Paper Piecing - I finally get it!

*this post contains ad links.

There are a few things I'm known for in my quilting circle. One is my dislike for variegated thread. Another is for my disdain of metallic fabric. (I'm working on both of those issues and will report back as soon as I've resolved them.) The third is my avoidance of paper piecing, or, as I like to school people - foundation piecing. And just let me say, about the thread and fabric, I enjoy them when they're used in other people's quilts. Just not in mine.

I actually made a paper foundation pieced quilt about 15 years ago. And I did it the old fashioned way: I went to the library, found a book by Carol Doak, took the book to Office Max and printed the foundation papers and went home and sewed it. It took about a weekend and I was actually quite proud of it. And also over it at the same time. Done. Next.

My First Paper Pieced Block/Quilt Circa 2001

Fast forward about 10 years and I'm in a ton (6 or 7) online bees and EVERYONE wants the flying death circle of geese block. I added "death" because that's how it feels after spending 4 hours to produce a 12" block and THEN you realize you have the whole thing backwards.

A block from my on line Flickr bee Bee Vintage

Done. Next.

Over the course of the next few years, people would try to lure me to the pulp side (so precise! perfect points!) but I always refrained. Nope. Not for me.

So I was quite surprised with myself when I voluntarily purchased this pattern and made not one, not two but three of these!!

I bought it because I signed up for the Rainbow Mini Swap at the Mid Atlantic Mod retreat in April. I thought it was the perfect pattern for the swap. And, I wanted to show off a bit and bring an awesome swap quilt. (Which it was, and very much in demand - as we do a dirty Santa type way of distributing the quilts. Oh, and funny, there was an identical one to mine in the swap - even quilted the same. Great minds and all.)

Anyway, the pattern was quite a work out. The first one took a solid weekend. Then I had the bright idea to make two at a time: one for my secret sewist at the retreat, the other for me, because its so cute and I really wanted one!

That plan was working great until I realized there was no way to finish both in time for the retreat, so I bailed on mine and finished my partner's.

I'm happy to say, though, the third is finished. And a charm. Charming. I learned a ton, found what works best for me and, dare I say it, I've started on another project!

If you're not so much a paper piecer, may I suggest you visit my first teacher Carol Doak here or here. She really is the best. And while you're at it, get this paper. It's the easiest I've found to use

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 13 Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Welcome to Day 2 of the Blog Hop! I love Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks ~ like a mini encyclopedia of new blocks twice a year! Here's what the latest edition look like, so you can find it at your favorite quilt shop or craft store.

You can find the complete list of blog hoppers here. Giveaway information at the end of the post!

My block for Volume 13 is called Rocket.

The inspiration for this block came courtesy of a Holiday Inn. Yes, inspiration is everywhere!

I was teaching near Atlanta about a year ago. Throughout the Holiday Inn were these origami art pieces with little rockets. Of course, I thought quilt block. But then again, I always think quilt block.

Simple, graphic. Just what I like! And so many options for different color ways. I love the neutral palette with the pop of aqua/red, don't you? 

I did a quick mock up of Rocket in EQ7. I thought this would be a sweet quilt for a toddler. What do you think? Should I write up a pattern?

On to the giveaway! Would you like to win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 13? If so, just leave a comment below. If you'd like to sign up for my newsletter (scroll back up to the top of the page) you get an extra chance! Newsletter subscribers get advanced notice of pattern releases, freebies, giveaways and more! For another chance, follow me on Instagram. I'm @heatherkojan. (Leave another comment saying you signed up for the newsletter and another for following on Instagram.) 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of the blog hop!

I have a few free minutes...

So let's start a new quilt!

Do you feel that way too? Every so often I get a pocket of time with no commitments, no travel, no deadlines ~ just free time to sew for myself. This is one of those times. Nothing major on my plate for 2 whole months! So what do I want to do? Fill up that space with new projects.

I started a list of the new:

1. Amy Butler Weekender Bag (so 5 years ago) but I've had the pattern forever and still want one.
2. Sew Together Bag (so 2 years ago) same as above
3. Fancy Fox - new baby boy due in the family around July
4. Cover the vintage chairs I scored at Goodwill about a year ago

And then I thought, "Whoa, hold on sister! Maybe you should tackle some of the old." Such as:

1. Loulouthi Quilt: needs backing/basting/quilting/binding (b/b/q/b)
2. Twizzle: Just pieced the top this past weekend - needs borders and b/b/q/b
3. Plus Quilt: Same as above
4. Modern Meadow: needs borders and b/b/q/b
5. Sewing Machine Mini: I made 2 for gifts, this ones for me! Finish piecing and b/b/q/b
6. Bento Box: had the blocks for years - needs piecing and b/b/q/b
7. Yellow/Gray Bee Quilt: ditto above
8. Vintage Charm Quilt: b/b/q/b
9. Pinwheel Pillows: these are samples from a retired class. Just need to assemble.
10. Facing East: just started this one. A long term project for sure
11. Paper Pieced Stars: Another long term one.
12. Moda Building Blocks: all the large blocks are finished - on to the 6 inchers

I'm sure there's more if I dig a little deeper into the UFO bin. But keeping the list at a dozen seems somehow more manageable.

No pictures today. That would take another hour or so. Time better spent actually making. I'll post them as I finish them (or at least move them closer to the finish line.)

Instead, I'll leave you with a picture of my kids. All.Growed.Up.

Happy Quilting!

Organizing Fabric

If buying fabric is a quilter's #1 pleasure, I think organizing it can't be too far behind. Just a quick google of "sewing room organization" or "fabric storage" reveals such wonderful eye candy.

Truth be told, I have a decent sized studio (I started calling my basement sewing room a studio a few years ago - makes me sound more legit  :-) I have ample storage. But that doesn't stop me from looking for alternative solutions.

Last week, I was out doing errands, which happened to take my by our local Goodwill store. Most times, I'll drive on by. On this particular day, I heard it whispering "Come in - I've got something for you." How could I resist an invitation like that?

I quickly made my way through the front of the store. No voices. But in the back - cue the angel choir! I found this:

Yes, not much to look at, and a little bit 90's with it's wonky shape. But oh, the potential. (And I am a bit partial to wonky.)

After a few quick coats of spray paint:

And all loaded up with fabric and stuff:

I like that it holds some of my vintage Pyrex! And the width is a good size for half yard cuts of fabric.

A bowl full of Allison Glass

Cute storage for under $10! I like it!

What are sewing up this weekend?

Maple Mini: A Tutorial on the C&T Blog - Plus Giveaway!

I just got back from three fun filled days teaching at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Fredricksburg, Virginia. Thanks to all my wonderful students who came with an open mind and willing spirit. It was so much fun hanging out with you!

While I was away, this little tutorial popped up on the C&T Publishing Blog

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Head over there now for the tutorial and a chance to win a copy of my book Classic Modern Quilts!

Happy Fall, y'all!  (I'm allowed to say y'all after living in Texas for 3 years!)

Modern Quilt Guild Webinar featuring Me!

So, this is happening.....

Very excited! A little lot nervous. Oh, how hard can it be? No harder than teaching, right? Which isn't hard at all.

Hope you can join me! Register right here. 

Jaftex Blog Hop Day Six - And a Giveaway!

Welcome to day six of the month long Jaftex blog hop! Never heard of Jaftex? It's the parent company of some of my favorite fabrics: Sudioe, Blank Quilting and Henry Glass fabrics. 

Jaftex is celebrating it's 85th anniversary in style, with an amazing blog hop and giveaways each step of the way, as well as some really awesome grand prizes. (See below on how to win!)

30 bloggers were given a bundle of fabric with the directions: make something. Easy enough!

This is the bundle I received from the  Fusion Illusion  line from Blank Quilting.

As soon as I saw the bundle I started thinking of a rainbow quilt. And since I'm on a bit of a wedge kick right now, I decided to combine the two.

Here's my quilt Roy. (Named after my dad, and a nod to Roy G Biv!)

A little grainy. My photographer neglected to take any close ups.

Here's a better photo. Ignore the water pump in the foreground.

Here's a close up of the quilting. My guild-mates from the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild will be shocked that I chose variegated thread! Quilted by Maria O'Haver.

This quilt came together really quickly! I really love the results. I'm thinking of writing it up as a pattern. If you're interested, be sure to sign up for my newsletter on the side bar. You'll be the first to know when it's ready.

So, on to the giveaway! Would you like to win a bundle of Fusion Illusion?

Just leave me a comment below. What would you make with this awesome bundle? For an extra chance, follow me on Instagram or Facebook, then come back here and let me know that you do. (Sorry, US only please. However, if you're the winner and international, I'll send you  a download of my Subway Art and a pattern. Deal?)

You can also enter to win awesome prizes from Jaftex right here:


85th Anniversary Giveaway



Here are all the stops on the blog hop! Be sure to see Kim Diehl's post from day one on American Patchwork &Quilting. The next stop is another Heather: Heather Mulder! Have fun and happy hopping!

September 1 - Kim Diehl guest posting @ American Patchwork & Quilting

September 2 - Pepper @ Pepper at the Quilt Studio 

September 3 - Anjeanette @ Anjeanette Klinder 

September 4 - Leanne @ The Whole Country Caboodle   

September 5 - Mark @ Mark Lipinski's Blog

September 6 - Heather @ Heather Kojan Quilts  (you are here!)

September 7 - Heather @ Trends and Traditions  

September 7 - Martha @ Wagons West Designs  

September 8 - Linda @ Linda Lum DeBono 

September 9 - Heidi @ Red Letter Quilts 

September 10 - Jill @ Jillily Studios  

September 10 - Dana @ My Lazy Daisy  

September 11 - Penny @ Sew Simple Designs  

September 12 - Ida @ Cowtown Quilts 

September 13 - Liz and Beth @ Lizzie B Cre8ive  

September 14 - Melissa @ Sew Bitter Sweet Designs

September 15 - Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl    

September 16 - Amy @ Kati Cupcake 

September 16 - Barbara @ QuiltSoup2 

September 17 - Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting 

September 18 - Leona @ Leona's Quilting Adventure 

September 19 - Margot @ The Pattern Basket  

September 20 - Sylvia @ Flying Parrot Quilts   

September 21 - Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts  

September 22 - Kim @ Aurifil Threads  

September 23 - Rebekah @ Don't Call Me Becky   

September 24 - Julie @ The Crafty Quilter 

September 25 - Mary Ellen @ Little Quilts  

September 25 - Mary Jane @ Holly Hill Designs 

September 26 - Daisy @ Ants to Sugar

September 27 - Melissa @ Happy Quilting

September 28 - Janet @ One S1ster

September 29 - Jenny @ Martingale& Co.

September 30 - Teresa @ Third Floor Quilts