Just a Stitch or Two

Graceful Rhapsody

I love paisleys!  I am fascinated by the detail of the little flowers, leaves, dots etc. incorporated in the designs.   So when I had the opportunity to write another book with Kansas City Star Quilts, I knew exactly what I wanted to do – a quilt based on beautiful paisleys.   Our new book is now available here.  We’ll add it to our website as soon as we have them in hand, but for now, if you go here, you can leave a comment for a chance to win a book. 

The quilt is a mixture of applique, piecing and embroidery.

I had the opportunity to teach the quilt as I was designing it.   It was really fun to see the quilt take shape in different colorways.  Almost makes me want to make it again – I’d love to see it in reds!

We’ll have a giveaway here as soon as we have books in stock, but in the meantime, hurry on over here and win one!

Thanks for stopping by,

New Patterns

With all the excitement about the royal wedding and a fabric line named Tudor Lane we designed a new pattern to celebrate the two – Royal Romance.  It could easily be customized to celebrate any wedding. 

Time Goes By is our newest Sweet and Simple Pattern (patterns that are quick and easy). 

Here are a few versions using Tudor Lane:

Sparkling Starbursts can be made using a layer cake.  This version was made with Strawberry Fields by Figtree Quilts for Moda.

This is a Tudor Lane version.

Regal Nosegay looks complicated but is a lot of fun to put together.

 

All of the patterns are now available on our website. 

Tudor Bouquet is a free pattern available on the Lecien website.

Thanks for stopping by,

Catching Up And Fabric!

I feel like I'm just starting to catch my breath after market.  I was home for about two days and had to drive down to Southern California to pick up my youngest from college.  And then there were patterns to write, a book to edit, orders to ship, etc. etc.  The patterns are done, the book is very close to going to the printer - we're just about caught up!  So I have patterns to share and soon I'll have a book cover to show you, but first, more about our fabric line: 

I'm so excited about the fabric and just itching to spend more time sewing with it!  It is printed by  and will be shipping early to mid July.

The main prints in the line feel like an English garden.  This is Catherine which features a floral vine.

A linen texture really adds a richness to the prints.  Elizabeth has beautiful bouquets.

The fabric has a wonderful hand – perfect for appliqué and piecing.  This coordinate is Caroline.

Diana is a detailed stripe.

And this is lovely Grace.

Mary is a sweet, petite floral.

Completing the line is Kate – a fun polka dot!

To see larger pieces of the fabric, click here and for information on ordering the fabric, please contact  .  We’re currently working on a block of the month quilt and more patterns featuring Tudor Lane.  I can’t wait to share them with you.  In the meantime, we just added swatches to the website that can be downloaded for use with Electric Quilt or Photoshop.  Click here and then scroll to the bottom of the page till you see “Download Images”.  You can click on the link and save them  on your computer.  The swatches have been cropped so that they repeat correctly when you use them to make a "virtual quilt"  - lots of fun if you haven't tried it.

We’ll be back soon with new patterns, a peek at the book cover and a give away!

Thanks for stopping by,

Exciting Times!

We’ve been busy around here! 

There’s been book writing, quilt designing, sewing, sewing and some more sewing.  But everything is coming together quickly.  Projects for the book were sent off today.  And ….. drumroll please!

 

We have fabric!  Sample yardage of Tudor Lane arrived today and I’m so excited to share it with you.  Without further ado – here’s a little peek.

 

I’m so excited to be joining the other Lecien designers!  I’ll be back soon with more to share!

Turkeys Everywhere!

As I was leaving home the other day I spotted a turkey – no really a live turkey walking across the street!  So I turned the car around and raced them up the driveway and this is what I saw!

And then there were more …

I was actually on my out to get the ingredients for these …

And I got a little carried away …

I’m ready for Thanksgiving – are you?

For directions to make your own turkeys click here.  Thank you to Joe for the first homemade turkey picture.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Quilting in the Garden

We had a fantastic weekend at Quilting in the Garden.  Alden Lane Nursery, with their gigantic oak trees, is such a beautiful location for a quilt show. 

The volunteers and nursery staff start hanging the quilts early in the morning.

 

A Graceful Baltimore and Down by the Sea

Charmed Circles

Back Home

Our new release -- Emily Rose (will be on the website soon!)and Slice of Cake

Sweet and Simple Patchwork and our other new release Hugs and Kisses (coming soon to the website)

Antique Americana

A second version of Holiday Tapestry – I call it Springtime Tapestry

Quilter’s Daydream

Jelly Roll Jive (above and below)

 

The Graceful Garden

Petal Play

Alden Lane cute displays

Elizabeth Scott of Late Bloomer Quilts was our neighbor.  It was fun chatting with her and she gave us a bundle of her new fabric!  Isn’t it gorgeous?  She’s having a give away on her blog so head over there and leave a comment for a chance to win your very own bundle!

Thanks for stopping by,

Quilting in the Garden

Join us on September 25 & 26 for Quilting in the Garden at Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, Calif.

Alden Lane Nursery is a full service garden center. Their centuries-old valley oak trees provide the perfect backdrop for beautiful quilts. Each morning of the show the quilts are hung from lines that go from tree to tree. Click here for directions to the nursery.

 

 

 

Denise will be a Featured Artist at the show along with Sue Nickels and Elizabeth Scott. Special Guest Artists include Alex Anderson, Jeff Krause, Romy Tam and Nancy Claus. Click here for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

A Graceful Stitch will be  releasing two new patterns at the show. You won't want to miss these beautiful quilts!

 

 

 

 

 

 Appliqué Class

The Graceful Garden

Denise will be teaching an appliqué class at In Between Stitches on Friday, Sept. 24, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students may choose an appliqué pattern from Denise's book The Graceful Garden or another appliqué pattern from A Graceful Stitch. The price of the class is $65 and includes lunch. All levels are welcome. Class size is limited and is filling up quickly. Click here for registration information.

 

Hope to see you there!

A Day Turned Around

A couple of weeks ago we were able to get away to Southern California for a beautiful wedding.  And an added bonus of getting to spend some time with our daughter who’s attending school down south.  At the end of the weekend, we left a little too late in the day and the traffic through Los Angeles was awful – it took forever and we were tired and just wanted to be home.  And then we came upon this ….

A sea of lavender wild flowers – it looked like water at first – there were so many flowers!  And before long we ran into this …

The hills were an incredible green and the wildflowers were just incredible.  And the stress of the traffic was left far behind.  The day turned around.

For reasons I won’t even go into, it’s been a rough day here at A Graceful Stitch.  Sometimes, things just don’t go the way you plan which can be difficult during the market crazies time of year …  Often these situations turn into a melt down for me which usually involves some tears and a little feeling sorry for myself and then I can get back to business.  Today I managed to keep it together, but was just feeling a little blue.  And then I was able to help a customer with a little problem and her sweet words made all the difference in the world.

I love it when the day turns around! 

We Can All Help

Quilters are wonderful.  I’m sure you’ve heard that before, but it’s so true!  The wonderful people at Fat Quarter Shop are holding an auction to help the people of Haiti.  Lots of people are donating quilts which are being auctioned off to raise money for several trusted organizations that are sending workers, supplies, and relief into Haiti.  It’s easy to participate -- you can read all about it here. 

We are donating Garden Cameo shown below.  It is hand appliquéd and has embroidery detail. 

You can bid on it here.  Click on the Helping Haiti button at the right to see a list of all the items.   Please participate – it’s easy!

 

 

 

 

This quilt needs a home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of people in Haiti need homes.

 

Please go participate now!

 

 

Binding Your Quilt (Part Three)

Your binding is now attached on all four sides with two “tails” of binding and approximately 14-16 inches of quilt that still needs binding.  Reverse stitch a couple of stitches to secure the stitching and remove it from your machine.  Cut a short piece of binding from whichever tail is the longest.  This will be your measuring guide.  Overlap the two ends of the binding on the edge of the quilt.  Unfold your measuring guide and line it up next to the overlap starting at the edge of the binding on the bottom.  Cut the top piece of binding as shown in the picture.

You can discard your measuring guide now.  Open up the two ends of the binding.  Place them right sides together and at right angles to each other.  This first picture isn’t quite lined up all the way, but it shows what you’re trying to do.

When you have the edges lined up pin on the diagonal line as shown in this next photo (pretend my thumb isn’t there).  You’re going from one corner diagonally to the opposite corner.   After pinning, return the binding to its original place and make sure your seam is going in the correct direction.  It’s easy to get things turned the wrong way.  After double checking, sew on the diagonal line.  (Here is where it becomes evident why you need to leave 14-16 inches open – it can get tricky to get the ends lined up and fit this under your machine to sew the seam.)

After you sew the seam, double check again that it’s going in the correct direction and then carefully trim your seam to 1/4”.  Your binding will fit your quilt perfectly.  Finish sewing the binding to your quilt. 

Fold the binding over the raw edge of your quilt covering the machine stitching.  Stitch by hand with a blind stitch. 

In the near future I’ll show you how to do an extra wide binding like I did on this quilt.

 

Thanks for stopping by,