Well, some fun things to share in these parts!!
First of all, just for the eye candy – this little mini went to Market this week. Quilt Market in Houston, that is. I’m not going to be there this time but if you’re there keep an eye out for my debut fabric collection!
It’s called Gingham Girls and is being show as one of Riley Blake/Penny Rose Designs’ upcoming collections this spring! Here’s a little sneak peak. I’ll be sharing more about my inspiration and the story behind Gingham Girls at the beginning of next week.
In other very fun announcements, are you familiar with the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club? 2016 was the inaugural year of the monthly subscription club that is based on exploring different quilting techniques or design concepts to help you expand your horizons and build your skills as a quilter. Each month has a new lesson hosted and taught by a different instructor.
The lessons are beautifully developed teaching the specific concepts and techniques and then giving ideas where you can challenge yourself to create using the that technique. It’s an inspiring way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and not only learn new things and try new skills, but expand your vision of what you can do with that skill.
2017 is back with a new crew of teachers/designers and I’m so honored to be among them – especially the likes of these folks:
- January – Amy Friend
- February – Emily Herrick
- March – Jacquie Gering
- April – Krista Fleckenstein
- May – Emma Jean Jansen
- June – Kim Eichler-Messmer
- July – Dan Rouse
- August – Melissa Aveniros
- September – Amy Smart (yours truly)
- October – Deborah Moebes
- November – Camille Roskelley
- December – Stephanie Ruyle
The way it works: Each lesson is only $5 a month (or $50 for a year’s subscription). You can pick and choose from the instructors or concepts and buy month to month or subscribe for the whole year. For less than the price of a typical pattern, each month you get an in-depth mini-book on a different subject with lots of text and beautiful photos.
Visit the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club page to get the full scoop. I have a year subscription to giveaway to one of you! To enter, leave a comment telling me an aspect of quilting that you’d like to learn more about in-depth. Giveaway open until Tues, Nov 1 at midnight MST.
WINNER:
ZOSIA KOEHLER November 1, 2016 at 7:04 pm
This is an exciting idea for learning new skills! thanks for sharing and having a give away, I’d be super happy to win just one month so a year would rock my world!.
And in other news, I have started an official weekly newsletter! This will be a chance to share sneak-peeks of upcoming announcements, exclusive sales, recap some of the things happening on the blog as well as links to other fun content I’ve found that week, etc. I hope you’ll join the fun.
And I’m giving away a free pattern download of Flying Friendship Stars right now to all who subscribe. Plus, this week’s newsletter will have a special discount just for newsletter subscribers. 😉 You can subscribe by entering your email address here or in the handy-dandy bar at the top of the web page.
(If you prefer, you can get the RSS emails every time there’s a new post by entering your email address in the box on the sidebar under Subscribe via Email. Or you can do both!)
A few more details about the mini quilt. It’s made from Riley Blake’s Hashtag basics and was fun to put together. (Clearly I’ve got Hour-Glass blocks on the brain after making these fall mini’s. Tutorial here if you want to make your own. Or for a full quilt pattern with a similar style check out Amy Ellis’ Dimensions pattern.)
Lastly, every Craftsy class is on sale for under $20 this weekend + 5% of all sales will be donated to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation. So a great time to sign up for a class and help a good cause.
So there you have it. Some super fun stuff happening. And more announcements to come in the upcoming weeks!
lauren
Thanks for the chance to win the subscription – looks amazing!
Melissa Chandler
I’d like to learn about how to make perfect points.
Ella
I’d love to get better at curves and FMQ.
Maggie Makowsky
I love the idea of getting new skills and not just fabric each month. I want to get better at curves. So challenging!
Sue
Thanks for the chance to win Amy. Curves for me too!
Diane W
Id love to learn how to put fabrics together. Colors and patterns.
Kathy Falconer
I would like to learn how to use circles in my quilts. Pieced, appliqué, and quilted.
shoshana
thanks for the chance to win. i’m a relatively new quilter and am totally on the lookout for any opportunity to learn more, especially about the quilting part and how to be more exact in my piecing.
Sara
Thank you so much for this opportunity. I would love to learn more about sewing curves. Love your mini!
Beth T.
I love the look of transparency quilts but don’t really know where to start, so an in-depth look at that would be very helpful to me.
Cathie
I would love to become a FMQ. Just cannot seem to tackle this skill
Alicia
I’d love to learn more about improv and short cuts ! Thanks for the chance! And congrats on your debut fabric line.
Shelagh Yates
Thanks for the chance to win, I need to improve quilting curves.
Elva Kulla
I’d love to learn more about curves.
MARY D
The concept sounds like a great idea and as quilters, many look to expand their learning and skill set.
tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Nancy Pascoe
I’d like to learn more about quilt design. Thanks for the giveaway!
Martina
Oh that sounds very interesting. I think i would like to learn more about piecing , but i am just open to learn soemthing new, yay!
Kit
I would like to learn about paper piecing.
Anne
Id like to learn more about paper piecing. I know the basics, but would love to learn how to join several pieces neatly. Thanks for the chance to win!
Paula L
I have always wanted to learn English Paper Piecing!
Pamela Meyer
Free option quilting for sure!
Andrea Tsang Jackson
Curves! They scare me.
judy b
Thanks for all the cool ideas. I would like to improve my FMQ
Ms Sam Nicholson
For some reason I am constantly learning new things when it comes to quilting!! Thank you for offering this giveaway!! What a great way to learn more!!!
Marian Allen
I want to learn more about applique – there seems to be so many different kinds and methods, and I am so confused!
laurabligh
I would like to learn more about quilting with curves.
Little Quiltsong
I would love to learn some simple quilting designs that can be done with my domestic sewing machine. Thank you for this giveaway chance.
arianezurcher
FMQ in defined areas!
Michelle M
I still consider myself a newbie quilter, so I learn tons from pretty much anything. But maybe something I’ve never tried, like curves. Or non-traditional borders.
Lana Stewart
I’d like to learn how to paper piece and how to sew curves. Thank you for your inspiration!
Sarah
Congratulations on all of the wonderful things going on in your life! Also, thanks for the chance to win the subscription; I’m always looking for new tips & tricks for FMQ.
Bridget Kevin-Myers
I would love to learn about foundation paper piecing. For some reason, I find it super intimidating.
annehaun
I would love to learn how to quilt on my own machine rather than a longarm.
Susan
I’d like to learn some simple free motion quilting designs, other than meandering. I subscribed, Thanks for the free pattern! Love Gingham Girls, so cute!!!!!
MaryAnn
I would love to improve my quilting and design choices.
Aubrey
Curved piecing scares me. I would live to learn how to do it.
JoAnn Szark
I would like to make a T shirt quilt and need basic instructions.
Linda Williamson
I would like to learn how to get nice points and sewing curves. Thanks for the giveaway.
Cheryl Close
I’d like to get better at curved piece quilting.
Ruth Kingscott
I’m always interested in learning new skills or brushing up on older ones. Thanks for a chance at the give away.
Ashley
Paper piecing and curves. Two things I need to learn too!
Cindy Waye
I would like to learn and get more comfortable with paper piecing and applique. Thank you for the chance to win.
Amy Vogelgesang
I would love to learn more about matching points and appliqué. Thanks!
Chris Matsvhe
I would like to learn how to paper piece. Also how to machine quilt. Matsche.christine@yahoo.com
Sue Lerch
I am planning to expand my skills at machine quilting during the next year
Amy L
I’d like to learn some improv techinques and use of negative space. And congrats on your first fabric line! Looking forward to Monday to see the rest of it.
Stefanie
What a great opportunity! I would love to become more confident at fabric selection as well as pattern design.
lboneberg
Machine quilting….
Leslie K.
So many quilting techniques to improve! I would love to improve my points (although they are getting better!) as well as just improving my piecing skills. I also would love to learn how to FMQ….I have watched many videos, but still haven’t tried it!
Terry
Thank you for the chance to win. This quilting club sounds great. I’m trying to design a quilt but really have no idea how to go about it, so this course would be perfect.
Stumbling into GRACE
Thank you for this chance .. Ssince Im new to quilting I want to learn EVERYTHING
jackie
looks like a lot of fun!
Christine N
Hi Amy, more tips on choosing colours and patterns that work together would be great!
Marcia
Wow, what a beautiful mini! I would love to learn more about prairie points, curved piecing and machine quilting . . .
Thank you!!
Judy Chastain
I constantly struggle with matching points! I’ve tried the positioning pin method and the glue basting method. I do not like glue basting for so many quilts where seams a pressed open. How on earth do you stitch a perfect point without hitting a pin? And, when seams are pressed open, the end opens up during the pinning process. Clearly, I need help!
Peggy
I would like to tap into the creative process more – explore a little more ‘what if I…’.
Kristine
That sounds like a great club! I’m new to quilting and would love to get better at making things go faster…chain piecing was a godsend! I’d like to learn more techniques for working on a small machine and how to deal with bulk. I love puffy quilts with higher loft but can’t quilt them easily on my home machine… thanks for the chance to join the fun!
aquilterstable
Cool – good for you! One thing I’d like to get more comfortable with is inset circles or improv shapes.
bobbi dougherty
I have been sewing for about 4 years now, but I can still use a lot of help. I was never properly trained, and can really use some plain old basic instruction, lol. I still can’t get my half triangle to come out very good. 🙁 ANY help is appreciated, lol
Nancy B
What a great idea! I still am not very confident about color selection, and machine stitching curves is a challenge. Thanks for the giveaway!
cheryljbrickey
I would love to learn partial and Y seams.
Buffy
So many things I’d like to learn/ improve upon…paper piecing is at the top of my list, glue basting, better methods for quilting a larger quilt on my own machine, blocks with curves/ orange peels…
Very excited to see/ hear more about your fabric collection!!!!
Anne S
I am a new quilter so I have LOTS to learn! Good cutting and piecing techniquesand machine quilting tips and tricks.
Linda in PA
I need help with curved piecing.
Deb
Love the results you get when paper piecing but I struggle with placing the fabric correctly.
Kathy Luehrs
making scalloped borders
Barb N
Curved piecing has me in stitches! (Sorry, it’s early here and my brain isn’t functioning all that well just yet) I have a great pattern, but I’ve been putting it off with fear of tackling it. Silly me. Help!
Ellyn Zinsmeister
I’m really wanting to do better at improv. have been fascinated by the Mighty Lucky Club this year and wishing I had joined in
Carol Gillen
Congrats on your fabric line, Amy. Thanks for the giveaway! My applique always needs work……
Gail
Beautiful fabrics! I need to get much, much, much better at those pesky curves! I feel Lucky.
Mary M
EPP! Or any paper piecing really! It looks like such a cool way to get super exact piecing! But since I’m still learning a lot about quilting, I’d love to learn anything they can teach me 🙂
Kathie L
Thanks for the giveaway. I’d like to be better at curved piecing. Thanks.
Jen
As a newish quilter, I have so much to keep learning!! I would like to take on appliqué some time soon.
Shari K.
I’d like to learn more about trapunto and English paper piecing.
Dede Bliven
What a great idea to expand and encourage us to learn new techniques with our quilting passion! With quilt shop closing in our area, this is coming just at the right time! Thank you so much Amy and wouldn’t it be fun to try all the new ideas with your new fabric line. Can’t wait!
Summer King
I want to know more about curved piecing.
jbtobes
Design and color are weak points with which I could use some help.
Thank you!
sharon
i need to piece more accurately–desperately!
Becky T
Curves are my bane… that’s what I need to learn more about!
Karen Seitz
I need more practice with machine applique and curves. I can’t wait to hear and see more about your fabric line!
artisticsharon
I’d really like to get better at choosing fabrics…color, print and scale. Thanks for the giveaway!
Jenni
I would love to learn hand appliqué and curved, they scare me!
amyps
hoop free hand quilting
jenny
info on pattern design without computer aids 🙂
Karen
I want advice on choosing fabrics from my stash that will make a scrap quilt sparkle rather than blend to blah.
Lori Morton
Would looove to win!! thank you for the chance! 🙂
I definitely need more FMQ experience…and agree with the other commenters..Curves!!! lol
Jennifer
I would love to learn more about hand quilting. And I really appreciate that the classes can be purchased individually. Thanks for the chance!
Congrats on your fabric line!!!!
Cynthia Meredith
Improv piecing so it doesn’t look like a hot mess and hand quilting strategies.
Linda F.
I too want to learn how to sew curves! And I’d like to learn more pattern math to help me with my own patterns or customizing others.
Paula
I’d like to learn more about color composition, accurate points, curves, and much more!
Janet T
Paper piecing, getting better at FMQ, picking the right fabric for the pattern, etc.
Lisa
I’d love to learn to how to get my triangles to have points! I’m also interested in paper piecing. Thank you!
Judy Sigsworth
If I’m limited to only one…..golly, I think I have to go with color. But I need serious help with lots of other things…like not cutting the tips off triangles, curves, FMQ, picking the right fabrics to go with the pattern…. Need I say more? Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Jenny
your line looks so dang cute!!! As always I would love to learn more about FMQ my own quilts. Thanks!
Chris K.
I’d like to learn more about ruler quilting on a home machine.
Ann
So many things! FMQ I think should be next. Then applique… then curves…
Sharon
I need to learn more about free motion quilting. Thanks.
Margaret
Well, cogratulations on your first fabric line, Amy. I know that I am very excited to see it! The technique that I am struggling with the most is hand applique. I know that I want to do it, but there are so many ways to applique by hand that I don’t know where to start.
Cathy B.
I’ve yet to try paper piecing but have seen so many great patterns. Need a little lesson to take the leap!
Laura M
I’d like to learn more about ways to plan my quilting. I’m not that practiced and sometimes I get stuck even starting because I don’t know where to start. Thanks for the subscription giveaway and congrats on your fabric line.
Valerie
I would like to try paper piecing and be more brave quilting on my domestic machine. I’m always afraid to quilt my own projects and ruin them!!
Barbara Esposito
What an awesome idea! So much knowledge out there and brought right to my in box! I would love to learn more about embellishing quilts with different weight threads. Thank you for the chance!
Mara
Congratulations that is so exciting to be featured. I always struggle with colors, what I think looks good, doesn’t always look as great as I think inside of my head.
Jodie
I would like to learn more about Y seams-I think 🙂
tlbenedict
I would love to learn just about everything – I am a beginner. But I would really like to learn how to quilt on my personal machine instead of paying someone to do it for me on a long arm.
Pamela McNamara
I’m fairly new to quilting and simply can’t absorb enough about all the aspects of the craft. I have fun just trying new things and getting creative.
Caitlin
I would like to learn more about applique and FMQ!
Diana Roye
I am pretty new to quilting and would like to learn more about borders and sashing.
charmingbubble2
I would like to learn more about aspects of design and how to hide my stitching so I can tackle a Hawaiian Quilt. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Karen McMahon
I would like to learn about curved piecing. I am also excited to see your new fabric line.
billiemick
I’m interested in quilting with rulers on domestic machines.
AnnieO
Excited about your newsletter, I signed up! A fellow guild member has talked about the mighty Lucky club and enjoyed it a lot. I’m interested in learning more about quilting on a domestic machine. Congratulations on your debut fabric line!
Joan
I would love to learn more about applique and hand work. I have seen so many beautiful embroidery stitches lately.
Brianna P
I’m not too confident in my color and pattern skills. I’d also love to be able to quilt something other than straight lines!
Karen
Thanks for the chance to win. I would really like to learn fmq..
Carla
I’m getting so excited! It sounds so fun. I think I’d like to develop my skills at designing quilts and improv.
Terri McAllister
I would love to win! And I would love to learn more paper foundation piecing, applique, and mini quilting.
Barbara
Oh please pick me!!!!
Margaret
I’d like to tackle free motion quilting and hand quilting.
Michele Norman
I want to improve my piecing accuracy and feel more confident with fmq.
Lilpuddin
I would love a class where experienced quilters taught us newbies what they’ve learned through years of experience, like tips for accurate piecing, full-proof ways to make consistently nice looking bindings, shortcuts that make piecing faster, etc. How about a “Things I wish I knew when I was starting out” class? Maybe it would be a good first class in the series?
Marie
Appliqué or foundation paper piecing, both intimidate me!
Carol
How fun. I have not participated in the Mighty Lucky Club, but have heard about them on the Crafty Planner Podcast. Sounds fun! I would like to find some good hand sewn projects, so a challenge to do a hand sewing project would be fun.
Deb R
Congrats on the new fabric range. I’m always eager to learn more about English paper piecing or foundation piecing…thanks for the chance in the giveaway ❣
Melanie C
I would like to learn how to easily size up or down patterns….quilty math ?
Hannah W
What a great giveaway! To be honest I could improve in every area of quilting as I’ve only made 6 or so.
Helma
Such abgreat giveaway. I would like to know more about applique and optical illusions…..
Doreen Satterwhite
I’d love to learn more about free motion quilting on my home machine.
Thanks!
Janet Mollat
I would love to gain more confidence with applique
Tammy
I would love to learn how to do curves and angles.
Lee
I would love a club like this – I think I will join and sign up for your newsletter!! have a good weekend!
Alesha Klein
Thank you for the chance to win a subscription. I love to applique, but I am in dire need to learn how to paper piece. Have several quilts waiting for those blocks to be finished.
Laura
Congrats! I’d really love to join in this year! I’m always watching what everyone creates on Instagram and would love to be a part of it this time! I love trying new things – but have no idea how to do a faced binding! Would love to dive into that!
Sally Christiansen
Thank you for the chance to win. I would love to learn design and more on picking the right colors and patterns.
Linda Cejnar
I would like to learn how to NOT chop off the points on my triangles!
The Lisa Marie
I would love to learn more about putting fabrics and colors together. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Robin
My points often are a source of frustration so that is a skill I would love to master!
Allison
I’d like to learn more about paper piecing.
Carolshepp@gmail.com
Thanks for the give away. I would like to learn more about designing and changing the size of a block especially when there are angles in the block.
Sarah J.
So many things I’d like to learn more about… quilting my quilts, paper piecing, curved piecing, color choices…
Meghan H
I’d like to learn more about machine quilting. Thanks!
Carolyn S
I’ve only tried curved piecing once and it just went okay. I’d love to learn more tips about how to execute that well, and some great machine quilting that works well with curves. I’ll be at Houston and will be excited to see your new line!!
Cecilia
Cute mini! I want to learn more about curves.
holly
I would like to learn more tips and shortcuts for speed. I would also enjoy some ideas for pulling fabrics together for a quilt when you are working from fabric from different lines and suppliers.
Sonya M
I’d love to get comfortable with curves!
Donna Murdock
First of all, I need to relearn how to manage time so that I can sew for two hours a day. Now that I am retired, my sense of time is lost! I still want to learn everything in the world! And, thank you for the chance of winning!
Karen Hootman
I’d like to learn more about curve piecing.
Karen Hootman
I would like to learn more about curve piecing. Thanks for the giveaway.
Anne boundy
Can’t wait to see more about your new fabric! i would like to learn how to piece curves.
northshorequilter
I would love to learn more about how to design a pattern on the computer–what program do I use and what are some hints for using it? Thanks for the chance to win!
BeckyR
I would like to learn how to design a quilt using EQ7.
Kathy E.
I am interested in learning how to make scalloped borders on quilts. I love the look!
Lou Ellen
Thank you for the opportunity to win! I love to learn new techniques!
Pam Jolly
I would like to learn more about color theory.
Susie V
I would like to be more creative with borders. Also, I have begun to enjoy making sampler blocks and would like to find interesting ways for setting quilt blocks.
Penny Allen
I’d like to learn…drum rol.., how to do a perfect binding!
Renae W
Accurate piecing!!!
Donna R
I’d like to learn more about applique … something I’ve wanted to try for a while.
Jessica
Ooo, thanks for the change to win! It’s been so fun to see all the inspirations in this year’s club. I’d love to learn more about using quilting to really highlight each part of the pieced design (as opposed to just an all-over quilting design).
Barb S
I am trying to develop a more carefree and improvised attitude to my quilting. It is very hard for me to do. I would love to win a membership in the club for 2017.
Lucky
I would love to learn more about working with large-scale prints in a quilt. Thanks!
Gayle Fahrion
I would like to learn more about design and fabric selection. Thanks!
Zosia Koehler
This is an exciting idea for learning new skills! thanks for sharing and having a give away, I’d be super happy to win just one month so a year would rock my world!.
Zosia Koehler
oh yeah follow directions, I’d love to be able to do paper piecing! add this to comment above
caltexgal
I love to learn new stuff! Thx
Caltexgal@aol.com
Kristine
I’m a new quilter, so really I want to learn anything and everything!!
Joy Adams
I want to improve my free motion quilting skills.
nancy
I am always eager to learn something new and/or improve the skills I already know!