. You can either send them to me on my contact page or post to Facebook. Happy quilting and enjoy the Olympic events. Kari ![]() As a reminder, there is free shipping on any order that includes my newest pattern "Be My Valentine". Order by February 24th to take advantage of this offer. The best way to stay informed on what is happening in my studio and access these fun patterns along with great quilting tips is to sign up for my newsletter.
As an added bonus, you will get a free pattern for this Maple Leaf quilt when you sign up! I am excited to share the release of "Be My Valentine" -- just in time for Valentine's Day. Create a quick table quilt measuring 40" x 16" to celebrate Valentine's Day. Or this would also make a great shower or wedding gift for that special someone. This project is a lot simpler than it looks. I used over-sized units that are cut down with the use of rulers from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design. I've also provided alternate instructions if you wish to do the project without the rulers. Click here to purchase Be My Valentine. Quilting "Be My Valentine"Do you want some ideas in how to quilt this project? Check out the following video. These suggestions are designed for use on a domestic sewing machine. Trace the shapes with your finger to get a feel for the shape. If you need a guide before quilting, draw the shape on your quilt with a water soluble pen. Special Valentine's Day/Week OfferTo celebrate the release, I am offering free shipping on any purchase that includes Be My Valentine. Offer is good through February 24th. Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips. As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt. Happy quilting.
Kari Schell On Point Quilter I hope you have enjoyed working on the Ice Crystals wall hanging/table runner. I've decided mine will have a place on the table in my family room. I've done a number of extra blocks -- so maybe I will do a gift as well. As a reminder, this free pattern will be available on my website until the end of the month. In quilting Ice Crystals, I'll admit that I threw it on the longarm and used a snowflake pantograph. However, I have thought a bit about how I would quilt this on my domestic machine. I went back to an old favorite, snowflakes and loops. This is a very forgiving pattern and a great one to practice your machine quilting. The points of the snowflakes don't need to be the same size and it looks fine if they don't even stay on top of the line when traveling back. Check out this video to see how to quilt this out. Here are a few photos of a recent customer's quilt in which I incorporated this technique. This stunning quilt was done by Judy Berry and will be on display as part of the Redwork Show at Four Season's Quilts during the month of February. Check the show out to see this quilt in person. Happy quilting.
Kari Schell On Point Quilter Today I am providing instructions for doing the Ice Crystals block. With the instructions I've included a number of helpful hits/techniques to aid in the successful piecing of this block. It is easier than you think to get all those pesky points to match up. As a reminder this is the quilt we are working on: Here is the block. You will need three blocks for the quilt. Their are a lot of tips along with photos included in the five pages of free instructions, so please make sure to download and save the instructions on your computer. If you have additional questions, please ask and I will attempt to help. The pattern will be available until the end of the month. Next week I will provide the setting instructions. Downton Abbey Fabric OptionDownton Abbey is a new fabric collection from Andover Fabrics. If you aren't into the winter blues -- this would be another fun option for your quilt. I would love to see photos of any blocks you are working on. I've altered my contact form to allow you to upload photos. Or you can post to my Facebook page. Happy Quilting
Kari Schell On Point Quilter Each year I like to find a small quilted item that I can fairly quickly produce. This gives me something with a personal touch to gift to friends and family. This year I saw a quilting design by Christy Dillon from My Creative Stitches that involved stitching out ornaments onto fabric. With my Intelliquilter on my APQS Millennium, I was pretty sure I could produce quite a few of these ornaments, so I purchased the design. I made a ton of these. I'm hoping she adds an ice skating ornament next year -- my numerous skating friends would really enjoy that. I thought the six inch seemed a little big, so eventually moved to between 3.5 and 4 inches in diameter. My biggest challenge was how to finish them. After a number of different attempts I decided I liked the rickrack the best. Here are a few of the finished products. I started to think about a design that quilters could more easily do without a computerized machine. One of the easiest Christmas designs to produce is a holly leave. It is a series of arcs and they don't have to be consistent. Check out this video which shows my holly wreath being stitched out in Art and Stitch. The background music is the Marine Army Band. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
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