~Other Books - Carolyn Forster's Quilting On The Go

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Other Books…

Quilt As You Go p1-Cover

Big Stitch Quilting Cover

Love Jelly Roll Quilts Cover

Mini Quilt Blocks by Carolyn Forster

The Joy of Jelly Rolls by Carolyn Forster

The Handmade Quilt

Sew-Layer-Cake-Quilts-and-Gifts-Cover

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quiltingonthego

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Newfound Skill/Technique, @seam_collective #septtextilelove .
This would be my fascination with Kawandi quilts and their makers. I’ve been fascinated by these quilts and the process of their creation for a while, and so have stitched my way through eight minis (I make them on tea towels so that dictates the size) and have two more on the go.
But I recently saw some bandanas on sale in @seasaltcornwall in colours that spoke to me. So now I have one more Kawandi in progress but on the square bandana. I’ve used a cotton flannel as the middle, and the top is made with pieces of @libertyfabrics Tana Lawn. This too was a new concept as I’ve never made a quilt only using Tana Lawn 🤓. It’s quilted with @valdani_threads Cotton perle in P4.
#kawandiquilt #siddiquilts #scrapquilt #qayg #quiltasyougo #handstitched ##slowstitch #bigstitch #valdanithreads #libertylawn #tanalawn #libertycraftclub #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts

Repurpose for @seam_collective #septtextilelove .
When I started to stitch my first Kawandi quilt I used a tea towel as the backing. Now I’m stitching my ninth and tenth and the tea towel is still very much part of the stitching journey of these quilts. I didn’t set out on a mission to use tea towels as mini quilt backs, but it has now become part of the fun. To have given these humble textiles a new direction is something I didn’t anticipate, but I’m thinking that by repurposing them here their status is elevated 🧵🤓🧵.
#kawandiquilt #kawandiquilts #siddiquilts #qayg #handstitched #handstitching #handquilted #handquilting #runningstitch #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #slowstitch #enjoytheprocess #makersgonnamake #repurpose #usewhatyouhave

Just checking in on #bigstitchquiltalong and the progress of blocks for your Blue Borders Quilts or whatever colour you are stitching 🤪) from the Big Stitch Quilting Book.
And here to make a tiny suggestion 🤓.
If you have blocks made but not put together yet , how about using one of the methods from my new book out in November to make them Quilt As You Go ? @searchpress
Sometimes it’s nice to be able to break a quilt down into smaller portable and more manageable pieces while you quilt it. Two of the methods in the book would be great for this quilt. 😃. All you need to do , as the books not out right now, is Stitch the blocks together in groups of four ( I’ll be making nine groups of four blocks making my finished quilt 72in x 72in ). But if you want to stick to the size in the book , stitch the blocks together in rows, but don’t stitch the completed rows to each other!
I know, so much happening, and new books coming out, I didn’t want you to miss out on possibly making your quilting life easier!
If you pre order then you’ll be on top of your game and ready to put things together in November 🥳🥳. #bigstitchquilting #searchpress #quiltasyougo #qayg #quiltbook #quiltinprogress #quiltalong #bigstitch #quilting #patchwork #makersgonnamake #quiltersofinstagram #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts

Geometric for @seam_collective #septtextilelove .
Struggled with this one so had to look up the definition. Turns out it’s just what I do all of the time. So here’s a new something that may or may not become something in its own right, or just be part of something bigger 🤷‍♀️. Digging deep some days 🧐. #patchwork #quiltinprogress #scrapquilt #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts

#favouritefabricfriday and I’m showcasing this great black floral print. If you swipe through, the maker of this vintage quilt quite liked it too. It’s been used in numerous blocks all with a different pairing. I find that endlessly fascinating to see how that one fabric works with the others. So many to share, ten are here, but more in my stories today 🤓🎉. #favouritefabric #vintagefabric #vintagequilt #vintagepatchwork #patchwork #quiltblock #patchworkquilt #makersgonnamake

Structure for @seam_collective #septtextilelove .

I’ve taken this prompt to be the structure of the quilt, how it’s put together and stays together. Lots of my ideas and inspiration come the the how is made avenue, and looking at the structural elements of an old quilt I find constantly fascinating 🤓. So today I’m showing you binding on a vintage quilt, which solves the problem of joining the binding on the quilt. Although I love a mitre as much as the next person, you could get away with three out of four, so by starting and finishing on a corner with a square corner, there’s no need to join the two ends. I know I could just use the square corner method on all of the corners, which I do when the quilt calls for it, but I find this version of both fun and quirky. And sometimes this is just what we need 🤪. #vintagequilt #quiltbinding #vintagepatchwork #bindingaquilt #makingaquilt #finishingaquilt #scrapquilt

Connect for @seam_collective #septtextilelove .
Connections and connecting is a big part of my life on here. And what those connections lead to is often wonderful and always a fun journey.
Today for example @stitcherydo 👋posted about her fabric coil basket. I’d liked the looking of this before and commented that I’d thought of having a go a while back, brought supplies, put them away and lost them 🤦‍♀️.
The supplies subsequently turned up and following Shirley’s lead checked out @arty.tictac so see how the process was done 🤓.
Then realised that I’d followed @craftschooloz for ages , just because she makes wonderful coil work too!
So now an hour later, cord from @maccullochw , fabric strips from @theoldhaberdashery , perle thread no3, and chenille needle in hand I’ve spent a productive time starting a coil thing! Also realised that I’m probably left handed in my approach to this as I’m doing it all in the opposite direction to everyone else 😂😂. Connecting, where will it take you? #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #scrapfabric #coilropebasket #basketmaking #slowcraft #basketcoiling

Sketchbook for @seam_collective #septtextilelove

I’m a bit of a let down for most people when it comes to my process and my sketchbook. So I’m showing you the finished article first, ( the Mid Century Modern mini quilt from Big stitch Quilting from @searchpress ).
And when you swipe you can see some of the images from my notebook.
I’ve never really thought of these books as sketchbooks as there are often as many words there as diagrams, and even some glued in pieces of paper or cards. I work in black pen into a @moleskine book with gridded pages. I’ve had different size book over the years, and the are never bigger than A4 in size. They usually have a black cover, but I did venture into green when they were on sale once 🤷‍♀️. There is never any colour in the diagrams, that only comes when I start stitching, so no delicate water colour or fabric swatches, just black pen on paper.
It seems to work for me , so I don’t question it! #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #midcenturymodern #handquilting #handquilted #searchpress #sketchbook #nakersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts

Flowers for @seam_collective #septtextilelove

Just to be clear, I struggle with how to introduce these prompts and cobble together a sentence each time. But today when I read @plainstitchdeb and her concise and simple intro, I’m like, I want that to be me 🤓. So with apologies to Deb, because what I write after will never be as thoughtful or beautifully put as she writes, or even grammatically correct, this is how I too will start my challenge prompts 😃😘.

I’m all in on the floral fabrics, whatever size the blooms. In fact the different scales and styles of prints that we get today make floral fabrics put together such fun for me. And even better when they get put with some stripes, checks and dots!
The quilt shown from my book Big Stitch Quilting (@searchpress ) shows off some nice florals in nice big chunks, making the most of the different scales , and all held together with some elbow quilting in big stitch! #floralfabric #bigstitch #quiltsofinstagram #quiltmakersofinstagram #patchwork #quilt #patchworkquilt #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #elbowquilting #baptistfan #baptistfanquilting #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #searchpress

Sometimes it’s the way things go. You make a patchwork block from scraps, then the scraps left over make another patchwork block ➡️ that you think you might quite like better 🤷‍♀️🤣🤣. #patchwork #stringquilt #stringpiecing #scrapquilt #usewhatyouhave #sewyourstash #usewhatyouhave #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #improv #improvquilt #quiltblock

Today on @seam_collective the prompt for #septtextilelove is line.
So I’m showing you one of the first vintage quilts I purchased and it was because of the quilting. It was the first time that I was really struck by how simple but effective lines of quilting could be. Up until then if you had said quilt a 9-patch quilt I’d have been stitch around each square. Then when I saw this, and it’s Utility Quilting approach, it was a light bulb moment of how simple and easy quilting and a quilting design could and should be🤓. Swipe through to see the back, to get the full impact of how clever that quilting really is! #utilityquilting #quilting #handquilting #handquilted #scrapquilt #patchwork #vintagepatchwork #vintagequilt #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess

Today on @seam_collective and the #septtextilelove the prompt is Mark Making.
I’ve taken this pretty literally and am showing you what I use to mark my quilts when they are layered and ready to quilt.
I use a Hera marker. It makes a crease in the fabric that is easy to see and doesn’t require any rubbing out or worry about chemicals, pen marks etc on the fabric.
The top two are from @clovermfg and my go to, easy to buy and use. The third is one I got from a Japanese sewing shop, and the last is from @houseofquinn and is wooden.
If you’re looking to use what you might already have to make creases on your quilt then card makers seem to have similar tools, blunt butter knives work or even a wooden avocado knife (I know, a bit niche 🤦🏽‍♀️), a blunt tapestry needle or even your thumb nail. #markmaking #heramarker #quiltersofinstagram #makersgonnamake #quiltmarking

Today the prompt on @seam_collective for #septtextilelove was detail. And to be honest my photos library is just full of endless detail shots. Take these for example. If you swipe through, it’s all the pictures I took when writing instructions for how to bind a quilt with the backing. And this was only how to stitch it, not even the measuring and trimming 🤣. Yet by the time an editor and a book design team get to work on this, their skill will have whittled the whole process down to about four pictures, and made my words make sense. Sometimes there’s just too much detail 🤦‍♀️. Thanks @searchpress for keeping me on the straight and narrow!
#quiltbinding #handstitching #handstitched #bindingaquilt #detail #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #makersgonnamake #quiltersofinstagram

Playing catch up on @seam_collective and the #septtextilelove . Day 10 was fibre. I must admit to using a lot of cotton, lots of different weights and weaves, with a smidgen of cotton/Linen thrown in.
But I do have a pile of lovely linen from @merchantandmills that are destined for a quilt that has not yet happened. This pile of linen in sea glass colours is patiently waiting 😍. #linen #seaglasscolours #quiltwaitingtohappen #makersgonnamake

So I’ll be using the weekends as a time to start you off and check in on our #bigstitchquiltalong 😃. I’m starting today by showing you the #navybordersquilt in a couple of other colour ways 😉.
Some of you will recognise this sunny version from the Big Stitch book as I used it to demonstrate the tabletop basting, and the red version makes an appearance there too!
All the versions use the same basic block, swipe to see .
One block consists of a centre square in a plain/plainish fabric (8 1/2in squares) and then the border strips in prints to contrast.
The first two strips to stitch on are ( 2 1/2in x 8 1/2in). Then cut four strips (2 1/2in x 6 1/2in), joining them in pairs along the short end. Stitch these final borders on the remaining side of the square. I press all of the borders away from the centre.
You can make your quilt as big or as small as you like. I’m aiming for my red version to be finished for Christmas as it has that seasonal vibe !
As you can see it’s great for using up scraps and you could make it whatever colour you choose! Share your progress and fabric pull over on #bigstitchquiltalong 🧵🤓🧵.
#carolynforsterquilts #carolynforster #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #searchpress #quiltinprogress #quiltersofinstagram #patchwork #scrapquilt

Books

Quilt As You GoJune 28, 2021 - 9:57 am
Big Stitch QuiltingApril 23, 2021 - 1:44 pm
Love Jelly Roll QuiltsOctober 26, 2020 - 1:54 pm
Mini Quilt BlocksDecember 26, 2018 - 3:19 pm
The Joy of Jelly RollsOctober 26, 2018 - 3:25 pm
The Handmade QuiltOctober 26, 2018 - 3:25 pm
Sew Layer Cake Quilts & GiftsOctober 26, 2018 - 3:24 pm
One Patch QuiltsOctober 26, 2017 - 3:20 pm
Little Quilts & Gifts from Jelly Roll ScrapsOctober 26, 2015 - 3:17 pm
Hexagon HappeningsOctober 26, 2015 - 3:15 pm
Quilting On The Go: Taking It FurtherOctober 26, 2014 - 3:22 pm
Jelly Roll ScrapsOctober 26, 2014 - 3:16 pm
Utility QuiltingOctober 26, 2012 - 3:26 pm
Sew Jelly Roll Quilts And GiftsOctober 26, 2012 - 3:23 pm
Quilting On The GoOctober 26, 2008 - 3:20 pm

Patterns

Snowball TemplatesOctober 26, 2020 - 4:55 pm
Pattern Box – Crazy Quilt Cushion PatternOctober 26, 2020 - 4:34 pm
Hexagon Happenings TemplatesOctober 26, 2015 - 4:33 pm
Quilt PatternsJanuary 26, 2015 - 4:38 pm

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