Jane Sassaman quilt artist, fabric designer, author and teacher

Welcome to my blog! Those of you who are regulars here, know that I often begin with a weather report to set the scene. And you know, too, that I love bad weather. But HOT weather is not included.
It hasn’t been this hot for years. Even the studio, which is basement cool, has warmed up to an uncomfortable degree.

Greg has been diligently watering, but all his best efforts can’t keep up with this heat. But it is amazing how sturdy most of the prairie plants are.

I got several emails this week asking about the quilting on the Folk Art Flag from last weeks post. Here is how I did it… I draw my quilting lines on Golden Threads paper and pin the paper to the quilt. Using 12wt thread through the top of the machine and a matching color of 50wt in the bobbin, I stitch right through the paper.

This paper has revolutionized my quilting life! I used to mark directly on the quilt with a soft pencil which took lots of time and was not as precise. Golden Threads paper tears off beautifully and leaves the stitching undisturbed. Then I pull all the thread tails to the back, tie and bury them with an Easy Threading Needle.

You can read more about my quilting and designing techniques in Patchwork Sassaman Style. In fact,
I will give away a signed copy of the book and a Curlicue bundle of half-yard cuts (from the Early Birds collection of fabric) to a randomly selected reader who leaves a comment below. Good luck, everyone!

PS… There is a new link to my webstore at the top of this page, just incase the website is still under construction.

Today is the first day of the Big Blog Tour to celebrate the publcation of Patchwork Sassaman Style!
So don’t forget to visit Laura Wasilowski’s fun site today for a chance to win your own copy. For a list of participants, scroll down to the previous post.

Above you can see our latest project. I’m usually not a big fan of patriotic paraphanalia, but once I realized that the Early Birds line contained lots of red, white and blue this quilt immediately came to mind. The Blueberry Poka Dot and the Strawberry Checky Checks stand in for the stars and stripes.

Its simply four flags surrounded by royal blue sashing and corner squares of the checks. We couldn’t resist stitching up some pillowcases to play along using our Pint Sizes Pillowcase pattern.

I wanted my flag to be optimistic, peaceful and feminine so I quilted it with 12wt. threads in wavy lines over the checks, crisscrosses over the dots and scollups around the borders.

It would be fun, too, to do the reverse with the Strawberry Poka Dots and the Blueberry Checks.
The back of my quilt is finished with the Strawberry Serinade fabric in the Blueberry colorway and trimmed with our last piece of the vintage Night Life (bugs) design from the Prairie Gothic line*.

This quilt is the perfect size (aprox. 57″X 79″) for an after beach snuggling wrap or summer porch blanket. We are tempted to package this flag top pattern in kit form, depending on the responce we get from you. So leave a message and let us know what you think!

*All fabrics are designed for and produced by FreeSpirit.

Today is the first day of the Big Blog Tour to celebrate the publcation of Patchwork Sassaman Style!
So don’t forget to visit Laura Wasilowski’s fun site today for a chance to win your own copy. For a list of participants, scroll down to the previous post.

Above you can see our latest project. I’m usually not a big fan of patriotic paraphanalia, but once I realized that the Early Birds line contained lots of red, white and blue this quilt immediately came to mind. The Blueberry Poka Dot and the Strawberry Checky Checks stand in for the stars and stripes.

Its simply four flags surrounded by royal blue sashing and corner squares of the checks. We couldn’t resist stitching up some pillowcases to play along using our Pint Sizes Pillowcase pattern.

I wanted my flag to be optimistic, peaceful and feminine so I quilted it with 12wt. threads in wavy lines over the checks, crisscrosses over the dots and scollups around the borders.

It would be fun, too, to do the reverse with the Strawberry Poka Dots and the Blueberry Checks.
The back of my quilt is finished with the Strawberry Serinade fabric in the Blueberry colorway and trimmed with our last piece of the vintage Night Life (bugs) design from the Prairie Gothic line*.

This quilt is the perfect size (aprox. 57″X 79″) for an after beach snuggling wrap or summer porch blanket. We are tempted to package this flag top pattern in kit form, depending on the responce we get from you. So leave a message and let us know what you think!

*All fabrics are designed for and produced by FreeSpirit.

It has been years since our hollyhocks have performed so nicely! These blossoms have just a blush of pink. They are such an old fashioned flower and always remind me of  Kate Greenaway illustrations.
Today they are announcing our July Super Blog Tour to celebrate my new book, Patchwork Sassaman Style!! The publisher Dragon Threads has organized a three week blog tour beginning July 2.

Each day one of my talented friends will be giving away a copy of the book or other goodies to a lucky reader. This is a wonderful way to share the wealth in this crafty and creativity community. The schedule is posted here. Be sure to print it out and mark your calendars so you don’t miss anything!

Last week I taught at the Minnesota Quilt Show in Rochester. The quality of the quilts on display were extra ordinary. Quilters have become very sophisticated and skillful over the years. All the classes went well, of course, my students were the best! But every instructor said the same thing!!

Here are two examples, in progresss, from the broderie perse class, Bountiful Bouquets. This student used the Strawberry Serenade fabric for her project. The characters are big so it was easy to cut them out for rearranging. Since the background of the print is black the shapes blended perfectly on the black  fabric behind them. I love the bird perched on the bleeding hearts.

This composition successfully combines some vintage Sassaman fabric with some of Amy Butlers new
line, Lark. It really makes me happy when my designs play so nicely with others!

It has been years since our hollyhocks have performed so nicely! These blossoms have just a blush of pink. They are such an old fashioned flower and always remind me of  Kate Greenaway illustrations.
Today they are announcing our July Super Blog Tour to celebrate my new book, Patchwork Sassaman Style!! The publisher Dragon Threads has organized a three week blog tour beginning July 2.

Each day one of my talented friends will be giving away a copy of the book or other goodies to a lucky reader. This is a wonderful way to share the wealth in this crafty and creativity community. The schedule is posted here. Be sure to print it out and mark your calendars so you don’t miss anything!

Last week I taught at the Minnesota Quilt Show in Rochester. The quality of the quilts on display were extra ordinary. Quilters have become very sophisticated and skillful over the years. All the classes went well, of course, my students were the best! But every instructor said the same thing!!

Here are two examples, in progresss, from the broderie perse class, Bountiful Bouquets. This student used the Strawberry Serenade fabric for her project. The characters are big so it was easy to cut them out for rearranging. Since the background of the print is black the shapes blended perfectly on the black  fabric behind them. I love the bird perched on the bleeding hearts.

This composition successfully combines some vintage Sassaman fabric with some of Amy Butlers new
line, Lark. It really makes me happy when my designs play so nicely with others!

One of the annual beauties! I’ve often thought it would be interesting to plant a black garden…
these dark purple iris would almost qualify.

We have a wonderful farmer’s market in our town square twice a week. One of the most popular stands is always Jaci’s Cookies… she is the “cookie queen” of McHenry County! This week her booth was sporting new table covers made with Early Birds fabric. Jaci, too, is modeling a matching market bag.
Perfect summertime threads!

One of the annual beauties! I’ve often thought it would be interesting to plant a black garden…
these dark purple iris would almost qualify.

We have a wonderful farmer’s market in our town square twice a week. One of the most popular stands is always Jaci’s Cookies… she is the “cookie queen” of McHenry County! This week her booth was sporting new table covers made with Early Birds fabric. Jaci, too, is modeling a matching market bag.
Perfect summertime threads!

I have been hibernating in the studio this week! Still feels like I am catching up with my “business” and creative life after the Australian adventure. But progress is being made. The silk scarves have been delivered and boxes of the new book will arrive this week. They were both added to my webstore this week.

The other exciting news is that Kaffe Fassett will be hosting a “meet the designers” event at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England (August 16-19) and Tula Pink, wild and wonderful fellow FreeSpirit designer, and I will be part of the activities! I will also be giving a talk about designing fabric on the afternoon of the 18th with lots of quilts to show. PLUS the Early Birds fabric will be available during the show. Pass the word to all your European buddies!!! I will post more details soon.

There has also been progress in the quilting department, as I’m working hard to finish quilting the Illinois Album quilt. Lots of threads to bury! But, oh, it’s great to get back to the sewing machine!

I have been hibernating in the studio this week! Still feels like I am catching up with my “business” and creative life after the Australian adventure. But progress is being made. The silk scarves have been delivered and boxes of the new book will arrive this week. They were both added to my webstore this week.

The other exciting news is that Kaffe Fassett will be hosting a “meet the designers” event at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England (August 16-19) and Tula Pink, wild and wonderful fellow FreeSpirit designer, and I will be part of the activities! I will also be giving a talk about designing fabric on the afternoon of the 18th with lots of quilts to show. PLUS the Early Birds fabric will be available during the show. Pass the word to all your European buddies!!! I will post more details soon.

There has also been progress in the quilting department, as I’m working hard to finish quilting the Illinois Album quilt. Lots of threads to bury! But, oh, it’s great to get back to the sewing machine!

Summer is rushing forward! Greg has been cleaning, clearing, trimming and planting. This is the first time he has planted radishes. Aren’t they gorgeous? The tomatoes are in the ground and the basil is waiting its turn.

These lovely pansies were a party favour for the May birthday celebration for the Chicago School of Fusing. I love these gatherings! So much talent and friendship in one place!

Look at all these happy “women of the cloth”! Judy Coates Perez, Emily Parson, Ann Fahl, Anne Lullie, Laura Wasilowski, Barb Vlack and Frieda Anderson all sit around Laura’s table to swap stories and ideas.

Back at home, the early summer bouquets holds pride of place against a vibrant green background. This week anticipates some new fabric designs inspired by this colorful bounty.