The KickAss article starts on page 38!

Quilter’s Connection contacted me a few months ago about doing an article on KickAss Country Store. Of course I said yes – I never turn down free publicity – not knowing anything about the magazine. Our issue is here and I’m quite impressed. Not only do they have great taste in quilt shops (LOL) but they have articles that are really useful and timely. The article on sewing machine maintenance is a must have for everyone. Articles on going green, how-to-do sashiko, and making memory quilts all have projects to go along with them. There’s a list of Canadian quilt shows and another list of Canadian quilt shops if you’re planning on travelling.  The CQA (Canadian Quilter’s Association) has a page, too.

Quilter’s Connection started out as a newsletter for British Columbia quilters and grew over time into a full color, professional looking magazine. This is only their third issue as a national publication. You can really tell that this is a magazine for quilters and by quilters.  You can order from our website or find it at Chapters.

sample X blocks

I was looking for a quilt project for a layer cake class and had some time to play over the holidays. I think I am now hooked on X blocks.

Pre-cuts are wonderful. They really save a lot of cutting time and they are an economical way to get a scrappy, but coordinated look.  I REALLY hate patterns for pre-cuts that start by wasting my time cutting them down. (Designers – if you’re starting with 10″ squares – work with it.  Don’t cut them down to 9 1/2″!) That may be why I fell for Sharyn Craig’s Layer ‘Em Up book.

Or maybe it was because it made a block that would usually be made with templates quick and easy. Or it could be because its kind of fun to see the fabric combinations that come up. 

The book actually introduces three different blocks. The X-quisite block is a simple diagonal stripe…… I’m going to do this one with a bali wrap . And then there is the King’s X which reminds me of a basic reversible quilt block or a fun & done quilt-as-you-go block. I’m pretty sure you can blend the two and cut and stack according to Sharyn Craig and then sew them with a quilt-as-you-go method. 

The techniques are not rocket science – you could probably figure them out yourself – expecially if you watch the on-line demo. The book makes it a lot easier because it lists  the best measurements for different sizes of  starting squares and tells you how big your finished square will be so you can accurately plan your quilt. The gallery of finished quilts is definitely worthwhile – you’ll be amazed at the different settings and fabric selections.

If you appreciate quick, clever, efficient quilts – get this book! Or at least watch the demo and try the technique.

My personal favorite is the Kinkakuji wall hanging which blends together panels and large prints and is enhanced with sashiko. I want to try it with some of the large scale Australian quilts as well as the Orientals.

The book includes necessary templates and lots of detailed pictures. Even a beginner should be able to do most of these projects.

Everyone should have a design wall – unless of course you’re really young and spry and have lots of floor room to lay out your quilt blocks. The problem is some of us don’t have wall space to put up a design wall. Problem solved!

The GIANT Cheryl Ann’s Design Wall comes in a small tote bag measuring about 5″ x 5″ x 22″ and weighing less than 7 pounds. It is easily assembled in just a few minutes (its about as difficult as pu-tting up a tent)  and provides a giant 72″ x 72″ flannel surface that is stretched tight on a stable frame. The flannel is a high quality, 100% cotton, preshrunk flannel that has been measured and sewn to fit the frame. Because it is stretched tight and standing at an angle, adherence is marvelous and pinning is never necessary. A design wall like this will not only help you create wonderful projects,  but will help you avoid sewing blocks and rows together in the wrong order. Your seam ripper may get lonely!  And because it is portable you can stand this really close to your sewing machine – or move it really far away if you want the exercise. When you are finished, just fold it up and put it away. This is perfect for anyone who teaches quilt classes.  The 72″ square comes in pale gray and white and is $174. There are also smaller versions – 54″ square ($133) and 36″ square ($107)  available in white.  These are perfect additions to your Santa list.

For those who have a wall – Fons and Porter have a 60″ x 72″ design wall sheet that you can tape or tack up. It is gridded which is really useful to keep you straight. You could easily add a sleeve for a dowel (or maybe a folding tent pole?) for  hanging.