One thing I enjoy about sewing and quilting is constantly learning new things. The online world multiplies that concept x 10 million.

I received a lovely note from Marisa Zucek last month. She had an idea to design a series of applique blocks based on modern objects. The blocks would then be unveiled and shared via a network of blogs she enjoyed following. After clicking over to her blog and getting TOTALLY drawn into her work I had that familiar feeling of wonder and amazement at discovering yet another talented quilter.

I’m excited to be participating in this oh-so-clever idea and hosting the release of the first block in the Modern Objects Series 1 set. Marisa’s Norwegian Bowl block is inspired by a bowl designed by mid-century modernist Grete Prytz Kittelsen (1917 – 2010). Wikipedia refers to her as The Queen of Scandinavian Design. A company called Catherine Holm produced her designs on enamel bowls, pots, casserole dishes and other kitchen objects.

You can follow along as Marisa announces the release of the entire series of Modern Object blocks on her blog Quilt Otaku. The pattern for Norwegian Bowl is available for download now.

Thank you to Marisa for introducing me to her world, I know you’ll enjoy it too! xo Kathy

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QuiltCon is the inaugural conference and quilt show of the Modern Quilt Guild.

QuiltCon is sponsoring a Quilt Block Challenge curated by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson! 

The challenge guidelines require using colors consistent with the QuiltCon logo to create a quilt block that reflects what modern quilting means to you.

Elizabeth Hartman selected a stack of Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton colors consistent with the logo and wrote a great blog post on choosing colors and fabrics for making your block. We’ve created a Pink Chalk Fabrics QuiltCon stack based on her color selections.

And, of course, since the color matching was in full swing, Diana created 4 new color stacks inspired by the QuiltCon palette!

Entries to the Quilt Block Challenge are being accepted now through August 15.

An impressive lineup of workshop teachers is beginning to form including Denyse Schmidt (she’ll also be the keynote speaker), Malka Dubrawsky, Elizabeth Hartman, Anna Maria Horner, and Weeks Ringle & Bill Kerr.

Entries for the Quilt Show will be accepted July 1 through October 31. Registration for the conference begins on August 30th.

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I haven’t done a giveaway FOREVER. (I also haven’t actually selected winners for our last two giveaways so please bear with me as I get caught up, I see light at the end of the tunnel!)

Up for grabs are 4 QuiltCon Solids Stacks. Leave a comment stating what modern quilting means to you. I’ll draw winners on Monday. Winner’s Announced

Happy Weekend! xo Kathy

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There’s nothing I enjoy more than quietly sitting in my favorite chair with a cup of tea and sewing on a quilt binding by hand. Pure bliss.

But sometimes that binding just needs to get on the quilt… and quick! Machine binding is the way to make that happen and a great technique to add to your quilting skills arsenal. We had a customer contact us yesterday asking for tips on machine binding. Carrie rounded up the following tutorials which are all awesome and each a bit different so you can create a method that suits you best.

AmandaJean from Crazy Mom Quilts has an excellent tutorial using a straight stitch on the quilt front that intentionally misses the binding on the backside. This is how I like to do my machine binding. The comments on her post include lots of excellent tips from other quilters.

Rita from Red Pepper Quilts uses a sew from the top technique that catches the edge of the binding on the quilt back. By stitching in the ditch on the front the stitches are hidden. I would LOVE to be able to perfect this technique. I think I’ll practice with a small project first.

Rachel at Stitched in Color uses a zig zag stitch to attach the binding. It has a very nice finished look while not requiring extreme stitch precision.

Pat Sloan’s blanket stitch machine binding creates a lovely finished look on both sides of the quilt. When I first saw this tutorial I thought ‘oh my, that is VERY clever!’. It’s a great use of the blanket stitch on your sewing machine and allows for a little wiggle room in catching the backside binding edge.

Thank you to all these generous quilters for sharing such fabulous tutorials. Happy Weekend Sewing! xo Kathy

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Guess who’s on Moda Bakeshop today? Woohoo, I LOVE this quilt. It’s so easy and fun to make. One Charm Pack and 1.5 yards of fabric. Enjoy. xo Kathy

Downloadable PDF Version

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Moda Fabrics launched the Just One Star Project in 2011 as a way to honor the men and women who sacrifice and fight to defend our country’s freedom. They asked quilters to make a single star quilt block. The goal was to piece and quilt 100 quilts in 100 days. Moda received over 15,000 individual star blocks!

Fast forward to Fall Quilt Market where 100 boxes were handed out to 100 quilt shops across the country. Each box contained 60 star blocks and a pattern to assemble a simple quilt. The challenge to quilt shops was to complete 100 quilts in 100 days. Due date: Valentine’s Day 2012. Pink Chalk Fabrics is one of those quilt shops and this is the quilt we had the honor of completing.

The Pink Chalk team worked together to piece our set of star blocks into a stunning quilt. The beauty of a scrappy quilt like this always amazes me. It clearly transcends the sum of its parts. The beautiful long arm quilting by Shelly Nolte of Bunny in the Box (Kingston, WA) was the perfect finish.

Each block is signed by its maker along with their state. The quilt carries a beautiful aura of loving energy!

The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover ALL combat servicemembers and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

The Quilts of Valor website allows you to search for local groups by state.

We’re fortunate to have two groups in our area:

• Esther’s Fabrics hosts a monthly American Hero Quilts evening session from 7 pm to 9 pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
• Quilted Straight sponsors an all day Quilts of Valor group on the second Monday of the month from 10 am to 5 pm.

Are you part of a Quilts of Valor group? Please share your experience, a link in the comments to your group, or a link to a quilt you’ve donated. I’d love to learn more and see your quilts. xo Kathy

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Valentine Throw Pillow by Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter

 I Heart February Reader Project Linky - share the love!

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Mini Paper Pieced Valentine by Jennifer Ofenstein of Sewhooked

 I Heart February Reader Project Linky - share the love!

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Quilted Valentine Hearts Pillow by Ellie Roberts of Craft Sew Create!

 I Heart February Reader Project Linky - share the love!

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale

Free Pieced Heart Table Runner by Jodi Nelson of Pleasant Home.

 I Heart February Reader Project Linky - share the love!

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If you follow along on our Facebook Page you know what a free pattern junkie I am. I love finding them and I love sharing them. Facebook is such a perfect medium for stuff like that. Here’s an album of all the free patterns we’ve linked to if you need to catch up.

I have a circuit of sites I check in on regularly. Moda being one of my favorites. Today I spotted a pattern for this Zig Zag Quilt. I snapped this photo in Moda’s booth at Fall Quilt Market but never matched it up with a source. Until now! Woohoo!!!

The construction is so very clever. The pattern gives credit for the technique to Amandajean of Crazy Mom Quilts. I won’t say more, just go check it out for yourself.

ps be sure to read the comments on the Speedy Baked Ziti post for some awesome weeknight recipe inspiration – warning, it will make you hungry!

pink chalk fabrics ~*~ new arrivals ~*~ free patterns ~*~ on sale