A Very Good Fabric Wardrobe

I recently received several e-mails from quilters asking me how I choose my fabrics for my scrappy quilts. This question comes up frequently when I lecture as well, leading me to think that not everyone finds it as easy as some.

Unlike quilters from the past, quilters today are really lucky to have such a wonderful array of fabrics to choose from when making their quilts. But it can really get overwhelming sometimes with the wide variety available and it's fairly common to lack confidence in picking out fabrics for a scrap quilt, particularly if some of you are new to quilting. So here's how I get my look.

Quilts from the 19th century were anything but drab brown, and although brown WAS commonly used in quilts made during this period,  quilts then were also pretty colorful. If you love making scrappy quilts with an antique look but get confused or overwhelmed by the task of choosing good fabrics, here are a couple of tips that I found work for me.

*  Begin collecting colors and prints in muted shades that you like a little at a time. But don't just buy the same colors you like over and over. If you're intent on making scrap quilts, get a good varied collection going that you will use for years.

*  I organize my fabrics by color in drawers or bins. Make sure you have a good selection of reds, blues, indigos (dark blues), greens, pinks, light shirting prints, browns, tans and golds. Yep, that means a separate place for each color.

*  Choose a variety of different geometrics and florals for each color.

*  Make sure you have quite a few shirting prints or tans for block backgrounds.

*  Throw in a few black prints and purple too and you can do almost anything!

The next time you're in a shop, if it's too confusing to know where to start--concentrate on buying several different prints of just ONE of those colors and start collecting. The next  time you go back, buy different prints in another color to keep building up your store. I find that sometimes this method works to keep the confusion to a minimum and pretty soon you'll have a good assortment. I can get carried away when I go into a quilt shop and want to buy everything I like, not necessarily what I'll need when I get home. Like a basic wardrobe, a good collection of fabric can take you anywhere.

I mostly use smaller prints for my small quilts--geometrics, dots and tiny florals, and an occasional larger print for interest. Make sure you have a few checks, plaids and stripes for interest too. Mix the larger prints with the smaller prints.

If you're going for an antiquey look, if there's a fabric you already have and like but it's too bright when placed next to another print, soak a small piece of it in a cup or bowl of tea to tone down the brightness.Try several tea bags, then soak the fabric for a few minutes to see if it darkened. (I make 2 cups of tea when I sew--one for me and one for the quilt, LOL.) This works for me sometimes. I really don't like to tea dye the whole quilt to give it that brown look. I hardly ever use white unless I am making a thirties quilt. In the doll quilt below, I soaked some of the bright pink scraps in tea to tone them down a bit. They still pop, but the contrast is not as great because the pinks have more of a soft "tinge."

Add some contrast to your quilt by using different, darker hues of the same color instead of large prints or bright fabrics. Decide if you want a LOT of contrast or a little in your quilt. Choose prints in colors that pop out from the surrounding pieces if you want a lot of contrast. Here's a good example in the quilt below. Instead of placing the red piece next to the black or blue ones and only using dark shades for the star points, I broke it up with medium prints in tan, green and gold for more contrast. Making the red pop out gives it interest I think.

I just recently finished making a small quilt that has mostly darker, muted colors--indigos, tan and black mixed with shirtings--and in the center I threw in a few pink pieces. I love the blues and grays in this antique quilt top someone showed me because it uses the same theory and would be pretty dull without the red or pink. Another thing to try: I like to repeat one of my favorite colors throughout the quilt to pull the scrappiness together. Not difficult to guess what color that is . . . .

You also need to consider value when you're making a scrappy quilt, which is the relative lightness or darkness of a fabric. Value is what makes different colors look so pleasing when placed next to each other. Strive for a pattern of light and dark values throughout the quilt to create a vintage-looking softness.

You can create contrast by choosing light and dark hues of the same colors as well. There are clumps of blue in this scrappy quilt but I think it works because they're different shades and different prints of the same color. Try making it with YOUR favorite color. Or pick two and see what happens.

There's a  free pattern on my website for this little quilt.

The great thing about making small scrappy quilts is that you can experiment with different colors without spending a lot of time, energy or money. Be creative, experiment and it will all come together eventually.

NEXT TIME: On the Borders . . .

It Must Almost Be Spring

I ventured out to an indoor flea market on Saturday. Can you tell I'm yearning for Spring? Don't get me wrong, I love winter, but I also love browsing the flea markets in Spring and Summer. I love the hunt--you never know what treasure you'll find, what gem you'll uncover. This indoor one I go to is just ok, not great, but still fun. I'm looking forward to going to the outdoor kind beginning in April.

I didn't buy much--some photos for the book and a little antique bow pendant for my daughter. There was an awful lot of vintage jewelry this time. I always have to ask myself: do I really need to bring home more junk to clutter my basement?? I do love to see if there are any quilts, but I'm not usually lucky enough to find something I LOVE that I can afford. Most of the quilts are not old enough for my taste. And I NEVER ever  find any doll quilts.

I like Shabby Chic as much as the next person, but these were a little TOO shabby. This pink and blue one was $200 with lots of worn spots and holes, so no thanks, although I loved the colors and the quilting. There's the Baptist Fan design again.

I loved the colors in this one and the placement of the blocks too. I'm thinking I'll probably reproduce it for a little quilt pattern.

One of the things I really love about flea markets or antique markets is that fact that I can see a lot of my childhood toys for sale at prices that would make my mother gasp.

I wanted to buy one of these little 3-D TV pencil sharpeners I had in the 4th grade. They were so cool. If you turned it gently from side to side, the image moved. I remember having had this red one with the ice skater spinning and twirling and used it every day. Didn't buy it, refused to spend the ridiculous price she was charging, but it was still fun to see after all these years. You  forget the little things you were attached to as a child.

Some other quilts, but nothing too special.

I love a good flea market and if you're in the market for vintage treasures you didn't know you couldn't live without, or just a darned good pair of tube socks, you're sure to find it there.

Happy Valentine's Day

"The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart."
~Helen Keller

I love hearts.

                               

 "Within your heart, keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go."  ~Louise Driscoll

                            

(1 1/2 inch squares, fused hearts.)

"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart." ~Unknown

I'm a sucker for anything heart shaped and I'd be embarrassed to tell you just how many pairs of heart-shaped earrings I own. My daughter gave me the ceramic box below for Christmas. She knows about me and hearts. I think I'll use it for my heart-shaped  jewelry. I made the little red and black heart needle book from a kit I found at my local quilt shop a few years ago.  In case you're wondering, the red "huswife" needle case is a smaller version of the one that's in Remembering Adelia, made without the felt piece for needles. I keep it in my purse and use it for carrying around gift cards or credit cards.

The case opened, so you can see the pockets. These make great little gifts for friends, even friends who don't sew. I've made about 10 of these--they're so simple and sew up rather quickly.

"Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely."  ~The Land Before Time

Yes, that's right, I'm quoting the little dinosaur movie, LOL. It happened to be my son's favorite movie when he was about 3 or 4. Loved that movie. We watched it over and over and over . . .  Gave me a lot of free time on the couch when I couldn't get up because of extreme morning sickness before my daughter was born.

"Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people. They are born with a little bit of angelshine about them and although it wears thin sometimes there is always enough left to lasso your heart--even when they are sitting in the mud, or crying temperamental tears, or parading up the street in Mother's best clothes." ~Alan Marshall Beck

"Be careful what you set your heart on, for it will surely be yours."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson


Happy Valentine's Day!

What's for Breakfast?

February is American Heart Health Month. Both of my parents died from heart disease too early in life and I do what I can to try to reduce my own risk. I try to change the risk factors I'm able to change and I also try to instill healthy eating habits in my family. I think that's why I surround myself with hearts--to remind myself.

Breakfast is THE most important meal of the day, at least that's what I've been hearing for years and I'm famous for nagging my family about it. I never allowed my kids to eat sugary cereals for breakfast while they were young and if we occasionally had any of it in the house they ate it for dessert or as a snack. A silly Christmas tradition we had was to wrap up a box of Christmas Cap'n Crunch and give it to my son so he could go nuts with it over winter break, while he was home from school, LOL. Trust me, I wasn't a complete green meany--they ate enough sugar at other times without overdosing on it at breakfast too. I remember my son's 3rd grade teacher telling me that she could tell which kids ate what for breakfast. She said that by 10:00 every morning 1/2 the class was climbing the walls, so she did a quick survey and asked the kids what they ate for breakfast. Yup, sugary cereals. I'm a believer.

Adults who eat a healthy breakfast instead of skipping it are more likely to maintain a healthy weight and have better overall glucose levels. I have to admit, I'm a coffee junkie in the mornings (but no sugar) and sometimes I don't get around to eating breakfast until later because the coffee fills me up and I just get busy. I know, I know--I should know better. Sometimes I exercise and I hate to do it on a full stomach. On the days I skip breakfast (oh no! Don't tell my kids!), I know I tend to overeat later in the day, so, while I was writing this, I promised myself I'm going to do better. Breakfast every day, like I tell my kids. Maybe it will help me lose weight.

Well, at our house, we get tired of the same old, same old breakfasts. My daughter doesn't often have time for anything elaborate in the morning and I'll admit, even though I'm a pretty good cook, I have a hard time being creative with meals while we're rushing around at 7:00 a.m.

We used to love oatmeal but that was gettting so boring--UNTIL my daughter recently asked me if I could make her the apple crisp kind of oatmeal without the apples, just the crispy topping. Now, I make a mean Apple Crisp, but that's a dessert item in my repertoire and when my kids were little I would sometimes let them eat the leftovers for breakfast, without the ice cream. This morning there weren't any leftovers, so I said Hmmm . . . and came up with a great recipe for a very quick CRISPY BAKED OATMEAL I think you'll love. Betty Crocker, look out. I made it in the microwave and then put it in the toaster oven to CRISP up. Here are the approximate directions for one serving. Keep in mind--I'm a quilt designer, not a recipe czar:

Mix 1/4 cup dry oatmeal with a dash of salt and about 3 or 4 tablespoons of water to moisten in a microwaveable bowl. Use your prettiest measuring spoons and measuring cups.

Microwave on high for 1 minute. You don't have to fully cook it. It tastes better if the oats are sort of raw and not soggy so they crunch up nicely. 

Pre-heat toaster oven to high or broil.

Sprinkle a little cinnamon and brown sugar into half-cooked oatmeal; stir. Place mixture into a greased small, individual size glass baking dish (those white corningware things work well).  Drizzle a little melted butter over the oatmeal so it browns. Bake oatmeal on high or broil for 5-6  minutes until crispy. I like to time it with this cute little teapot timer.  

Let it cool and, if you prefer, add a little milk to enjoy your apple crisp topping without the apples. Yum! I like to top mine with vanilla yogurt. A nice change from soggy oatmeal.

 Plain or topped with yogurt?

I prefer the apples in mine and have sometimes made the quick version of Apple Crisp this way in the microwave but it still takes a little longer to cook the apples. You can also sprinkle a low-cal sweetener instead of sugar on top AFTER it's baked if you need to cut out some of the sugar. Or, be creative--sometimes I add raisins or dried cranberries plus walnuts to the oatmeal AFTER I microwave it.  Great for those cold, snowy mornings we all seem to be having in the U.S. lately.

My street this morning; another 6 inches predicted.

  Nothing compared to some.

 

You probably already know this, but it bears repeating. According to research, here are some good reasons to eat your oatmeal:

1. Oatmeal may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. The soluble fiber in oats helps remove LDL or "bad" cholesterol.

2. The soluble fiber in oatmeal makes you feel full longer, so oatmeal can help you control your weight.

3. Research suggests that eating oatmeal may reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. The soluble fiber helps to control blood glucose levels.

4. Recent studies show that a diet that includes oatmeal may help reduce high blood pressure, due to the increase in soluble fiber in oatmeal. Oats contain more soluble fiber than whole wheat, rice or corn.

5. Oatmeal contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates and iron.

So, sorry if this sounded like a lecture, but I need to remind myself to keep eating my oatmeal.  Maybe my heart will thank me one day.

Is It a Book Yet??

"You cannot plow a field by turning it over in your mind."

You will all be happy to know that I finally finished up the manuscript and quilts for my fourth quilting book (Yay!), which will come out about a year from now. 

Did you ever wonder about what's exactly involved in getting a quilting book published? I get asked about it often--how did you even get a book published (LOL, I'm sure she didn't mean it that way) and why does it take so long? There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes and it's quite an interesting process, getting a book from concept to finished product. Nothing gets done without a lot of hard work and a fair amount of stress, though.  

I've had a headache for days (weeks?) and haven't slept well for a really long time, with so much to do. My daughter made me a bracelet to make me feel better. They look like worry beads to me. What, me, worried?? Quilting should be FUN, not stressful! I feel sort of like I just gave birth: exhausted, but gratified. My family will be so glad it's over . . . .

Mom, are you done yet???

I'm sure many of you have plenty of great ideas for a book and that's where it all starts. For me, this last time the idea was triggered by something I came across in the research process while working on one of my other books. I get a lot of ideas, but the main idea usually takes a while to germinate and develop. If it just does not go away, keeps nagging at me, day in, day out, then I know I have to do something about it. Like, take the idea out of my pocket and look at it closely and then ask myself if I can possibly create projects that blend with it. Most importantly--will anyone else find the topic as fascinating as I do? Can I design quilts to go with the topic? Can I really turn it into a book? Will anyone buy it?

For some quilting book authors, the book begins with an idea for a quilt pattern they are driven to design and the rest of the patterns follow and surround it. For me, the projects always come after the basic premise or theme of the book is developed. Sometimes I come up with the title first and then the rest follows. Sometimes I get a paragraph stuck in my head that keeps getting longer and longer.

Once you're set on your idea, the next step is to write a proposal (the outline of your idea) and submit it to a publisher. For the book I just finished, after the idea was sparked, it took me several weeks to get the proposal together, write an outline of the chapters, draft an introduction and design some quilts before I sent it to my publisher. When I finally got the OK to go ahead and actually make the quilts (it takes weeks to hear sometimes) and write about the topic, the hard work began.

If you're thinking of sending in that proposal for your great idea, I recommend you do your homework and try to present your idea in a clear, organized fashion. Many publishers give distinct submission guidelines on exactly what you need to include in your proposal. Take your time and don't get discouraged if it's rejected the first time. Did they just publish a book on that topic? Check, because they may not want to do another one like it so soon. Or, try another publisher. Publishers are always looking for new ideas that will sell. And that, my friends, is the bottom line--remember that the publisher is in a business to make money, not give out prizes just because you make nice quilts.The idea needs to be fresh, the quilts interesting and, above all, is it something quilters will want to buy? Do you have an interesting technique, can you design enough quilts around that technique to make a book? I say go for it. Just do it. It's an amazing feeling to see THIS:

plus THIS:

and pages and pages of THIS:

turn into THIS:

It costs the publisher a lot of $$ to publish and print a book--they must pay an editorial, design and marketing staff to create and then sell the final product. In addition to the actual costs of printing the book, (paper and ink) shipping and distributing costs have to be factored in as well. A publisher must take all of these things into consideration before sending out that contract to you. Most importantly--will they make money on the project? If they don't make money, they can't exactly run a business. They're not doing it for free, just to be nice. I've heard that lots of great ideas can be turned down simply because the book just may not make the publisher enough money if it's published. They take a great risk and put a lot of money up front to actually MAKE the book (paper isn't free), assuming it will sell.

It's amazing to me that they can make this from my ideas. A lot of people spend a lot of time and do a great job putting it together.

I always love how the pages turn out after sending in my type written words and hand drawn illustrations.

 But here's the shocking truth: you won't get rich. I remember one of the first lectures I ever gave--my first book had just come out and I talked a little about what it was like writing it. A woman raised her hand at the end and asked, "So, are you filthy rich now??" That got me laughing. It probably doesn't seem like a lot of work to outsiders, I know. Hey, I get paid to do something I love all day long and publishers probably throw money at me just for the honor of publishing my ideas.

Unfortunately, for most craft book authors, there is no glamorous "advance" like the one they give to James Patterson or Stephen King (or at least if there is, no one told ME about it!). The author eventually gets a royalty--a small percentage of the profit made on the books that are sold after it comes out. So, after working on a book for many months, you will have to wait another year or more until you actually see a check for your efforts. Patience and hope are all part of the deal, so don't quit your day job just yet. The truth is, you're not likely to get rich writing a quilting book, and the very few who do work at it constantly, putting in long, long hours while also doing many other things related to quilting.

After the book does come out, the author also has to do what she can to promote the book herself and try to let the public know it's out there--book signings, lectures, teaching. Talking it up. No one else is going to do it for her.  Every little bit helps. I am so grateful for all of the work that fans of my books do as well--you guys get the word out to friends and promote it through your shops and guilds and I really appreciate every bit of it. Thank you for that.

In the meantime, while I wait for the editorial and design teams to finish their part, and then begin promoting the book, I'll be giving you updates as soon as I hear anything.

  

Now that I have more time, I'm going back on the road a little this Spring and here's list of some of my upcoming lectures, mostly in the Midwest, because I still have a family that's been ever so slightly neglected over the past few months.

March 18, 2010--Pride of the Prairie Quilters, Plainfield, IL

March 25, 2010--DeKalb County Quilt Guild, DeKalb, IL

April 14, 2010--Mukwonago's Crazy Quilters Guild, Mukwonago, WI

I'd love to meet some of you!