Quilt Inspiration: A Tribute to the Bluegrass State
Initially conceived for the 2025 AQS SEAM Quilt Retreat in Paducah, Kentucky, Kentucky Rose Garden is an ode to Michelle Renee’s new home state. This design celebrates the vibrant beauty of Kentucky’s blooming roses and the lush, rolling fields of bluegrass. It is a captivating piece that brings the essence of a summer garden into your home.
Project Focus: Vibrant Contrast & Secondary Stars
This quilt is a workshop in color harmony and geometric interplay. The design features:
- A Striking Palette: Vibrant shades of pink diamonds set against blue-green tones for a garden-fresh look.
- The "Bluegrass" Accent: A clever use of two background fabrics and a specific green accent fabric that evokes the feeling of Kentucky’s famous landscapes.
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Secondary Design Magic: Beyond the individual blocks, the arrangement creates multiple "secondary stars," giving the finished quilt incredible depth and professional-level complexity.
Techniques You Will Master
Kentucky Rose Garden will expand your "tool belt" as you learn to navigate the impressive Wedge Star construction:
- The Eight-Pointed Wedge Star: Learn how to construct this spectacular block with precision and confidence.
- Diamond Integration: Master the placement and piecing of diamonds within a star structure.
- Secondary Pattern Alignment: Learn how to plan and assemble blocks to ensure those beautiful secondary stars emerge across the quilt top.
- Essential Studio 180 Design Tools:
- Wedge Star™ (The core tool for this masterpiece)
- Tucker Trimmer III™
Rose Wedge Star
- The Eight-Pointed Wedge Star: Learn how to construct this spectacular block with precision and confidence.
Kentucky Wedge Star
- The Eight-Pointed Wedge: Learn how to construct this spectacular block with precision and confidence.
Three Size Offerings
- Baby 44" x 44"
- Large Throw 64” x 84”
- Double 84” x 84”
Curriculum
Michelle Renee Hiatt, Instructor
Michelle Renee is an award-winning quilter, designer, and national instructor who has been sewing since before she can remember. She fell in love with quilting over 20 years ago. As a certified Professional Process Expert (LSSMBB), Michelle seamlessly blends her love of quilting with process improvement techniques, teaching others how to simplify their piecing while improving the quality of their quiltmaking.
Michelle Renee is the designer for her own pattern line, Sew On The Go, and her designs have appeared in several international quilting magazines. Additionally, she is a Certified Instructor for Studio 180 Design and many of her patterns have been published in their Modern 180 pattern line. Michelle Renee teaches internationally at Quilt Shows, Retreats, and Quilt Guilds. She is known for the fabulous online mystery series she organizes twice a year.
In 2023, Michelle Renee Hiatt became the Executive Show Director for American Quilter’s Society. She is known for her humor, enthusiasm, and encouragement! Find out more at Sewonthego.net.
