Gettin' Creative!

 

Getting Creative!

Posted by Missie Carpenter on Sep 20th 2020

A while back showed you my latest fabric line, Barn Dance.  It’s been so much fun making quilts with this fabric!  Very soon, I can show you, but for now, it must remain a secret!  Barn Dance is out in stores now so please check your local fabric shop for yardage.   The next line to be released in December is Abby’s Treasures and I was lucky enough to get some strike offs to create something very special.  Before I show this to you up close and personal, I’ll tell you a bit about how Abby’s Treasures came to be...

I’ve always been drawn to reproduction fabrics.  I love my colors and I’m sticking to them!  There have been times I’ve ventured out of my “Palette” for a special project now and then, but I always come back to the reproduction tones.  Rich, deep earthy colors speak to me and bring out the best in my designs.  They are always like a gift when I dig in and start choosing fabrics for a new design.  My collections with Blank Quilting Corporation are just what I need when I start creating...a full range of lovely color and texture!  This collection is available in fat quarter bundles...what a sweet gift indeed. :-}

                                                                             

Many times, people will ask what inspires the fabrics I create.  Each line has been inspired by different experiences in my life, but Abby’s Treasures was inspired by antique quilts.  I have a small collection and in recent years, I am really learning to appreciate fabrics from the past.  I’ve always been attracted to fabrics and textiles, but lately I’ve been very interested in dating fabrics and learning about how they were printed, and about the women who made quilts in the past.  I am amazed at how they made quilts without modern tools we have today!  We are spoiled! A good thing I must say!  

My Dad made me a tall quilt ladder a few years ago and I love it so much. It is always covered with quilts and it’s my favorite way to display antiques. Many times I am drawn to that corner and find myself studying fabrics. Such beauty in the simple, and sometimes very complex shapes. 

      

As I study the simple antique quilts I own, certain fabrics jump out at me and become favorites. I love quilts from the mid 1800’s with their tiny, busy prints...just my style! I am drawn to quilts that have LOTS of different fabrics in them.  I started snapping pictures of my favorites and started a picture collection to use for design inspiration for Abby’s Treasures.   (That middle picture is not from the mid 1800's but has lots of fun prints.)                               

If you have seen my earlier lines, you may have noticed they are full of texture.  What is texture on a flat piece of cotton?  Printed texture...wools, streaks, rug hooking, old stain blobs, etc.  If I were going to use the antique fabrics for a new line, I definitely wanted texture added to the old designs.  I’m inspired by texture everywhere and find myself snapping pictures when I come across unique texture.  Sometimes from cracks on a floor or wall, architectural sculptures, wood, countertops or clothing textures like sweaters or different weaves.  As my collection of fabric and texture pictures grew, they were mixed up and combined, added to with doodles here and there and voila!  Abby's Treasures came to be! I am very grateful for the team I work with at Blank Quilting Corporation who hear my wishes and see my vision when I send in an idea and bring it to life!  Each print is a special little treasure... I couldn't do it without them!

                           

When you take a look, you see what looks like reproduction fabrics with added touches of texture with rich tones of earthy colors for any season.  I loved working with these prints on a new quilt called Nana's Garden Club, available next spring after a special teaching event.  Watch for updates and the finish of this beauty.  

                                                          

I've added a few fabrics from my other lines and a few of other fabrics I have on hand that fit the style.  And I am brought back to what inspires me when I design fabrics...beautiful quilts.  This one isn't an antique, but it will be some day.  It inspires me to get the next collection finalized- I can't wait to show you what's coming next!

Abby's Treasures will be in your local quilt shops in December.  If you like what you see, please let your local shop know to get this collection ordered before it is sold out!  Details can be found by clicking HERE to be taken to Blank Quilting Corporation's website.  You'll also see a free quilt pattern using Abby's Treasures in the link above.  Each block a treasure of its own.  

                                              

As always, thanks for taking time to stop by today and read about what inspires me!  

Stay well and Take Care,

Missie

News from the Past Few Months!

Hi Gang!
It's been a while since I've had time to post, but I have been very busy indeed.  Since my last post about teaching in my hometown of Springfield, MO, we had a great time in class!  I was so thrilled that all the students loved the techniques taught, and they did an Awesome job!  Merrily We Quilt Along has an exceptional classroom and knows how to put on a good show for sure!!  If you are ever in the area be sure to stop in and so some shopping.  They have a great selection of fabrics and notions of all styles- a little something for everyone!  They are right off Sunshine and 65 so they are very easy to get to.  Last I checked they had a little Rustic Homestead, my second fabric line, left in stock, so be sure to check it out!!  They made the nicest display...💕

Speaking of fabric lines by yours truly, I do have another line called Barn Dance which is being sold to stores now.  Click HERE to see the fabrics up close and personal and be sure to let your local shop know it's time to order now so you can purchase it next May!  Your local shop can call Blank Quilting direct or reach out to their sales rep to place the order.

The colors are rich and will make a great quilt, or two or more! I love these rich tones for mixing up in a scrappy quilt, how about you??

I can't wait to get it in my hands...gotta make something pretty pretty!

Other exciting news is I will be returning to teach at The Academy of Applique' in Williamsburg, VA in early March!  You can check out the classes I'm offering by clicking HERE.   Then click on 2020 classes.  Wait for it to load, as it can take a while.  My classes are shown a few pages into the document.  I only have a few spots left and the sign up deadline is Jan 15, so Hurry Hurry and decide to join me!  I will teach you some advanced applique techniques as well as get you started on my EPP techniques.  The projects are a block for a new quilt, Coeur d'Alene shown below...

I am so thrilled in the look of this beautiful block as I make more blocks to have it down perfect for you when you take the workshop.  The block shown above will be for the workshop and I'll reveal the full sized quilt with 9 blocks at the Academy.  I can't wait to show you!  Won't you come and join so you can see it in person?  

And several blocks and advanced techniques for The Gardens Of A King, which you should already know about if you have followed me for a while!  If you are new here, take a peek on my website at TraditionalPrimitives.com in the English Paper Piecing section.  This quilt is still very popular and I love teaching these difficult looking blocks in a way that makes them go together like magic.  You will learn a lot if you attend!  

The experience of going to the Academy of Applique is so wonderful!  You'll be surrounded by those who love applique' as much as you do!!  The location is stunning and there is so much history all around to explore and learn from.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  I would love to have you join me so I can help you become better at Applique'!  I have tips and tricks to make difficult projects easier-I promise!!  Don't forget, the deadline is approaching fast so act quick to save your spot!!

More exciting news is that Jeff and I are expecting our first granddaughter in March!  Paxton is such a joy and makes our hearts so full, but we are so very excited to welcome another into our world.  I've been told for so long the love of a grandparent is special and we know how special it actually is now!  Here's a little collage of the afternoon they found out we will be loving on a "SHE" this time around!

In October the Winter issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects was released and I happen to have a quilt in this issue called Winter Blooms!  This magazine is one of my favorites and this issue is quite stunning!  My quilt is inspired by the first blooms we see popping up through the winter snow in late winter... a little old snow with bursts of color greeting us with a smile for Spring!  We have kits and the magazine available on the WEBSITE on the Books and Magazines tab!  They won't last long so grab one while you can. 

Recently, I was quite surprised to learn that my quilt, English Wedding was put on the cover of  the winter issue #134 of Quiltmania!  I was so thrilled and quite honored!  A dream come true...

We have just restocked kits for this and we do have the magazine in stock if you are interested.  You will find it on the English Paper Piecing tab as well as the Books and Magazines tab on the website at TraditionalPrimitives.com .

My last bit of excitement is that we have finally launched our new website!  It has the same web address at TraditionalPrimitives.com  but it looks so much better than my old site.  It works well for mobile devices or computers and we are so happy about that!  Take some time to look around and please let me know what you think!!  I hope you like it!

As always, thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Take Care,

Missie

Traditional Primitives

My Day for Splendid Sampler 2!

Well, today is my day for sharing my block in the Splendid Sampler 2 book!  I'm happy to share my block, Full Circle with you!  It's about coming full circle with English Paper Piecing after trying to love it for so many years.  Those of you familiar with my blog know that I have my own way of basting EPP, but the newcomers from The Splendid Sampler may not know about it.

Early on when I learned to quilt back in the late 80's one of the first quilts I wanted to make was a
Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  I tried basting with needle and thread and just couldn't do it well.  Over the years I'd try again, and still I didn't like it (and frankly was no good at it!).  Then the shortcuts for EPP basting came along and they just were not for me for one reason or another.  I went on to enjoy applique' as my favorite quilting technique for many years.

One day I decided to do a Dear Jane quilt and I decided to make it using applique'.  (I was not a "piecer" at this time and applique' was my favorite thing!) . When I came upon a sharp point I decided to use starch for basting the applique' and it clicked that I should try starch basting for English Paper Piecing.  After all, many of the blocks in Dear Jane should really be pieced.  It worked great and has lead to developing all sorts of tips and notions for using while Starch Basting English Paper Piecing.

This leads me to the block Full Circle...symbolizing how I struggled to love English Paper Piecing and now it's my favorite way of piecing!  I can now say in all honesty that I am a piecer.  I love handwork and it works great for me and many others. 

Watch this video to see exactly what got me so excited about EPP~ click HERE.  The block Full Circle has an English Paper Pieced center and the rest of the pieces are Applique'd using the same method of Starch Basting.  (You will also find this video on my home page in the top right corner if you want to watch it again at TraditionalPrimitives.com )

You can use traditional English Paper Piecing Basting to prep your block, but here's the way I made my block if you want to learn a shortcut for basting:  Copy the pattern onto Premium Freezer Paper and then iron two pages together with shiny sides down.  Then cut out the shapes right on the lines.

Next prep the triangle pieces by ironing the shiny side of the template to the back of the fabric. Paint two of the seam allowances with starch using the Starch Brush and fold the seam over and dry with the iron.  Leave one seam un-prepped and flat.

Next prep the center hexie shape using the starch basting method.  

And then move on to prep the petal shapes.  Only starch baste one side of each petal. 

And lastly prep the background outer circle.  Clip the curves so that the seams will turn nicely when you press them dry on the backside.  

Follow the directions in the book for using the star shaped template as a guide for placing the petals in the proper position and glue baste them in place.  

Use basic English Paper Piecing stitching to sew the center triangles together and then glue baste them in the center of the star shape and stitch in place.  

Stitch the petals in place also.

And lastly stitch the outer circle background in place!  

The block above is the one pictured in the book on page 78 and the one shown below is the one I've made for my quilt using my 1st fabric line Ginger & Spice from Blank Quilting.  My fabrics are a touch traditional and a touch primitive, just like my quilting style and business name, Traditional Primitives.  I'm very excited to be using them in this project.  You can find Ginger & Spice in your local quilt shops now if you are interested in having them for yourself!

Featured this week with my blocks are my favorite little scissors for clipping threads.  These little sheep scissors come in black or silver- a tough decision on which one is cuter!  Need a perfect gift for your favorite sewing friend?  These scissors would make a wonderful keepsake!

You will find the notions mentioned on the Notions page of my website, TraditionalPrimitives.com and there are more videos beside several of the products.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I hope you have learned a little something today and enjoy making your Full Circle block.  Get it done soon and enter the contest Pat mentioned at SplendidSampler.com- Good Luck in the contest to win 12 spools of Aurifil thread!

If you don't have your book yet it's available in quilt shops now!  Join us in the FB Group as well.  It will be so much fun to stitch this Splendid Sampler 2 together!

For those of you who are new to my blog, please feel free to read back on older posts and get to know me.  You'll find me on FB as Traditional Primitives from Missie Carpenter.  Hope to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by and as always, Take Care,

Missie

Shop by clicking on TraditionalPrimitives.com!!

Another Splendid Sampler 2 Block!

The last post I showed you two of the blocks I've made for the Splendid Sampler 2 and today I'll show you one more real quick.  It's called For the Love by Sharon Burgess.  This one is English Paper Pieced- just up my ally!  Of course I used my Starch Basting Technique to baste and it went together lickety split!  What a pretty flower it makes!  These are a few more of the fabrics from Ginger & Spice, my line with Blank Quilting  :-}

Are you joining in the fun of making this quilt?  Join the FB group and get started!

Take care and thanks for stopping by.

Missie

#SplendidSampler #BlankQuilting #TraditionalPrimitives #SplendidSamplerDesigner #TheSplendidSampler2 #TheSplendidSampler #aurifil #quilting #31dayblogchallenge2018

Thanksgiving Joys and a bit of Splendid Sampler 2 Sewing!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I am so thankful for my family and spending time with them over the Thanksgiving weekend.  Little Paxton was the life of the party all weekend of course and we all doted on him as much as possible.  He's a happy little guy and sure has grown up since we last saw him just a few weeks ago.  It's hard to believe our kids changed as quickly as our grand child does!  Haha!  We missed one of our daughters and her husband this Thanksgiving while they visited his side of the family but we had a mini Thanksgiving with them the weekend before, thank goodness .

I want to share (again) the news that I am thrilled to be a part of the Splendid Sampler 2 book.  If you have not heard about it, you can read more about it HERE on the web page SplendidSampler.com.   It's quite an honor to be included!  Thank you Jane and Pat!

I am a little late to the party but I've gotten a start on my blocks and will be using my first fabric line, Ginger & Spice Collection from Blank Quilting for my Splendid Sampler quilt.  It's been pretty fun to make these little blocks from my own fabric...still hard to believe!

Here are my first few blocks!
First up is Milk and Cookies designed by Rebecca Bryan

I laid my cute little Sheep Scissors on there since this block reminds me of a clock...time has flown since I started on these.  You can find the Sheep Scissors on my website by clicking HERE if you must have some for yourself or a special sewing friend!

Next up is Rose and Dot by Lori Kennedy

This is an easy applique' block!  A fun finish!  I used my starch basting notions for making the shapes crisp and precise very easily.  You can see these on the notions page of my website by clicking HERE.  

Thanks Ladies in the Splendid Sampler 2 for such cute blocks to work on!  I hope to get at it a bit more aggressively and get some of these babies done!
I will post a few more blocks for you to see tomorrow.  Until then, Happy Stitching and Take Care,
Missie

#SplendidSampler2 #BlankQuilting #TraditionalPrimitives #splendidsamplerdesigner #thesplendidsampler2 #thesplendidsampler  #aurifil  #quilting #handwork #31dayblogchallenge2018