I took a Craftsy Class! "Zip It Up" Review + a Giveaway!!!

I took my very first Craftsy Class this week! I've been a big fan of Joan Hawley's Lazy Girl Designs patterns & Press Perfect notions, so I was really excited to take my first bag making class with her and test drive the Craftsy class experience when she announced her new class, "Zip It Up," which launched last week.

It's always so great to have a chance to see Joan at quilt market & catch up over lunch or dinner. She snapped a selfie of us hanging out as spring quilt market started up this past May.

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At first I watched the class while sitting at my computer & without my supplies in front of me. This way I could learn the techniques without being distracted by my fabrics. Then, I cut my fabrics and watched the class a second time from my iPad while sewing along with Joan at my sewing machine. The class was the next best thing to having Joan here with me in the studio. I really enjoyed the class as it can often be challenging to grasp the concepts of 3D construction from a printed pattern alone.

In the opening lesson Joan covers presser feet. I'll be honest, I pretty much stick to my 1/4" foot or my walking foot for 99% of what I do. Nevertheless, I followed her directions and found that this foot allowed me to move the needle where I wanted it and sew in the middle of the zipper tape.

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First up... the Runaround bag:

Basically a zippered pocket with a strap. The pattern calls for 2 fabrics, but I opted for 3 because I didn't want an orange strap. I went with a yellow zipper to draw out some of the details in the focus fabric I picked for the bag.

I think it'll be the perfect cross-body bag at the airport to hold my phone, passport and some cash. The bag is small enough to tuck into my tote bag once we board a flight.

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Next up... Nickita:

Joan suggests some basic quilting, but of course I had to go crazy and do more. I used blue 3/4" painters tape to mark lines. I sewed them all in one direction and then a second to create a quilted diamond effect.

I picked a contrasting green zipper that brought out some of the colors in the fabric I used for the pull tabs. Joan shared a great tip about spreading out the bulk of the project layers with the V-tab placement technique.

I decided to use my Nickita bag to hold all of our extra chargers and cords. This way they will all be in one place and I won't have to search around the house next time I need one.

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Last up... Bendy:

I actually made these a few months ago when the pattern came out, but I learned a lot by watching the class and now I know that I could have done a bit better when I made them the first time.

For example, I didn't press enough at this stage. I didn't realize at the time that it wouldn't be easy to go back and press later. Lesson learned.

My set of bendy bags.

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Bendy stands up when closed.

Or when open.

Twice now I've used Bendy to hold my snacks when I travel. It is the perfect way to keep all of my yummy treats together inside my travel tote bag. The layer of fleece in the project is also just enough padding to help keep my snacks from getting crushed!

I made this Bendy by piecing together a strip of fabrics in rainbow order before making the bag.

I used a red zipper as a part of the rainbow instead of a red strip of fabric.

For the inside I used Ripstop Nylon instead of quilting cotton. It was a bit fussy to work with, but the result is totally worth it. The fabric is easy to wipe down, so now I can use this Bendy to hold makeup & toiletries without worrying about what will happen if something spills or leaks. 

I have to say the #1 thing I learned from this class would be PROPER PRESSING techniques. Often pressing can feel like one of those things you should do, but don't need to do. Joan explains the reasons WHY to press at each step which is the kind of information I need to take the time out to do it.

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If you use this link to enroll in the "Zip It Up" class before June 30th, you'll get 50% off of the class & you'll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a 2nd free Craftsy class of your choice. How cool is that?!?

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Ready for today's giveaway?!? I'm giving away a bundle of supplies to make your own Bendy Bag!! You get the pattern, fusible fleece, fabric and zipper!!

The Rules

1. Leave ONE comment to enter. Make sure your contact info is in your profile or that you leave it in the comment.

2. In your comment tell us about what will you keep in your Bendy Bag.

3. Comment entries must be left on this blog, www.jaybirdquilts.com, to be valid. Comments sent via E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media will not be counted.

4. Simple as that!!

You have till 5PM PST on Tuesday, June 30th to enter. 

Giveaway is now closed.

Winner will be selected by 

True Random Number Generator.

Good luck + thanks for stopping by today!

© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Seams Unlikely by Nancy Zieman: A Book Review + Giveaway!

I have a lot of respect for Nancy Zieman. I work at growing a business everyday, with a designer I love, who is a friend I cherish, because Nancy had the foresight to offer sewists the instruction and the products they needed and wanted. We can grow a business that started from a hobbist's blog, because Nancy grew a mail order catalogue company from an 8 1/2” x 11” flyer. Thank you, Nancy.

Nancy’s book is an opportunity to peak behind the curtain and learn the reasons why she started Nancy’s Notions and Sewing with Nancy. You also catch a glimpse into how those two endeavors are intertwined. This isn’t your typical Nancy Zieman book, there aren’t any patterns or sewing instructions, but you will find a few recipes and family photos. This is the personal side of Nancy, the life experiences that shaped her into a skilled sewist and instructor,  a savvy entrepreneur and an industry leader. 

Her story is quickly becoming the prototype for the women of my generation:  study hard at school, find an activity outside of school you enjoy and excel at, get a college degree, experience is the most valuable teacher in the workplace and when an opportunity to offer a product or service becomes obvious to you and few others, incorporate. The Nancy Zieman’s of the world didn’t have the breadth or depth of businesswomen role models to look up that we have today. I’m grateful to all of those women who took those leaps. Thank you for making the uncommon occurrence a commonplace scenario.  --

Now for the Giveaway! Nancy is giving away 20 copies of Seams Unlikely to lucky winners.

The Rules

1. Readers must comment on Nancy’s February 4th Seams Unlikely Blog Tour Posting to qualify for book giveaways: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/blog-tour/seams-unlikely-book/

2. Any comment left on this blog, www.jaybirdquilts.com, sent via E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media will not qualify you to win.

Disclosure note: gratis copies of Seams Unlikely were provided for agreeing to participate in this blog tour.

If you'd like to hear what others have to say about Nancy's new book, please click here.

© Blog post written by Rachael Pannepacker
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Quilt Improv Blog Hop & Giveaway!

This post is brought to you by my guest blogger + best friend + maid of honor + new Operations Manager for Jaybird Quilts, Rachael P. She has a couple previous guests posts for Jaybird Quilts from way back in 2010. Welcome back to the blog, RP! {I like her so much, I let her throw in a giveaway at the end. Keep reading!}

When Julie presented me with the opportunity to review this book, as soon as I laid my eyes on it I had to do it. At first look, it was so aesthetically interesting I wanted to know more. I am more of a wordsmith than a designer. I have immense respect for a designer’s talent and skill, they have a toolkit I did not come equipped with when it comes to colors, shapes, space and style. Luckily, I can appreciate the craft and artistry of design, and find the words to discuss that appreciation. And with that, we jumped on board the blog hop for Lucie Summers's new book, Quilt Improv. 

The cover of Quilt Improv by Lucie Summers

Here's a bit about Lucie and Quilt Improv from James Brooks of Stitch Craft Create: Lucie runs her own blog, Summersville, and has designed a range for Moda fabrics. Her book Quilt Improv is all about quick, modern quilts and block designs pieced in an improvisational style.

Here’s what drew me into Lucie’s book:

Great design elements: fonts, layout, photography & sketches 

Content: considerable range, eclectic designs, beginner friendly techniques, British English quilting terms (batting=wadding)

Flipping through Quilt Improv was like an English quilting vacation in book format. A cup of Earl Grey tea made the experience complete.

Chain Pieced Strips block from Quilt Improv

I find that there is a major differentiation between books like Julie’s Skip the Borders & Lucie’s Quilt Improv.

Skip the Borders = precision and step by step techniques from start to finish

Quilt Improv = beauty in irregularities and encouraging your personal creative process

Crazy Triangles block from Quilt Improv

The challenge and the beauty of improv quilting is you truly have to make your creations your own - from fabric selections, yardage, and placement. This is a practice in unleashing your creative energies when it comes to colors, shapes and sizes. Surrender to your fabric cutting, piecing and quilting muses.

The more I paged through Lucie’s book and learned about improv quilting, the more analogies to traditional vs improvisational quilting kept coming to me:

It’s like making a 90 degree turn off of the highway onto a twisty, windy country road. 

It’s like sewing & quilting cross training for your mind & machine.

Baking vs cooking.

Puzzle solving vs puzzle creating.

This is for the (quilting) rule breaker types (you know who you are! ;-).

Inspiration for the Railings Quilt in Quilt Improv

Railings Quilt from Quilt Improv

Quilt Improv is heavy on inspiration and technical guidance, yet it's light on the rules and exacting details. For example, you’ll find great clarity on how to design and piece your projects, but you won’t find much in the way of step by step by step measuring and cutting directions. You’re not going to find material lists or cutting requirements for each block or quilt because this is about the process, and creating something that is entirely your own. You will find excellent design and layout planning guidelines.

Skill level: adventurous beginner and confident intermediate quilters looking to stretch your design legs

P.S. Quilt Improv is a brilliant coffee table book for design junkies who appreciate the craft of quilting.

Check out Stitch Craft Create's blog if you'd like to learn more about the book Quilt Improv and see some of the other posts along the blog hop.

Now, for the give away! Stitch Craft Create is offering one lucky commenter drawn at random to receive a free copy of Lucie’s book, Quilt Improv.
Details on how to enter the giveaway are below.


THE RULES

1. Leave ONE comment to enter. Make sure your contact info is in your profile or that you leave it in the comment.
2. In your comment tell us, have you ever tried improv quilting? What draws you to it or away from it?
3. Comment entries must be left on this blog, www.jaybirdquilts.com, to be valid. Comments sent via E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media will not be counted.

4. Simple as that!!

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You have until 9PM PST time Friday, January 17th to enter!
Winner will be selected by True Random Number Generator.

© Blog post written by Rachael Pannepacker
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Modern Mix Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Welcome to the Modern Mix Blog Tour!

Modern Mix by Jessica Levitt

  for Stash Books

Modern Mix

16 Sewing Projects that Combine Designer Prints & Solid Fabrics

7 Quilts + Pillows, Bags & MoreA printed fabric is so eye-catching…and when it’s paired with the right solid, the result is brilliantly graphic. This how-to book features 16 contemporary projects that show off the dynamic partnership of large-scale prints and vivid solids. With pages of fabulous ideas, essential information on integrating fabrics and a chapter on quiltmaking basics, The Modern Mix is a must-have addition to every quilter’s and sewer’s library. Author Jessica Levitt began quilting more than 20 years ago. She has a popular blog, juicy-bits.typepad.com, and she designs for Windham Fabrics. 
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I was a fan of Jessica & her work from afar until she joined the Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild.  We quickly became friends and I was lucky enough to get to work with her last fabric line as it was being released for spring market.  Once she revealed that she had completed a book I was SUPER excited for her & glad that I didn't have to keep it a secret for long!

Kindom Fabric Collection by Jessica Levitt for Windham

Carnival Quilt Pattern by me!

I did a Q&A with Jessica so you could learn a bit more about her... and so I could get some answers I wanted to know!

Julie:
If I came over to stay at your house what would I find recorded on your dvr?

Jessica:
Oh goodness. A better question would be what you wouldn't find. I record a lot of TV. Some of my favs are Glee and Amazing Race (which I love to watch with the kids). And so far I'm digging Revenge and Pan Am. The only ones we keep and don't erase are Glee and So You Think You Can Dance (no Dancing with the Stars for me...).


Julie:
We really do like a bunch of the same shows.  Glee, Amazing Race, SYTYCD are also on my DVR.... but so is Dancing with the Stars!

Julie:
You know I just moved... If you moved into a new house what is the first room you would want to decorate?


Jessica:
This is actually a real possibility. We were looking at houses this past weekend. We want to stay in the area but our needs are a little different. But I don't relish the thought of moving. It sucks. And I know I would be living out of boxes for a long time. I would say it would be the kids' rooms I would decorate first. I have enough "stuff" that the living room wouldn't really get decorated per se, but just made to feel like ours. But, I like to go all out on the kids' rooms because they're small enough to be a do-able project. I know what room it wouldn't be: my bedroom. We've lived in this house over 6 years and I still haven't gotten farther than paint on the walls and furniture.


Julie:
Wow I didn't know you were considering moving!  I hope you find the perfect house.... but the kids rooms?? That wasn't the answer I was hoping for... as I don't have kids rooms to decorate.  I secretly was hoping you'd tell me where to start with this house!  PS- I do love it out here but I miss you Jess!!  Please come visit & decorate my home. :-)

Julie:
I love your new book... Is it possible for you to pick a favorite project?


Jessica:
It's difficult for sure. I guess I would go with the cover quilt, called Pebble Road. It was really where it all began. It was the first project I made for the book. The idea actually came from the "pebble" quilting I wanted on the solid background. And then the stripe of vibrant circles was added to take it to another level. I'm really pleased with the color combination and thrilled that it's such an achievable King size quilt. A close second is the Twin String Quilts. It's an traditional pattern but I love the monochromatic look with the pops of contrast. I love how tons of different prints in the same color family creates such a deep texture. And I really like the idea of two coordinating but not matching quilts on side-by-side twin beds.

Julie:
I love the Twin String Quilts too.  It is probably my favorite quilt pattern in the book.  My favorite pattern overall is the Gradations Bag.  In general I love making bags, but something about this bag just makes it feel special & I can't wait to make it!

So do you want to win a copy of Modern Mix??

The lovely folks @ Stash have offered a copy for me to giveaway.

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the rules
leave ONE comment to enter.

Answer the same question I asked Jessica.

You know I just moved... If you moved into a new house what is the first room you would want to decorate?

Please make sure your contact information is in your profile or that you leave it in your comment.  If your contact information is set as "no-reply" you won't be able to win.  Thanks!

You have till 9PM PST on Monday the 10th to enter.

Winner will be selected by True Random Number Generator

Giveaway now closed.

Winner announced soon.

© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Quilt Remix Blog Tour, Book Review, and Giveaway

Welcome to The Quilt Remix Blog Tour!!

Click Here for all the details & fun!

© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Black Rapid Camera Strap Review

I filmed a camera strap review along with my friend Jared from http://froknowsphoto.com/. Check out Jared's site for all kinds of photo tips and lots of laughs.

(I show up around 3:40)

Jared is the photographer behind most of the photos of me that you see on this blog.

Studio Photo Shoot

More photos... this time in my mom's studio

© Blog post written by Julie Herman© Photographs by Jared Polin
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Have you checked out BlogHer lately?

Blogher.com Review
disclosure: this is a sponsored review


Have you checked out blogher lately?
You should!

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Before I started my own blog I really didn't know much about BlogHer. I'd see their ads from time to time on people's blogs but I didn't know much past that. BlogHer is a publishing network, an advertising network and so much more. Below the ads you see on many blogs like mine are links like this...

The links are to blog posts by other bloggers in the BlogHer network that you should check out. From time to time my posts get featured in the links... like my Sunday Stash Report post above.

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BlogHer also does Syndicated Posts of content from bloggers in the network. What does that mean? BlogHer has editors that search out great posts by members of the BlogHer network. Then if the blogger agrees the post is re-posted on BlogHer to a much larger audience than the blogger herself probably has.

Earlier this year I was syndicated on BlogHer.com with my Spiderweb Potholder Tutorial.

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A few months ago BlogHer added a new feature to posts on their site called Sparkle. Sparkle is great for when you enjoy the content but don't have the time to leave a comment. You click "Sparkle" at the end of the post and it's similar to "like" on facebook or giving a positive vote about the content.  Posts that get a lot of "Sparkle" then end up on the BlogHer sidebar section. This is what it looks like...

You really should read about The Bloggess and Her Christmas Miracle... it's a great post.

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You can also join BlogHer (for free) and setup a profile. After doing this you can connect with other people in the network through chatter, groups and so much more. This is one area that I haven't used to it's full potential and plan on using more this coming year.
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BlogHer often has exclusive offers and giveaways. Take a few minutes to check out some of the offers & giveaways that the network has to offer. Right now you can win a full pass to one of BlogHer's Conferences

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So take some time to check out BlogHer & all of it's many features. 
Once you do I'd love for you to come back here & leave a comment. Tell me what you like... what features you use... what you don't like... and so on.



© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/