Seeing Stars - Finished Top

Early in January, I showed you the 3" stars I was making for Aurora, a quilt pattern  from Laundry Basket Quilts.   A few 3-day holiday weekends later and I have the quilt top finished. 

I used a tiny beige dot on ivory fabric for the background and approximately 10 different blue prints for the stars.  I took the first photo when I was laying out the pieces on the design bed. 

Coming together...

I've seen this quilt made two ways.  One uses the background fabric for the setting triangles and the other uses a different fabric for the setting triangles, usually something a little darker in color and larger in scale.  I decided to go with a second fabric and chose this paisley print I had in my stash.  

The star blocks form sashing that frames the solid squares.  This is all set on point with the setting triangles framing it all ; no border, though you could add one if you want a larger size. 

This top is off to the quilter and I'm off to cut out my next project.

Colorway Pattern

I have my next project picked out.  Like I need one; I have at least five projects in various stages of completion (or un-completion) already.  But anyway...

It is Colorway, a new pattern by Camille Roskelly of Thimbleblossoms.  I saw it online and liked it in the Bonnie and Camille fabrics, but for my version, I will use these batiks in shades of blue and green.  The close-up of the jelly roll, below, gives you a better idea of the range of colors. 

The pattern calls for a layer cake and a jelly roll, plus background fabric.  When I bought the fabric and the pattern, I thought I would use a text fabric as the background.  I had the idea that the centers of the circles would be one piece of fabric.  However, after reading through the pattern, I see they are made up of seven pieces (which actually makes more sense when your think about constructing it) and I think that won't look so good in a directional print like a text print.  So I am considering either 1) using the text prints in place of the jelly roll with a white background, or 2) forgetting the text print altogether and using the batiks with solid white (or another color) background.

What's your advice?

Making A Sewiing Gear Bag for My English Paper Piecing Projects

I've finished the piecing of La Passacaglia but intend to do more English paper piecing in the future.  I want to make some sort of handy-dandy bag that will make it easy to take my hand piecing with me on the go.  I'm leaning towards the Zip It Up! bag from By Annie.  Has anyone made it?  If so, any tips?

I learned about this bag from the photos on Instagram.  I love the bright color zippers with the black and white prints but will probably do something else for my own bag.  

I stumbled on another cleverly designed bag on the internet. It is called the Bionic Gear Bag; there is a video demo of its features on the website and you can buy the pattern as a PDF file on Craftsy.  

This bag looks a little more challenging to make but wouldn't it be handy for a class or retreat?

Feed Sacks by Fig Tree

You know what a Fig Tree fan I am.  I read the blog for advance warning of new fabric collections and patterns and general "fresh vintage" ideas.  Early in the summer, Joanne gave a sneak peek of her new bag pattern and asked for name suggestions.  Because the bag was made from her new fabric collection called Farmhouse, I thought Feed Sack was perfect.  So did Joanna and the Fig Tree staff.

She thanked me by sending me a copy of the pattern and a few mini charm packs.  I haven't used the mini charms before and I'm sure I'll find a way to incorporate them into a project soon.  I also like the bag (the pattern includes three sizes).  Adding denim is a great idea and I am thinking of recycling some old jeans into the base and handles.  I've saved many old pairs of jeans, thinking I'd come up with a crafty use for them and I think I found one at last.  I only took a quick look at the pattern instructions but it looks easy and one jelly roll makes three bags.  Could be good for Christmas gifts...never too early to plan ahead.

Little Butterflies - Project Update

I don't like to have too many quilt projects going at once so before beginning my EPP project, I thought it best to finish Little Butterflies.  In my last post on this project, I had decided to machine applique the blocks using fusible web and invisible thread (Superior Threads Mono Poly).  That decision worked out well and it didn't take long to get all 35 blocks finished. 

Here they are sewn together.  Right now, the top is 30" by 42" but I plan to add a narrow border, probably in the background color.  Then I will hand quilt it to finish.  

The original pattern from Laundry Basket Quilts has you cutting your background squares 5" but I wanted my butterflies to be a little less crowded together so cut my backgrounds 6.5" square.  When I started, I thought I might trim them before sewing together but after trying a few layouts, I decided to keep the blocks at the larger size.  

As you might have noticed, I used a variety of neutral tone-on-tone prints for the background, seven different fabrics in total from my stash.  I used a set of Bali Pop batik strips from Hoffman for the butterfly wings and a very dark brown for the body (with dark brown matching thread to applique the bodies), I drew the antennae with a permanent pen (Pigma Micron).  You don't need a jelly roll to make a quilt this size; a couple of charm packs would be enough fabric.

There is also a larger version of this pattern, with the butterflies cut from layer cake squares.  The fabrics used in the original design are from the line Sticks & Stones, which is supposed to be in stores this month.

Between this top to quilt, a finished quilt to bind, and my EPP project, I have a lot of handwork ahead!

iCases, Patterns by Annie - Pattern Review

I had a productive weekend.  Not only did I finish the baby quilt (previous post), I also am up-to-date on my stars for the sew along, having finished four more.

And I made a case for my iPad.  Last fall I saw examples of the iCases pattern from Patterns by Annie made up by one of the vendors at a quilt show and decided on the spot that I needed one.  It took a few months to get to it but once I started, it went pretty fast.  

And here is the finished result.  I used fabric I had in my stash (left from a quilt I made my mother a few years ago) and substituted a piece of vintage crocheted lace for the contrast fabric on the flap.  

It is lined with the same fabric I used for the binding.  Those black strips are velcro, used to hold the case closed.  I have one of those thin magnetic covers on my iPad (they're sold by Apple) and did not need to adjust the size of the case to accommodate it.  The pattern directions say you may need to enlarge the case size if you use a cover with a keyboard.  

The back has a zippered pocket to hold ear buds and the charger. And my Kindle will fit in the pocket for travel.  

I think you could make the pattern using batting and maybe a light interfacing too, but I used the Soft and Stable product recommended on the pattern and am very happy with the results.  It was great to work with and give professional looking results.  I did not quilt the fabric to the Soft and Stable, just ironed the pieces together which helped them stick enough for sewing.  This product is not a fusible.  The pattern directions were great, easy to follow.  I found the Clover Wonder Clips worked better than pins to hold the pieces together for sewing the binding on by machine because you need to sew through three layers around the bottom half of the case. The only problem I had was sewing over the teeth of the zipper (broke three sewing machine needles trying to make it happen).  If/when I make this again, I'll use a shorter zipper so the binding is sewn over the ends of the zipper tape rather than the across the zipper teeth.  

The pattern has directions for two sizes:  the larger size for an iPad and the smaller for an iPad mini or Kindle.  You could easily adjust the size to fit any electronic gadget.  This is a great pattern for using up pretty fabric from your stash too.  And it would make a great present for the right person.  

The Start Of A New Quilt

I started a new project.  The piece of fabric below is my inspiration for the color palette; this piece is from my stash and I don't have any identification for it.

I used it to pull from my stash.

 

 

I'm using a pattern called Peppermint Float by Cindy Lammon.  It is in her book Simply Modern Christmas and also the December quilt in That Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar 2015.  But I'm making the variation that Cindy showed on her blog.

 

 

Test block done!



 

 

Time to make more blocks.

Quilt Market Inspiration

Just a few weeks ago, those fortunate quilters attending Quilt Market in Houston posted pictures so those of us stuck at home could see what's coming in the quilt world.  I look forward to the blog posts and Instagram photos from the trade show and use them to pick out things I want to check out when the merchandise hits the quilt shops.  I usually have a mental list of five or six fabric lines and a few patterns that have especially sparked my interest. 

This year I became close to obsessed by one particular pattern I saw, Little Butterflies by Laundry Basket Quilts.  I kept going back to pictures of it and, desperate to have the patern, visited the designer's website where the pattern was availabe already.  Both the pattern and a handy companion stencil are now mine!

 

 

As soon as I received the pattern in the mail, I had to make a visit to my LQS (though really, any excuse will do) to look for some suitable fabric.  I'd already combed my stash but did not find anything really suitable.  I like the batiks Edyta used in the original but they won't be out until the spring.

 

At my LQS, I found this Hoffman Bali Pops (like a jelly roll).  The colors are perfect.  I'm planning this project as a wall hanging for my kitchen, which is predominately green, white, and beige; it will be a nice bit of added color.    

The pattern actually calls for a charm pack but I want to make my version a little bigger.  The pattern directions are for fusible applique but I'm going to try needle turn.  This will be my portable project for traveling and the occasional winter evening by the fireplace.  It will not be finished any time soon.  I still need to pull a assortment of background fabrics from my stash. 

Next, I need the perfect pen or pencil for marking.  I am thinking of this Frixion Eraseable Gel Pen.  Have you had any experience with this pen?  Or have another to recommend? 

Blocks...Check!

65 herringbone blocks finished, finally!  Next step is to agonize over the layout then sew them together.  This quilt won't have borders.

To refresh your memory (it's been a while since I started this project), I am making a quilt called Pattern Play, from the June 2104 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting magazine.  It will look like the quilt below, except I used a different color palette for my version.

I found the directions in the magazine to be exceptionally clear and complete.  The blocks are made out of rectangles, then trimmed down to size.  There is a fair amount of waste but they go together pretty easily.  Importantly, there are very clear trimming instructions for the blocks, with photos.  Trimming was a breeze.  Regulars here have been treated in the past to my rants on vague trimming instructions!  But quite the opposite case this time.

Thank you, APQ!

Quilt Show Vendors Are The Best!

While I enjoy the quilt show exhibits and find a lot to inspire me, it is the vendors I like best.  What can I say, my husband will tell you I was born to shop!

I took my Fabric Hoarder tote bag to the show, along with a certain feeling of liberation brought on by having destashed a little earlier in the week.  But I refrained from going wild; in fact, I did not buy much.  I was looking for layer cakes from some of the new fabric collections but did not see any (lots of charm packs available though).  I picked up a selection of fat quarters of red Kaffe Fassett prints, to go with the yellow, green, and blue I bought last year.  I have something in mind for these and needed to round out my supply.

 

 

And I made a couple of impulse pattern purchases.  These patterns came from different vendors.  The pattern on the right is for an iPad case.  The vendor had a sample made up and I liked it better than the case I have now.  It looks fairly easy to make and will be a way to use some of the pretty fabric I have in my stash.  I'm thinking of making some as Christmas gifts too.

The pattern on the left uses jelly roll strips wrapped around batting and woven.  The pattern is officially for a purse or wallet but I checked out the sample and think it can easily be adapted to iPad or Kindle size.  I have some batik jelly rolls I bought on my trip to Hawaii that I might use for this project.  Stay tuned.  The vendor I bought this pattern from had devoted their entire space to Aunties Two patterns, with many samples made up, plus all the supplies like the batting and clothes line you need to make them.  I've seen some of the patterns before but never made any.  They are cleverly designed and can take on a more conservative look when made with a more subtle color palette.

It looks like I have enough to keep busy.

Making A Double Wedding Ring Quilt

A Double Wedding Ring quilt has been on my to-make list for a long time.  For an equally long time, I've been intimidated by the curved seam contruction needed.  I thought I had found a way around this when I discovered the Quick Curve Ruler and Jenny Pedigo's Metro Rings pattern.  I bought the ruler and experimented; it really does make curves easier.  I bought the Metro Rings pattern but was disappointed because I want my quilt to have rounded edges.  And the contruction method used in the pattern has a lot of seams, including two seams thar run through the blank space in the center of each ring.  This is fine when you quilt densely, which is Jenny Pedigo's aesthetic, but it bothered me. 

I started looking around for other patterns and construction methods.  And by "looking," I mean a major effort on the internet that consumed about 10 hours over three evenings late nights.  I seriously considered the Nouveau Wedding Ring pattern from Eleanor Burns.  This is a completely different construction method that involves using fusible interfacing to back the arcs and applique them to large squares of fabric.  There are no curved seams involved.  The arcs must be stitched down to the backing using a blind stitch or a decorative stitch.  (Quiltsmart sells printed interfacing for this method which is shown in pictures here.)  It seems relatively easy and the examples shown in the hour+ long instuctional video on the Quilt In A Day website look very good.  If the traditional method proves too difficult for me, I will probably switch to this method, but I decided not to go with it initially because I am a masochist craved the challenge of the traditional pieced method.

There are lots of resources online for the traditional pieced method of making DWR.  I decided to buy Marti Michell's set of acrylic templates.  They came with an instructional booklet that is very detailed (27 pages!).  But before I made this final decision, I found two tutorials for traditional piecing.  Free Spirit Fabrics offers a free DWR pattern.  The pattern has you use paper foundations to piece the arcs that form the rings.  The Plaid Scottie hosted a DWR quilt-along using this pattern in 2011 and posted tutorials for each step along the way.  It was reading the tutorials here that convinced me I could do this.  Then I found another tutorial at Jo's Country Junction.  Her quilt is spectacular and she is very reassuring about the construction process.  What is even more reassuring is knowing that as soon as she finished her first DWR, Jo started a second one!



I am a mixture of trepidation and confidence as I start this project. Here's where I am so far - I have about 10 arcs partially pieced. Like Marti said in her instructions, this quilt is not made in an evening!

On To The Next Challenge

When I say "challenge," I really mean it.  I am starting a Double Wedding Ring quilt.  I'm making it the old-fashioned way, with little pieces and curved piecing.  I'm using a set of templates from Marti Michell. 

 

Though pricey, quality acryilic templates will make the cutting easier and more accurate (accuracy is vital in this quilt).  I chose this particular set because it includes some additional template pieces for other designs, including Orange Peel and Robbing Peter to Pay Paul, both on my "list."  I bought my template set on Amazon because I'm a Prime member so the shipping was covered.

 



To make this quilt, I'm breaking into my precious stash of Paris Flea Market, purchased the first time it came out. These are my fabrics for the arcs, using the yellows, greens, and pinks (most, but not all are from Paris Flea Market by 3 Sisters for Moda).  The 4-patches that form the juncture of the rings will be the sage green on the far left and the solid yellow on the far right.  I'm thinking of Kona Snow for the background but will make the arcs first.

 

I usually like to focus on one project at a time but with this one, I might break that guideline.  There are times when I need something easy and fast, which double wedding ring definitely is not.  I had a chuckle when I read in Marti Michell's instructions, "Since this quilt is not made in an evening..."  What an understatement!  So I may need some interruptions, with a fast and/or easy project as a DWR vacation. 

 

Wish me luck as I embark on this challenge!

 



Jubilee Finished

Jubilee is finished and on the bed!  The springy colors are so welcome.  We've had a dismal winter in NJ and are just starting to get some warmer weather.

Almost 400 inches of binding; that's a lot of hand sewing to finish.  Karen Thompson did the long arm quilting for me, using a large, meandering feather pattern.  It is perfect for the soft colors in this quilt.

 

This is another of my Fig Tree Harvest projects, using my extensive stash of fabric from Fig Tree & Co.  The fabric I used in Jubilee is from several collections, including Mill House Inn, Buttercup, and Butterscotch & Rose.  The white background is Kona Snow. 

 

The pattern is called Jubilee and is from The Pattern Basket.  I don't usually give my quilts the same name as the pattern but I like the name Jubilee for this quilt.  The pattern came out in 2012, the year of Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee (60 years on the throne).  Part of the block looks like a little crown.

I think I've decided on my next project, but more about that later.

Pineapple Blocks

Do you remember when I made Rendezvous, my pineapple quilt?

 

I used a specailty ruler to make my pineapple blocks.  It wasn't terrible but it wasn't easy and I had a bit of trouble getting the blocks matched up when I assembled the top.

An alternative means of construction is to use paper foundations.  I recently discovered a source on Etsy for large paper foundations.  Gigi's Thimble sells printed foundations that are just over 13" square.  (You can see Amber's version of the quilt here.)  Buying the foundations already printed means you don't have to do all the calculations for the block yourself nor are you limited to an 8" or smaller block.  Of course, the over-size paper doesn't come cheap.  I wanted to tell you about this because I get a lot questions asking if I know of a source for paper foundations for the pineapple block.

Does anyone know another source for pineapple block foundations?   

Last Finish of the Year!

I squeezed in one last fnish this year.  It is my blue and gold version of Denyse Schmidt's Point Me pattern. 

 

I pieced this quilt in the late winer/early spring, when I made two blue-and-gold quilts in rapid succession.  For this quilt, I used a dark navy solid fabric with yellow and gold fabric triangles, and used a lighter navy solid in the other quilt.  I like to make a quilt in the school colors for the Parents' Association fundraiser auction at my daughter's school each year.  I donated Falcons In Flight to the auction in 2013, reserving the Point Me flimsy for 2014. 

 

 

Even though Miss Main Street has graduated and moved on to college, I still like to help out.  I've got to quilt and we certainly have more than we need so why not make one for this cause that means a lot to me.

 

This is a close-up of the quilting on Point Me.  It gives the large open spaces a nice texture.  I bound the quilt over the Christmas holiday.  All I need now is the label, but before I can make the label, I need a name for the quilt.  I'm thinking of Point Me in the Right Direction.

 

 

Wintergreen

Thank you all so much for suggesting names for my latest quilt.  The design comes from Kim Diehl's book Simple Comforts, where it is called Twilight Hopscotch.  But at the suggestion of Nicole, I'm going with Wintergreen. 

 

I love anything mint flavored and Wintergreen fits the colors in the quilt so well too.  Here's a close-up of a block, where you can see that it uses two different green fabrics, a snowflake batik (from Tonga) and a metallic gold speckled green.  The background is Kona White. 

 

 

 

 

 

This quilt was quick and easy, especially after I got the tiny four-patch units finished.  If you are interested but don't want the entire Simple Comforts book, the publisher (Martingale) sells an epattern for the quilt for only $4.99. 

 

 

I won't really be able to enjoy this quilt this Christmas but that's ok, I feel good knowing it will be quilted and bound in plenty of time for next year's Christmas decorating.  And it was enjoyable to make something seasonal during the season!

 



Main Street - My Finished Quilt

We visited Miss Main Street at college this weekend so I didn't have much time for sewing.  But  I finished the binding on this little (31" by 36") wall hanging on Sunday night and it is now hanging in our kitchen.

I'm calling this quilt Main Street, which is the actual name of the street where we live.  I made this quilt using a Schnibble pattern called Full House, altering it only to include the trees. 

Karen Thompson of Poppycourt quilted Main Street for me in a custom design.  She made shingles in two different styles for each roof...

...added some texture to the trees...

 

...and quilted a simple cross hatch in the "sidewalks."  There is also a gorgeous feather-like vine in the border but it did not photograph well.

It looks perfect hanging in our kitchen.  Main Street is my first Schnibble but won't be my last!

Quilts Using Layer Cakes

My current work in progress uses a pattern called Jubilee from The Pattern Basket.  It calls for a layer cake, those 10" square pre-cuts of fabric.  I'm coming to think this is a very versatile pre-cut and may be the answer when I fall for a new fabric line but don't know exactly what I want to make. 

Here are a few quilts I've made using patterns designed for layer cakes:

 

Hello Sunshine, based on a pattern called Changes

 

Magic Eight Ball (my tutorial here)

Christmas Ribbons, based on a patter called Ruby's Ribbon Box

 

 

 

I did actually use a layer cake for Magic Eight Ball.  For the others, a mix of fat quarters and odds 'n ends from my stash. 

 

I found seven yet-to-be-used patterns in my collection, all designed for layer cakes.  I think Margot of The Pattern Box is a layer cake enthusiast; four of my patterns are her work and Jubilee is also her design.  

 

I like the pattern Sweet Pea so much, I actually broke down and bought a layer cake of Honeysweet, the newest fabric collection from Fig Tree Designs.  I know, I know, I'm supposed to be using my Fig Tree stash, not adding to it!

 

Fig Tree has some layer cake friendly patterns as well.  I have Butterscotch Tart and Boardwalk in my collection, waiting for the right fabric inspiration to come along.

And high on my quilt to-do list is Odile Stars from Planted Seed Designs.  I LOVE the look of these star blocks.  But an important note, I've just realized this pattern uses 25 fat quarters, not a layer cake.  That's OK, I have plenty of fat quarters in my stash.

Have any layer cake patterns caught your eye lately?