My Great Sewing Adventures Part One

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I am back from a wonderful week of catching up with good friends, sewing with some very talented instructors and doing some excellent shopping.  It is wonderful to get away–a rare event for me–but even better to come home and start playing with the new ideas and materials I acquired on the trip.

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I learned some terrific new machine applique techniques from Kim Diehl, a designer I have admired for years.  She does not teach all that often, so I was thrilled to sign up for two classes with her.  The photo above is my first effort using her methods, done in class.  

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Here is Kim, being introduced to the class.  She was very sweet and fun, but also a good teacher.  I have several of her books and have made one of her quilts, but having her right there in front of me was such an amazing learning experience.  I am really looking forward to doing a lot more of her projects, both applique and piecework.

Here are some of the small quilts she brought with her to show to the class.  Fatquartershop.com is offering a Block of the Month Club featuring Kim's projects.  It is called Simple What Nots Club, and consists of six months of kits to make her mini quilts.  If you are a fan of her work, you might love making these little quilts.

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42 responses to “My Great Sewing Adventures Part One”

  1. I want to hear more about your trip! I thought about joinng the Simple What Nots Club, mainly for the red lily quilt, but decided not to because of all the projects I have already. Still love that lily quilt though!

  2. I want to hear more about your trip! I thought about joinng the Simple What Nots Club, mainly for the red lily quilt, but decided not to because of all the projects I have already. Still love that lily quilt though!

  3. I want to hear more about your trip! I thought about joinng the Simple What Nots Club, mainly for the red lily quilt, but decided not to because of all the projects I have already. Still love that lily quilt though!

  4. How fun! I thought you might be headed up that way. I love Kim’s quilts and these are spectacular. I am so happy you had such a good time. I went to a Jo Morton retreat in Nebraska this last week and had a fabulous time too. She is just a wonderful quilter and teacher as well!
    Mary

  5. How fun! I thought you might be headed up that way. I love Kim’s quilts and these are spectacular. I am so happy you had such a good time. I went to a Jo Morton retreat in Nebraska this last week and had a fabulous time too. She is just a wonderful quilter and teacher as well!
    Mary

  6. How fun! I thought you might be headed up that way. I love Kim’s quilts and these are spectacular. I am so happy you had such a good time. I went to a Jo Morton retreat in Nebraska this last week and had a fabulous time too. She is just a wonderful quilter and teacher as well!
    Mary

  7. So glad that you had a chance to get away. It is always so much fun to learn new things, especially when you have a knowledgeable and entertaining teacher.
    Looking forward to seeing the next installment.

  8. So glad that you had a chance to get away. It is always so much fun to learn new things, especially when you have a knowledgeable and entertaining teacher.
    Looking forward to seeing the next installment.

  9. So glad that you had a chance to get away. It is always so much fun to learn new things, especially when you have a knowledgeable and entertaining teacher.
    Looking forward to seeing the next installment.

  10. Welcome home!
    I love the lily block you made and the charming little quilts that were brought as samples. The pieced borders are just wonderful. I’ve enjoyed Kim’s books over the years and those classes with her must have been a real treat! Are the ideas swirling around in your head?
    Count me in with those eager for the next installment!
    Hugs!

  11. Welcome home!
    I love the lily block you made and the charming little quilts that were brought as samples. The pieced borders are just wonderful. I’ve enjoyed Kim’s books over the years and those classes with her must have been a real treat! Are the ideas swirling around in your head?
    Count me in with those eager for the next installment!
    Hugs!

  12. Welcome home!
    I love the lily block you made and the charming little quilts that were brought as samples. The pieced borders are just wonderful. I’ve enjoyed Kim’s books over the years and those classes with her must have been a real treat! Are the ideas swirling around in your head?
    Count me in with those eager for the next installment!
    Hugs!

  13. Welcome home Nicole ! That lily quilt is beautiful !
    Always fun to getaway with friends and real bonus is taking these classes together ! How Fun !!!!!!!!

  14. Welcome home Nicole ! That lily quilt is beautiful !
    Always fun to getaway with friends and real bonus is taking these classes together ! How Fun !!!!!!!!

  15. Welcome home Nicole ! That lily quilt is beautiful !
    Always fun to getaway with friends and real bonus is taking these classes together ! How Fun !!!!!!!!

  16. Kim always surprises with the colors she puts together, love that! I have a project in progress from one of her books and several more bookmarked! Getting away for a week is such a great thing, especially when sewing and friends are involved 🙂

  17. Kim always surprises with the colors she puts together, love that! I have a project in progress from one of her books and several more bookmarked! Getting away for a week is such a great thing, especially when sewing and friends are involved 🙂

  18. Kim always surprises with the colors she puts together, love that! I have a project in progress from one of her books and several more bookmarked! Getting away for a week is such a great thing, especially when sewing and friends are involved 🙂

  19. Welcome back! Glad you hear you had a good time. The lily applique is beautiful.
    Over the weekend I was in a shop with a HUGE collection of Christopher Radko christmas ornaments and thought of you!

  20. Welcome back! Glad you hear you had a good time. The lily applique is beautiful.
    Over the weekend I was in a shop with a HUGE collection of Christopher Radko christmas ornaments and thought of you!

  21. Welcome back! Glad you hear you had a good time. The lily applique is beautiful.
    Over the weekend I was in a shop with a HUGE collection of Christopher Radko christmas ornaments and thought of you!

  22. I’m facilitating a once a month demo/tutorial class for the WhatNots. I’ve made 2 so far and working on a third one. LOVE her work and this new line of fabric is exceptional. Lookers like you had a great time!

  23. I’m facilitating a once a month demo/tutorial class for the WhatNots. I’ve made 2 so far and working on a third one. LOVE her work and this new line of fabric is exceptional. Lookers like you had a great time!

  24. I’m facilitating a once a month demo/tutorial class for the WhatNots. I’ve made 2 so far and working on a third one. LOVE her work and this new line of fabric is exceptional. Lookers like you had a great time!

  25. I’m envious…sigh. It’s good to have you back as I look forward to seeing more!

  26. I’m envious…sigh. It’s good to have you back as I look forward to seeing more!

  27. I’m envious…sigh. It’s good to have you back as I look forward to seeing more!

  28. I’m so happy that you got to take this trip and meet some talented people. Thanks for the FQS tip. I’ll check it out.

  29. I’m so happy that you got to take this trip and meet some talented people. Thanks for the FQS tip. I’ll check it out.

  30. I’m so happy that you got to take this trip and meet some talented people. Thanks for the FQS tip. I’ll check it out.

  31. I’m so glad you got to go and have a good time with your buds and your classes.
    I love that Lily quilt and Kim’s new little quilts are wonderful. Isn’t she the best?!? Genius. And nice! (Grrrrr.)
    I look forward to the rest of the pictures – now go get some rest!

  32. I’m so glad you got to go and have a good time with your buds and your classes.
    I love that Lily quilt and Kim’s new little quilts are wonderful. Isn’t she the best?!? Genius. And nice! (Grrrrr.)
    I look forward to the rest of the pictures – now go get some rest!

  33. I’m so glad you got to go and have a good time with your buds and your classes.
    I love that Lily quilt and Kim’s new little quilts are wonderful. Isn’t she the best?!? Genius. And nice! (Grrrrr.)
    I look forward to the rest of the pictures – now go get some rest!

  34. Love your blocks and lucky you….Kim is one person I would love to meet. Glad you enjoyed and bet the class was fun…..

  35. Love your blocks and lucky you….Kim is one person I would love to meet. Glad you enjoyed and bet the class was fun…..

  36. Love your blocks and lucky you….Kim is one person I would love to meet. Glad you enjoyed and bet the class was fun…..