Christen Phillips

All About Local Quilt Shows + My Trip to the Knight’s of Columbus Charity Quilt Show!

If you’re looking for a fun activity, you can never go wrong with a trip to a local quilt show!

I absolutely LOVE quilt shows! You can’t beat a day of quilting fun!

Are you a quilter? – Go to be inspired and admire the works of other quilters!

Are you a wannabe quilter or art lover? – Go and let your eyes linger over fancy stitchery and beautiful woven fabrics! Or look through the vendors to pick up some really unique treasures along the way. You won’t want to miss all that these shows have to offer!

My Trip to the Local Knights Of Columbus Charity Quilt Show

I recently had the pleasure of being invited to a wonderful local quilt show, just outside of my hometown of Houston, Texas!

This show was hosted by The Knights Of Columbus organization in Hempstead, Texas. It was such a fun event to attend and be a part of!

The show advertised “a family-friendly event”, SOOOO… We brought the whole family! Yep!… me, my 2 kids and my husband! Everyone had a lovely afternoon.

As we walked into the show, we were given a small strip of paper to vote for our favorite quilt in the show. (My kids loved this activity.)

Words with Mr. Jack Gibbs

During my visit to the quilt show, I had the lovely pleasure of visiting with Mr. Jack Gibbs, a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus Charity Group.

The 2019 Quilt show was held in memory of Tom Brown and featured local celebrity quilter Ms. Jackie Hillman! – She is amazing and if quilt magician were a real title… well, she would OWN it!

Mr Gibbs and I talked about how proud they were at the turnout of the show. The final numbers show that there were over 300 people in attendance this year, which is super exciting!

We also talked about what the Knights of Columbus does with the money raised every year. Did you know that every single penny is used locally?

Mr. Gibbs told me stories of the charity helping people at the local high school just down the street and helping families and children around the neighborhood. The money isn’t used to help people far away, it helps those in need right in their backyard, so to speak.

Their main focus is on the youths who struggle with major medical conditions. In 9 years, the quilt show has distributed over $100,000 to local cases. Isn’t that amazing?

One thing that Mr. Gibbs told me was that “no need is too small.” When people need help, the Knights of Columbus is happy to lend a hand.

This year was a really big year for the quilt show with the live auction bringing in $11,100 – a new record!

The total profit for the whole show was over $25,000, another record!

But the giving back didn’t stop there!… oh no!

There was also a truck parked out front to donate blood.

There was a yummy dessert table inside with homemade desserts from a local church. (We may or may not have tried at least 5 of them… all delicious)

Seriously, so many opportunities to help other people!

So, um… we totally ate dessert first, ~~because my husband and I were suckers that day~~.

However, dessert wasn’t all they had to offer. A delicious chicken fried steak dinner with all the southern yummy sides was served as well! There was a long line of hungry people and At $12 a plate, it was a fantastic way to end the day!

Just look at these smiles! 🙂

For more information about the Knights of Columbus Charity Quilt show in Hempstead, you can visit their facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/KCCharityQuiltShow/

PS – Keep reading to see more pictures down below!

A Few More Words On Local Quilt Shows

Let’s talk a little bit more about local quilt shows, shall we? Because I love them and I want you to know exactly what to expect when you visit!

First of all, if you can, I think its important to bring the whole family! I know as a mom and a quilter, it is SO tempting to get 3 hours to yourself and wander through a quilt show with a cup of coffee all by yourself and have a little “me time” – Believe me. I KNOW!

However, I think that quilting spans multiple generations and if it is something you that really enjoy, you should involve your family in it sometimes – not all the time, of course… but give your kids or grandkids exposure to the parts of your world that bring you joy!

At the very least, grab some girlfriends and make a fun adventure out of it! 🙂

Things you can find at every local quilt show…

1. Inspiration

I am always so inspired by all of the quilts that are shown! Quilt shows are a great place to see a wide variety of quilts in one place. There are different styles, colors, patterns and sizes to spice up your creative rut.

Get up close and personal with quilts made by so many talented quilters. look at their techniques and feel free to ooh and ahh over their talent!

But mind the rules: NO TOUCHING.

2. Shopping the Vendors

I love to shop the vendor markets at quilt shows as well. You’ll find everything from fun fabrics from local quilt shops to crafty handmade creations and small businesses.

You’ll also find some fun sewing and quilting gadgets and perhaps exactly what you’ve been looking for to get started on your next project!

From the Knight’s of Columbus quilt show, I acquired some cute cute Christmas fabric… even though I already have a ton of projects right now for Christmas! Maybe next year?

4. Play Games and Win Fun Prizes!

At the Knights of Columbus Quilt Show, the volunteers at the front gave out tickets as we walked in the doors. There were drawings for prizes every 30 minutes. We didn’t win anything, but it kept the kids busy and excited at the opportunity of winning something!

The silent auction is another favorite of mine. Perhaps I’m a sucker for wanting to win and maaaaybe I’m a tad competitive?

I did win the bid for this super cute hot chocolate gift basket! My family and I are looking forward to enjoying it on a cold evening very soon!

Live auctions are another common event at Quilt shows that must not be missed!

5. Support Local + Charity

All local quilt shows have one thing in common – a love of local communities and local people.

By shopping the local vendors, you support local businesses.

By contributing to local charities, helping the people right in your own backyard.

The Knights of Columbus organize this wonderful quilt show every year to share their passions for charity with the quilting community.

An event like this is no easy task to take on and there is a lot of organization and planning that goes into something that is so well run and exciting to attend.

If you have the opportunity, visit your local quilt shows! Take a day to play with the quilting community and support your local community!

It is something that you will not regret! 🙂
What to do on the back of your quilt?

So you’ve completed the quilt top! Yay!… now, what do you do on the back of your quilt?

We’ve all been there… It feels harsh just to slap some random fabric on it and call it “good”, right?

Especially if you really challenged yourself and poured out a lot of time and effort into the front of your quilt!

I believe you have the opportunity to create a full 360-degree piece of artwork with your quilt that is beautiful from every angle. And you don’t have to work yourself to death either!

I made a video with some ideas and examples of quilt backs that I have created in the past along with some tips for how to make the back of your quilt interesting!

Check it out below and then read on to see more tips!

5 tips to make the back of your quilt interesting!

1. Don’t follow a specific pattern

I love rules, I do… but I also love to break them… what can I say?

It is so creatively refreshing to be able to do whatever I want and make things fit however I feel like after I have completed a very specific and strategic pattern.

This is a great opportunity to play with your fabric and see what you come up with! It could be that you stick to something very simple and straight forward… or you could do something complex.

2. Try something new that you’ve been admiring

Maybe you’ve seen a technique on YouTube (you can check out my channel and subscribe to me here!) and it looks like an interesting block, but you’re not sure if you’re ready to commit to a whoooole quilt yet?

This is the perfect opportunity to try out a new idea. If you just end up doing one block, you can add borders around it to make a beautiful design focal point on the back of your quilt!

3. Well-placed contrasting strips add interest and hide seams

Nothing breaks up the weird and awkward seams of joining fabric pieces together like some well-placed strips of fabric!

In the quilt back below, the quilt was wider than my fabric. I COULD have just bought more fabric, and did a nearly invisible seam down the center of the quilt… it would have been fine. Hardly anyone would have seen it with the quilting, I’m sure…

But… there was an opportunity to do something fun!

I decided to add some scrap fabric stripes to the center and voila… instant “design choice” status vs. “boring piecing together of fabric”.

4. Don’t underestimate the power of a Jelly Roll

Jelly roll quilts are fun to sew. (Mostly because of the amount of progress that happens really fast at the end of the process… I still love to see it come together!)

Us quilters know what it takes to make a jelly roll quilt, but no one else does!

They make fantastic quilt backs! A little more detail and thought into the quilt that you make. Plus, you don’t have to buy huge pieces of expensive fabric. Use what you have on hand!

5. My favorite tip: Use Scraps!

I can’t stress this enough! Use the leftover scraps from the front of your quilt and incorporate them into the design on the back of your quilt!

It helps create a cohesive design between the two sides AND it helps you use your fabric wisely.

I’ve actually created the habit of using the “fabric requirements” of a pattern as more of a general guideline… and not a hard rule.

If you’re able to buy an extra 1/8-1/4 yard of a few pieces of fabric, not only will you have a little margin for any errors that happen along the way (don’t lie, I know it happens to you too, right?) you will have fabric left over to use on the back of your quilt!

For more information on how to organize your scraps: Scrap Fabric Storage and what to do with them.

I hope that gives you some new ideas and some thoughts on ways you can spice up the back of your quilts! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or comment down below! I love to hear from you 🙂

What is your favorite way to treat the back of your quilt? Do you prefer simple or complex?
Beginner Quilting 101

Hey! If you are just starting out with quilting and find that you’re overwhelmed with the sheer talent of almost everyone else around you, it is totally ok! I know exactly what you’re going through and I can help you get down some of the basics! Today I’m sharing my favorite Beginner Quilting 101 tips!

The first thing you’ll need to know is that a lot of quilters use shorthand in their patterns and it can almost look like another language if you’re unfamiliar with it.

I’ve put together a short video that goes over the most common terminology. If you’re still lost, check out this post, It has a long list of terms to help you out!

Quilting 101 Tips

1. Work within your skill level

The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure that you’re working with a pattern suited to your beginner skill level.

I know! Ther are so many amazing quilts out there and such CUTE patterns! I promise you will get to those someday really soon, but you’ll find them much more of a joy to work on if you get your basic skills down first.

Trust me.

You don’t want hours and money wasted on fabric that will leave you frustrated and wanting to pull your hair out or crumple it into a ball and throw it out the window. (but if you do, this post has some really good suggestions for what to do if you do hit that moment…)

What should you start with?

Start with patterns that are going to be easy to understand. Not complicated. Quilts that are going to give you that wonderful feeling of accomplishment and are going to make you giddy to start your next quilt!

I have several patterns that LOOK like you spent a lot of time and LOOK like they are really “fancy/artsy” but are actually really simple to make.

The quilt image below is a really fun and quick playmat sized quilt to make and it is a FREE download in my shop! Click here to download it for FREE.

I also have a FREE triangle pattern that you can download here.

And a Free HST Quilt Pattern here. (There is more if you join my e-mail list 🙂 I love making quilt patterns!)

2. Give yourself Grace

Experienced quilters know a thing (or 2) more than beginner quilters, but do you know what the most important thing to keep in mind is?

It is totally ok to mess up.

Just get out your seam ripper. Make a fuss and frown if you have to. Rip out those stitches and try again.

It’s ok. Really.

3. Make sure you have at least a few “made-for-quilting” tools on hand

Quilting can seem really expensive and overwhelming right at first. Don’t go out and buy everything you see unless you’re ready to spend a fortune!

Work on accumulating these important tools first! It’ll help you be a better quilter and save you hours of frustration in the long run.

4. Do push yourself to try new things.

The only way you’re going to be an amazing quilter is if you push yourself to try new things.

Do not go out and buy the hardest pattern you can find. This will end in frustration.

Gradually build your skills and your confidence as you work on slightly more difficult patterns and designs each time.

This post will help you build your confidence as a new quilter and help you know when you challenge yourself more.

5. Make time to play

Especially when I first started quilting… I had big dreams of making everyone in my family quilts. My kids and my cousins etc etc… It was going to be grand!

Quilters are kind and generous people. We love to create and love to see the joy on other people’s faced when we give them a beautiful handmade quilt tailored especially for them!

All work and no play makes for an overworked and burnt out quilter!

Make time for something fun and small in-between your big projects. A wall quilt with your favorite fabric?

Maybe a new set of coasters for your living room? Perhaps you’ve admired hand quilting but a big quilt is overwhelming? Try out your curiosities on a smaller project to dip your toes into new waters!

6. Do not commit to a big project because it is what someone else wants!

Ok so I’m kind of adding in this one because of experience…

Live and learn, kids!

You don’t want to be cursing the name of the person who asked you to make a king-sized quilt for Christmas when it is October, right? Learn that it is ok to say no thank you to projects that you’re not ready for!

For more Quilter self-care tips, check out this post that I wrote…
What do to when your WIP quilt will not cooperate with you?

Heres the thing… sometimes it isn’t all sunshine and roses in my sewing room! Sometimes its a messy fight to the end with the seam ripper… and “UGH! WHY CAN’T THIS JUST WORK?!” Today I’m going to share with you what to do when your WIP quilt will not cooperate with you.

Heads up, WIP = Work in progress. To understand more quilting terminology, check out this post. Unlocking the quilter’s code. I also have a video!

So, THOSE days… THAT particular quilt… or sewing project, bag or WHATEVER the darn thing is. Sometimes it seems that no matter how hard you’re trying… it feels like it just isn’t meant to be!

You know what I mean… right?

It could be that no matter how many times you rip and re-sew, it is still wrong!

Or it could just be that you’ve just lost interest in the project and it still sits in the corner of your sewing room… mocking you.

If you have come here and you’re looking for someone to pat you on the back or give you a hug and tell you it is ok, I can do that…

*hugs* I get it, sister.

If that is all you want, you can stop reading here.

…

Are you still with me? Good.

I’m going to share with you how to get on with your life after one of these projects because one thing is certain… As long as you are sewing and growing, there will be more of these difficult projects in your life.

You have the option of choosing one of 3 different paths to proceed…

You have 3 choices to make when your WIP quilt will not cooperate.

Choice # 1) Completely abandon the project

That’s right. I said it. Hear me out first, ok?

This is a totally viable option. I know that you have invested money and time into your quilt. It hurts to just throw it all away! — But so does spending hours upon hours being frustrated and not getting anywhere…

I’m simply giving you permission to really look at your time and how you’re spending it. Give yourself GRACE and decide what is adding or taking away value to the end of your day.

You don’t have to throw it in the garbage. You can totally put it in a box on the back shelf of the closet where it is out of sign and isn’t giving you grief or stress. It is ok to kiss it goodbye… even if it is just temporary.

Save it for another day and move on to something you really do enjoy!

Choice #2) Alter your project or plan

You are an artist! Sometimes an artist paints by number and uses rigid guidelines to create, but oftentimes the best masterpieces are created when they fudge the lines and color outside just a bit, right?

It is what makes each quilt unique! Even when we all sew the same pattern, each quilt has its own personality!

Maybe the blocks that you’ve sewn for a giant quilt end up becoming a handbag? or a wall hanging? Maybe you decide not to make a king-size quilt and just go with a double?

Or maybe instead of sewing 9,000 blocks (obviously I’m exaggerating here but sometimes it feels that way), you sew 12 of them and put a few simpler borders in between to take up the remaining space.

Figure out what you can live with, get it done!

Then, move on sister!

Choice #3) You Press on!

(pun totally intended above!)

I have these days too when my WIP quilt will not cooperate and I decide that it just simply is not going to beat me.

I rule this sewing room… I’m the queen and a big bunch of fabric will not defy my rulings! (maybe I do spend too many late nights in my sewing room with a glass of wine?)

You are tough too. I can feel it deep down inside. You really want this quilt/project to be made…

Here are a few tips to help you keep pressing on…

-Look up YouTube videos — See if someone has made a youtube video on the specific pattern you’re working on or a skill that you find challenging.

-Take a break and work on a smaller project for a little bit. Don’t abandon it unless you want to… but work on something that reminds you why you love sewing in the first place and that doesn’t cause you to mutter curse words at stray pieces of string. 🙂

-Drink some tea (or coffee or wine… I won’t judge) put on your favorite song and just do it. Sew through the hard and confusing steps. use scrap fabric while you’re figuring it out and save the good fabric for when you’ve got it down.

Take a deep breath and vow to be victorious. You got this. I believe in you!

However you decide to handle that really hard moment when a WIP quilt will not cooperate… know that you are not alone.

We’ve all had moments where we feel like this…

FYI – This pic was taken after 1.5 hours of quilting just FINE and no problems… nothing changes and then THIS disaster takes place on the back side of my quilt! Why? I don’t know. Just because……

How do you usually choose to handle the really hard and difficult projects? Tell me in the comments below? I would love to know!
Quilty Things To Make For The Holidays

So the other day… it happened. I heard my first Christmas song on the overhead speakers of the grocery store we were shopping in for 2019. I’m not even going to lie… I got giddy! I love this time of year! Ok yes… November 7th is a little too early to be starting the Christmas tunes (even for me) but I left that store with a crafty passion and a need for quilty things to make for the holidays!

Maybe there are a few more of you out there who are like me and are just itching to get into the holiday spirit?

I’ve scoured the internet and collected several projects that are super fun and pair perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa.

If you’re just getting ideas, make sure you pin the image below so you can come back and reference it later. 🙂

If you need some quilty Christmas gift ideas, make sure to check out this post too! – 25 Quilty Christmas Ideas!

If you’re in the mood for baking, these are my most favorite holiday cookies ever. Make them and your family will be forever begging you to make them again…and again… and some more 🙂 – You won’t regret it.

Quilty Things You Can Make For The Holidays!

A Table Runner for your holiday feast

These are so easy to make a table festive in a hurry. I love table runners because they sew up quick and make a fun gift as well. I have at least a few of these on my to-do list this year! (you don’t have to make them all Christmas Themed! Make some spring ones so you can bring them out all year long…. or make up your own pattern and make it reversible! *woah*

FREE Table Runner Patterns

This one from Folk Modern is classic and a good beginner pattern. Use the same pattern and mix the fabrics for a festive pattern all year long!

If you’re looking to play with applique or you’re itching to use all your itty bitty scraps, check out this Bursting Buds Pattern is fantastic!

A Scrapy Table Runner – I love The Polkadot Chair Blog. (seriously, go follow her, she is so sweet!) It is always full of great crafty ideas. – Check out the blog on the Christmas Table Runner she made!

Christmas Stockings!

Every single year I drool over all of the lovely and cute handmade stockings that I see online and I want to make them!… but then I go back to using the same ones my family used growing up, again and again. Perhaps it is time that I mixed up the traditions (scandalous!) and we can have 2 sets of stockings! 🙂

I love these stockings – and it is another FREE pattern!

This Crazy Quilted stocking is so easy, you can sew them up for the whole family… including all the cousins!

You can also lookup patterns (or create your own) patchwork stockings like these and really crate something so tailored to your Christmas decor!

Let’s talk Ornaments!

Speaking of scrappy Christmas gifts… You’ll want to bring that fabric to your Christmas tree as well!

Scrappy Ornament collection – This is a tutorial I did last year on my fireplace mantle decor. It was so easy and SO budget-friendly, I wouldn’t mind having a few more around my house this year!

A few more Fabric ornament tutorials/patterns that I love:

Mister Domestic (another quilter you should follow because he is super fun) makes these intricately woven ornaments that are to die for. I love them so much!

A project for those pinking sheers to get in on the fun times! Take a look at these pretty star ornaments!

This article from Good Housekeeping has 62 more homemade ornament ideas… just in case you’re really itching to remake your whole tree over. 😉

Easy DIY Gifts

Fabric bookmarks sew up quick and easy! Grab a kid who likes to sew and spend an afternoon making a ton of these for the whole family! I wrote a very in-depth tutorial on what worked for me (and what didn’t… in case you were curious!)

These easy DIY needle minders are so cute! You’ll need like 500 of these if you have a lot of hand stitching projects laying around!

You could also whip up several of these fabric trinket baskets to help control the chaotic little “collections” that any child I have ever met acquires. For my son, it was rocks (he still picks them up all the time because I find them in the washing machine) and my daughter loved to collect acorns. What can I say… we are who we are, right?

DIY Christmas Tree Skirts

I made this one several years back and I still can’t decide if I ever want to replace it with another skirt or keep it forever and ever. Mine was white and I put little pearl buttons on the center of each flower. It is beautiful!

These tiny stitched stockings are the cutest wrapping for small gifts! It’s like two presents in one! Also… you could embroider on them as well… I’m getting so many ideas flowing right now!

But with patterns like this quilted star skirt… it might just make me branch out a little bit this upcoming year and make something new.

This one is another quilted star tree skirt.

If you’re looking for easy and yet still absolutely DIY stunning, this tree skirt pattern is super fun and customizable for every decor style be it super fancy, country farmhouse or modern!

I don’t know about you but my to-do list now has so many quilty things to make for the holidays on it! I have so many fun ideas and things I want to make – I know I won’t get to it all, but I really would like to spice up our Christmas decor a little more in our new house.

I’ll keep you posted on any projects I work on!

Happy Sewing!

If you find yourself flustered and unable to remember what all you’ve got planned or you simply want a place to write it all down and keep track of your progress… check out my FREE Downloadable Christmas Planner! You won’t regret being on top of things instead of drowning in the chaos 🙂 Enjoy the holiday season and create!
International Quilt Festival 2019 – A Recap Video!

What a fun and amazing weekend I just had in Houston at the International Quilt Festival 2019!

If you ever have the opportunity to attend this show… you have to.

That’s the rule, ok?

I don’t care if you’ve barely picked up a needle and thread or you’ve been sewing for years and years or you just have a family member that sews… you will learn something by attending this show!

Check out my post from the 2018 show here for more information.

Also, you can check out Part 2 where I shared my finds and deals.

First of all… It is fantastic people watching. 🙂 Us quilters come out to play in all of our handmade garments and sparkles galore… like, so many sparkles. We are dressed to impress!

Second of all… the sheer level of talent and number of amazing quilts in one room is just astounding. It is incredible to witness.

You will leave the show feeling so inspired and so ready to go home and lock yourself in your sewing rooms until your fingers fall off 😉

I did something a little different this year…

Finally, instead of writing out a post that is 1.5 miles long, I created a video to share with you so you can see first hand what it’s like to be at the International Quilt Festival 2019.

The first half of the video is the show and the second half is my loot! You will be seeing some of the fabrics from my loot in upcoming projects!)

Please let me know what you think in the comments!

I feel like this is easier to load for more computers? Can you be my judge, please and let me know how you like the video format? Let me know if you prefer it over the long photo-intensive posts.

Thanks so much!

For more information:

Check out the International Quilt Festival Website

And Cherrywood Fabrics