Layers of Love Preview Week #7

Layers of Love Winner Week #6

Congratulations to Redfinch (comment #10) - you're the winner of this week's Layers of Love book. Please send your shipping info to lynne@ktquilts.com and you'll be one of the first to receive the new book after they're delivered to us. Looks like July 30 is Dday!

Reminder to Layers of Love Week #1 winner Laura Riley of South Dakota - please contact us soon. If anyone out there knows Laura, let her know she's a winner!

Layers of Love Preview Week #7 - Kiera's Kickin' It

Our 6th oldest granchild, Kiera lives in TX with her big brother, Ethan. Soccer is a year round sport down there, so she really had no choice but to play along. Her Dad and big brother coach her team of very serious little girls. Grampa Robert lovingly calls little kids' soccer 'herd ball' since they all follow the ball all over the field like a herd of kicking, flailing colts. So much fun to watch! In honor of her love of soccer, I've created a quilt that's fun and playful. Moda's newest precut, Honeycombs (6" hexagons), even kinda looks like soccer balls, so they're great for making a personalized quilt for the soccer player in your life. My inspiration for the layout came from a quilt in Loose Change called Pennies from Heaven. We layered and stitched a smaller tan square on a larger dark square, then cut the blocks in half and staggered them in vertical rows for a simple but striking lap quilt. It's perfect for the guy on your list and only requires a Layer Cake & 1 fabric.

Pennies from Heaven, Loose Change book

 In playing with Honeycombs, the vertical strippy quilt made alot of sense - fast, easy construction with outstanding results. I love it! Honeycomb hexagons are cut in half using our KT Honeycomb Ruler. The half hexs are positioned on both edges of a tan strip of fabric, pinned & stitched. The movement and illusion of piecing is amazing! Once the tan strips are done, you're actually just sewing tan and blue strips together. Could it get any better than that?

Comment this week on anything you like to win a Layers of Love book. It's almost here!

Layers of Love Preview Week #6

KT Winner Week #5

Congratulations to Paula for commenting last week. You're the winner of a Layers of Love book. We're hoping to have them by the end of the month, so hang in there! Of course, you all will the first to know.

Layers of Love Week #6 - Bronson's Christmas Wish

Bronson is especially loved by everyone in our family. He was born with multiple issues and has not only survived, but thrived, proving that disabilities don't mean disabled. The doctors said he wouldn't walk - he not only walks but goes up and down stairs alone, swims, and kicks a ball. They said he'd never speak - he's learning to communicate thru a computer program, but definitely makes his wishes known. He is strong, determined and admired by us all. He reminds us to be thankful for our gifts and talents everyday.

A KT Holly Wishes Jelly Roll provides everything you need for a simple rail fence block. Layer and stitch gold triangles on the ends of the outer strips before piecing them together for spinning pinwheels as the blocks come together. For me, Christmas quilts need to be fast & easy with lots of red & green charm - this one fits the bill perfectly. Whip up a coordinating pillow topper with a few leftover strips.

KT Bernina Fall Workshops/Demo's

At KT Bernina Quilt Shop, we're offering some new classes this fall beginning with a fun little runner that was featured in Primitive Quilts magazine a few years ago. Heads or Tails Runner is pieced with a charm and a mini charm with raw edge layered flying geese. So easy - you'll never lose your triangle points again!

We'll be offering a 3-hour workshop ($20 plus kit $20) or a 1-hour hands-on demo ($10 plus kit $20). You can bring your own machine and sew in the KT Retreat space surrounded by inspiration while you stitch up the runner in just a few hours - OR - come in and try out Robert's Bernina's during a demo and make a few blocks, then go home and finish in the comfort of your own sewing room. Either way, we hope you join us while we share my layered patchwork technique and some of the new projects from the Layers of Love book later this fall. Check our website by Aug. 1st for a complete list of the fall workshops or call Jamie at 785-488-2120 for more information.

Thanks for stopping by this week. Comment here about what you like/don't like about quilting workshops. I'd love to know your thoughts. We're giving away another Layers of Love book, so don't be shy!

Layers of Love Preview Week #5

Layers of Love Week #4 Winner

Congratulations to dortha - you're the winner of this week's Layers of Love book giveaway. Just a couple weeks and they'll be hot off the presses - I so excited! Thanks to all of your comments about your favorite retreats. I'll be looking into some of them :).

Layers of Love Preview #5 - Rowan's Rails

The Layers of Love book features mini-bio's of each of our 8 grankids from oldest to youngest - kinda. It all depended on how the pages/instructions fell. And that's kinda how I'm presenting this preview. Rowan is actually the third oldest, but Aleece's Charming Stars seemed more applicable last week since it was the workshop quilt at Patchwork Garden. When Rowan checked my blog last week looking for "his" quilt, he wanted to know why a 9-year-old's quilt was featured before his - he is, after all, 11 1/2.  I assured him he'd get more space for his blog post this week and he was totally cool with it. I love how much pride and interest the grankids have shown for this book. They're even asking for copies for friends! Several family members who don't quilt (and don't get what I do for a living) are already asking about it - something of a family album, I suppose. Anyway, without further ado, here's Rowan's Rails. With a Jelly Roll layered over a planned background, this is one of the simplest projects in the book with fabulous results. I like the way your eye dances across the quilt top from one corner to the other, following the steps. At 72" square, it makes a perfect size lap quilt - or add wider borders top & bottom for a twin bed quilt.

Layer a Jelly Roll strip over a square and stitch to create each block.
Then sew squares together in rows following the color-coded
diagram. So simple! Perfect for the man in your life.

My question this week is all about family - do you make quilts for everyone in your family? Does everyone "get it" and appreciate your quilts? What percentage of quilts do you make for yourself? Comment here to win a Layers of Love book. See you next week!

Layers of Love Preview Week #4

KT Bernina Quilt Shop & Emporium

Please note we will be closed July 4-5 for our Country's -  and Lynne's  - Birthdays. :)   Please make plans to stop in Tuesday thru Friday 10-5 or Saturday 10-3 anytime this summer. 

KT Winner Week #3

Congratulations to QB Sue. You're the winner of the new KT Layers of Love book due to arrive in just a few weeks. Please send your mailing address to lynne@ktquilts.com and we'll send out your copy as soon as they arrive.

Patchwork Garden Quilt Shop Visit

Pam Buda, of Heartspun Quilts, and I just returned from a delightful teaching trip to upstate NY at Patchwork Garden in East Amherst. Joan and Bev are shop owners with the most - hospitality, energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Their store is housed in a restored old house with loads of vintage charm and modern amenities. We immediately felt a warm welcome - even before we entered the store!

How fun is this? Pam & I were tickled over the sign in front of
 Patchwork Garden Quilt Shop in East Amherst, NY.

They have a great selection of samples & fabrics for KT fans. With 2 floors
of fabric in every palette by dozens of designers, wool, books and
patterns galore, it's a quilter's paradise.

The barn on Joan & Dave Roger's property housed the quilting classes -
and Pam & me! The open pavilion on the front was a favorite spot for cutting
and hand-stitching while gazing out upon the pond and wildlife.
What an ideal spot for workshops! I loved the quiet spot to relax
at the end of the day. Just like home.

One of the half day classes was quilter's choice of Mini Table Treats.  Even
though the heat was slowly rising, these quilters kept their cool -
and their sunny smiles - throughout the day.
 In just 3 hours, they nearly completed their projects!

So much fun to hang out with this bunch of characters all weekend!

Pam taught her Settler's Puzzle quilt, which will also be the quilt she'll share on our Great Girlfriend Getaway retreat to Mackinaw City, MI in September. I demonstrated my layered patchwork technique with Aleece's Charming Stars, which is one of the projects in the new Layers of Love book. It's also the featured quilt of the week.

Start with a charm and mini charm for the wall quilt or a Layer Cake & charm for the large lap quilt (90" sq.) plus background and borders for a new take on an old favorite, Ohio Stars. This quilt is for my oldest granddaughter, Aleece, who's almost 10. She's been fondling fabric and rearranging charm squares since she was a toddler. Now, she helps in the shop folding fat quarters and assembling coordinating packs like a seasoned quilter. Her version of this quilt will inevitably be made with one of her favorite designer's charm packs Pieces From My Heart by Sandy Gervais. See and read more about Aleece in Layers of Love

Add a mini charm to a charm square; stitch. Layer with another charm square;
stitch diagonally to create 2 half square triangle blocks. Easy!  For the lap
size quilt, choose a Layer Cake and charm pack.

Comment this week on your favorite quilting retreat to win a Layers of Love book when it makes it's deput soon. Have we talked about that recently? Oh well, retreats are always so much fun, let's talk about them some more! See you next Monday and have a blast this 4th of July weekend!

Layers of Love Preview Week #3

KT Winner - Preview Week #2

Congratulations to Deb G. in VA. You're the winner of the Layers of Love this week. I hope you enjoy learning a new technique for stitching up hexagons. Stay tuned to see more Honeycomb projects in the coming weeks.

Layers of Love Preview Week #3 - Cooper's Crossing

I can't think of a better way to start a quilt than with a coordinated group of fabrics in a Layer Cake. In our Cooper's Crossing quilt, LC squares are cut into fourths, mixed up and sewn back together, then crisscrossed with Honeybun 1 1/2" strips. The pieced border is simple half square triangles with a Honeybun strip stitched on top diagonally to make the zigzag - love it!

Cooper lives just a short drive away and prefers hanging out with Grampa and I when his little sister, Delainey, has friends spend the night. We enjoy his company but also appreciate his technical support with our phones and ipads. He always has a new app, game or function to share with us. He's also getting old enough - and big enough - to be alot of help. He loves to drive the 4-wheeler to haul mulch or garden debris when we're working in the yard. I've loved having him travel with me on KT business to carry suitcases and help ladies with their purchases at guild events. We've made a couple of side trips along the way, spending time at the St. Louis arch last summer or just chillin' by the motel pool. I'm looking forward to another trip this year. Valuable quality time I'll treasure. 

Comment here on a favorite summer adventure - or on any topic you please - to win a copy of our new Layers of Love book. See you next week!

Layers of Love Week #2

KT Winner - Preview Week #1

Laura Riley from SD commented she'd like to learn more about my layered patchwork technique. Well, Laura, here's your chance! You'll be receiving the new Layers of Love book just as soon as the printer gets them to us. Thanks for commenting and watch over the next 7 weeks for more previews of the unique projects in my book. I'll keep a running list of winners in each blog post in case you miss it.

It Christmas Past & Present at KTQ

With our new Holly Wishes fabric in the house, we're celebrating all things Christmas with 25% off all KT Christmas patterns, precuts and kits from this year and the past. Check out the ktquilts.com website now until July 1st for best selection. Quantities of precuts and some kits is limited.

Layers of Love Preview Week #2 - Ethan's Hat Trick

Robert and I have a blended family - 6 kids in their 30's with 8 grankids between the ages of 5 and 15. I just love my layered patchwork technique to make quilts for everyone in the family since it starts with precuts and is so easy to assemble. As you can see, promising toddler quilts, first big bed quilts, 10-year-old quilts, wedding quilts and 30th birthday quilts, I'm never really caught up. The easy-to-make and easy to care for projects are perfect for kids, so I decided to feature each grankid with a quilt in the new book. Last week's quilt was my daughter's 30-Something star quilt (altho not a grankid, her quilt kinda started it all). This week our oldest grandson, Ethan, is featured with a quilt that highlights his favorite sport, soccer. It features a Layer Cake and Honeycomb plus 2 fabrics for borders. The lap quilt is 54" x 62" but could be made larger with just the one LC and HC. I chose to make a smaller throw since Ethan lives in TX and just wanted something for the end of his bed. There were enough blocks leftover to make a great sized runner for a side table, too. Options are given in the book for several sizes of this project.

Can you see the block? It looks way more difficult than it really is. 

The Soccer Runner has a row of full
blocks down the middle with
half blocks on the sides. 

Gene from Moda, graciously taped a short demo of how to use the KT Honeycomb Ruler below. It showed how to center & cut a Layer Cake and Honeycomb for 2 projects in The Bee's Knees pattern booklet. Click on this link to buy the  KT Honeycomb Ruler now! Instructions for centering are similar for Ethan's quilt.

Honeycomb Ruler video from Spring Market 2014


Comment here if you've ever played with Honeycombs or hexagons and what you've made. We'll give away another Layers of Love book next Monday. 

Layers of Love Preview 1

Market is over, the new Layers of Love book is FINALLY at the printer and next year's Christmas group is off to Moda. Whew! In addition, with school out, we've had grankids coming and going regularly. Love it! And some pretty intense storms leaving us without power for hours at a time. No tornadoes, just really strong straight line winds. Not normal for here, but what's normal with the weather anymore???

KT Winner

Congrats to Donna W. who enjoys all precuts but especially likes Layer Cakes. She'll have a Holly Wishes charm pack and pattern to add to her collection. Thanks to everyone who commented on their favs.

Pittsburg, PA Market

Market was great this year. We built a park for our booth to showcase the new fabric line, Paisley Park. My vision for a lamp post, tree, picnic table and fence to hang quilts came together to earn us a blue ribbon for Best Double Booth. Very nice to be acknowledged for our hard work. Robert and I enjoyed the variety of eateries in downtown Pittsburg and had a chance to do some antique shopping on the way home. Good trip.

Our Paisley Park included a street light, tree, brick path and a picnic table. 

The quilt hanging on the fence in front is our Moda Schoolhouse challenge. Watch for everyone's
versions & instructions in the Sept. Moda Designer's Blog Hop.

The new Paisley Park quilts are hung on the fence -  (L to R) Prim Pinwheels, Paisley Party w/ 2 runners and pillow,
A Day in the Park charm quilt and Perfectly Paisley. So fun to name all the quilts!

Enjoyed demonstrating the layered patchwork technique to shop owners. They loved it!

And the winner is...KTQ!

Layers of Love

 Everyone was excited about the new quilts in our Layers of Love book featuring lots of precuts and our unique layered patchwork technique. It's expands on the ideas in Loose Change using Jelly Rolls, Honey Buns and Honeycombs along with Layer Cakes, charms and minis. Beginning today, I'll preview one project a week from now until the book comes out in July.

This week's quilt is the one that started it all. My daughter, Nicole, requested a quilt for her 30th birthday with 30 stars from a pattern I created for 100 Quilt Blocks a couple years ago. She hand selected the 90 different KT fabrics from my stash and waited patiently. Well, it's been about 2 years and she finally took her quilt home. As most quilters know, making a quilt - especially squeezing one in between quilts for work - is a process. She's been fairly patient and is thrilled with the results. Here's her king size 30-Something quilt and the lap quilt with a dozen blocks and pieced border.

The star block is a simple 9-patch with squares and triangles layered and stitched on top of the background squares - no lost star points! The zigzag border is made up of star point units sewn together in rows. So simple!

I'll be giving away a Layers of Love book each week for the next 8 weeks so don't miss a chance to be one of the first to get it mailed directly to you - signed. Comment here for a chance to win. See you next week for another sneak peek.