Yesterday I had this wonderful e-mail from Betty (second from left in the picture below). You may remember that this is the family group that took my Wonky Houses class at CreativFestival in Toronto.

Hi Jean – just wanted to say thank you again for a “stress free” workshop. We (daughters and non-sewing granddaughter) all had fun and are really proud of our wonky houses. Saw our picture up on your blog and wonder if you could email it to me so that I can print it. We all bought more fat quarters with wonky houses in mind and are looking forward to time in the sewing room. Thanks again.

Betty's daughter Beth is on the far left, then grandaughter Teresa and daughter Susie (Teresa's mom).

CreativFestival 2009: Day 3

I taught my "Wonky Houses" pattern on Saturday at CreativFestival. Another full class with 25 eager sewers! We used the new "Rockin' Roses" fabric from Northcott.

Everyone finished their house block!

This family group sat right in the front row: Aunt, Grandmother, Daughter and Mother. The daughter (second from right) had never used a sewing machine before and she did an amazing job of finishing her little house block. (I think there might have been a little help from the family!)

The 3 sisters sat at the back and did a great job with their houses too.

And some people even made 2 blocks.

Congratulations to everyone in the class. You were a great group of students!

CreativFestival 2009 in Toronto

CreativFestival is being held October 16-18 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto. Every day this huge show attracts thousands of quilters, sewers, knitters, scrapbookers and crafters of all kinds.

I will be teaching 2 classes at this event. In the Memory Quilts and More class you will learn to use paper photographs, photo transfers, fabric printer sheets and scrapbooking techniques to create unique memory quilts. Participants will make a small quilt in class using one of my newest designs. Here are a few pictures of some little memory quilts which use pictures printed on fabric or removable paper photos.


I will also be teaching a Wonky Houses class. You can create these whimsical house blocks using quick cutting and piecing techniques. No templates, no measuring - just cut and sew! Your houses can be as off-square as you wish – crooked walls, doors and windows all add to the fun! Several design options will be available to help you combine your houses into an attractive quilt. This is definitely a no-stress class!


Check out the CreativFestival website to learn more about all the activities coming up in October. My booth number is 509. Be sure and stop by to say "hello" if you are coming to the show!

My Classes at the BC Creative Expo

I had the most amazing group of students in my classes at the BC Creative Expo event last week in Vancouver! Everyone got the class project finished. Here are some pictures of a few of the students.

Hip Hop Houses class

Pop-Out Picture book class. Everyone got 1 page from the Sentimental Journal book completed. All they have to do is add the pictures! These 3 students were all friends from Whitehorse in the Yukon.

Little Picture Quilt class. We used my Little Picture Quilt #1 pattern for the project.

Redwork Cottage class. This is a combination of traditional redwork embroidery and fusible applique.

New Pattern Available Now!

I have just put my newest pattern, Hip Hop Houses, on my website. This pattern is definitely a no-stress project (no templates and no paper piecing) and is also a Layer Cake friendly design. Layer Cakes are those wonderful bundles of 10" sqaures that are distributed by Moda fabrics. This pattern gives you a great opportunity to use up a lot of your fat quarters and small pieces of fabric. Instructions for both a small quilt (36" x 45") and a wall quilt (26" x 26") are included in the pattern.

Quilts by Patty Latourell

Yesterday I was having my newest quilt, Hip Hop Houses, photographed by Glyn Davies. My friend, Patty Latourell, was also at the studio so Glyn could photograph 3 of her quilts that she is going to enter in the Road to California Quilt Show which is held in Ontario, California in January.

This amazing quilt is based on a photograph and is made up entirely of 3/4" squares of fabric. See the close-up below.

Here is Glyn photographing Patty's flower quilt. This is fused applique with lots of thread work. Close-up below

Patty used a vintage linen tablecloth to create this piece. It is embellished with stitching and hand-beading.

Good luck, Patty! I am sure your quilts will do very well at the show.