Bargello Placemats!

So, I'm at retreat making a new sample of Bargello Placemats, when my friend, across the way looks over and says, "Why would you put so much work into placemats that are just going to get spilled on?" The funny part was that she didn't know it was my pattern. One of my first patterns and probably one of my best selling patterns!

As I was teaching Bargello Placemats to a group of quilters in Ely, MN not long ago, I looked around at all the different color schemes and thought it really IS the perfect pattern for a placemat. It's artistic, easily displayed, usable, can be customized for any decor -- and you don't HAVE to eat on it!

Color Splash!

Guess what I'm going to make with this!!!!!

Blueberry Cobbler

This little tablerunner pattern was inspired by two things:

1) my friend, Sharyn, found this Warren Kimble Country Orchard fabric while on a bicycle/quilt trip to Wisconsin, and

2) She is in charge of the guild challenge project and over a bottle of wine, we concocted the "Recipe Runner Challenge" for the fall '10 guild show. You interpret your recipe into a tablerunner using a recognizable amount of the Country Orchard fabric. Mine became a pattern!

I couldn't stop with Blueberry Cobbler, so I made the green pears -- so many interesting brown fabrics -- and then I made the orange marmalade version. One of my nearby shops has ALL these fruit and vegetable fabrics, so now I'm thinking of making it with tomatoe fabric , grape, squash or a blackberry print! I might even add some applique in the center! So many possibilities....

I think more quilters should bicycle -- myself included!

Quilt on.....Lori Allison

Feather Your Vest!

So, have you feathered your vest yet?
Well, everyone at spring quilt market this weekend LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. But virtually everyone thought it was too complicated. But it's not. Too complicated. You just send it to the long arm quilter FIRST. She does her magic and you make your vest. It's super flattering with the nice darts and couture finishes. And, yes, that's a first place blue ribbon on it from the Machine Quilter's Showcase in Kansas City last week! My first BLUE. Also very exciting.

My friend, Cathy Stiele models her vest for me. She thinks the green background makes her look green. She might be right. But nothing can make the vest look anything but fabulous. It has nice sized darts that make it fit beautifully.

And, yes, you can 'feather your vest' too. There is a pattern available individually from www.quilterswarehouse.com or ask for it at your local quilt shop. It is available from the major distributors as well.

Fabulous Fabrics: Oakdale

I recently found a fabric collection by Mark Lipinski (who, less than 2 years ago, I'd never heard of and now he's everywhere!) called "Oakdale" manufactured and distributed by Northcott. Well, I got some -- and it's spectacular! Ohmygosh, its coloration is so rich -- vibrant reds and interesting lime greens and yellows. The motif includes wheat, and sunbursts and tiny turkeys, along with surprising scrolls and some really original tonal fabrics. The scale is lovely for quilters and the designs and motifs are intricate, organized and detailed. I think every shop in the midwest should capitalize on the fabric's "bread basket" qualities and have a sample in their store.

For me, I recovered my popular pattern "Diamond Time" in the Oakdale collection and I think it's stunning. I hope my customers think so too.

Here's the backing fabric -- isn't it something?

Enjoy, Lori Allison

Brand Spankin' New "KLIMT"

I have loved the cubist art of Klimt since I saw his work at the Guggenheim -- okay, I was never at the Guggenheim, but I did see nice reproductions at the Linen's'N Things going out of business sale. Not quite as 'high brow' but inspirational never the less!

Then I looked for fun color combinations in the new Kaffe Fassett spring 09 prints and found this warm, Sonoran Desert pallette that I pursued for this design.

I contemplated these fabrics and fabulous shot cottons and finally decided that I couldn't not use that weird stripe! It just sang to me.

And so, here is my hope for putting groceries on the table this fall. I hope my customers like this contemporary, different way to use large prints.

Enjoy, Lori Allison

Fabrics I Can't Leave On The Shelf!

I just couldn't leave this Phillip Jacobs floral fabric on the shelf when I saw it. So clean and fresh that I designed my new bathroom around it -- spa blue. Now, when I walk into the bathroom, it just looks happy and contemporary. I put in an ocean-scented diffuser and it's like I'm on my own little tropical island.

Here's some quick and dirty directions to make your own shower curtain.

Just can't leave that oh-so-gorgeous fabric on the bolt at the store? And bonus! it matches your bathroom. Go ahead, purchase 5 yards, square up the ends with your ruler and rotary cutter, cut it in half, cut off all the selvages, sew the two lengths wrong sides together with 1/4" seam allowance, press, then with right sides together, stitch it again at 3/8" making a french seam that will not ravel in the wash. Press it.
(Oh, go ahead, buy an extra quarter yard and match it side to side if you must, but I warn you, not all large print quilt fabrics match up side to side like decorator fabrics)
Sides
Fold under 1/2" and then 1" on each side; press, pin and stitch.
Top
Press under 5" at the top, fold back up and press on a 4 1/2" by curtain width strip of fusible interfacing about 1/2" from the top edge and even with the newly pressed fold line. Fold that top edge 1/2" under, then fold over 4 1/2" pin and stitch it down.
Buttonholes or Grommets
Make a mark about 1/2" from the top and 1" from each side edge. Measure the distance between the two marks and divide by 11. Make a mark at each intersection (approx 7 1/2") Make a vertical button hole or put in a grommet at each of the 12 marks. Hang your shower curtain using the decorative rings and determine how much hem will be needed. Fold under 1" and then fold over the hem width (up to 4") and stitch. Press thoroughly and hang. Enjoy. Lori Allison, Allison Quilt Designs

PS: Now I'm thinking new shower curtain for each season....look at these....from Michael Miller & Free Spirit found at The Fat Quarter Shop online. Too much fun!