New Patterns Available

Winter is a good time to stay inside and catch up on some things. I have had these patterns on my to do list for a while. They were all published in magazines originally, but now they are updated, have multiple sizes, and are available for download in my Etsy Shop.

Cookie Cat

This one is a favorite since I designed it based upon my sweet Cookie Cat.

It is a large 18″ block so it is easy to piece and goes together quickly.

It comes in three sizes, pillow, baby quilt and twin size. I stitched up a set of Halloween pillows and they turned out great.

Beach Glass

This quilt started out strictly as a scrap quilt. I fell in love with the greens and blues and they reminded me of the little bits of beach glass you find on Great Lakes beaches here in Michigan.

The variety of grey low volume prints from my stash were perfect to create the neutral background.

This is also a large 18″ block. It comes in three sizes, Throw, Twin and Queen.

Cirque

This was my most recently published quilt. I really wanted to try some curved piecing and these large traditional drunkard’s path blocks seemed perfect.

The color blocking adds a modern twist and I just had to play with free motion feathers in the negative space. Cookie cat is not a good helper when I am quilting, how does he know when I am trying to quilt? LOL

These are 10″ finished blocks. Once again, available in three sizes, Baby, Throw and Twin.

Cirque MINI

I have been really enjoying making mini versions of some of my most popular quilts. Not everyone needs another large quilt and this size makes a wonderful wall hanging that is a work of modern art.

These are 5″ finished blocks and it comes in only one size, Mini which is about 24″ x 30″

I hope you found a new pattern you liked and would like to try.

They are all available as PDF digital files ready for immediate download.

You can find them and my other fresh, fun quilty designs in my Etsy Shop.

16Nov2018

Published – Connect the Curves (Cirque)

Posted in Finished Projects, Published by lorimillerdesigns

My Connect the Curves (Cirque) quilt has been published in the December 2018 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting

There are a lot of amazing quilts in this issue and I am so proud to be a part of it.

As usual, I designed this bold quilt with Electric Quilt design software. I started with a regular drunkards path block, super sized it and then made a few adjustments to create the swirling effect.

I used templates that I created with #EQ8 to cut out all of the curved pieces in my quilt. I generously received beautiful fabric from American Made Brand fabrics.

Stitching the curves on these 10″ blocks is easier than you think because of the size.

I use a 3 pin method and stitch from the outside to the center. Then I flip and stitch from the other end to the center adjusting the curve if needed.

The individual blocks come together to create a 20″ wide swirling center.

Does this happen to you? I can piece all day in quiet, but as soon as I start quilting, I get a furry helper. Cookie, you make it a little difficult to use the walking foot!

I tried some echo quilting around the curves of the center quilting about 1 ” apart to accentuate the motion.

Then I did some free motion feathers and free motion fill to finish up the negative space on the sides. You know I love the texture!

I hope you enjoyed getting a little behind the scenes view of my process on this lovely quilt.

Happy Stitching!

21Jan2018

Published – Concentric

Posted in Finished Projects, Published by lorimillerdesigns

I am proud to introduce my quilt, Concentric, which is published in Modern Quilts Unlimited Issue 22.

And I am thrilled to be listed as a top designer with some other great quilters right on the cover highlighting the circles under Geometric Gems. Step into my studio for a little peek into behind the scenes of making this quilt.

I had the idea of concentric circles of color gradations and started with the traditional drunkards path block and turned it up a notch. I used large 12″ blocks to really show off the colors. Electric Quilt Software made it easy to try a few things with the design until I really liked it.

You start with the center in the lighter tone and then keep sewing each round of color for the block. I used Michael Miller Cotton Couture Solids for the fabric.

To create the middle double blocks, you cleverly cut a finished block to add another set of color.

The fit together perfectly and you just stitch like you were sewing on another drunkards path round.

Just a picture of the teal and blue colors at the ironing board. I was helping them with a little starch.

Here is my original design out of Electric Quilt. I thought the borders added something and the pops of purple added some color to the asymmetric pattern.

All of those open squares were hollering for some extra quilting so I chose a unique design for each one. I think I went though about 8 reference books I had for free motion quilting to find all of the ones I liked. Then it was ready for some pin basting.

I went bonkers with the quilting using my Babylock Jazz. I just wanted to try everything out. I did a lot of marking to try a few new things. I really wanted a lot of texture.

Of course, Cookie cat comes running whenever I quilt and thinks he needs to ride along. It can make things difficult but he is so furry purry, I can’t complain.