by Joanna Figueroa
Contents
CHAPTER
1 My Story – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 1
My Personal and Creative Journey ………………………………………………………………….2
My Quilting and Sewing Journey …………………………………………………………………….3
From Quilter to Designer ……………………………………………………………………………….6
CHAPTER
2 Basics of Quiltmaking – – – – – – – – – – – – – 8
The Basic Terms We Use …………………………………………………………………………….. 10
The Basic Tools We Need ……………………………………………………………………………. 12
Patchwork Basics ………………………………………………………………………………………. 17
A Few Special Quilting Techniques ……………………………………………………………… 34
CHAPTER
3 Basics of Sewing – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 40
The Basic Terms We Use …………………………………………………………………………….. 42
The Basic Tools We Need ……………………………………………………………………………. 43
Just a Few More Favorites …………………………………………………………………………. 46
Working with Hardware………………………………………………………………………………. 47
The Basic Principles of Sewing …………………………………………………………………… 49
CHAPTER
4 Creating a Color Story – – – – – – – – – – – 60
Where Does Your Story Start? ……………………………………………………………………. 62
Color the Fig Tree Way ……………………………………………………………………………….. 63
Finding Inspiration …………………………………………………………………………………….. 64
Fresh Vintage™ Color and What It Means …………………………………………………….. 65
Adding Instant Vintage through Fabric and Design ………………………………………. 65
Creating a Palette That Works for You …………………………………………………………. 68
Time for Your Story ……………………………………………………………………………………. 71
CHAPTER
5 Sewing to Add Handmade
into Our Lives- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 72
Fresh Linen Basket Liners ………………………………………………………………………….. 74
Vintage Bloom Pin ……………………………………………………………………………………… 80
The Audrey Bag …………………………………………………………………………………………. 84
Pin Cushion Buttercups ……………………………………………………………………………… 89
Dear Betty Apron ………………………………………………………………………………………. 94
CHAPTER
6 Dual Projects – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -100
Trio of Pillows …………………………………………………………………………………………..102
Saturday Morning Sham ……………………………………………………………………………103
All Dressed Up Pillow ……………………………………………………………………………….106
Little Bloomers Pillow ………………………………………………………………………………109
Back-to-School Lunch Bag ………………………………………………………………………..113
Mama Too Quilted Lunch Bag …………………………………………………………………….118
Boardwalk Beach Tote ………………………………………………………………………………120
Sweet & Scrappy Woven Floor Mats …………………………………………………………..131
Marigolds & Jam Placemats ………………………………………………………………………136
CHAPTER
7 Quilting Projects- – – – – – – – – – – – – – -142
Slipper Booties …………………………………………………………………………………………144
Summer Soiree Patchwork Quilt ………………………………………………………………..148
Tagalong Sister Quilt …………………………………………………………………………………153
Strawberries and Cream Table Runner ……………………………………………………….157
Blossom Quilt …………………………………………………………………………………………..162
Meadow Blossom or Maison Blossom ………………………………………………………..162
Cherry Blossom ………………………………………………………………………………………..167
Fresh Vintage Patchwork ………………………………………………………………………….171
About the Author – – – – – – – – – – – – – -180
Introduction
WELCOME!
As I work on the final edits of this manuscript, I find my mind turning more and more to you, the reader. I find that I am daydreaming about who you might be and what you will find most useful and inspirational in these pages. As I wind down my journey of writing this book, you might just be starting out on yours. Certainly you are just beginning the journey of working through this particular book, and I can’t help but wonder what part it will play in your story. Try as I might to focus on the technical aspects of making sure these pages are error free, I find myself imagining what you will think of while you are reading. I wonder what your favorite projects might be, hoping that some of my favorites will be yours as well. As an author, it is a wonderful and scary journey to write down all that you think others might want to know about your process and your craft. It is truly an adventure that, although I have done many times before, stretches and teaches me new things about myself and my work each time I do it. For me, I feel like there is always something else to add and something else to share but as I reflect on what else I could possibly add, I thought of a story that my mom recently reminded me about. Given that I wasn’t sure exactly where in the book it might find its “fit,” I decided to share it with you here, at the very beginning.
The very first time I visited the United States, and thus found myself on a very long trans-Atlantic flight, I was three and a half years old. Suffice it to say that I was a bubbly and extroverted little girl who wanted nothing to do with sitting in a plane seat for hours at a time. As the story goes, my mom searched frantically for something to occupy my time. Finding nothing better, she handed me a small bag of mismatched buttons and a needle and thread and sent me on my way. What happened next entertained not only me but the entire crew and all the passengers I could get my hands on. For the next five hours, I meticulously sewed buttons to the pant legs and sleeves of any aisle customers who would give me the time of day. I intently tried to use every last button in my little bag. Apparently, no one objected, and I was mesmerized and entranced by the process. Before I knew it, the plane flight was over and all of my neighbors had more buttons on their clothes than they had started off with! A sewer might well have been born that day.
It would be a long time before I would remember that story, and I am not quite sure exactly why I wanted to share it with you here. I thought at the very least it would give you one more insight into how much our lives can come full circle without our slightest knowledge or planning. Who knows where you started out and where you might land. In some small way, I hope to be a part of that journey for you as you work through the pages of this book.