Jane Sassaman quilt artist, fabric designer, author and teacher

The biggest news this week is the long awaited completion of my new updated website! Hopefully, it will be easier for this computer novice to make changes and announcements more easily and quickly. There are some nice new features, for example, if you click on the fabric photos you will be linked to a swatch page that also includes a nifty little slide show of all the Prairie Gothic fabrics. Plus my 2009 teaching schedule is listed and the quilt gallery is finally up to date. Thanks to Minh and Dan for all your hard work and patience! This is real progress!

Last week I put together these star quilts and I’m in love! These were made with Jan Krentz’s Diamond Template plus a 9″ square and half square. You may remember the Cosmic Star quilt pieced from last years Hothouse fabric.  The dark quilt is made with Prairie Gothic fabrics in the Midnight colorway. I’m very pleased how all the the designs work together to create a giant Spidersweb. Hince the title… Midnight Web.

Because the Midnight quilt was such a success, I could not resist another try, so here is the Strawberry Web. Still to do is the Dusky version, but I’m hoping one of you will take on that project and send me a picture!

Last week I put together these star quilts and I’m in love! These were made with Jan Krentz’s Diamond Template plus a 9″ square and half square. You may remember the Cosmic Star quilt pieced from last years Hothouse fabric.  The dark quilt is made with Prairie Gothic fabrics in the Midnight colorway. I’m very pleased how all the the designs work together to create a giant Spidersweb. Hince the title… Midnight Web.

Because the Midnight quilt was such a success, I could not resist another try, so here is the Strawberry Web. Still to do is the Dusky version, but I’m hoping one of you will take on that project and send me a picture!

This is the most dramatic winter in my memory. Each day seems to be in competition with the last one. We are sitting on the edge of another 4 inches of snow and anticipating 35° below zero wind chills. But I’m cozy and contented in the studio where new shelves have relieved some of the creative congestion. So “organization” is our theme for this week.

Here is a handsome traveling case for my Prismacolor pencils. But perhaps you’d like to store your knitting needles or designer chopstick collection. It rolls into a cylindrical pouch and is cinched by a contrasting tie secured with a double set of lime buttons. This is a modified pattern by Linda Lum Debono from Better Homes & Gardens, Fall 2008.

This refreshing clutch can carry all the necessities… checkbook, credit cards, etc. But best of all, it has dedicated space for your needle and thread, too. Perfect for soccer moms. No more idle hands in the stands. Sewing Wallet design by Penny Sturges, McCall’s America Makes FAST Quilts, Sept. 2008.

I love how the shape of this little journal pouch echoes the design of the fabric. It is just big enough to hold a 5″ by 8″ notepad, sketchbook or your wallet and keys. The mini pocketbook

Out last project is a protective cover for your iPod or Blackberry. Make a cover that mirrors your musical taste. I love Dead Can Dance, so the thorns are appropriate to decorate my Pod.

This is the most dramatic winter in my memory. Each day seems to be in competition with the last one. We are sitting on the edge of another 4 inches of snow and anticipating 35° below zero wind chills. But I’m cozy and contented in the studio where new shelves have relieved some of the creative congestion. So “organization” is our theme for this week.

Here is a handsome traveling case for my Prismacolor pencils. But perhaps you’d like to store your knitting needles or designer chopstick collection. It rolls into a cylindrical pouch and is cinched by a contrasting tie secured with a double set of lime buttons. This is a modified pattern by Linda Lum Debono from Better Homes & Gardens, Fall 2008.

This refreshing clutch can carry all the necessities… checkbook, credit cards, etc. But best of all, it has dedicated space for your needle and thread, too. Perfect for soccer moms. No more idle hands in the stands. Sewing Wallet design by Penny Sturges, McCall’s America Makes FAST Quilts, Sept. 2008.

I love how the shape of this little journal pouch echoes the design of the fabric. It is just big enough to hold a 5″ by 8″ notepad, sketchbook or your wallet and keys. The mini pocketbook

Out last project is a protective cover for your iPod or Blackberry. Make a cover that mirrors your musical taste. I love Dead Can Dance, so the thorns are appropriate to decorate my Pod.

This week we can start thinking about fresh projects to brighten the new year. So I thought you’d like to see the Simple Silhouette patterns done in some new colorways. If you visit the web-store you will notice that each Silhouette is sold separately, but every pattern includes directions for making this larger wall quilt by combining your choice of four different motifs. 

This week we can start thinking about fresh projects to brighten the new year. So I thought you’d like to see the Simple Silhouette patterns done in some new colorways. If you visit the web-store you will notice that each Silhouette is sold separately, but every pattern includes directions for making this larger wall quilt by combining your choice of four different motifs. 

The last two weeks have been busy, as I’m sure yours has been, too. But there has also been some time to relax and regroup for the new year and the next big creative push. The still life photo above was taken on Christmas morning. 

The last two weeks have been busy, as I’m sure yours has been, too. But there has also been some time to relax and regroup for the new year and the next big creative push. The still life photo above was taken on Christmas morning. 

But what better weather to spend some quality time in your sewing room? These two stylish kitties agree. It’s best to lounge close to the heating vents on your favorite blanket than freezing your cute little tails off! They were stitched according to a free pattern by Chicago designer, Hilary Lang. Don’t you love their funny faces?

Here are several pin cushions using the Prairie Gothic fabrics in a pattern by friend and fellow FreeSpirit designer, Heather Bailey. The ribbons are a nice finishing detail. I think they would make nice Christmas tree ornaments, too.