Creating Curves - part 3

HI, Trudi here from Quilting Prolifically, back from the excitement of Quilt Market in Houston.

So I finally got my quilt on with my quilt top.  I've named this one 'curves not curves'.

I started off with these dies:

659838 Bigz Square 4 1/2"
659832 Bigz Half Square Triangle 4 1/2" pieced
659853 Bigz L Isosceles & Right 4 1/2" H  
657611 Bigz Half Square Triangle 2 1/2" pieced


and a plan.

I made 2 different blocks, you can see them in this post.

I made my top completely from scraps, so the Sizzix Big Shot Plus was great for cutting the shapes.

The next dilemma was how to quilt it.  I always had a plan to quilt curves into the piecing to accentuate the curve and take your eye away from those straight lines of the piecing.

So I added curved lines in the orange peel section, extending them all the way to the half square triangles and filled the curves with feathers.

In the center curved square area I used curved cross hatching to highlight the curves even more.











I am really pleased with the overall effect the quilting has had on changing the straight lines into curves.

 Its funny what your eye will pick up and see, but choose to ignore.

I also extended the quilting out into the borders to continue the curved story of this quilt.  I think it worked well.


So next time you fancy doing a curved quilt, but don't fancy dealing with the curves, try piecing in straight lines, but quilting the curves in to create the curved effect.

 I hope you'll come back next month to see what inspiration has struck!

Creating Curves - part two

Hi, Trudi here from Quilting Prolifically. So last month I made a great start on my curves, not curves quilt.

18 of these Shoo Fly blocks done, and I was well on my way to getting the other 18 alternate blocks done too!

This second block is made up of nine patch of 4 1/2" squares.  Plain squares in the corners, and squares made with the Isosceles Triangle die, and 2 1/2" Half Square Triangles to make the center square in square block.

another set of 18 blocks are done.

Alternate the blocks in the lay out and hey presto  ... its starting to take shape!

I barely had enough space on my living room floor to lay this out, So to piece it, I gathered up the rows, stacking the blocks in order and taking them out to my sewing machine in my studio in the garden.  

(one sure way to get your daily step quota up!)

As I pieced the rows, I laid them over the long arm, then pieced the rows together.

I've added a plain border, and this is now ready to quilt.  

The curves are already visible in the pattern, and not one curve has been sewn.  

I'm hoping that a little (ok, maybe a lot) of custom quilting in those areas will really enhance the curved effect.  

Remember, this whole quilt, that is now 82" square, is made from scraps.  I did cut some yardage for the outer border and some of the white areas, but it is all a mish mash of white on whites and very low volume fabrics. 

So if you have a large pile of scraps, and fancy making your own version of this quilt, these are the dies I used along with my Big Shot Plus: 

659838 Bigz Square 4 1/2"
659832 Bigz Half Square Triangle 4 1/2" pieced
659853 Bigz L Isosceles & Right 4 1/2" H 
 657611 Bigz Half Square Triangle 2 1/2" pieced

So, I'll be back next month with the full reveal of how the quilting can really make a difference to enhance those curves.  If your have a go at making thee blocks for your own Curves, Not Curves quilt, please tag me on social media, I'd love to see!

Creative Curves - Part one

Hi, Trudi here from Quilting Prolifically.  I've been working on curved piecing, having started on a whole series of Double Wedding ring inspired quilts.  Ambitious I know, but I have one under my belt already, and a second started.  But sometimes all those curves can be a little intimidating, so I wondered if I could create the illusion of curves without the curved piecing.

Yes you can!

so armed with my Sizzix Bigshot Plus and the following dies

659838 Bigz Square 4 1/2"
659832 Bigz Half Square Triangle 4 1/2" pieced
659853 Bigz L Isosceles & Right 4 1/2" H 
 657611 Bigz Half Square Triangle 2 1/2" pieced


and my recently overflowing scrap bin   ....

I set to making a whole bunch of Half Square Traingles,  

Because when it comes to quilts, I sort of love a big bed size quilt, I pieced and pressed these in sets of 10's so I could keep track I had the right amount made.  and if I lost count, it was easy to recount at a glance!

mix in a few squares, and the Shoo Fly blocks are done 

all 18 of them!

next up was piecing the other block, but, with Festival of Quilts looming fast, my progress has been put on hold, while I finish my entries for delivery next week

so I'll be back next month to show you these blocks, how I pieced them, and how when you put both the blocks together you create the illusion of curves without a curve in sight. 

Of course, add in a little quilting and the whole thing should come together nicely! 

See you soon!  Trudi