Jane Sassaman Ideas Blog

crisp summer style

July 31st, 2014

This week has been composed of perfect cool clear summer days and the flower garden is at its apex. In the studio I have completed my FreeSpirit fabric designs for next spring, which I am quite pleased with. Now I am attempting to translate those ideas into ribbon designs.

But soon my teaching schedule steps up for the rest on the year. I am looking forward to doing several 3-5 day workshops in some beautiful and charming locations… August 24 – 27 at All In Stitches in quaint Zumbrota, Mn, September 29- October 3 at the fabulous Madeline Island School of the Arts, November 2-7 at awesome Art Quilt Tahoe and the delightful and yummy Hudson River Valley Art Workshops, December 8-12. I will also be speaking at Quilt Expo in Madison, WI on September 5. I hope to see some of you there!

For this weeks blog we want to share another new garment made with fabrics from the Gregory’s Garden collection. This classy creation is McCall’s pattern M6564. I really like the asymmetry of this design and its elegant details.

The zesty green Pussy Willow fabric fits right into the garden. The contrasting and adjustable belt make a flattering silhouette. Nicely fitted, this stylish blouse has a retro feel. Have you seen the wonderful noir movie, The Postman Always Rings Twice?

I think Lana Turner would look right at home in this outfit! Well… she would look fabulous in anything!

Posted in Gregory's Garden, Wearables, workshops | 1 Comment »

welcome quilting arts tv blog hoppers!

July 24th, 2014

Welcome, everyone! I am so pleased to be part of this blogging event for Quilting Arts TV! And even happier to be on the roster for their new 1400 Series of programs. One of my segments shows how to make the ribbon rosette which graces this weeks featured sewing project. This rosette uses my Renaissance Ribbon with some of my FreeSpirit fabrics, but it can be made with any combination you’d like. So once you see the process you can make them to your own preferences. Tune into QA TV or order your own DVD to learn more.

Today we are sharing a light-hearted blouse made from a fabric in my current FreeSpirit collection called Gregory’s Garden. This is Simplicity pattern 1590, an elegantly fitted design. The fabric, too, makes this a perfect summer costume, since it is sprinkled with a quintessential hot weather critter… a wasp!

I always find peplums very feminine and romantically old-fashioned. The peplum on this blouse is shorter in front and gracefully lengthens in the back.

The cap sleeves add to the striking hourglass silhouette.

Obviously, I love the color yellow, as it appears repeatedly in my work. But here it seems especially ideal for a light and lovely summer outfit. But the fabric also comes in two other gentle pastel colorations. I think they all would make fabulous nursery accessories. At my house they are destined to become hot weather pillowcases and new summery shower curtains.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Please visit again next week to see our another project from Gregory’s Garden!

Posted in accessories, Gregory's Garden, Wearables | 6 Comments »

Getting “a head” & Quilting Arts TV Blog Hop Begins!

July 18th, 2014

This week we really got a head! A big blue head! We have been anticipating this delivery for months and Wednesday our new garden ornament arrived. If you were in Chicago last summer you may have noticed these head planters lining South Michigan Avenue. Like the “Cows”, these heads were sponsored and individually decorated. Then they were planted so the flowers, leaves and vines became their hair. A giant Chia Pet!

Or this summer you may have seen the banners for the “Cultural Mile” Second Friday events around the city, which was designed by my husband and son. In the process of working on the banner, they discovered that a few heads had not been claimed at the end of the season. Being surrealists at heart, they thought this would be the perfect focal piece for our country landscape.

Obviously, this head had originally been funded by Ford, but we will eventually replace their logo with something more fitting to its new home. It gave the Fed Ex driver quite a surprise yesterday afternoon! I think it is fabulous and it’s going to be great fun to plant his new hairdo every year… morning glories, grasses…

Even the color is perfect! But it’s our secret because you can’t see it from the road.

The next neat event is the Quilting Arts TV Blog Hop which begins today! To celebrate the new season of Quilting Arts TV, series 1400, many of the guests will have a specific day in the next week to post a special blog.

Here is the schedule:

July 18: Vivika DeNegre at quiltingdaily.com
July 19: Luana Rubin (luanarubin.typepad.com)/Linda Friedman (lindasartquilts.blogspot.com)
July 20: Sarah Ann Smith (sarahannsmith.com/weblog)/Karen Gloeggler (seminarandsew.com)
July 21: Carrie Bloomston (suchitysuch.blogspot.com/ Catherine Redford (catherineredford.com)
July 22: Sue Reno (suereno.blogspot.com)/ Rebekah Meier (rebekahmeier.com)
July 23: Lyric Kinard (lyrickinard.com/blog) / Margie Ullery (ribboncandyquilts.blogspot.com)
July 24: Cheryl Sleboda (muppin.com/wordpress/) / Jane Sassaman (janesassaman.com/weblog)/Julia Creus (http/todera.blogspot.com)
July 25: Susan Brubaker Knapp (bluemoonriver.blogspot.com)

There are lots of talented folks involved and it’s sure to be a week of wonderful information and entertainment.

You can also purchase a Quilting Arts TV 1400 Series DVD of your own to watch whenever you need a hit of insight and encouragement. See you next week!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Gregory’s Garden arrives!

July 9th, 2014

This is a happy week because our current FreeSpirit fabric, Gregory’s Garden, hits the stores this week! We have been playing with it in the studio since Spring Market, so we are excited to finally show you some of the goodies that have been created with it.

The title is, of course, derived from my favorite gardener, my husband, Greg. Here is one of my favorite pictures of Greg in the early days of our country living adventure. Greg has nudged the landscape considerably since then.

We especially enjoy making wearables and accessories with Sassaman fabrics. Gregory’s Garden has some nice tone-on-tone designs which are perfectly suited to that task. Here is a super little sun dress, McCall’s M6739, made in the pink Dahlia fabric. I love the loose fit and the generous pockets. The square neckline and arm holes give the dress a very contemporary look.

Next we added a blue belt and scarf for a bit of pizzazz. They are made with the Willow fabric in the fuchsia colorway. I think the two fabrics play together wonderfully. This is an ideal summer frock… fresh, pretty and comfortable.

By the way, our mannikin is posing in Gregory’s Garden. I am quite pleased by the usefulness and practicality of these designs. Here are the other colors that they are available in. You will see them used in some other clothing patterns in the weeks to come.

In the meantime, please check our vendors list to find Gregory’s Garden in your neighborhood.

Posted in accessories, Gregory's Garden, Wearables | No Comments »

At the drawing board

June 24th, 2014

There have been many distractions as I try to get settled in my studio for some quality fabric designing time. My deadline is August 1!! But one of the nicer diversions was a visit to the International Quilt Festival-Chicago last week. Here I am with my buddies Laura Wasilowski and Frieda Anderson in their colorful booth. We all had work in the Chicago School of Fusing special exhibit, too.

But back in the studio, there are still a few Sweet Lady Jane projects that I’ve yet to share with you. Here is a “modern” little quilt in blue and green simple prints from the collection.

I love to mix uncomplicated tone-on-tone patterns with the personality prints as supporting characters. Here the simple geometrics and solid colors extend and connect with the vertical flowered bars. Because of the placement of the colors, a checkered or plaid pattern evolves. The quilt is lap/wall size, 56″ X 42″.

Here is a diagram showing the sizes of the pieces. After the blocks are made they are sown together in strips.

The Sweet Lady Jane yardage needed is:

Daisy Chain, periwinkle – 1 yard

Circle Dance, periwinkle – 1/2 yard

Circle Dance, green – 1/3 yard

Circle Dance, periwinkle – 1/2 yard

Garden Gingham, green – 1/3 yard

Gone Dotty, green – 1/4 yard

Gone Dotty, periwinkle – 1/3 yard

Here is a link to our vendors list to make your fabric search easier. Google Images is an easy way to find the fabric, too.

I’m hoping that my blogging will become more regular now that I am home and have easy access to the internet and my computer! So stay tuned for some new ideas!!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Getting back to Earth

June 16th, 2014

I am just getting back in the groove from nearly two months of travel and teaching. Thanks to all my new friends and old buddies who have made my time away from home so comfortable and invigorating!

This will be a busy week. Greg and Gabe (Siderealistic Timesters) have curated another stellar show which will open officially this Saturday night. But this time their installation is in the historic Old Courthouse on the quaint and vibrant Woodstock Square. I will have a couple of kaleidoscope quilts on display. And my local quilt shop is right across the street… and the Starbucks. Greg and Gabe designed the wonderful poster, too.

Plus the International Quilt Festival Chicago is in town this week! I will have a few quilts on display there, including the Illinois Album quilt and some other pieces in the Chicago School of Fusing display. I hope to see many of you there!

Posted in Art Quilts, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Pretty Pink and Blue Blouse

May 14th, 2014

I am overwhelmed by these sunny days in Arizona! There has been lovely breezy mornings and evenings, but the daytime has been pretty warm… especially for a Midwestern girl who just took off her parka a few weeks ago. This week I am visiting the Tucson Quilters Guild for two lectures and a workshop. It will be wonderful to see some old friends and get reaquainted with the town.

But before I left, I took these pictures in the studio. This is a classic blouse made with three fabrics from the Sweet Lady Jane collection for FreeSpirit. The two Party Frock fabrics in pink and blue with a slip if the green Brocade design, I think they play together nicely.

Notice that the collar was fussy cut so the design is centered.

The back is really fun. The pink and blue backgrounds are the same intensity and almost seem to blend together. A very cheerful garment! The colors remind me of the famous Schiaparelli Circus Jacket.

This is a wonderful photo by Cecil Beaton for the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Posted in accessories, Sweet Lady Jane | 1 Comment »

A Wonderful Week at Asilomar

May 9th, 2014

I have just spent a terrific week teaching at the Empty Spools Seminar at Asilomar State Park and Conference Center. It is in Pacific Grove, California just down the road from Carmel. It is a favorite event for every quilt teacher and student. You can walk on the beach morning, noon and night. The original buildings on the grounds were designed by Julia Morgan in the Arts and Crafts style.

This is the Chapel, one of my favorite buildings. If I was ever able to design a house from scratch, this would be my inspiration.

This is the cozy building where you check in and can hang out.

And this is our productive classroom! There were 24 students for 5 days of class. There were 10 other teachers doing workshops at the same time. The place was crawling with QUILTERS! This was the Abstracting from Nature class, my favorite to teach. The girls really did some wonderful work! Here are a few examples in various states of evolution.

There was a little time to go exploring around the charming town if Pacific Grove which is in walking distance from Asilomar.

These over sized plants made quite a statement in this window box… looks like a house in the Land of Oz.

I love datura. Their trumpet blossoms are so elegant.

This Midwestern gal was in paradise! I could have spent a whole week photographing the wonders of this area! Luckily I get to go back next year, too!

Posted in Art Quilts, workshops | 1 Comment »

Happy Jacket

April 24th, 2014

Hello, my friends. It has been a busy week in the studio preparing for a long road trip of workshops. Outdoors Mother Nature is slowly waking from its long sleep. The wood ducks are back and looking for a good place to nest and the cardinals are showing off to their sweethearts.

Today I’m going to share a happy jacket inspired by a stack of fabric scraps from previous projects. Red is a color that I can’t live without for too long. So, consequently, it gets a place in many of my fabric lines. This jacket uses pieces from Prairie Gothic, Early Birds, Wild Child and Sweet Lady Jane. My designs definitely play well together.

The jacket front is organized in stripes. I love how the two halves relate to each other – especially the bugs at the bottom and the morning-glory pockets. The pattern is Simplicity 6744, circa 1984. You may have it in your stash.

The back side uses the Gone Dotty pattern in red and pink from the current Sweet Lady Jane tone-on-tones. The sleeves and body of this easy pattern are all one piece, so the fabric can really make a statement.

And, of course it is reversible! The other side uses the blue variations of Gone Dotty and Circle Dance. I think this is actually my favorite side – very wearable. The outer seams around the sleeves are finished with blue bias tape. But the other edges are finished in red dots and the red buttons continue the color from the revered side. Notice the reversed pockets, too.

It has been lightly quilted along the dotted stripes. Casual, comfortable and colorful! This may end up in my suitcase tomorrow!! PS… you can check my workshop schedule here.

Posted in accessories, Sweet Lady Jane | 2 Comments »

Easter Apron

April 19th, 2014

First of all, I’d like to thank all of you who voted in the BERNINA Faceplate Face-off! It was an honor to participate, especially among such distinguished companions. What ever the outcome, it was wonderful to see my design on the front of a BERNINA!

I have been busy in the studio preparing for several weeks of workshops beginning at the end of the month. So I have been cutting, wrapping, boxing and labeling. Plus I’m attempting to finish designing some new ribbon, a new scarf, and completing a sample for the BERNINA booth. In the midst of it all, yardage of the new spring line, Gregory’s Garden arrived, as well as, the strike-offs for autumn’s Prairie Chic. Phew!

As I’ve been absorbed in the nitty-gritty of travel preparations, my “Super Susan” has been able to fondle some fabric. This week she whipped up this fabulous vintage style apron. The current Sweet Lady Jane collection has a half-inch Garden Gingham in three optimistic colors.

Gingham has always been a favorite of mine and I often include some variation of it in my fabric designs. It is a fabulous foil for the more sophisticated floral prints. But in this pattern, Simplicity#4282, it gets to be its good old-fashioned, honest and domestic self… I’m thinking Dorothy in Kansas.

The details really make this humble apron great. The pocket is outlined with contrasting yellow rick-rack and accented with a strip of my polka-dotted ribbon. Perfect! The waistline is pleated along the checks and fastened with giant hand embroidery stitches.

The hemline is enhanced, yet again, with ribbon, rick-rack and embroidery. The essence of the Domestic Goddess! And just in time for Easter Dinner! Happy holiday, everyone!

Posted in accessories, Renaissance Ribbon, Sweet Lady Jane, Wearables | 1 Comment »

Jane Sassaman quilt artist, fabric designer, author and teacher

Have you heard?

Beautiful Ribbons

Madeline Island School of the Arts

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories