Block Bonanza Setting Seams

   Way back when, many gals in the Calgary area participated in-house, the four years we ran the programs. Many more gals participated via mail. Because it was so much fun back then, we are starting a new Block Bonanza in the fall. 

Today I spent part of the afternoon cutting out the background fabric for testing the upcoming Block Bonanza quilt, Diamond. Here is a teaser. Can't think of a better use of the long arm take up bars. Can you?

Be sure to sign up for Quiltnasium's newsletter to hear for the upcoming registration.

   One of the things that will be important in piecing the Diamond quilt is setting the seam. This is an old tailor’s trick, to make the seams lay completely flat. Even though tailors would be using wool or wool blend fabrics, the actual technique is the same and the result is just as effective.

In quilting, we lay the seam on the ironing board with the side up that the fabric is being pressed to. Most quilters press the seam with steam. (I do because it helps the fabric do as I want it to do.) Then fold the fabric over and steam press again. Warning: when using steam be careful not to stretch the fabric. 

Now, what I've learned is to press the seam on both sides thus causing the thread to embed into the material which give you a much crisper finish. Then open the fabric over the seam and slightly finger press the seam. Then steam press the seam. If you allow the block to cool then that keeps the fabric and seam as it should be because you are not disturbing the fabric. Remember cotton is easily influenced to move.

Enjoy your week!

      I'm so excited, mom is letting me tell you all that we celebrated our first year anniversary together last weekend. She has helped me get back in shape of being a cat. Now, I tear around the yard and up and down the stairs. I jump up on the bed without a footstool. I'm bring mom all the presents she needs. Best of all, I got a new scratching post. MEEOWW! We both love each other very much and think that life couldn't be grander!

Monday Morning Hike

   What better way to begin a Monday morning than sitting on the deck enjoying the neighbour's pond waterfall while Kitty listens and watches for mice?

Then head out to the mountains for a hike up to the chimney rock, at the top of the tree line, of Mount Yamnuska. Well, not today. Been there done that a few years ago. At the top is a breathtaking view. You can almost see Calgary. Today I went on the B hike through the Aspen Jungle and meadow flowers then bush whacked back to the car.

Meadow Lake and Mount Yamnuska north view

Aspen Jungle and south view

    Remember to check out the Dream pattern, kit and fabric for this pretty lap quilt.

  Finally, the rough draft of the 24 blocks for the Block of the Month, Diamond quilt, are ready for testing. It's getting closer to the beginning of the program.

teaser

Dream Bathroom Humour

   Why do the simplest quilts take the longest time to piece together? Dream quilt is finally done. Instructions and fabric available Thursday. 

   
I've uploaded a short video on piecing some of the strip set for the checkerboard border on Quiltnasium's facebook page under videos.
   
  Yea, Stampede is done. Herding is done. Dream is done. At the Stampede my favourite thing to visit the barns where the draft horses are. It was a bathroom humour day that day.

Just ask little kids

Herding Stampeding Cats

   It's Calgary Stampede this week. Kitty must know this because Kitty's been herding mice and I've been herding Kitty and mice. But before we get into that, we've got to tell you about the 1-2-3-4 quilt pattern. It's done and kits or if you prefer fabric or pattern are ready to roll. See it at Quiltnasium.com. Video tutorial for the pattern is with the media guy and will be edited and ready for viewing soon.
This pattern can be adapted to any panel and coordinating fabric.

The next quilt we are working on uses a jelly roll of Moda's Metallic Confetti Ombre. Stay tuned.

  Did you see our facebook post last week about my version of the 150 Canadian Women quilt? Since the theme for the Calgary Stampede this year is Women of the West, the ladies that look after the Western Showcase hung the quilt in a display in the BMO center.

   As you know from past years, I am on the Breakfast Caravan committee for the Calgary Stampede serving up our famous pancakes, sausages and orange juice every morning during Stampede at various shopping malls in Calgary. Today, I got to meet Sonar, the mascot for the Navy Marines. What a big handsome dog!

   Now, back to herding. It's 4am and Kitty is outside. In the mornings she sits at the door and doesn't stop talking until you either feed her or let her out. It can be quite noisy. I'm getting ready to head out to the breakfast caravan mall and Kitty hasn't come in yet. Thinking that she's been gone awhile and that the screen door should be closed. But does it get closed. Guess? I no sooner turn around and in Kitty comes with another mouse. Oh crap, where are my gloves and plastic container?
Run get the gloves, because we know what happened last time, and the bucket. Come back, oh good the mouse looks like it's dead. Wrong. To be continued....

   Meow, meow, meow. Or should I meow, meowhoo (yahoo). It's Stampede time and time to round up the mice. Every time I'm about to herd up a mouse mom comes out and rounds me up and herds me into the house. She is leaving for work. Geesh, how can I get my work done when she keeps interfering.

Well, the other day I got another one, quickly got inside and started to play 8 seconds cat and mouse. Mom's like holy mouse, racing to get her leather gloves and bucket. So I got to play whack, chase and corner. Whew, it almost got under the fireplace door, then neither me nor mom would ever be able to get at it. Oh I can hear her now.

Oh oh, what's the matter mouse you're just laying there. Oops, no you're not. Whack and corner. Lay there. What! Mom what are you doing? The mouse is just laying there. You got to wait until it moves then whack it. Glove sweep and into the bucket. She may be good but now she ruined my playtime. Meom, meom, where are you taking the mouse? Why are you going out the front door and over to the park? Spoiler.

Cat Crazy Happy Canada Day

   How was everyone's Canada Day? We had a great time serving up pancakes and sausages in Canmore then visiting Sugar Pine Quilts.
   What's even better is, we've finished the new 1-2-3-4 quilt using the crazy cat panel and coordinating fabric. Panel and coordinates available now. Kits available Thursday.

Remember to sign up for the our email newsletter,Quiltnasium Relay, to be notified of our specials.

Enjoy!