April 6, 2010
On The Beach
This Tuesday’s Twilt, “On the Beach”, is super simple. It uses bias strips folded just like bias tape and laid on top of a white on white square with the folds touching. I stitched across the folds in the opposite direction. Once the top was layered with batting and backing I rolled the bias folds over and stitched them down as part of the quilting.
I know it’s not summer yet but the beach theme is nice to think about for a minute or two. Summer will be here before we know it.
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
April 2, 2010
Cathedral Window Sampler
I have been working a few shows lately and sold a few of my pattern, “Cathedral Window Sampler”. It’s available for $9.25 plus $1.25 postage in the US. Email me if you’re interested in purchasing one. Click on the pictures to see high res versions of the Sampler and the Tradition variation on Flickr. I promised I would post some info on how to finish the Sampler so that it looks Traditional. It won’t make much sense if you haven’t bought the pattern but for those who have, here goes:
In the sample at the right I used red for the background and beige prints for Fabric A and Fabric B. I chose an additional floral print for the window panes. Cut 6 squares 2″ each and 8 squares 2 1/2 ” each. Cut the 2 1/2″ squares in half diagonally.
Before you assemble the top, baste a floral triangle on top of each of the 3D triangles lining up the raw edges and centering the points.
Assemble the top. You will have floppy triangles on top of each 3D triangle. When you baste the quilt, center a 2″ floral square on top of each 3D square.
When quilting eliminate the grid and just roll the bias folds over the raw edges and stitch them down by machine. Remeber to just stitch to the point where the folds meet, take one stitch across and then continue. It isn’t necessary to stitch the points.
I will be at the Quilts Inc. show in Chicago so if you’re there please come by and say Hi! I will be in Monica’s Quilt & Bead booth. Thanks to all you who have been so supportive!!
December 29, 2009
Hearts and Flowers
Black strips of complimentary black fabrics frame the three Cathedral Window Flowers of “Hearts and Flowers”, this weeks Twilt. These flowers can be found in the border of Lotus Lullaby and Easy Cathedral Window Flowers, two of my patterns. Just a touch of a verigated fancy machine stitch adds a little color to the black strips. I used glass buttons for the flower centers. Three hearts hang on rayon ribbon from a big bead with a painted dragonfly. Winter is hardly here and I’m thinking of Spring.
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
December 22, 2009
Christmas Tree Twilt
My Christmas decorations are complete. My tree is up and trimmed.
Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Holidays!!!
December 8, 2009
Holiday Ornament
The holidays are upon us so I wanted to be a little festive this week. Tuesday’s Twilt, “Holiday Ornament” is a single block from my pattern Cathedral Window Ornament Table Runner. Enjoy!
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
December 3, 2009
Shelley’s Design Works on Etsy
I have been thinking about a shop on Etsy for over a year and I can’t believe it but my shop, Shelley’s Design Works, is now OPEN! 
If you’re interested in owning one of my designs I encourage you to visit.
Over the next month and on into the next year and maybe beyond I will be posting quilts, table runners, samples from my books and patterns and small items like needlecases, ornaments and my zip bags. 
So, please take a peak.
All of the pictures you see here are items that are available. Above and on the right are two mini quilts that would make wonderful wall or table pieces. 
The pink piece above and the lavender flower below are needle cases. On the right is one of my ornaments.
I am really excited to get this up and going so head on over and check it out. Feedback is welcome! Enjoy!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/sswanland
December 1, 2009
Winter Sparkle
A simple Ohio Star block with a Cathedral Window center is this weeks Twilt. “Winter Sparkle” welcomes in the season.
I hope for the very best Holidays for everyone!
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
November 24, 2009
Garden in the Window
I took a really simple approach to this weeks Twilt, “Garden in the Window”. A fused 9″ square of Asian Print was cut into nine 3″ squares and fused in place with even spaces between the squares. I used verigated quilting thread to machine buttonhole stitch the squares in place. I added another decorative stitch around the edge. After binding I sewed little flowers in the corners.
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
November 17, 2009
In the Pink
Quilting threads and built in decorative stitches were the focus of my experimentation that ended up as this Tuesday’s Twilt, “In the Pink”. I chose an interesting batik that was mostly black but had some cool striations going on. I also liked the square spirals in the print. The piece was first grid quilted with a black and gray verigated thread in 1 1/2″ intervals. I played with some scrap fabrics at first and then started stitching rows of square spirals, hearts and stipple using several colors of verigated quilting thread, King Tut from Superior Thread. A couple of rows have torn silk-metallic organdy fabric underneath the stitching and I frayed the sides outside the stitches. I also used organdy ribbon under a couple of rows.
I chose stitches I thought would compliment the batik. I just tried to have fun. A Dragonfly button and square spiral and heart paper clips embellish and compliment the stitches and background design. I could see this technique used for Table Runners and Christmas gifts. It has a lot of possibilities.
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
November 3, 2009
Ode to Fall
I’m busy prepping for a quilt show in Lake Havasu Arizona but I found the time to look through the unfinished box again this week and found this block that was left over from my second book, “Machine Stitched Cathedral Stars”. Floating Windows is the first block in the book and the fall colors just called out to me in this “Ode to Fall”. It’s wonderful that pieces that could sit in the cupboard forever get to shine as Twilts. I particularly liked the batiks I used in this block.
I did need to quilt it out and to do that I used a freezer paper circle and moved it along as I stitched along the edge of it which means marking isn’t necessary.
For info on the book check out the page on my website or on Amazon.
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
Snips and Bits from Shelley's Studio 