Blog - Color Girl Quilts by Sharon McConnell

20 Aug

Fabric lovers, rejoice!

Hey everyone! it's great to be back from summer vacation. Big thanks for your patience while waiting for me to return to ship your orders. I am super excited for this fall...so many fun things are coming to Color Girl and I want to share them all with you. First up, I am doing a couple of pre-orders for collections I think are going to be super popular and I am personally anxiously waiting to sew with. So let's see what's new on our fall sewing agenda! Tilda Fabrics' fall release, Bird Pond, is set to arrive September 1. I have...

20 Jul

Fabric, Finished Quilts, Quilting Interest

This Quilt, Loved to Pieces

Posted by Sharon
Art Gallery Fabrics, Classic Curves Ruler, curved piecing quilt, Mister Domestic
4 comments

It's my turn to show off the pretty new fabric by my friend, Mathew -Mister Domestic- on the Loved to Pieces blog party! This is the first collection that Mathew has designed for Art Gallery Fabrics and it's inspired by love for his daughter and his affinity for all things sewing, especially English paper piecing. When you look at the prints, you'll notice flowers constructed of geometric shapes and plenty of good opportunities for fussy cutting. Of course, Mathew is one of the most fun people I've met in the quilting world, so I couldn't resist accepting his invitation to...

09 Jul

Finished Quilts, Giveaway, Quilting Interest

Flowers of Windsor Garden + fabric giveaway!

Posted by Sharon
Classic Curves Ruler, curved piecing modern quilt, Orange peel quilt design, Windsor Garden Fabrics
60 comments

This week is my turn on the blog tour to showcase the new collection, Windsor Garden, by Kelly Parker Smith for Sweet Bee Fabric Company. It's always fun to discover (or be introduced to) new-to-me fabric designers and companies. Sweet Bee is a new face in the quilting fabric crowd, and they are already producing some really beautiful collections! Kelly invited me to sew something to show off her first fabric collection called Windsor Garden. As soon as I saw the prints, I couldn't resist saying "yes" to the chance to make a quilt. This collection is so pretty: part...

05 Jul

Quilting Interest

Oh, Sew Fun! Indiana Guild Workshop

Posted by Sharon
Leave a comment

For an introvert like me, teaching and speaking to groups ought to be scary as all get out. Maybe it's because I love quilting so much, but I never get nervous about talking, teaching and sharing about quilting. This past week I spent a day with ladies from the Piecemakers Guild in Kokomo, Indiana. We could not have had a more successful day...several beginners in the group sewed their first curves, one even started her first quilt with me! Above, and the top picture is Maple. Now, Maple isn't new to quilting, but she had never sewn a curve before....

30 Jun

Quilting Interest

Last Finish: Clearing the Slate almost

Posted by Sharon
Leave a comment

Okay, where did June go? I fully admit I had planned and hoped to get way more accomplished this month, but boy, am I glad we had the Color Girl Challenge to keep me focused on those things at the top of my list: finishing quilts and working on clearing my t0-do list. When we started this month, I mentioned that I feel like I'm not as creative when I have a cluttered work space or long list of unfinished work. Do you agree? did finishing a few things clear your slate for more fun new projects? I had three...

26 Jun

Quilting Interest

Color Girl Challenge Roundup + Giveaway

Posted by Sharon
Art Gallery Fabrics, Modern Medallion quilt pattern, Pixie Medallion quilt, Pixie Quilt Along
6 comments

How did June go by so fast?! How did we do on our challenge to finish up quilts-in-progress this month? Last week I told you about finishing one on my list. Today I have another to mark off my list! While it's not a complete finish, one of my goals this month was to complete the top of my Quilt Along Pixie Medallion quilt and get it ready for quilting. I am happy to report that the top is finished and the backing is sewn up! I've arrange to send it to Barbie of The Quilting Mill for custom quilting...so...

22 Jun

Curved PIecing, Finished Quilts, Quilting Interest

When You Think it Can’t Get More Colorful…

Posted by Sharon
Alison Glass fabrics, Classic Curves Ruler, modern curved piecing
4 comments

For those of you following and participating in the Color Girl Challenge this month, here is an update! One of my projects I set out to finish this month can now be moved to the "finish" column. Wahoo. I started this quilt last winter when I got some of the Diving Board fabrics by Alison Glass. I am a huge fan of her fabrics and color choices and I wanted to make something super vibrant. This is also a fun pattern for trying out a new shape to sew with the the Classic Curves Ruler. The design actually evolved as...

19 Jun

all about you, Quilting Interest

Polka Dot Bikini…Quilts to Inspire

Posted by Sharon
modern curved piecing, modern quilt design, polka dot bikini quilt, wedding ring quilt
1 comment

The double wedding ring quilt is arguably the most recognizable traditional quilt design. It's also one that many quilters aspire to sew. The Polka Dot Bikini quilt has that classic patchwork ring look, but with an exciting modern look. The new and improved pattern is now available for those who want to try this design, but are turned off by the tricky bias arcs, multiple templates and complex piecing of the traditional pattern. Here are some previously sewn Bikini quilts to give you some ideas for your own version of this perennial favorite. I love this version made by my...

15 Jun

Announcements, Polka Dot Bikini, Polka Dot Bikini QAL

A Modern Classic…New and Improved!

The Polka Dot Bikini quilt pattern was among the first produced here at Color Girl and has been a best seller for several years. With the new Tula Pink polka dots and stripes fabrics hitting the market earlier this year, I felt inspired to take another look at my signature quilt. I am re-releasing the Polka Dot Bikini pattern in a new, improved format. I've revised some instructions for clarity and added more, better illustrations in full color. These updates make the pattern better and will ensure your success in making this masterpiece quilt. If you've purchased the quilt...

12 Jun

Announcements, Quilting Interest

Quilt Retreats are the BEST! Want to Join Me?

Posted by Sharon
Open sewing getaway, Quilting retreats, Quilting trip retreat
Leave a comment

Calling all of my quilting friends in the lower Great Lakes, Eastern Mid-West region! Just three more months until the most fun weekend of the year: Lakeside Sewing Retreat. If you haven't already signed up to join us, <<Click Here for Event Details and Registration information>> Lakeside is a picturesque little village on the shore of Lake Erie. Last year, we had a blast spending the weekend sewing and walking the streets of gardens and sweet gingerbread cottages. This year, we get three full days of sewing, September 7-9...bring whatever project you want to and spend uninterrupted time with fellow quilters....