December 2019 - Karen Platt

Posted on December 31, 2019 December 31, 2019

Day 31 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 31 quilting – All good things come to an end and this is the final day of the 31 day blog challenge. However, it is not the end, but a beginning. The beginning of 2020, the beginning of new work, so tune in to the blog every Monday.

Looking Forwards

Day 31 quilting is a time to try and shape the future, how I want it to be. In 2016 I decided to make a living from teaching quilting, I know I made the right decision as a trained and qualified teacher with an eye for design, I am doing what makes me happy. Some of the quilts I made last year.

The Unfinished

That first quilt is still there. It must be unpicked and finished. Good news is I found enough calico to finish the hand quilting one, so that will be launched shortly and the quilt along will happen. I also have a BOM planned, finally!

There is an Inspiration Travel ebook on Madeira that is also almost finished but was abandoned for three years. I also have one planned on Portugal. I have one other Inspiration ebook planned on Reflections.

Apart from those, in 2015 I planned a whole series of Inspiration books based on artwork inspired by historical themes. I hope to get round to publishing some of those in 2020.

Inspiration Travel Madeira — Inspiration Travel Book Two Madeira Gardens

Quilting Plans

I am concentrating on art quilts and colour this year. I hope to be teaching more, but I find venues in the UK reluctant to pay travel and there is nowhere locally to teach. I have made efforts to make this work.

The quilt retreat should go ahead in June, which I am looking forward to. Join me for a great week of quilting and inspiration that will last a lot longer.

I have one unfinished ecourses for quilters almost ready to launch – Improve Your Quilting in 12 Easy Steps. I also have an Inspiration ebook on My Quilting Journey, so those will be coming next month.

Knitting

Also launching early in 2020 will be the Peak Collection of Knitting Patterns. I am also well on the way with other knitting pattern collections.

Discount

Day 31 quilting, the 20% off everything on the website is still running until midnight tonight. Happy New Year everyone.

Words, work and images copyright Karen Platt 2019

Posted on December 30, 2019 December 30, 2019

Day 30 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 30 quilting is a retrospective of the past six months’ work. It has been a very busy time for me. Perhaps my busiest for many years. I produced no less than 13 new quilts, 4 of those also as quilting patterns, 7 new inspiration ebooks and 3 new ecourses plus a quilting retreat. What a whopper! I have not included my knitting or art, I thought there was enough here already. Join me for a look in more detail.

Quilts

Day 30 quilting, here is a look at the 13 quilts, consisting of lap quilts, wall quilts, wall hangings and 4 quilt patterns. What an achievement. I had no idea I had made that many. Smaller projects do help the output. The ones with a dot are also patterns. They can all be seen online here

Dreamweaver quilt
Lonely Rivers Flow

Floral Tiles
Modern Scrap
Drunkard’s Path
Eagle and Fish
Indian Wedding Quilts (2)
Art Landscape Quilts (3)
Purple Landscape Quilt
Quilted Sea Wall Hanging
Blue River as a pattern only

Day 30 quilting — Blue River Quilt Pattern

quilts for sale — Lonely Rivers Flow Quilt

Indian Wedding quilts — Indian Wedding Quilts

Quilted Sea wall hanging — Quilted Sea Wall Hanging

Day 30 quilting wall hanging — Quilted lavender wall hanging

Quilt Retreat

I launched my first quilt retreat, for June 2020 and there are still two places left, so please come and join me. There is a programme of activity or you can do your own thing. Just 3 miles from Whitby, we’ll be interpreting and enjoying the local are in high standard accommodation at an affordable price. What are you waiting for?

eCourses

I also launched no less than three new ecourses. Two on quilting and one on contemporary stitch. This is what I love best, teaching. Sharing my skills. The ecourses can be seen here

day 30 quilting ecourse — Creative Quilting ecourse

Creative Stitch ecourse — Creative stitch ecourse

Inspiration ebooks

I love making these and sharing all my inspirational photos and artwork or textiles with you. There were seven new ones in the past six months, you can see them all here

Inspiration ebook nine Trees — Inspiration ebook Nine Trees

inspiration ebook ten grids — Inspiration ebook ten grids

inspiration ebook eleven circles — Inspiration ebook eleven circles

Inspiration travel Sahara — Inspiration Travel Sahara

Final Discount

Day 30 quilting, let’s send the old year off with a bang. Take 20% off everything on the website until end of 31st December 2019. Your help is very much appreciated because I am an independent and unfortunately, almost starving artist. Love to all who have supported me. Thank you for being there and thank you for joining me on this journey. Tune in tomorrow for what is coming up in the next six months.

Posted on December 29, 2019 December 29, 2019

Day 29 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 29 quilting is effectively the last day as tomorrow and New Year’s Eve the posts will be looking back at the past six months’ work (that will be a big retrospective) and then looking forward to the next six months (lots to tell). So it is my last chance to show the quilts I have been working on.

New Art Quilts

Going through the stash I found a landscape quilt I had finished a while ago that had not been put up on the website. So that is quilt one today. A slight departure from my usual style for landscapes.

Day 29 quilting also brings you my latest art quilt. I just need to back and bind it. I was in two minds as to leaving it and selling it for someone else to back and bind or use in a quilt, but I am not sure if that would appeal to buyers at all. You can perhaps see the changes I made since yesterday. Changes for the better I think. This could spark a series or larger art quilt. I really love this one.

Painting

Yes I get to day 29 quilting before speaking of my art. It all used to be on the website, but we thought it confused the message. It was on an art website for a while. I do love to paint and create art digitally, so I just need to find a home for it and get selling. I started this piece some months ago and am just getting round to finishing it. I also did an abstract watercolour but I am still playing with that.

watercolour painting — watercolour abstract in progress

Discount

Take 20 per cent off any quilt, art or otherwise on the website. Just email from the contact form and I’ll arrange the discount. Pop back tomorrow for a look back at the past six months’ work. Thanks for staying around.

Words, work and images copyright Karen Platt 2019

Posted on December 28, 2019 December 28, 2019

Day 28 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 28 quilting is the toughest day of my year as I mourn the loss of three loved ones on this day. I have come to dread this day. So I wanted to create some good memories instead of mourning the loss. I am launching my first Travel destination ebook to celebrate the life of my partner and Sahara tour guide, Ali. Ali departed this world in 2016. It has been very difficult to write this book, it is so full of memories. It includes images of the Sahara and the art I created including one quilt inspired by the wondrous colours of the desert.

Sahara

The ebook is now available exclusively here

Art Quilts

Day 28 quilting in the middle of the night, the best ideas come along. I have a fascination for birds, as do many quilt artists and artists in general. In my mind’s eye I saw a blackbird and knew just what to create. Several hours later as I entered my workroom and started looking for the fabrics to create my blackbird, I chose a plain black, a textured white and then a rust fabric. As I was assessing this I suddenly remembered a rusty fabric I have that has birds printed on it. That was the end of the blackbird for today. He will be coming home to roost though shortly.

Meantime, I changed some of the fabrics and a new art quilt was born. These small quilts make great wall art. I just have to finish the quilting. I am rather pleased with this project and already have an idea to use up the rest of this wonderful bird fabric.

Today’s Discount

Take 20% off the new ebook – Sahara. Check back tomorrow for another discount.

Words, work and images copyright Karen Platt 2019

Posted on December 27, 2019 December 27, 2019

Day 27 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 27 quilting brings more stash and ideas for art quilts. I sorted through more fabrics and unfinished projects. This is necessary before I start something new.

Unfinished Projects

On Day 27 quilting, I want to make it clear that certainly for me, it is not all about bed quilts. Many of my projects are wall quilts or lap quilts. Three years ago when I started quilting for a living, I made a decision that I would quilt jackets and coats. I have been rather slow in this area. It will receive more attention in 2020. I dug out the jacket I am making, I know I started the second front but have not found that yet. This is top of my list for finishing.

Art Quilt

I tried out an idea for an art quilt. Whilst I do not dislike it, it was lacking something and so I put it to one side to think about it. I have many ideas buzzing around in my head.

Improv Quilting

Whilst I ponder that art quilt, I sorted a bag of scraps. You can see that I ended up with strips, skinny strips, pre-cut triangles and some odd shapes. I started putting together improv strips, for a possible scrap quilt. I am feeling a bit at odds with it all today.

Sahara

I have been fortunate enough to travel to the Sahara more than once. In 2014 I started writing about the places I had visited and the art I had made, including textile art. Unfortunately in 2016 my partner died and it all became too painful. However, even though three years on, it still caused me much pain and tears, it is almost finished and ready to launch, so look out for that. I hope to launch it on what would have been Ali’s birthday on the 28th December.

hand stitched textile — Hand painted fabric, machine and hand stitched original Sahara desert textile

Words, work and images copyright Karen Platt 2019

Posted on December 26, 2019 December 26, 2019

Day 26 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 26 quilting is about starting new projects. In the coming week I shall be creating some art quilts, looking back at my progress and achievements and looking forwards to what is coming in 2020. I know some of you are busy with celebrations, but a blog only takes a few minutes to read and can be a few minutes peace in your day.

Sorting Fabrics

Day 26 quilting, it was time to look at what I had. Yes, little Miss No Stash, has quite a bit of fabric. Some unused for years, but most of this is leftovers. Some of it is already earmarked for projects or work in progress (wip). The Cathedral Windows projects (there are 3 of those here) are all unfinished. The orange one is supposed to be a sewing machine cover. The bear one is sort of finished, but needs something else. I cannot even remember what the tiny triangles one is. These are all from 3 years ago and need finishing. There is still an awful lot of fabric here and this is not all of it.

Projects in Mind

When you look at your stash like this, it helps if you have projects in mind, or if your stash suggests projects. The neutral fabrics were part of my autumn quilt. I started making a jacket with the leftovers, so I need to make sure I keep some back for that. The butterfly fabrics were bought for that quilt but not used. They might just spark an idea for an art quilt. What I am looking for to get started are my neutral fabrics (many of them hand dyed) to start an art piece.

The silks were bought for different reasons. I bought the plain brights and a pack of textured ones at a show many many years ago. Some have been used. The orange and neutral silks were bought to make dresses. You can perhaps tell that much of this stash was bought with textiles in mind and some of my creations will be very textile orientated but quilted pieces. Stay tuned tomorrow when I shall reveal more.

Words, work and images copyright Karen Platt 2019

Posted on December 25, 2019 December 25, 2019

Day 25 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 25 quilting is such a special day, Christmas Day. For me Christmas is a time to count your blessings and help those in need.

In The Quilting Room

Remember I said I had a tidy work table? Yes, here is the space on day 25 quilting.

I am gathering together all the stash and thinking about where to go next. My leaning for 2020 is towards art quilts and modern quilts but I still have the gorgeous Voysey fabrics, which yearn for a traditional quilt and bed sized no less.

When Is a Stash Not A Stash?

When it is in my workroom! I often say I don’t believe in stash anymore. Yet, when I gather all my fabrics together – there is a stash. However, I no longer buy fabrics just because I like them, to build a stash because I find there is usually something missing and fabrics can sit there forever waiting for the right quilt. There is always another fabric. They need a lot of storage space and fabrics out in the open can get dusty or fade. So I now only buy with a particular quilt in mind. Still got quite a bit to use up.

I am also mindful of the environmental costs of new fabric, so I am trying to reduce that. Digital fabric printed at home is one way to go, no huge amounts of water used there at all. Buying or using pre-loved fabrics is another way.

Art Quilts

Part of my art quilt endeavours will be to use what I have and make something of it. I have done all the simple landscape quilts and it is time to move on and really explore the possibilities of art quilts. This gorgeous fabric I designed is an art quilt just by itself.

Digital Dahlia fabric — My digital dahlia fabric

Today’s Discount

Day 25 quilting, why not join me on a voyage of discovery? Art quilts are covered in my new ecourse Modern Quilting and you can take 20% off today. Drop me a line using the contact form to arrange the discount.

Posted on December 24, 2019 December 24, 2019

Day 24 quilting on 31 day blog challenge

Day 24 quilting, it is Christmas Eve and I finished my wonderful new quilt. My thoughts zoom ahead to the New Year, but there is one more week to go and that means another week of the 31 day blog challenge.

New quilt

My latest quilt design features just two fabrics. It is an easy design to create and you have some leeway with the actual quilting, to show off your skills or take it easy. It forms part of my new quilting ecourse Modern Quilting. Not all the designs are like this, I am looking at all aspects of modern quilting in this ecourse. If you cannot get out to lessons nearby an ecourse is ideal no matter where you live. You still get the opportunity to interact with others in a closed group on social media and share work. It is a great learning opportunity.

Quilting Tip

Day 24 quilting tip: Mitred corners are one of those things that look difficult, but even beginners can easily achieve them. They make a quilt look more professional. I always do a how to in my quilting patterns that use them, but here is a quicky:

Cut your binding the required width and longer than need be to allow for the mitred corners
Sew your binding with a quarter inch seam to the front of the quilt, stopping one quarter inch before the end
When all 4 pieces are attached, take a binding buddy ruler (I use a June Tailor one and would not be without it) make sure it is aligned correctly and cut
Join the mitres

It really is that simple

quilting mitred corners — using a Binding Buddy ruler

mitred corners for a professional finish

Discount

Day 24 quilting discount the quilt has been put on sale with a huge 45 pounds discount, there is only one, so first come, first served. Check back tomorrow for another discount and blog.

Posted on December 23, 2019 December 23, 2019

Day 23 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 23 quilting was to bring the new quilt to show. However, fatigue saw me having to put that down with just 15 cm (6 inches) left to do and a few ends to tie in. About another hour’s work. So look out for that tomorrow. Instead I am going to let you see a snippet of it and talk about hand quilting too.

If you are wondering how many of the other 60 quilters taking part in the 31 day blog challenge, have made it so far, check them out on Muppin, although I note that Cheryl stopped on day 14.

Sneak Peek

Day 23 quilting progress. I must say that this new quilt is looking rather handsome. It is my most heavily quilted quilt to date. I am pleased with the way this has turned out. One of the modern quilts in my new Modern quilting ecourse, which you can take online. 2020 is my year of modern quilting.

Lost And Found

I have been having a clear out, my work table is now clean and clear. Ready for me to start my new projects. I shall be art quilting and more. When I talked about UFOs a few days ago as part of this 31 day blog challenge, I mentioned my hand quilted quilt, telling you that I had used the fabric for workshops, forgetting I needed two pieces more for my handmade quilt. In my clear out, I found that fabric. Yes I had saved it as I thought. I have already started stitching.

Discount

Day 23 quilting discount – get ready for the new year and make yourself a brand new quilt with my digital fabrics. Take 10% off until end of the year 2019. What a great way to celebrate the New Year. Many of the fabrics are created in a series and therefore go together well. What beautiful quilts they make as a panel, accents or art quilts and some work well in traditional quilt designs too. Here is one of my favourite series, Kaleidoscope fabric:

Kaleidoscope fabric Karen Platt — copyright Karen Platt 2019

Posted on December 22, 2019 December 22, 2019

Day 22 quilting of 31 day blog challenge

Day 22 quilting, means I am two thirds of the way through this epic blog challenge. I got so carried away I did not realise. This has become natural to me now, to get up and write the blog each day. Today is all about checking finished quilts that had not been uploaded to the website and getting that done. Not my favourite task, but it won’t sell if no-one sees it.

Latest Additions

Not as much missing as I imagined. Guess who has a very tidy workroom now? All ready for the next episode in my quilting adventure.

The pattern for this one was up, but not the actual quilt, which is for sale as a one-off. So grab it while you can. It is rather a favourite of mine.

For some reason, I finished this one but it did not get listed in any format at all. There will be a pattern for this too, but for today, I’ll just list the quilt itself. Again an original one-off. Another one I am fond of too. This quilt forms part of my River Series of quilts, based on the River Don as it flows from the Pennines to Goole.

Top Quilting Tips

Do you have lots of UFOs? Here are my top tips for finishing work:

When you design it yourself, you know you can make it and finish it
Choose what interests you
Challenge yourself every so often but within reason
Stick close to your ability but learn something new
Set aside a time each day or each weekend to quilt
Only move onto a new project when you have finished the last (that’s a tough one!)

Today’s discount

On day 22 quilting we have looked at original quilts today, so take 20% discount on any of the original quilts for sale. Some are already marked down, if they are not, please contact me, and I will do the discount for you. If they are marked down at 20% or more already, there is no further discount. Check back tomorrow for another discount. Some discounts end shortly, so do not miss out.