The Lasagna Quilt!

Turn scraps into a Lasagna quilt, layer by layer. So much fun, it's hard to stop. 

This quilt measures 51" x 67" but its easy to make it any size you like.

See the pattern here: Lasagna Quilt.

 

New Quilt Pattern: Adirondack

"Adirondack" is a quilt that would be right at home on the porch of a grand old camp in upstate New York. Add a some red and black buffalo plaid, and you can almost smell a wood fire. What a perfect time to be making scrap quilts, staying home in the winter.  :)

See "Adirondack" here.

This quilt measures 60" wide x 80" long.

No seam-matching. Anywhere. 

 

Happy New Year! 102 Spools in 2020!

 

Wow, what a year it was! I went through 102 spools of thread! I had the pedal to the metal this year making well over 2,000 face masks (some donated, some for family and friends, and many sold on Etsy).  Demand for masks has slowed down just recently, leaving some time for quilt making. Finally. 

Here's my latest quilt:

"Home Free" measures 60" x 84." Last quilt of 2020.

New Pattern: Meraki

 

Meraki is a Greek word that refers to the creativity and love that we put into things we make. 

This quilt takes a lot of sewing, but it goes together fast because the method is "liberated" and there's not much measuring required. Scrap quilts are the best, right? Especially when we're sheltering in place.

See the Meraki pattern here.

New Pattern: Town Square!

This quilt has two variations of the log cabin block separated by a nice saw tooth border. A piano key outer border adds a little elbow room for a light and airy vibe. This pattern isn't fussy when it comes to measuring. Gwen Marston's liberated quilting principles apply here.

View the pattern here. Immediate download, no waiting.

Scrap quilts are perfect for this stay-at-home year, aren't they? We quilters are so smart to have stashed away plenty of fabric for a time like this! (I have about 10 years worth!) 

Stay safe out there! xoxo

New Quilt Pattern: Stepping Stones

 

See the Stepping Stones quilt pattern.

Here are a few variations to show you the versatility of this block. 

Post your version on Instagram using #steppingstonesquilt. 

New Scrap Quilt Pattern: Cactus Rose

 

Quarantined at home? Start creating this easy scrap quilt now: 

Cactus Rose Quilt Pattern download.

Autumn Maple Leaves Face Mask

 

Welcome to October! Who knew we'd still be wearing masks in October? But it looks like this will be the case for a while yet. Let's make the best of it with interesting masks like this autumn maple leaf design. If you're a redhead, this is a no-brainer. Comfy 3 layer mask will be your favorite.

See more about this mask here.

Do you Pin? I'd love it if you'd Pin this.  :)

Sakura Cherry Blossoms Face Mask

 

This gorgeous fabric by Moda is called Sakura, which means cherry blossoms in Japanese.

I think it makes a stunning face mask because it looks like rosy cheeks. 

I love the color and the soft flower petals. 

This was a purchase yesterday at my favorite quilt shop: The Quilted Ewe in New Hartford, CT. 

To see more about this mask on Etsy, click here.

New Black and White Toile Face Mask

 

Toile is such a classic look. For a face mask? Who's to say. I like this one. I wear a lot of black and this will go with everything. I just finished making this. Take a look in my Etsy shop: Toile Face Mask. 

If you'd Pin this for me, I'd appreciate it! 💖

New Quilt Pattern: Fair and Square, A Scrap Quilt

 

Scrap quilts are perfect for sheltering in place because you already have the ingredients in your stash. That was so smart of us to stock up on fabrics over the years for a time like this! I've been wanting to make a quilt using my collection of "low volume" prints. This pattern is easier than it looks. 

Here's a link to the pattern in my Etsy shop: Fair and Square quilt pattern. 

The pattern is available for download at the moment of purchase by clicking on "Find Files." 

Start creating now!

Use #fairandsquarequilt to show us your version of this quilt!

I'm on Instagram @karengriska.

New Buffalo Plaid Face Mask

 Did you know that the buffalo plaid was designed 150 years ago by an employee of the Woolrich Woolen Mills? And it has become such a classic. It reminds me of autumn days spent outside raking leaves. But now this mask will be a favorite when we're indoors this winter too. I hope so because I bought a boatload of this fabric for masks. Haha. If I'm wrong, it will look good in a quilt (or two)!

See it here: Buffalo Plaid Mask.

Urban Batik Face Mask

URBAN BATIK is a new face mask in my Etsy shop. I think the fabric design looks like city lights. You can see it here. I found this gem at The Quilted Ewe in New Hartford, CT. Batiks are so mice to work with, and they have a nice dense weave too.

 

New Face Mask for Lawyers, Judges, Magistrates, Legal Assistants...

Just listed today: Scales of Justice face mask for lawyers, judges, magistrates, legal assistants, etc.  Perfect for office or court. Available for purchase here. 

Made from 3 layers of fine quality quilter's cotton fabric. Because there are 3 layers, you won't need to bother with filters which may shift or bunch up. Less hassle and expense too.

Adjustable elastic ear loops make for a perfect fit. Slide the stopper beads to the right spot; they won't shift during use.

Gentle but effective nose wire prevents gaps (and steaming up of glasses). Make it just right, you won't even know it's there.

Hand wash and lay flat to dry for best results. 

Made in my home quilt studio. No smoking, no pets, lots of hand-washing. Fast free shipping.

See more at: www.etsy.com/shop/karengriskaquilts 

New Feature: Adjustable Elastic Ear Loops

Adding this little stopper-bead to the elastic ear loops is such a great idea. Now my masks can fit every size. The elastic is 1/4" wide and the bead is tiny, so it was tricky threading it through that little hole. The best solution was using a little metal crochet hook. It sounds so simple, but I tried everything before figuring this out! :) 

So if you're making masks, maybe give this a try.

Or visit my Etsy shop.

Forest Chandelier in Italy

This is an installation in Italy by John Grade called "Reservoir." He made glass cups and hung them from a net. When they catch the rain they glisten. See more pics and info here. How beautiful!

Follow John Grade on Instagram @johngradestudio.

Elaine Seaman's Fabulous Pine Burr Quilt!

This stunning Pine Burr quilt is the creation of Elaine Seaman (Lakeside Quilters, Standish, Maine). 

This isn't an easy quilt to make. You need an adventurous spirit and Elaine has it! Nice work!

Here's what Elaine says about her quilt:

 I never make the same thing twice and this caught my eye for a challenge. You inspire those of us on a mission to step out of the quilting box. 😃 I hang them in my small hair salon so that the non perfectionists in the quilting world know they can try anything that catches their eye. You caught mine !

If you'd like to see the pattern for this quilt, click here: Pine Burr Quilt Pattern.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe's Sharp Stripe Fabric Makes a Stunning Mask

I love the color and design of Victoria Findlay Wolfe's Sharp Stripe fabric. If Jackie O. was sailing off the Cape today, she'd be wearing this mask, don't you think? It's a nice combination of classic and modern. Wait, you don't need to wear a mask when you're sailing! 

See more about this mask on Etsy.

American Flag Face Mask

Will we be getting out to celebrate Memorial Day and the 4th of July? 

Small picnics with a few people spread apart? Probably.

We will be sporting these patriotic masks when we go out, which isn't often.

See them in my Etsy shop: American flag face mask. 

I hope the situation improves soon and people someday wonder what this thing is. 

Best wishes to you all. 

Modern Style Face Mask

I'm working on refining a collection of masks that I'm selling on Etsy. We're going to be wearing masks for a while, so it might as well be fun, right? There will be times that we don't want to wear a disposable strictly utilitarian mask. I like this one because it's fresh and modern, kind of artsy, and doesn't introduce lots of new colors to my outfit. 

The back side is white so it's reversible. It has a nose wire. It's washable, but I wouldn't subject it to the high heat of machines. Hand washing will make it last longer. Three layers of cotton fabric provide extra filtration.

So I've been looking at mask making videos to get ideas for improvements. Do you like ties? Or do you prefer elastic? Any input/suggestions would be appreciated.

The masks shown below were made from Kaffe Fasset fabric for Mother's Day. Only one left from the whole bunch.