Classes Start in Earnest!

With February already here I have been caught unawares as classes start up again everywhere.

With 415 photos printed, thousands of A4 photocopies, hundreds of A3 pattern sheets and 150 new plastic folders to organise it is all a bit hectic.

I started teaching "Pemberley" to a great group at Lyn's Fine Needlework last Saturday and we had a really happy time - yes, Meredith, "Katrina mania" is back!!!

This Saturday I will teach my first ever "Rosings" class at Pioneer Patchwork.

For the "guinea pigs", here are the closeups of the quilt:

Epping Quilters Inc!

Workshop for Epping Quilters

I returned to Epping late last week to teach a second workshop to the lovely ladies of the Epping Quilters Inc.

They had all done their "Millefiori" homework from last November and we were able to join the blocks into rows.

Here are some of the different blocks laid out on the table or the floor ready to be pieced:

And here are some happy girls with their first row done:

These are Diana's miniature blocks laid out in rows and a closeup:

The girls on the other side of the room were working on my "Bloomin' Logs" design.  Jann made some of her beautiful blocks into a table runner:

Well done ladies.  I hope you enjoyed the workshops!

Katrina

Patterns for Sale

Holiday Sewing

I have now written all the patterns for the sewing I completed over the holiday period.  Here are some photos.

Here is a "Quilter's Ensemble" including a bag for rotary cutter and scissors, a pen and implement roll and a cute pin cushion.

Here is a matching "Patches Project Bag" with lots of pockets included. The front of the bag is the first photo and then the back view.

Here is a lovely handbag I have made.  I am very proud of it as I have not made a fancy bag for a while.  My son David named it "Pamela":

Here is a close up of the centre panel:

Here is a new cushion I have named "Crossed Tulips" Cushion.  It features prairie points around the centre applique:



Here is a closeup of the applique:

If you would like to purchase any of these new patterns, please send me an email at Katrina.H@three.com.au. Most of the patterns are $17.70, except the cushion which is $15.50.



Jane Austen Finishing School

Wonderful Progress on Quilts

I have had a lovely couple of weeks spending more time with ladies I have taught over the past couple of years as we make significant progress on their Jane Austen collection quilts: "Pemberley", "Netherfield" and "Longbourne".

I held six full day workshops at Pioneer Patchwork over the last 2 weeks.  Despite the horrific heat outside on some of the days (with the hottest day on record in Sydney yesterday: 45 degrees Celsius) it was cool in the workshop room and very busy with lots of chatter and sewing!

Here are some of the goodies.

A very relaxed happy group chatting and sewing in the air conditioned space:

The next two photos show Kris' most gorgeous tiny hexagon flowers for her "Longbourne" quilt.  These are made from 3/8 inch hexagons - some girls loved doing them (others were not so keen)!  Kris "fussy cut" hers from a variety of pretty William Morris fabrics - wow.  They are so lovely.

Here is Kris' centre.  She is a master at hand applique and all her quilts turn out soft and pretty.

This is Sue's wonderful "Netherfield" centre, just started in Finishing School and look how much she got done - go girl!

This is Kelly's fabulous "Pemberley" - almost finished!  Her colours are fresh and beautiful.

This is Elaine's "Netherfield" centre also just started.  Her fabrics are lovely.

This is Larraine's finished "Fandango" - this is the very first quilt she has finished and it is gorgeous.  Congratulations Larraine.  In case you were wondering, Larraine was also finishing her "Longbourne" in Jane Austen Finishing School but we also joked Jane might have travelled to Japan - hence her Japanese whack and stack was finished in class!

Thanks to all the girls who joined me for "Finishing School" - I was exhausted but happy we all had a great time and achieved a lot. 

As many ladies requested a repeat, I will be conducting "Finishing School" again in January 2014.  Bookings are open!

Regards,

Katrina x

Happy New Year!

A Brand New Year for Sewing

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas and New Year with family and friends.  I know I did!

I have been working very hard over the past week designing and creating new projects for a new pattern release.

So far I have designed a table runner, a project bag, a rotary cutter/scissor bag, a cushion, a pen roll, a pin cushion and am now working on a handbag.  Great fun to have the time to design and sit and sew until it is finished!

Here is a sneak peak of the project bag and matching rotary cutter bag:

Here is a look at the front of the cushion- hand quilting still in progress:

The patterns for these projects and the rest will be released very soon.

Regards,

Katrina

"Homespun" Profile

My Profile in "Homespun" Magazine

I have just received my copy of Universal Magazines' "Homespun", Issue Number 115, Volume 13, Number 12.

This is a special issue celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's fabulous novel "Pride and Prejudice".

This book is very dear to my heart and has brought me great luck in my quilting career.  Naming my antique inspired series of quilts after the houses in P & P has proved very popular with my students.

My "Jane" cushion features in this issue of Homespun.  Make sure you head to the newsagents soon and pick up a copy.  Yay!

Katrina Hadjimichael Patterns for Sale

Patterns for Sale

I have released some of my quilt patterns for sale by mail order.

Please send me an email if you would like to purchase any of the following patterns.  Payment will be via cheque or money order only.

I have four quilts made specifically from jelly rolls.  Each of the patterns is made from one jelly roll plus background fabric and borders.  They all finish at about 70" square.

Dust off those jelly rolls you have been hoarding and make a fun quilt!

The cost of the first four patterns is $15.50 each, plus postage.

The first pattern is "Jelly Friends".  This quilt uses an Easy Angle ruler to cut half square triangle units from the jelly roll strips to make five blocks set on point.  Add side setting triangles in a large print and sashings and you have a lovely bed sized quilt.

 The next pattern is "Jelly Nation".  Carrie Nation blocks are set side by side to create a wonderful secondary pattern of squares across the quilt.

Here is a close up of the corner:

This one, called "Jelly Mosaic" is a very quick quilt to make using just squares and rectangles cut from the jelly roll and borders and background fabric.   It can be a very masculine quilt, depending on the jelly roll used.

Here is a close up of the blocks:

And the corner:

This one is called "Jelly Holiday".  It is also a quick and fun quilt to construct in log-cabin like blocks and string pieced side setting triangles.

Here is a close up:

The next quilt is one made in response to a challenge from one of my students: "to make a jelly roll sampler quilt".  This is "Jelly Jewels".  The pattern includes instructions for thirteen sampler blocks cut from a jelly roll plus all the settings and border instructions.  This pattern is $25 plus postage.

Here is a close up:

I hope you have enjoyed my show and tell of jelly roll quilts and are inspired to purchase a pattern.  Please let me know.

More patterns to be released soon.

Katrina Hadjimichael
Katrina.H@three.com.au