Two weeks ago I had a workshop with Gwen Marston on Small Quilts. I had so much fun! I took 2 classes from her last year, and I was really looking forward to this year's class. A huge Thank You to Lee from Two Thimbles Quilt Shop in Bellingham for putting on this class. She did a super job!
Gwen's subject was Small Quilts. Gwen brought 20-30 small quilts from her collection of 450! Some of them were traditional - Gwen often makes a small quilt to play with pattern or color or to replicate an antique quilt - and some were in the liberated style. All of them were beautiful and inspiring! Gwen spread them all out on the floor and then talked about her inspiration and reasoning for each quilt.
I decided to work in the traditional format this time. I've got so many repro fabrics and thought it was time to use some of them. I don't know if I could make a big quilt with them anymore. I find them kind of boring to work with, although I love the way they look all finished. Small quilts won't make much of a dent in my stash, but I think they're more fun to work with. There were a few people working "traditionally" and most worked in the liberated format.
Here is my layout. I had to work with the indigos, of course! Check out the cool cheddar fabric I found - it looks hand-dyed. Um, wouldn't that be UN-traditional? I couldn't resist it! *grin*
Here's two of my classmates' traditional takes on the small quilt:
And here's some of the liberated small quilts:
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| love the dots on this one! |
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| I love that the tissue box seems to go with what she's got going on here! |
It was so much fun to meet some bloggers I've only "met" on-line and also to make new friends.
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| Em was so fast, she was quilting already! |
Miki
Buffy
I didn't get my little quilt put together in class. I have to admit, I was visiting too much! So, when I got back to my hotel, I stayed up late and got it put together.
Here it is, all sewn together and bordered. I love this border fabric! Now to get it quilted and bound.
If you get the chance to take a class with Gwen Marston, I highly recommend it. And I wouldn't dawdle too long, if I were you. I don't think Gwen will be doing this indefinitely. If you're in this area (Western Washington), Gwen will be doing some classes at Quiltworks Northwest in Bellevue next year.
For more photos and fun from Gwen's class, see Miki's blog here and here, Nifty's blog, Buffy's blog, and last but far from least, Em's blog.
I'll be back soon - I've got more to show you!
Thanks for sharing. I love your little quilt with indigo and cheddar. I'll have to see if Gwen is coming to the mid-atlantic area. I'd love to take a class with her. Look forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt looks great! Love that indigo and cheddar combo. It was fun to sew with you!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so enjoying all of you quilt bloggers stories and photos of your class with Gwen! She is such a delight and its so wonderful to hear all about her and her classes from so many of you. Makes us all feel like a bit of each of us was right there with you!. Your little quilt is just darling but I do love that your social life meant you had to burn a bit of the midnight sewing machine oil ;) But it turned out nicely with its own special charm..very cute!
ReplyDeleteLove your little blue and cheddar quilt. The border fabric is perfect. I follow Miki too. Doesn't she look great?!?
ReplyDeletelove your cheddar! everybody always talks like a class with Gwen is super inspirational. thanx for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great photos. It looks as if you had a really great time. Goodness Roxy is huge!
ReplyDeleteLove your little quilt too. That cheddar is definitely definitely it!
oh I love your little quilt and the rest of them are just sooooo fun
ReplyDeleteyou have inspired me to make a little quilt today! Glad you had fun and met up with other bloggers, your lucky you all live close to each other
Kathie
Love the quilts, looks like a fun class!
ReplyDeleteSo fun!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful little quilt. wheee, what a fab group of quilters, not to mention the teacher. woohoo@!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great little quilt. I love the cheddar fabric. What a treat to be able to take a class from Gwen Marston. I have taken a class from her years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteGreat little quilts! I am new to your blog and love little quilts too! Thanks for the inspiration of your posts....I will visit you again, soon!
ReplyDelete:) Carolyn
I just came across your blog and I love it. I am now a follower. I took a class with Gwen a few years ago on liberated applique. I just love her. I was surprised to see a few of my internet friends were at the class too. Em and Miki. I look forward to reading more of your blogs. Love you little quilt. Hugs
ReplyDeleteWe had so much fun that day in Bellingham. Gwen is an absolute delight; what a wonderful human being!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had a great day. I finished 2 days with Gwen last weekend, wished it had been longer. Yes, I see Bellevue and Lopez on her 2013 swing through the NW. She is so inspirational and sweet. We are lucky that she travels and shares.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great post. You got much better photos than I did. I had such fun at this class, and the next year I am hoping to take another one. I really like your small quilt. The cheddar fabric is beautiful. I am going to have to find more that color to add to my stash. It does go well with the indigo.
ReplyDeleteI needed to go through the list of comments, to see if I was there or not. I see a post, then get sidetracked by links and things and end up never commenting! Love all the links, even if they do throw me off in a million directions.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors in the little quilt...cheddar and blue! so sweet, and that dash of pink...perfect!
I would be intimidated by all these quilters!