Open Gate Blog

I am so excited to partner with Oliso Irons!  They sent me a Pro TG1600 and I absolutely love it! There are so many features that I love about this iron.  First and foremost, it stays on for 30 minutes if you are not using it.  So, in other words, you can cut, piece and then go to your iron and if it's before 30 minutes is up, it's still hot!  Now, that's what I call handy for a quilter!!  Also, you can either leave it down with the feet engaged or upright and it won't turn off.  Have I told you about the feet?  They are so cool.  All you have to do is touch the iron on the top and the feet retract!  You don't have to keep turning it up, once you take your hand away, the feet will engage!  I will be doing a demo of the iron on Thursday at 7:00 PM central time on my Facebook Live Event.  (Except, I won't be live this Thursday, we will be out of town but I will still have a video!) Also, I will be giving the next step on the Night Sky Quilt Along.  Be su

Happy Thursday! It's time for the Splendid Sampler 2 block #12.  It's called Free as a Bird and is designed by Irene Blanck.  I decided to switch to machine applique.  Why, you ask?  For a couple of reasons, time being a main issue.  While I love hand applique, it takes so much longer than machine applique.  Also, I wanted to use my Aurifil thread.  I love the variety of colors and the high quality of their thread! Don't forget to tune in tonight for my Facebook Live at 7:00 pm central time.  I will be reviewing cutting for our Sew Along.  Also, there will be giveaways, sales and demos!  Be sure to join us! Many people have been asking about the Lotus pattern that I had posted on Facebook.  Here's the link and it's on sale until the end of the weekend! Thanks for stopping by! Monique

Hi Everyone! Have you been tuning in every Thursday night at 7:00 PM central time for my Facebook Live?  If not, be sure to catch up on what you've been missing by going to my Facebook page. OpenGateQuilts   I'd love to see you there! We have a lot of fun and if you have questions, I'd love to answer them!  Also, we are starting a Sew Along and this is our quilt that we are doing: You can download the supply list and cutting instructions on my website.  It's called Night Sky Quilt Along.   Hope you can join us! Time to catch up on Splendid Sampler 2 blocks.  Here are the blocks that I've done since I last blogged.   Block 9 in the The Splendid Sampler 2  Quilt Along called Flowering Tree by Amy Friend. I love the way the Coastal Chic Batiks  are working so well in the blocks!! Thanks Amy for a great block!! Block 10 of  The Splendid Sampler 2  Quilt Along  by Rachaeldaisy called Around Four Corners. Love how it turned out and I get to use more pur

Hi All! It's a busy week at Open Gate Quilts!  I received back the quilt I designed for American Patchwork and Quilting!  It's called Seaside Steps and features Coastal Chic Batiks.  I love the beachie feel of this quilt and of course, as you know, I love these batiks!  Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2018 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Doesn't this picture make you want to go to the beach and feel the breeze coming in your open windows?  It does for me!!  Here is the cover so that you can pick up your copy at your local quilt store or retailer.  Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2018 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Tonight at 7:00 pm central time, I will be holding a Facebook Live video on how I designed this quilt and how to put it together.  Make sure to stop by at 7:00 or on my Facebook page: OpenGateQuilts after 7:00 to watch!  If you make it to the liv

Hi all! I hope you had a chance to tune in to Quilting in the Valley's Live Facebook post last night.  It was so much fun to talk to Lisa about Coastal Chic Batiks, my new patterns, ruler demos and how I designed Coastal Chic Batiks.  If you missed it, you can watch it here .  My parents were here for a visit but I did get a chance to work on Block #7 of the Splendid Sampler 2.  Here is my version of Sharon Burgess block For the Love. Thanks for stopping by!  See you next week! Monique

Hi All! We are on Block #6 of The Splendid Sampler 2 Quilt Along.  Have you joined us yet?  If not, there's still plenty of time to start.  One of the many nice things about the Quilt Along is that the blocks are smaller, 6" finished so to catch up, it doesn't take long.  Also, you don't have to do all the blocks, you can pick and choose...after all there are 20 free blocks with a total of 80 blocks to choose from! Here is my version of Block #6...love my theme of Coastal Chic Batiks and the way that it feels like you are at the beach! Coastal Chic Batiks are arriving in stores!  Check with your local quilt shop for availability.  So excited!!   Thanks for stopping by! Monique