Thank you, Maria Shell!

My completed workshop sample top

      Last weekend, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take an all day workshop with Maria Shell. Her website is here.  I absolutely love her work, and was thrilled to be able to meet her and to learn some of her techniques!  

    The day started with Maria showing several of her beautiful pieces, and she gave permission to share pictures.  Stunning work in color selection, shape and construction, and in the very detailed quilting!

  

    The workshop was called Linear Blocks, and focused on making traditional quilt blocks with mat cut linear pieces.  I have never mat cut fabric before, (no ruler) but am now a huge fan!  I love the organic look of the pieces.  

    I was anxious to get going so I quickly pulled a palette of nine colors from my bin - a really dark green, a light bright green and a yellow; a dark purple, a blue and a light blue, and a melon, a black and white.  I didn't think too hard about it, but just though the colors looked interesting together.    I was curious as to how these colors would work.   (Next semester I am taking a class in color theory - right now, I am just going by my gut!)

      I chose to play with a rail fence pattern.  In addition to cutting solids, I was inspired by Maria's creation of little striped pieces.   I had cut enough strips to make 9 little blocks, and put them together over the course of the day.   Some were straighter than others!    I ended up piecing a little nine-patch from these blocks. 

     Once I got home, really pressed it and trimmed the ends, I really like how it turned out.  As soon as my classes end for the semester next week,  I am going to get this little 18 inch squarish piece all quilted up!  I think this will make a cheery hanging.  

Pressed, trimmed and on my design wall! 

     I am already sketching a bigger (and better!) version of this same concept, using some more ideas from the workshop, and a more controlled palette. I can't wait to start cutting the fabric! 

     Thanks to Maria Shell for being such a great teacher and an inspiration and thanks to the Western New York Modern Quilters for putting on this workshop and having me as a member!  What an inspiring group of quilters!  

Take care,

Gretchen