Chattanooga Part 2 - Abstract Quilts in Solids Class

 

Lynn Harris taught our

Abstract Quilts in Solids class.

We covered all sorts of 

liberated quilt making topics

from fabric choices to design ideas.

We learned about floating squares,

Spikey Business (elongated triangles),

the "ish" factor,

curved and wedge-like inserts,

and SO much more.

Everyone in this hands-on class

learned something new from Lynn about

Gwen Marston's liberated techniques.

(Lynn has been a student of Gwen's

for over 20 years now) 

Later in the day, 

Lynn pulled out her 

liberated log cabin blocks 

and a WIP log cabin quilt

to illustrate different ways

of combining our small compositions.

I love that I was able to capture 

her hands in this photo.

(Lynn's quilt in the background 

is featured in my one of my favorite

quilt photo ops of all time)

This class was extra special for several reasons.

ONE 

I finally broke the barrier and

 worked played with solids.

Mine are Bella Solids by Moda.

TWO 

I met long-time online blogging friend Lynn Harris.

Lynn takes the most gorgeous photographs

and makes absolutely beautiful scrap quilts.

She also contributed photos for

BUILD A BARN - like the one

that is featured on the two page spread

at the very beginning of the book.

Lynn also signed my copy of her book.

THREE 

I met up with long-time online blogging friend Cherie Moore.

We have taken 2 different classes together in St. Louis -

Lynne Tyler in 2013 and Sujata Shah in 2015.

We've also met up with each other at

the 2014 and 2016 Paducah shows.

(strawberry shortcake for lunch - yum!)

FOUR 

I met long-time online blogging friend Heidi Burkhardt.

Heidi and I have corresponded for years.

(we both discovered Gwen Marston 

through Tonya's Lazy Gal blog)

but we never anticipated meeting face to face

since Heidi lives in Germany.

(Have I mentioned lately 

how much I love

our long distance 

blogging community?)

and

FIVE

Heidi, Cherie, and I are all 

Charter Members of 

the Secret Society of Barn Builders 

and it was 

SO MUCH FUN 

to spend a day together

playing with fabrics and sharing scraps.

(quilt in the background is another of Lynn's)

During a break,

Cherie shared one of her long-term quilts

that was just back from the longarmer.

SCRAP SALAD is fabulously liberated

and full of gloriously happy colors.

This was my piece when the class ended at 4:00.

The neutral strips came from Cherie.

The magenta strip pieced

between the neutral segments

came from Heidi.

I love that I have bits of their fabrics

worked into my project.

L to R:  Lynn, Heidi, Cherie, Julie

Thanks to Valora

("The Janome Lady")

for taking this photo of us.

And many, MANY thanks to Lynn

for leading a great class!

* * *

One last note:

Be sure to visit the 

BUILD A BARN blog

for more Chattanooga photos 

including a few from the

SSOBB Gallery Quilt Special Exhibit.

Quiltdivajulie