Jane Sassaman quilt artist, fabric designer, author and teacher

I’ve just returned from a wonderful and warm trip to Tuscaloosa for the West Alabama Quilt Guild. It isn’t always possible for us quilt teachers to get beyond the hotel in the places we visit. But this week I got the royal tour of the University of Alabama’s impressive campus and its city surrounds. Of course, I was interested in seeing the Art Building. I love this fun sculpture in its courtyard. I wish we had one in our yard! Looks like Bender.

We also browsed the Westervelt Collection of American Art in the Tuscaloosa Museum of Art. The museum is housed in a majestic Japanese style building surrounded by tall trees. The collection holds many western sculptures and busts of famous historic leaders.

But here is one of the favorite things that I saw there. The big frame surrounding a picture of “nothing” is so surreal! The label says “Out of Site of Land, George Catlin, 1786-1872.

I also was treated to an exotic (for a Midwesterner) variety of Southern culinary classics… fried catfish, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, grits, field peas, Hoppin’ John, coleslaw, and blackened shrimp! This was over several days, not in one sitting. But in any case, the diet begins today!

The Alabama quilters were as warmhearted and welcoming as quilters are everywhere. We spent a day together in the Simple Silhouettes workshop and those gals were on-the ball. Almost everyone finished their tops and two gals even started to quilt them. Thanks, girls, for making this trip so comfortable and entertaining!

Here is a Sweet Lady Jane version with all four Spring Diva Silhouette patterns made with into a lap size quilt. Just the kind of colors we need to coax us into spring.

By the time I got back home a few adventurous chipmunks had awoke from their winter’s nap and dozens of Sandhill cranes where flying overhead. These are sure signs that delicious changes are on the way.

The winter weather continues to be extraordinary… snow, rain, wind. But the temperatures are raising so spring is definitely in sight. This is the time of year that we start dreaming over the seed catalogs and anticipating the colors of spring.

So here is a quilt that does the same trick! It’s called Tickled Pink and is made with fabrics from the Sweet Lady Jane collection and the Cross-in-a-Square recipe from my book, Patchwork Sassaman Style.

It was neatly quilted by Pam McIntyre of Quilting Makes the Quilt. This is an easy quilt to construct and all the measurements and yardage is shown below. If you need more detailed directions you can find them in Patchwork Sassaman Style.

The teaching year begins officially this week and I am looking forward to seeing all my quilting buddies. Check my schedule to see if we could have a class together. Remember that the Red Barn Special at the Madeline Island School of the Arts is active through the end of the month!To read more about my class and to register, click here, or call the Registrar, Anne Leafblad, at 715.747.2054, or email misa@cheqnet.net.
Hope to see you there!

Well, I have finalized all my new FreeSpirit designs for an October introduction. Now I am adding labels and preparing to print and mail them out soon. Phew! This line will have some surprises… like some unexpected colors. I even surprised myself!

So now I can devote some time to Sweet Lady Jane projects. But first we will begin with an idea from my friend, Melissa Peda, designer, writer and blogger. She designed this pretty pillow using a refreshing mix of SLJ fabrics.

The fuchsias are just ripe for fussy cutting for fun kaleidoscopic effects. Notice the cross stitching on the half-inch gingham checks. This is a charming “old-fashioned” craft that is being revived by contemporary crafters. The button flourish has become one of Melissa’s trademarks. In fact, go to Melissa’s blog to see lots of other Sweet Lady Jane projects.

I’m so excited to be teaching a 5-day quilting workshop at Madeline Island School of the Arts, September 29-October 3, 2014.  I’ve heard nothing but the best about this magical Island, MISA’s state of the art studios, lodging, and delicious meals.
So, I wanted to let you know of a special program just for my followers, called “The Red Barn Special.” This is specifically for my workshop at MISA.
Save $85 on your on-site lodging reservation when you register for my workshop by February 28, 2013.

Now is your chance to get first pick at their comfortable and cozy on-campus rooms in their Mission Cottages.  Before word gets out of my class, I wanted to let you know of this amazing opportunity to spend a week with me on Madeline Island.
A 25% deposit is all you need to hold your place in my workshop.  To read more about my class and to register, click here, or call the Registrar, Anne Leafblad, at 715.747.2054, or email misa@cheqnet.net.
Hope to see you there!