Early Morning Time

I woke up before the alarm today and coffee in hand headed to the studio...and yes it is a mess. So what else is new?

The cutting table this morning

Here is a piece I am working on....destined to become a table runner. I am in a table runner phase at the moment. Maybe that is the result of my thrill of mastering mitered corners.

Project in progress

"Eye of the Storm"

This is my completed Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective 1st Anniversary Challenge piece. We were each given a bag of scraps (below) containing the same fabric and fibers. We challenged ourselves to create art from these items.
Please go to http://www.ctfac.blogpost.com to see the works of other members!

The contents of my Challenge Bag---from whence the storm came!

Old Maine Class - May 12th

Saturday, May 12, 2012 I will be teaching "Old Maine" and my original variation on this scrap quilt  at the Levi Coe Library, 414 Main Street, Middlefield. The class runs from 10:30-12 noon.  The class is suitable for beginners and experienced quilters. Please register by calling: 860-349-3857 x 204.  The cost is $15, supplies not included. Please bring a sewing machine, scrap fabric and join us!

Old Maine Variation, designed and pieced by Mary Lachman

How to Make Mitered Corners on a Quilt with Double Borders

Mitered corners are beautiful and elegant.  This past month I decided to get serious and learn to make a proper mitered corner. I hope this mini tutorial will help you put them on your next quilt.

Let's get started!   

Step 1: Sew your double border fabrics together lengthwise.  (Sewing multiple borders on one-at-a-time is not efficient and the end product is not as nice as if you do it this way.)

Step 2: Sew double borders to adjacent sides of the quilt top. Stop stitching before each piece intersects with the other. In this image the vertical border is on top of the horizontal border.

Step 3: As you look at this next image, the vertical border is folded back onto itself and the horizontal/top  border is turned down on the vertical border. Press the seam between the 2 fabrics in the border so that at this corner, the  seam between the 2-fabrics of the border is pressed down toward the inner fabric. (In this example, my inner border is the multi-colored fabric).  Remember the mantra "top-down" and "bottom-up". 

Step 4: Return the horizontal/top border to the original right-side up fashion and place the vertical border on top of it. 

Step 5:  Turn the vertical border under (and free-edge out) at a 45 degree angle. The inner border on the vertical border should be pressed up toward the outer strip (or "up" in this image).  Again, recall the mantra, "top-down, bottom-up".  (Remember the "top" is the horizontal border and the "bottom" is the vertical border in this image.)  Because you placed the seams in opposite directions at the intersection of this corner, when you stitch the mitered corner from outside free-edge in to center the fabric will nest itself perfectly and you will have a beautiful and elegant corner!

Step 6: Press the corner seams with a hot iron.  Option: pin the fabrics together at the free-edge near the pressed crease.

Step 7: Turn the vertical border strip on top of the horizontal strip. You will be able to see the crease in the fabric made by the iron. 

 Step 8: Stitch in the creased area from the outer free-edge in toward your quilt top.

Step 9: Clip excess fabric from seam and corner.

                         
Step 10: Press right side of top.

Step 11: Press underside. Pressing the seam open at this point will reduce bulk.
Repeat all steps at the remaining corners of the quilt.

Quilting Demystified

 On Saturday, March 24th, I demonstrated basic quilt making techniques at the Levi Coe Library in Middlefield, CT http://www.leviecoe.com/.  It was such a great space for a workshop---lots of tables and comfortable chairs for all the attendees. Thanks to all who came and asked questions! Thanks also to Loren Weber and her staff for help setting up.

Here I am demonstrating how to make a basic 4-patch.



Here I was discussing the best alignment of a strip so the seams interlock nicely. 

There was quite a bit of interest in my Old Maine variation. We hope to have a second workshop where participants can bring their own machines and sew along with me.

War of 1812 Bicentennial Commerative Quilts

This year the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center is celebrating the Bicentenial of the War of 1812 with a Quilt Show.  The main celebration is this weekend but there are plans for a national tour and a book. 

2012 Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show

March 17-18
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Seaway Trail Discovery Center
401 W. Main St.
Sackets Harbor, NY 13685

My entry is "Scarlet and Gray" in celebration of The Ohio State University, my alma mater. It was tough to tone down my color choices in an attempt  to work in historic reproduction mode. The pattern was my design. Here it is prior to completion laid out on my studio floor.

 

Quarter Moon Series

I just finished a small Quarter Moon series, or La Luna Bella. These are scraps of commercial fabric stitched by machine.

Detail of Quarter Moon II

It's a Floral Thing - Norfolk CT

"Flower Garden"
Mary Lachman - 2012

There is an art exhibit at the  Norfolk Artisans Guild from February 3 - March 31, 2012 at Station Place in Norfolk.  My piece, Flower Garden, will be on exhibit there.   Check out the Artisans Guild on Facebook www.facebook.com/Artisansguild.

The pieced cotton batik base was inspired by the appearance of my scarlet azaleas blooming as the spirea put out fresh almost fluorescent green foliage each spring. The blossom overlay is a fused applique. The machine stitching is intense, something that can be appreciated up close.

I hope to see you at the opening reception, February 5th from 1-3PM.