Shop Update

Visit my shop for new listings, including Michael Miller Circus prints, and Cloud 9 Monsterz.  I'll be adding fabric continuously for the next week or so, so if you want some great designer fabric, hop on over!

Michael Miller Children's Prints

Monsterz by Cloud 9, 100% Organic Cotton

Swoon Quilt Pattern

 Here's a great inspirational photo for the Swoon quilt pattern by Thimble Blossoms.  This was sewn by Ashley over at Film in the Fridge, using Flea Market Fancy.  Click on the picture to see the original post.

I have recently started my own Swoon quilt for my grandma's birthday (Happy Birthday Grandma!)  I'll post some pictures soon.

One thing I have learned is that I'm still not OCD enough, because my seams are NOT lining up : (.  I'm sure with practice I'll have better luck!  I have three of the nine blocks completed, so I'm anxious to finish, but good golly, these blocks take me forever!  They are, in my defense, 24" square, so I guess they shouldn't be rushed, but I'll be puttering away on them all week long, I'm trying to finish it by this weekend so I can get it quilted and out in the mail by mid next week, after all her birthday was the 10th : )

Inspiration!

I don't know where everyone else gets their inspiration, but I can tell you two places to check are pinterest and etsy.  I can honestly say I have an addiction, look out world!  So naturally I thought I would share a few pieces that I'm crushing on, that I think would be great to turn into some form of a quilt or another : )    Click on the picture to be taken to its source.

Here's a little state love...

       

By C is for Color 

This one hits home! I love you Oregon!

By Nan Lawson Illustration

Don't you think any of these would make a great quilt?!  It would definitely be my comfort quilt, since my husband and I will be moving soon to a new state.

By Ein Bier Bitte

How about these ones for some fun modern prints that could guide as inspiration for a quilt.  Click on the picture to be taken to its source.

       

  

Handz

Seal Design Studio

By Ein Bier Bitte

Designing a Quilt Back

In case anyone is curious how, I'll take you through my process for designing a quilt back.  It's super quick and easy, so don't stress out too much when planning it!  My biggest problem is not finishing a quilt because it doesn't have a back yet, so it goes into the unfinished quilt pile...and believe me, that needs no reason to grow!  Here are the three steps.


1.   When you finish the front, take the overall outer measurements, and make a template.

2.  Play around with the layout for that backing, if you already have fabric you want to use, either just bought, or random sizes out of your stash, then it may be a little tougher, but still manageable.  I make my blocks in the layout to be the finished size, so I add seam allowance as I cut, I also add a couple inches on the outer pieces that way I can have room to trim up the quilt after quilting.

3.  Then cut and sew.  Technically it's four steps if you want to be picky :)

Stay tuned for a picture of the back for the typewriter quilt later this week!

Works in the Making!

I am the Queen of starting something, getting 90% of the way done, and then starting something new.  That ends up leaving my current project in the backseat compared to whatever I'm currently playing with.  Poor little quilts, they just want to be loved too, right?  My husband Mr. Max gives me greif, because I can never finish anything...(in a timely matter)  I hope that's not true!  I'm looking to fill that "Finished Quilts" section super full this year!


This is a block for  little boy quilt I'm making for a special little man.  The top is actually finished, I'll get more pictures up soon : )

This quilt was made using Tula Pinks Parisville line.

Welcome!

Hi there!  Welcome to The Cotton Salon : )  This blog is dedicated to the wonders that are "modern quilting," if it's your thing, I think we'll get along just fine!

First up, our etsy shop is live, so hop on over and take a look, I'll be adding things all the time.

This is my patchwork version of a quilt inspired by Ashley over at Film in the Fridge, I'm anxious to finish the back so I can wrap myself up in it on these unnecessarily frigid nights, and of course, get some better pictures!!