Show List - Show 2208: Maria Shell

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Show 2208: Maria Shell - Improv Patchwork

Featuring: Maria Shell

Posts On: April 8, 2018

Trailer

Inspired by an antique quilt, Alex starts things off by sharing her updated version of that quilt and discusses the problems she encountered when trying to mimic the original quilt's border. Using lemons to make lemonade, Alex shares her ‘super improv’ new and out of the box triangle border.

The improv continues as Maria Shell, an Alaskan quilter who refers to herself as a ‘bit maker’, shares her method for creating visually vibrant and patterned quilts created by sewing small units or strips together. It is through sewing, cutting, and joining a large number of strip set units that Maria pushes a design as far she can with the end result being an entirely new design.

Maria also shares tips for cutting both with and without a ruler for very different and organic design finishes. Being a quilter in close knit Alaska allows Maria to share her talents with others through a community no-sew quilt project. We also visit her Alaska home studio and summer cabin.

Show Information

Links to Artists:

Maria Shell

Alex Anderson (Alex Anderson Quilts)

From Chapter One:

Alex works on creating an updated version of an antique quilt. She talks about strip piecing and her 'super inprov' triangle border.

Cutting for 8” x 8” finished strip block:

Strips - 2 ½” x 8 ½”
2 ½” x 2 ½”

Half Square Triangles - 3 7/8” squares

From Chapter Two:

Alex and Ricky welcome Maria Shell to the set. Maria discusses growing up in rural Kansas and how she is based in traditional quilting. She pushes the traditional element in the block to see where it will lead. She considers herself a bit maker and makes lots of bits that springboard ideas to another quilt series. Her degrees in Journalism have come full circle by allowing her to express ideas via a blog and now a book.

From Chapter Three:

Maria walks us through the process of taking small solid fabric strip set units and then pushing the envelope to create an entirely new design.

From Chapter Four:

Maria has a heart for helping others, and shares a community quilt made by former chronically homeless people. Her simplified step-out prep method means that anyone can make a no-sew fused quilt block. This activity gives the participants the confidence to do something creative.

We also look at images of Maria's Alaska home studio and summer cabin.

After Set:

Maria talks about her summer cabin in McCarthy, AK, where she works and teaches. She also talks about being a part of the artist residency program at the Wrangell Mountain Center in Alaska.

Products and Artists Mentioned:

Improv Patchwork: Dynamic Quilts Made with Line & Shape by Maria Shell (C&T Publishing)
Aurifil 20wt Thread
Sue Rasmussen
Barack Obama
Quilters Select Appli-Stick
Apliquick Tools
Julie Silber
In Between Stitches
Dee Christopher
Pellon 805 Wonder-Under
McColl Center for Art + Innovation in Charlotte, NC

Comments

#5 colorcode 2018-06-18 10:11

Alex, I just love your color sense and composition. You infuse so much vitality into your teaching as well as down to earth practicality. You modestly make us feel that what you do, we can do, even tho you are a quilt giant. Alex, please teach often on The Quilt Show.

#4 NuttyKin 2018-04-12 10:25

Loved this show! I am going to use the community quilt idea with my grandchildren!
Also, when sewing strip sets together: in addition to ironing after each seam, if you sew the first strip going down the strip, sew the next strip going in the opposite direction. Continue sewing each strip going in the opposite direction from the previous one. This helps avoid the curve forming on the strip set.

#3 jeanniebench 2018-04-09 10:45

So much fun to watch, congratulations , Maria! Maria is such a generous, gifted, and hard-working artist. I'm so impressed by the openness of her spirit in sharing her skills and process, and her support of other people in their journeys.

#2 FiberontheMt 2018-04-08 20:54

Loved the show. Hearing and watching other artists creative process is a true learning experience and is the best value of the show and any class. Thank you Maria and Alex and Ricky!

#1 Kay Welch 2018-04-06 22:49

This so exciting! Congratulations !!! Your quilts look FAB in the studio.
Thanks for letting us know when it will be on.

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Show 2213: Ann Shaw / Anna Bates - Amish Remix and Quilting On The Road

Posts On: June 17, 2018

Ann Shaw loves taking a line to see how it can affect a quilt design in abstract and modern quilts. Using traditional Amish quilts as inspiration; Ann pares down the piecing lines using her new gesture process. To shake things up even more, Ann pares down the Courthouse Steps block to it most minimal, or remixed version.

Then the effervescent quilt blogger Anna Bates, makes a stop on her road trip to join us in the studio. Anna regales us with stories of quilt shops, meeting quilters on her journeys, and clever tips for doing handwork while riding along in an RV.

Show 2212: Linda Pumphrey / Carolyn Hock - For the Love of Red and White

Posts On: June 3, 2018

Red and White quilts have been an iconic color combination for quilters since the discovery of Turkey red dye. Working with these two high contrast colors requires a bit of extra attention and Linda Pumphrey is back to offer helpful tips and tricks for avoiding unexpected pitfalls down the road. Along the way she shares intriguing bits of Red and White quilt history, antique quilts, and wows us with new designs based on old patterns.

TQS member Carolyn Hock is back to entice you with techniques for adding that bit of fantastic bling to the edge of your quilts. From Red and White to outstanding bling, this show is sure to catch your eye.

Show 2211: Heidi Farmer / Judy Fredenburgh - Hoop-Free Longarm Embroidery

Posts On: May 20, 2018

Do you dream of creating machine embroidery without the aid of a hoop? Heidi Farmer defies the skeptics who said it couldn’t be done as she shares tips and tricks for stitching hoop-free designs to your heart’s content using a revolutionary method. But wait, there’s more. Do you want to embroider your own hand drawn designs? The answer is yes. If you can think it, you can stitch it.

And who doesn’t need a quick baby quilt in their pocket of tricks? Heidi shares a fast method for a super cute personalized baby quilt on your longarm.

Then, RNK educator, Judy Fredenburgh, shares the ins and outs of how and why stabilizers make a huge difference when it comes to machine embroidery. If you have ever been skeptical about machine embroidery, this show will definitely make you a believer. Don’t miss it!

Show 2210: Katie Pasquini Masopust - Reimagining The Log Cabin Block

Posts On: May 6, 2018

Ricky starts off the show with a fun and easy technique for drafting a multi-pieced patchwork goldfish block. The design elements become more interesting as he expands the number of paper-pieced units within the block design itself.

Never one to sit still, Alex and Ricky welcome back Katie Pasquini Masopust to share the secrets behind her new art quilts built using Log Cabin blocks. Her love of tradition led Katie to see how far she could expand the block.

Enlarged photographs are used to build on a grid system that becomes the framework for the quilt. Varying fabrics, color, and value take on the role of major players as an entirely new art quilt is built. Along the way, Katie shares tips for using this most traditional of blocks in an unconventional manner.

Show 2209: Katie Fowler - Coloring on Fabric Mandala Designs

Posts On: April 22, 2018

Ricky kicks off the show with tips for assembling contemporary a baby bunting quilt inspired by an antique quilt. The large 16” blocks can then be combined in using a variety of settings to make a number of very striking quilts.

Quilt artist and teacher Katie Fowler returns to share the fun of coloring pre-printed mandala designs built with quilt blocks on fabric. It takes the joy of the coloring book to a whole new level. Now your colored designs can be used just like any other fabric in your stash!

From selecting hues that play well together to tips for coloring, achieving the best results and setting the fabric, it’s fun on a grand scale. Once the Mandala has been completed it’s on to fast finishes and creative ways to incorporate your finished designs into items other than quilts.

Show 2207: Cheryl Lynch / Lauren Vlcek - Low Sew Mosaics & DIY Silk Screens

Posts On: March 25, 2018

Cheryl Lynch is back to share a fast, fun, and charming mini mosaic technique that won’t take months to create. Her trick for cutting the fabric lickety split means that you can get down to the fun of designing right away. These mini mosaics make great small gifts for friends or even yourself.

Then, Lauren Vlcek joins Ricky to share fun ideas for designing and making your own silk screens that won’t break the bank. Once the screens have been created, the sky’s the limit on ways that you can get creative.

Show 2206: The Hoop Sisters - The Magic of Quilting in a Hoop

Posts On: March 11, 2018

Alex starts the show with a fun and tantalizing technique for inserting a pop of color and texture into a Dresden Plate block using ricrac.

Annie and Lynda, a.k.a. The Hoop Sisters, delight us with the variety of ways digitized embroidery designs and the hoop can be used to create a quilt entirely constructed on the sewing machine. Along with tips for avoiding common mistakes when building an embroidery design, the sisters share how to join blocks and how to finish a quilt by machine.

Show 2205: Diane Kirkhart - Magnificent Millefiori Quilts

Posts On: February 25, 2018

Diane Kirkhart learned how to sew from her mother at the age of five. It is her immense dedication to handwork that has led to her to creating spectacular Millefiori quilts. Many of her quilts include no less than several thousand hand-pieced English Paper Pieced units.

Diane shares a number of tips for creating her quilts. Learn an invisible stitch machine method, a bulk reducing figure eight knot, and a fussy cutting tip for creating photo images in the center of a rosette design. This show is chock full of mesmerizing eye candy. You won't want to miss this!

Show 2204: Leni L. Wiener / Jake Simmons - The Human Form from Portrait to Art Piece

Posts On: February 11, 2018

Leni Levenson Wiener has been photographing unsuspecting people on park benches for many years, often using her husband as a decoy. A people watcher by nature, she enjoys creating a little story and found that the background and bench itself were not actually necessary when trying to convey a message. Leni shares how to she builds these unique mounted floating art works.

Building the human face using a wide variety of fabric can be quite difficult. Leni shares tips for using unexpected fabrics when it comes to skin tones. When she pushes the options to more unusual fabrics, the face shifts from portrait to art piece.

When it comes to quilting, we don’t often do our bodies justice. Hours of being hunched over a sewing machine can take its toll. Jake Simmons, a practicing chiropractor, shares tips for preventing pain while quilting.

Show 2203: Wendy Grande - Putting the "T" in T-Shirt Quilts

Posts On: January 28, 2018

Alex and Ricky welcome back Wendy Grande, who recently fell in love with T-shirt quilts when looking for a way to create a memory quilt by incorporating her daughter's college sorority shirts. Along with tips and tricks for creating design layouts, Wendy shares ways to personalize a quilt for the recipient.

But wait, there’s more. The recent addition of a grandchild allowed Wendy to create a special baby memento WIP quilt featuring the onesies, shirts, buttons and other personal items. This show’s tips, tricks and personal touches, definitely put the "T" in T-shirt quilts.

Show 2202: Betty Busby / Cyndi McChesney - Working with Unusual Materials and Decoding an Antique Block

Posts On: January 14, 2018

Betty Busby began her fiber exploration with a degree in ceramics. After a very successful career she transitioned to exploring and manipulating unusual non-quilting fiber that feature subjects from the natural world. Using hand painted silk, a soldering iron and other out of the norm tools, Betty shares how to make translucent and unbelievably delicate elements for her larger than life quilts featuring enlarged microscopic images. You will never look at landscaper’s cloth in the same way.

Cyndi McChesney is back to unravel the mysteries of drafting a traditional antique quilt block based on a grid system. Breaking down the block components makes the job more streamlined and allows you to determine the finished block size.

Show 2201: Edyta Sitar - It's All About Scraps & the TQS BOM 2018 Patchwork Barn Quilt

Posts On: December 31, 2017

Alex and Ricky welcome back Edyta Sitar, who is the designer of the TQS 2018 BOM quilt, The Patchwork Barn. Edyta loves designing and making all of her own quilts. She talks about loving scrappy quilts and using an anchor to tie the parts together so your eye can rest. When she isn’t going scrappy, she loves working in blue and white as the colors are versatile and timeless. She gives tips for fabric selection, including the Rule of Five, when only working in two colors.

Edyta is a big proponent of testing out ideas and techniques before making a quilt. She shows how working small can allow you to see how colors and blocks come together before making a large version.

Want more tips? Edyta also demonstrates a clever binding technique that reduces bulk in the corner. And if that’s not enough, she introduces a second color way for the TQS 2018 BOM.

Edyta also brings part of her large collection of her own and antique quilts for a giant bed turning on the set and talks about the children’s book she wrote that includes a quilt project.