Goin' Crabbin'

This is our row for Row By Row Experience this year. It is called Goin' Crabbin'. As soon as the theme, On The Go, was announced we had a pretty good idea what we wanted to do. We have learned over the years that when we put a crab on something it just seems to sell better. For some reason the people here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland love their crabs. And who doesn't love the old red pick up truck?

So, as I was saying, the crab is very popular. We are located just off of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab can be caught in any of the waterways around here. When the crabs are live they are a blueish color as pictured above. When they are steamed the become reddish orange.  

Here are our rows from previous years.   

2014 the theme was seasons.

"Day At The Beach" was summer on the shore.

2015 the theme was water.

"H2O 4 Shore" showed water each season here on the shore. 

This was the worst year for our row! 

Was it because there was no crab or was it because there were so many little pieces?

2016 the theme was Home Sweet Home. 

"Crab Feast" went absolutely crazy!

We had a crab dye made for the AccuQuilt, 

so the crabs in the kits are pre-cut and pre-fused. 

We are still selling this kit and it is available here.

When I am trying to figure the layout of a row, I print the components on paper and play with the placement. I thought it looked better to have the crab in the foreground to the rear to look like it was left behind. 

Once I have the applique pieces prepared I iron them onto parchment paper. Then I can place the entire section onto the background fabric and fuse in place. 

I prefer to stitch around my applique with a double blanket stitch. This really outlines the shape and makes it stand out. For the crab it is best to stitch around each leg first and then come back and stitch around the shell. 

Chris, one of my team members, suggested the dog and the sign on the truck door. 

I think they are great additions to this row. 

I was having trouble getting a good picture inside, so I took it out and laid it on the porch. 

We have this row kitted, and it is flying out the door. 

If you can't get into the shop this summer and would like to purchase this kit, 

you can order it here and we will ship it November 1, 2017.

We decided last year that our license plate needed a crab too.  

This year's license plate also has a crab and can be purchased here.

I don't know how long people are going to continue running around collecting rows in the Summer, but I hope it continues a long time.

Jimmy

"Jimmy" is a pattern that I designed this summer. 

With being located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, anything crab is very popular.

The method of making this crab is extremely easy. 

It is also very easy choosing the fabric for this quilt. 

I simply takes a Charm Pack, background fabric, and binding. 

We have Charm packs in Blue, for a live crab, and Charms in Red or Orange for a steamed crab.

• I simply traced my pattern onto freezer paper 
• Cut out the freezer paper pattern
• Iron the freezer paper to the front of my background fabric
• Trace around it with something that comes off easily (I used a Frixion Pen)
• Stitch on the line with a decorative stitch in a contrasting thread color.

• Cut your charm squares into varying size squares and rectangles.
• Begin laying them out on the crab leaving about an 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart.
• Around the edge of the crab trim to fit the shape. This is very easy to do because of the outline stitch. You can feel the stitching, so trace it with a pen and trim about an 1/8 to 1/4 inch from that drawn line.
• Glue the shapes into place. You can use water soluble glue stick or Elmer's School Glue.

• Sew each shape in place about 1/4 inch from edge, The edges will fray slightly when washed.
• Layer together with the batting and backing and quilt.

 I put the extra charms from my Blue Charm Pack on the back of the quilt.

This is a steamed crab made using an Orange Charm Pack.

Fall Class Schedule

I am finally posting the Fall Schedule of Classes. I hope you can find something here that you would be interested in taking.  One For the Money .......................$35* Cheryl Lewis - 1 class -Advanced Beginner This versatile purse will be a favorite for the girl on the go. This bag is just the right size for so many things. It is perfect for an e-reader or iPad mini, or put in your wallet and cell phone and you are out the door. This is the class to take if you want to learn how to put in a zipper and magnetic   closure. *Pattern purchased required: One For the Money ($8.99)  Saturday,  September 20.................9am - 3pm Start with Hearts ................................ $30 Pre-requisite for all other quilting classes . Candy Stiffler • 3 Classes •  Beginner We will start you on your journey into the joys of quilting! You will learn the correct rotary cutting, piecemaking, basic machine quilting, and binding techniques to make your first quilt. This class is designed for those who want to learn to quilt or for those who want to refresh their basic quilting skills by completing a small quilt. There will be homework between classes in order to complete this quilt. Pattern is included in class fee. Tuesday, September 30, October 7 & 14........... 6pm – 9pm Santa.................................................$35* Loris Nebbia - 1 class -Advanced Beginner Loris was with us for a demo at our Christmas in July and all those attending wanted the class. So, Loris will be teaching her Santa here at Quilt Vine. This Santa is so cute and Loris makes him so easy that you will want to be making him for gifts. *Pattern purchased required: Saturday,  November 1.................9am - 3pm Nine Birds ........................................ $35* Candy Stiffler  •  Intermediate This quilt promises to get you out of your box. The background is a traditional Drunkard's Path with curved piecing and the birds are fusible machine applique. Purchase of circle ruler is recommended. *Pattern purchase required: Nine Birds by Emma Jean Jansen  Friday, November 7 .................10am-4pm Jimmy .................................................$35* Chris Routzahn - 1 class - Advanced Beginner Everyone who sees this quilt wants one.  The patches on the crab are raw edge applique and the edges will fray when washed. Great for a baby quilt or wall hanging. Designed by Candy  *Pattern purchase required: ($14.59) Saturday, October 11.............................9am- 3pm Scrappy Teddy ............................$40 Lou Diefenderfer & Chris Routzahn -  1 class -Advanced Beginner This Scrappy Teddy is so adorable bet you can't stop at just one. We got this Teddy Bear pattern and technique from Alice Kish. Chris has made one for every child she knows and can't seem to stop. Pattern included in class fee Saturday,  October 25.................9am - 3pm Log Cabin....................................$40 Candy Stiffler - 1 class - Advanced Beginner  Use up your scraps for this one! This is the traditional Scrappy Log Cabin using any size scraps you have on hand. If you don't have scraps then you can use a jelly roll. This is a very quick and easy quilt with stunning effects! There are so many ways to lay out a log cabin quilt. Candy will help you decide on size and layout. Pattern included with class fee.  Friday, October 10..............................10am-4pm Saturday, December 6………………….9am-3pm  Holiday Lights.................................. $35* Candy Stiffler• 1 Class • Advanced Beginner Popular pattern updated and re-released Get an early start on this stunning Christmas Quilt. Limited kits are available. This is the final time this very popular class will be offered.  *Pattern purchase required:  Holiday Lights by Alex Anderson ($9.99)  Friday, October 24....................... 10am – 4pm Triple Play......................................$40 Lou Diefenderfer - 1 class -Advanced Beginner In this class you have 3 choices from one basic block. You end up with intricate detail with very little piecing. All you need are 2 Layer Cakes (10" squares) and borders are optional. From just 2 Layer Cakes and borders you can make 2 Throw size quilts or 1 Queen size. Pattern included with class fee Saturday,  September 27..............9am - 3pm

Show-n-Tell

I love it when customers come back in and show us what they have made!

Mary's quilt using our fabric and our Lola pattern.

Barbara T's quilt using our Starburst pattern.

Laura's quilt using our Whirligig pattern.

Dot Party

Ester's Runner.

Mary's crabby quilt. 

Mary is the one who finished off our crab fabric.

Barbara C's Thirty's quilt.

Barbara's Elephant finished

Chris' Elephant finished.