MARCH 17, 2016
When I was developing the line, I had a really clear vision in my head of where I could imagine a Modern Country quilt being used and just what a modern farmhouse might look like. One of the things I did was to “mine” images I had here at home and on Pinterest and create a storyboard for myself. My Pinterest story board you can find here.
This is my story board (on the left). Windham liked it so much that we created one for the cover of the swatch book that goes out with salesmen (on the right).
I had a blast making the quilts. You have, of course, already met this quilt … Springtime.
Springtime by Mary Elizabeth Kinch
There were four other quilts created for the line!
With a plethora of half-square triangles that spin with unbridled enthusiasm, “Triangle Twist” is energetic and lively! I love the movement and asymmetry of this design. Look closely and you’ll see smaller triangles amid the masses for a little piecing fun! You can find the pattern here.
Triangle Twist by Mary Elizabeth Kinch
I found this photo years ago in a home decorating magazine
That folded black and white antique quilt crowning the stack captured both my eye and my curiosity. I loved the graphic presentation of those dark small squares and larger squares on point. Paper and pencil in hand, I began working out what the block construction might be and was laughing before I was done.
While not obvious at first glance, the popular churn dash block is the heart of this quilt. The monochromatic colour scheme is what gives this block arrangement its bold look. Here is the quilt I created. When you look at it, what do you see first? The churn dash block or those graphic squares? That’s why I called the quilt … Now You See It, Now You Don’t! You can find the pattern here.
Now You See It, Now You Don’t by Mary Elizabeth Kinch
I later found out that the original antique quilt is for sale here at Laura Fisher Antique Quilts.
(Three Squared) Squared is the perfect picnic quilt! I was incredibly fortunate to have the amazing Elisa Sims Albury, of the blog and Instagram account Stitch Outside The Ditch lend her talents in creating a quilt for the line. Elisa’s lively mix of creativity and logic, rhythm and random, creates this wonderfully energetic, yet soothing, design. My eyes naturally seek out and settle on the smaller nine patch blocks with their wee sashing and their incredible cuteness. Be still my heart! You can find the pattern here.
(Three Squared) Squared by Elisa Sims Albury for Mary Elizabeth Kinch Quilts
Sidebar is the final quilt that was created for the line and included in the “lookbook” (which you can find here on Windham’s website). Using a “responsive conversational” approach, I created this improvisational quilt from my intuitive side. This quilt is a class project where I guide students as they explore their creative potential and delve into the improvisational process. They learn about playing with colour, scale, proportion and balance. I would love to come to your guild or shop and teach this fun and free- spirited class.
Sidebar by Mary Elizabeth Kinch
The lookbook also includes two garments I designed for the line: the Margaux Tunic and the Madeline Smock. Is Miss K not the cutest thing in her Madeline Smock? Her mom is modeling the Margaux Tunic.
The Madeline Smock
The Margaux Tunic
Thank you so much for joining me and indulging me in celebrating!
Giveaway closes midnight March 19th EST. Three lucky winners will each win a fat quarter bundle of Modern Country. Click HERE to leave a comment about your favourite colour OR enter below by leaving a comment about which of the quilts is your favourite.
I will be quiet on Instagram tomorrow, Friday, as I observe the #boycottinstagramalgorithms and participate in the #silentsewin. I’ll be back on Sunday though, to let you know who has won!
Thanks for visiting
and
Happy Stitching!
MARCH 9, 2016
I am so excited to be “officially” sharing my first fabric line with you!
Modern Country is a fresh presentation of reproduction fabrics, with prints and colours firmly rooted in the last quarter of the 19th C. It includes wonderful spring blues and spring greens, cheddar (one of my favourite colours), lively pinks and a rich dark charcoal-brown. I wanted to provide reproduction colours that are often hard to find (you repro lovers know the ones I mean … they are the ones missing from our stashes!) and I wanted it to be a palette that will also appeal to the modern quilter.
I was inspired by the modern farmhouse …. fresh white washed walls and a big comfy chair to curl up in with a quilt, a pitcher of daisies on a sunsoaked table beside you and the curtain rustling as the breeze drifts across a field of flowers through the open window.
Springtime, by Mary Elizabeth Kinch
“Springtime” is the embodiment of everything Modern Country is about. Using the softer colours in the line, I think this quilt would look smashing on a little girls bed. You can find the free pattern here on the Windham Fabrics website.
To celebrate Modern Country, I am having a giveaway. Three lucky people will each win a fat quarter bundle of all 31 fabrics! Giveaway closes midnight EST on March 19 … National Quilting Day.
To enter, leave a comment below and tell me which colour from the line is your favourite.
Can’t wait to see if you win one of the fat quarter packs …
you can find the fabrics online at
Pink Castle Fabrics
or
The Fat Quarter Shop
- Update April 3. Julie Kovach just let me k is that you can still find a complete fat quarter bundle at The Quilted Castle. Thank you Julie!
And thank you to everyone for your kind words of support as I enter back into things.
It means the world to me!
Mary Elizabeth
FEBRUARY 15, 2016
One year ago this past weekend, I was just on way my home from a second trip to emergency. Three days before, dinner was in the oven and almost ready. The kids were scattered throughout the house and the dog was in the backyard. It was -23°C with the wind chill outside – a good day to be cozied up inside. I pulled on my boots and put on my coat to run out and bring the dog inside. He’s a Tibetan Terrier. He loves winter. Nobody heard me go outside. I passed my cellphone on the counter as I went out.
He is definitely a snow dog!
It happened so fast. Black ice and whop. I thought I would never forget the sound of my head hitting the frozen flagstone patio stones. It is fading. No hat, no mitts. I don’t think I was outside for long and I was able to manage to make my way back into the house, calling for the kids as I collapsed on the kitchen floor.
Diagnosis: Complex concussion.
The next three weeks were spent in bed, in a dark room, watching paint dry. No screen time. No reading. No music. Few visitors. You get the picture. Total rest. And then the slow climb back.
At two months intensive therapies started. I am so grateful to all the research that has been done on concussion recovery in the last two years. I got to benefit. I am truly indebted to my physiotherapist for her passion on the subject of concussion recovery. At six months the doctors told me I had exceeded all expectations.
At the end of June I took the subway for the first time since I fell. By July I was walking 5 miles a day. In August I tried sewing again, with tears streaming down my face because I could do it without wanting to throw up! And I taught my first class again. You gals in Grand Rapids were awesome! And I got to watch a half hour of TV.
String Piecing Tell All class in full swing!
In September I got my licence back. In October I drove two hours to a speaking engagement. I took the scenic route home to enjoy the view.
And at the end of October I took my first plane (and ferry) trip to take a Gwen Marston class with friends.
Intently reflecting on the progress of our quilts. Chocolate chip cookies from the cookie jar helped a lot!
In November I went back to a more regular program at the gym. On December 9th I was discharged from the outpatient Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic and I took on a new interior design client and I took another plane trip, this time to Austin.
And January saw me teaching in Kentucky. What an amazing group of women.
And February … I am enjoying extended screen time to be able to compose something like this blog post.
It’s been a journey.
So one year later, I am celebrating! Celebrating good health and recovery. Celebrating silver linings … I have learned to pace myself (a solid life skill to have). I finally took that formal meditation class I had on my bucket list. I am celebrating and am incredibly grateful for family, friends and colleagues who were beyond supportive … those who made phone calls on my behalf, the ghost writers of letters, emails, and blog posts, the readers and proofers of copy for magazine and quilt projects that were on the docket, and those who posted on Instagram and Facebook for me (and for Siri for dictation) … for the friends who brought meals … for my walking team, who went with me on my daily walks, first just halfway up the block and back and then in the end for miles … and for those who were my drivers to my many appointments. I am thankful for the understanding of the guilds and groups whose events I had committed to and had to cancel.
I missed out on things, sure, but it was what it was. I was doing what I needed to do. There is one thing though that happened during all that time that I missed: the launch of my first fabric line, Modern Country. It has been very well received, even if I missed out on being more involved in the launch of it. The folks at Windham were just so incredibly awesome and understanding. Still I have to give a shout-out now to the fabric and and later this week I will share some of the quilts made from it, just because I am so thrilled with the line.
And I am so glad to be back! And I am grateful. So very, very grateful.
And our dog remains ever faithful. By my side.
Last year I fell just one week before I was to be heading to Quiltcon in Austin.
We were shooting my #helloquiltcon photo for the Instagram campaign. Is he photobombing my photo or am I photobombing his selfie?!
But I am going this year!
This year’s selfie for #helloquiltcon on Instagram and buttons for the button swap.
Will I see you there?
DECEMBER 25, 2015
Tree of Life Medallion Pattern, made by Hannah Elizabeth Hamblin Delano, Ferrisburgh, Vermont, cotton, 92″ x 88″. Collection of the Shelburne Museum.
This quilt is very reminiscent of Bill Volckening’s quilt from Day 8, and of other quilts, like palampores, from the late 18th and early 19th century.
This joyful composition is bright and cheery, light and energetic. With the direction and placement of the flowers on the inner border, the design bursts jubilantly outward. And the outer grapevine border is charming and the perfect finish for the rest of the quilt. I love how the vines do not connect and turn the corners at the top. Very liberated!
Thank you for joining me this year!
Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!
I wish you
and your loved ones
all the best.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram (where the party is these days!) or on Facebook.
See you there!
DECEMBER 24, 2015
Live Oak Tree, probably made by Mrs. Hickman, Scullville, New Jersey, c. 1880-1890, 67″ x 83″. Identified during the New Jersey Quilt Project.
This quilt has long been a favourite of mine. An unusual pattern, the maker’s expert use of colour and design has this quilt bursting forth with energy. It reminds me of a fall display of colours.
Pieced and appliquéd, it is said that the border is more recent than the main top of the quilt. This quilt has long been a favourite of mine. I might just have to add a block with this tree design to my sampler quilt! Small pieces of course!
