Monthly Archives: March 2020

Material Girlfriends Mystery Clue #3

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We have an easy clue today! You’ll just be cutting up the blocks that you’ve sewn.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, wondering if you should play with us, it is not too late! Material Girlfriends Shelter in Place Mystery Clues #1, #2, and now #3 are hidden on inbetweenstitches.com. Click the link on the main page and then hunt for the pink Mystery Icon to download for the clues. The Clues are delivered every other day. Clue #4 will be released Wednesday, April Fools Day. Then on April 3, we will release the final Clue #5.

Here are some tips on cutting Clue #3.

Your blocks should measure 10″ x 9″. The 10″ length is what is getting trimmed. The edges are probably a bit uneven so squaring up will make your block look nice and clean.

For ALL of the blocks, trim a little off both sides to make the block 9″ x 9″. For accurate cutting, have good light, wear your pretty glasses, and stand while cutting at counter height.  Cut with a sharp rotary cutter and away from your body. Hold the ruler with a flat hand, not the spider finger tip hold. If you anchor your pinking finger on the mat off the outside of the ruler, it helps to keep the ruler from sliding and keeps the important fingers out of the way of the rotary cutter.

Next, you’re going to cut ALL your blocks, twice on the diagonal. This is when you’ll want to get out your rotating mat if you have one. If not, a small mat spins quite nicely on the kitchen counter.

There are 45 degree lines on your mat. Ignore those. In a perfect quilters world the blocks would be 9″ square and fit within those lines. In reality, your blocks are probably a little cattywampus and won’t fit perfectly. Check first that you don’t have an overlap of fabric from pressing. Repress if necessary. Align your ruler, corner to corner, and cut. Rotate your mat and cut corner to corner again.

Fun!! Can’t wait for the next clue!

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton

Five Steps to Surviving Isewlation

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I’m in isewlation. You too? Here are my 5 Self-Care Steps for Quilters in Quarantine. Whether your isewlation is self-imposed or mandated, following these 5 steps will help you mentally and emotionally.

1. Make a list. Lists provide a simple structure for your day. Otherwise you can feel like you’re not getting anything done, or just spinning your wheels. Tip: Don’t put the day of the week on top of your list. Just put ‘Today’. Let Today roll over to tomorrow, which will be the next ‘Today.’  You can keep multiple lists. Some for quilting, crafting, business, health, holiday ideas, etc. Free printable list.

2. Stick to your routines. Routines are extremely important for mental health. It can help us to cope with change and to reduce our stress levels. Part of our routine should include feeding our creative side.

3. Clean and declutter your sewing room. What? Yes. In 2011, researchers at Princeton University found that clutter makes it more difficult to focus on a task. Specifically, they found that the visual cortex can be overwhelmed by task-irrelevant objects, making it harder to pay attention and complete tasks efficiently.

According to a recent study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, people who described their homes as cluttered, messy, and full of unfinished projects were also more depressed, tired and stressed out than those who described their homes as restorative and clean.” Psychology Today

Check out Lora’s Studio. It isn’t always like that. She did spend time tidying up!

Confetti Star Quilt Project4. Finish a UFO [UnFinished Object]. Finishing a project will give you a sense of achievement. Project saturation happens when you’ve worked so long on a single project that you’re sick of it. Then it goes in the basket or closet and becomes a UFO. First, take stock of your UFOs. Do some need to marinate in the closet a bit longer? Then put them back. Consider the Psychology of Color (see previous blog) Is there a UFO that has a color that would be emotionally beneficial at the moment? When working on a UFO, you don’t have to sew on that project until you’re finished. Sew on a project for an hour, and then put it away for a different project! A wise woman once told me that a project doesn’t get finished if you don’t sew on it. Treat it like eating an elephant, one little bite at a time.

5. Treat yourself to a new project. Unlike an award that is earned for doing something (like completing any of the steps above) a treat is a small pleasure or indulgence that we give ourselves just because we want it. When we give ourselves a treat, we feel energized and content. A new project doesn’t have to be big, just something you want to do or try. It will make you feel better.

“By contrast, when we don’t get any treats, we feel depleted, resentful and angry and justified in self-indulgence. We start to crave comfort—and we’ll grab that comfort wherever we can, even if it means breaking good habits.” Oprah.com

Isewlation. One of my girlfriends mentioned that we had been in isewlation for 13 days. What? Only 13 days? It seemed so much longer than that. Depending on your personality type, extrovert or introvert, you may be climbing the walls, or you may almost be ready to peer out the peephole in the front door. I’d say I’m a bit of an extrovert. I love social interaction. I’m not home alone during this Shelter in Place. I’m home with three men. The old one is deaf, and the other two don’t listen. Oi.

Even though we are to have physical distancing, we still need social interaction. Isolation can lead to loneliness and depression. Do a self-check. How are you doing? The computer is an amazing way to stay connect. Face time, Skype, and a dozen other video conversation apps can keep you connected to friends and family. Create a text group of family and/or friends. Check in with them regularly. And Call. Don’t feel like you’re interrupting something important by calling. You’re important. Be sure to reach out.

I narrowed my Self Care for Quilters in Quarantine to just 5 steps for this blog. There are a lot more ways to stay sane while in isewlation. What are your Self Care steps? I would love to hear them. Leave me a comment below.

My mom always said attitude is the most important thing. Stay positive.This is a stressful time for everyone. Remember, we’re in this together.

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton

 

 

Material Girlfriends Mystery – Clue 2

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Clue #2 is here!!

If you missed Clue #1 just scroll to the blog before this one. The Clues are delivered every other day. In Clue #1 we had some cutting instructions. There are just 4 Clues so this Shelter in Place Mystery is quick and simple. Yet, you can get such a complicated look with your finished quilt top!

Clue # 2 is hidden on inbetweenstitches.com Check this page and search around. https://inbetweenstitches.rainadmin.com/shop/Sale.htm Did you find it?

Here are some tips on sewing up Clue #2.

The Dark Block (dark strips on the outside) can have the same dark strip on both sides of the light strip.

OR you can scrappy it up and have different dark strips on both sides of the light strip.

The runner that I made to test the block and instructions, I kept both sides the same fabric and I liked my results. One of the Material Girlfriends, tester and proofer, Judy White, made her dark strips different. I really liked her finished blocks too! So this time, I’m making my blocks with different darks on both sides of the light strip.

If you prefer Controlled Scrappy, make it with the same dark on both sides. If you like Random Scrappy, mix up the darks. During this Shelter in Place, you may need more control. Control the colors to your heart’s content. If you need to RELEASE the control, because, really, we can’t control any of what is going on in our world, make your dark strips random. This also applies if you’re using multiple whites. Whichever you choose, you get to make that decision.

Stuff happens. Layer cakes are not all cut perfect. Random edges will happen. That’s okay. We’ll be trimming in Clue#3. Just be sure your seam allowance is accurate and press your seams toward the dark side.

Remember, we may have to be physically distanced from each other but we don’t have to socially distance from each other. Stay connected. I would love to see your progress. Find the Material Girlfriends Facebook page and follow us or find In Between Stitches Inside the Hive and join the group. We want to see your progress!

Remember, we’re in this together.

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton

Material Girlfriends Mystery – First Clue!

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I’m ready! Are you? We’re starting the Material Girlfriends Mystery today! This is what I selected. I cut my twenty-four 10″ white squares to go with my layer cake. I received this beautiful Strata 10″ square set, by Michael Miller, in December. It was in that huge box they sent us for becoming Michael Miller Brand Ambassadors. I then selected twenty-eight Medium/Dark squares from the Strata layer cake. You only need twenty-four but I’m the self proclaimed Queen of the Mis-Cut. Beside, now I’ll have design options!

This is what Lora selected beautiful batiks from her stash. “I am using my Go!Accuquilt to cut my 10”squares. Love how fast and accurate it is!”
You can find Clue #1 at InbetweenStitches.com on the Material Girlfriend Pattern page. Click on the pink “MysteryQuilt?” icon and it will reveal Clue #1. The first clue is cutting so if you are just jumping in, and you’ve not selected or cut your 10″ squares yet, no worries. This one is a quick Clue.
Absewlutely,
Lisa Norton

Material Girlfriends Mystery Entertainment

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Are you tired of working on your UFOs already? Then let’s play!! Lora and I have been doing fast and fun Mystery classes over the past few years. We had this new mystery design up our sleeve for our 2021 Mystery class but lets not wait. Let’s do it now! 

Our Mystery Formula for Each Year

  • Fabric requirements are the same (plus border or accent fabric, depending on design)
  • There are less than 6 Clues
  • Beginner friendly
  • Can be completed in a long weekend

The following are pictures of our previous Mystery patterns. And really, they may look complicated, but they are not difficult to sew. A confident beginner can master our easy instructions.

2020 Mystery

2019 Mystery2018 Mystery

2017 Mystery

2016 Mystery

We’re starting tomorrow, Thursday, March 26. We will reveal a Clue every other day or so, instead of our usual 1 day class. You in?!

This is what you need.

  • 24 Light 10″ squares
  • 24 Medium/Dark 10″ squares
  • 1 yard if you want to add a 4 1/2″ border,
  • 1/2 yard for binding (enough with 4 1/2″ border)
  • 3 1/2 backing (enough with 4 1/2″ border)

A layer-cake will do but won’t be enough. Most layer cakes won’t have the right number of lights and medium/darks so you’ll need to add from your stash anyway.

You can use one fabric for all your light squares or visa versa. You’ll need 2 yards to cut twenty-eight 10″ squares (four extra for mistakes).

I like clear contrast between the lights and mediums. It makes the design pop better. For this Mystery, I’m choosing to make all my light squares one white. I’m using a Michael Miller Strata layer cake for my medium/dark squares. Layer cakes come with 42 squares, so I’ll just pick out what I like best and save the others for another project. For my test runner, I used multiple lights and medium/darks and I liked those results too.

If you don’t have everything, don’t worry. Once the Shelter in Place order is lifted, you can pick up whatever else you’re missing. Melissa said she had grabbed some supplies from the quilt shop for the Mystery so if you need something, giver her a quick email info@inbetweenstitches.com. If you have any questions, leave me a comment below.

Follow our blog, Facebook page, In Between Stitches Facebook page, Instagram, and you’ll see where to pick up your next Clue.

I know distancing ourselves to protect each of us from the Pandemic is very important. But remember, it is PHYSICAL distancing – not SOCIAL distancing. Let’s stay connected. Remember, we’re in this together.

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton

Quilters Therapy

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I’ve been “Sheltered in Place” now for a week. 7 days. 168 hours. The isolation has been getting to me a bit. I’m beginning to talk to my iron. I’ve named him Wilson. Wilson and I disagree about steam or no steam. But whatever, he’s hard headed and full of hot air.

I miss you. Really. I hope you’re well. Last blog, Lora talked about how GREEN is a very supportive color when dealing with scary stuff like the Pandemic. It soothes our frayed edges.

Today I want to give you a present. Wilson wanted a present too, but I said no. This was for quilters. He’s sitting on my ironing board huffing and puffing. “Dial it back there a bit, Wilson. You have steam coming out of your nose. Besides, you can’t sew.”

Here. For you. I hope you like it. I call it “Recovery Quilt, Psychology of Color for Quilting Therapy.” Click HERE and this FREE pattern will download for you.

The first page has great information on the Psychology of Color. We’re focusing on GREEN  for the moment.

The quilt is made up of Xs and Os, or Hugs and Kisses, blocks. Each block is made up of green and white Half Square Triangles. I used 10 solid greens plus the background white for the pattern. The solids come from Michael Miller’s Cotton Couture line. LOVE all these beautiful solids. BUT, since shipments were delayed and I don’t have all my solids yet, my Half Square Triangles are only half done. *sigh*. Lora tested the pattern using a lovely selection of green batiks from her stash. Her combination of warm and cool greens (yellow greens and blue greens) give the Xs and Os sparkle. When selecting your greens, don’t get too matchy-matchy but look at the value (light/medium/dark) and the hue (warm green and cool greens). I think Wilson just rolled his eyes at me. Really, it creates drama. Check out Lora’s results.
Now, aren’t you wanting to sew up some green and white Half Square Triangles? Me too. The pattern includes four ways to create Half Square Triangles. You can sew them two-at-a-time, four-at-a-time, or eight-at-a-time, depending on the size of your green fabric. Plus, I’ve included instructions if you have an AccuQuilt machine.

Lora and I had a video interview with Rob Appell. It should air sometime after Thursday. He is a funny guy and sew much fun to work with. You can watch his show at Making it Fun with Rob Appell.

Wilson says he’s thirsty so I probably should go get us both some more water. Stay sane! Sew with some green. Remember, we’re in this together. Shelter in Place is Physical Distancing, not Social Distancing. Stay connected.

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton

GREEN

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It was noon and I hadn’t even brushed my hair yet. The rush to stock groceries, prescriptions, and other preparations for a county-wide shelter-in-place order, sapped the energy right out of me.

Day 1 of extreme “Social Distancing” was pretty hard. I am a very social person. I was not only worried about the Covid-19 virus, but I was also anxious about how I was going to deal with three weeks of isolation. I was troubled most of the day.

Then Rob Appell sent me an email. “Let’s video chat.”
“Ummm, tomorrow good?” I responded, pulling my fingers through my uncombed hair. We had exchanged emails last week. We were going to talk about Color Psychology. Lisa had designed a brilliant quilt project and Rob was all over it. Rob had said it was exactly what he needed.

Color Psychology you ask? Yep. The Psychology of Color has been around for a very long time, but in our modern culture, it is the secret of marketing and politicians to appeal to people’s emotions. You see, color can help us and it can help us a lot. We told Rob about Green.

Green relaxes us mentally as well as physically and helps alleviate anxiety. Green supports and stimulates health, new growth, generosity, and fertility.

Where I had only talked about green, Rob physically dove into his green stash and swam to a much healthier place than where I was at. Therefore, he was ready for Day 1 and I was still in my pajamas.

To prepare for our video chat, I began to pull out all my green. Green stash, ahh, green projects, hmm, and completed green quilts. *Sigh*. I had only stroked the green pile and I was already feeling better and able to cope. Visualize walking through a fresh green meadow, the woods and forest dancing in a gentle breeze. Exhale. Feeling a bit less anxious? That is the feeling of green.

Today I really enjoyed our three-way video chat between Rob, Lisa and I. We laughed a lot. Rob is so cool and positive. I’ve been physically alone all day in my sewing studio, yet I have felt so connected to our quilting community. I am really grateful for modern electronics that keep us linked together, arm in arm. I can do this. Remember, we’re in this together. Let’s stay connected. Visit your green fabrics. I suspect it will soothe your frayed edges as it did mine.

Lora Zmak
Material Girlfriends

Definition: A shelter-in-place order is when, during an extreme public health emergency, residents of a specific city or region are asked to stay indoors in their homes or other safe spaces. Though the rules on this vary depending on the region, mandates often require everything just short of a complete lockdown with exceptions to go out for medicine or food. Contra Costa County was one of 6 counties that issued the Shelter-in-place order which will last 3 weeks, until April 7.

What Makes a Good Recipe?

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Flexibility, good ingredients, and ease. Inspired by Michael Miller’s new panel, Mon Ami, we decided to cook up a new pattern. The trouble with panel patterns are not all panels are the same size. Therefore, panel patterns are really limited. We needed one that would be flexible, have good ingredients, and easy to put together.

With any good recipe, start with your main ingredient, the panel. The pattern example uses Mon Ami fabric panel by Michael Miller Fabrics. The panel size is 2/3 yard by WOF [Width of Fabric] before trimming. It was just too pretty. What you can’t see in the tiny picture is the lovely marble background and the lush deep colors of this panel.

The other good ingredients for this panel are the beautiful fabrics in the Mon Ami line. Check out this Michael Miller’s link to see all the coordinating fabrics.

The Panel Sampler Recipe Pattern was designed to give you flexibility and control. By changing just a few design ingredients, you have the ability to create a variety of flavors. You can customize your quilt around the size of your panel. The design options are given in 3” increments, making your panel project a successful experience to design and sew.

We’ve made two versions of the Mon Ami while testing this pattern. The first uses the whole panel. The second trims the panel down to just the bouquet.

The examples below show how the Panel Sampler Recipe Pattern can be customized to fit any size panel, full cut or a portion of the cut. Since panels come in many shapes and sizes, having the design flexibility of 3” increments allows you to fit a fun sampler design to the panel size of your choosing.

Fabric requirements: 1 panel, 3 fat quarters of light, 3 fat quarters of medium and 3 fat quarters of dark. If your panel is small, you’ll end up with a little extra fabric.

Because this sampler pattern booklet is so new, it hasn’t returned from the printers yet. But we decided to have an instant download available for a short time. Because, who likes to wait?! The printed version will resale at $16.95 and should be available in 2 weeks. Or you can visit our Etsy store today to purchase your instant download for half price, $8.00. Don’t wait to purchase the instant download. This really will be for a limited time only.

Check out these Panel Sampler Recipe quilts from our Gallery!

The eagle one was sewn up by Diana Garnhart. She said she recently bought the panel at Quilters’ Hollow in Stockton.

Ric-Rac added to the wheel gives it an animated look.We would love to see what you whip up with your panel and the Panel Sampler Recipe pattern. Send us a picture to Lisa@materialgirlfriends.com or share on your social media #PanelSamplerRecipePattern

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton