Stitch a Sampler with Us!

It all started with a project to help my niece Lara learn to quilt. She made her version of this sampler last summer as part of her internship at McCall's. Now the project is being patterned in 6 parts, beginning in the December 2013/January 2014 issue of McCall's Quick Quilts. Here's my version, the one that appears in the magazine:

Studio Stash fabrics by Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman

We named it Studio Sampler; click on the link for more details. Each installment of the pattern will also have special how-to photos for a piecing technique. This first part focuses on half-square triangle units, and includes patterns for 3 of the blocks.

I hope you'll give this project a look. I had a lot of fun making the quilt, and samplers are always exciting, don't you think? The magazine is just reaching subscribers and newsstands now, and you will also be able to buy digital and print copies here beginning October 29. Check it out!

Fun Little Project

We're photographing this leather sewing case by Colonial Needle on Wednesday for the product review page of the January/February 2014 issue of McCall's Quilting. The case comes without any patchwork...you make your own and insert it in an opening in the case top. I got to do that tonight, and it was a quick, fun sew.

Leather sewing case by Colonial Needle; fabrics from the Oriental Traditions collection by Robert Kaufman

You can find the cases (they also come in black) at local quilt shops, or order online here.

Quick Quilts Sampler Finished

I finished binding the Quick Quilts sampler today and here's a sneak peek. The pretty quilting is by Karen Dovala. Fabrics are from the Studio Stash collection by Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman. We start the series in the January issue, which we're preparing for the printer now. Another project checked off the list!

Sample Making

Fabrics from the Studio Stash collection by Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman

I'm working today on making blocks for the McCall's Quick Quilts sampler project. That's a little sneak peek above. Every time I make samples for photography I think of my Mom, who worked for 50 years in sewing factories, making samples of fine ladies' clothing. The sample maker was near the top of the food chain in a sewing factory, at least back in the day. She needed to be extremely knowledgeable, not just about fashion and sewing, but also about production methods and capabilities. Mom was great at it! To this day, there's nothing she can't sew, though she specializes in hand quilting these days. After so many years at a factory sewing machine, she much prefers hand work. Anyway, I'm proud to be a second-generation sample maker, in a slightly different field, and I always try to do my best to have great step-outs ready for photography. Mom, thanks for the first-class example!

Studio Stash on a Rainy Day

Fabrics courtesy of Robert Kaufman

We don't get many rainy days in Golden, with over 300 sunny days a year and lots of the others snowy, but today is one! This stack of all 37 fabrics from the Studio Stash collection by Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman is calling my name. I've been playing with these textures and prints as I make blocks for the upcoming McCall's Quick Quilts sampler project (beginning in the January 2014 issue), and the color range is absolutely scrumptious. Just what I need on a gray day. So I think I'll dive in and make a few more blocks. Check back for an update soon!