Lone Star Mini Quilt: Part 2

Dies used: Diamonds, 2 1/2in (2 3/4in x 6 1/2in Unfinished)
                 Half-Square Triangles, 2 1/2in Finished Square


Hello again!

The Lone Star mini quilt I've been making with diamonds and half-square triangles is progressing nicely. Picking up from last time, the next stage was to make 8 large half-square triangles with each star point and 3 background sections and then to join them in pairs to give 4 squares.

And then the squares were sewn together to give one large square mini quilt top.

Then it was time to start quilting. I drew out a geometric design on the lone star with water erasable pen and once it was completed I looked at the swirl effect created by the fabric in the centre of the star and decided that instead of the pattern I'd marked out, a spiral would be much better! So the pen lines were blotted out and the centre of a spiral drawn out instead.

To help the star stand out from the background only the star was quilted with the spiral and so once it got to the white background I stopped quilting a continual coil and instead did each of the star points one at a time working from side to side. Each of the background sections were quilted with straight lines to contrast with the curves on the star.

Progress has stalled now as I can't decide on a binding fabric but hopefully a decision will be made and it will be finished and hanging on the wall in time for my next post.

Happy sewing, see you next time!

Lone Star Mini Quilt

Dies used: Diamonds, 2 1/2in (2 3/4in x 6 1/2in Unfinished)
                 Half-Square Triangles, 2 1/2in Finished Square


Hello again!

This new Sizzix project ticks off 2 entries on my 'want to make' list. I've never made a mini-quilt before and would really like one to hang on my bedroom wall and I love Lone Star piecing designs and had yet to have a go at making one. So I'm currently making a Lone Star mini-quilt and killing two birds with one stone! I've been wanting to use my long diamonds die and cutting mats for a while and before tackling a full-size quilt this was the perfect tester project to play around with print and pattern.

For the star, I selected 5 different fabrics and decided in which order they were to form the rings of the star. I then cut the following number of diamonds from each fabric on my Big Shot:

1st and 5th (central and outer) ring: 8
2nd and 4th ring: 16
3rd ring: 24

The diamonds were then divided up into 8 sets that would form each section of the star and then sewed together into rows and then the rows were joined to form a large diamond.

Matching the points when joining the rows together took a little getting used to. With right sides together, inserting a pin 1/4in down from the raw edge through the diagonal seam and through in the same position on the opposite side was the most convenient method for me.

Once the 8 star sections were completed I cut out the background pieces on my Big Shot. I chopped 144 solid white half-square triangles and 72 low volume white on white half-square triangles and joined them like this to make 24 larger half-square triangles.

These triangles will fit on either side of the outer points of the star to give a square mini-quilt top.

So the next job is to sew the star and background together and complete the top ready for quilting and binding and eventually hanging on the wall.

See you next time. Happy sewing!

Carpenters Wheel quillow

The name quillow may be new to you - it means a quilt that folds into a pillow - or cushion. I love these and made some for each of my daughters as they went to university.

The carpenters wheel block, made with 2" squares and half square triangles, (dies used - 659831

http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659831/sizzix-bigz-die-half-square-triangles-2-1-2-assembled-square and 657607 -http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657607/sizzix-bigz-die-square-2-finished-2-1-2-unfinished, with the Big Shot Machine - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray) is a 16" square - so cut an 18" square in wadding and backing fabric. Layer the backing, wadding and cushion front together, pin and then quilt together.

Trim the wadding and backing to the same size as the cushion front.

Cut another piece of backing fabric the same size and

Trim the wadding and backing to the same size as the cushion front.

Cut another piece of backing fabric the same size and place on top of the cushion front and stitch around 3 sides (now you could leave the backing off when you are quilting but I like to quilt with a fabric on the back not just the wadding - but that's just personal choice)

Turn the cushion right side out and press.

For the quilt part I have used 1.8m by 112cm wide,of a plain black and a small print, and cut a piece of wadding to match.

As I don't want to add a binding to the quilt I layered on fabric right side up, on the wadding.

The cushion is placed in the middle of one end, matching raw edges, and then the other quilt fabric is placed right side down, over the top -

Pin through all layers and stitch together, using a 1/4" or 6mm seam allowance, and leaving an opening of 12"/ 30cm in one side.

Turn the quillow right side out, and slip stitch the open edges together.

Quilt as desired - leaving the cushion free at the end -



To complete flip the cushion onto the quilt, so that the pieced front is against the quilt, pin the sides to the quilt - and stitch in place, leaving the top edge open -

 

(this photo should show black - but I'm not sure what happened to the colour!!)

Turn the quillow over so that the pocket is underneath, fold the sides in to match the width of the cushion, then fold the length into 4, to match the cushion side.

All that remains is to turn the cushion right side out, with all of the quilt inside - and that's it folks -

A useful cushion, that doubles as a quilt for a cold evening.

Next week I'll show off one of our new dies - and then the following week I'll be at the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace - so maybe I'll see some of you there.

Angela

Mystery block part 2

 In a little while the block will be revealed - and I love it - it is complex but I think worth the effort so to continue - join your rectangles together to make squares - you will make 4 of each - (remember to press the seams flat open) -

 

 

 

ant then join the squares together like this, again you will make 4 of each -



and then join together like this - so that you have 4 quarters of the block -

Lay the 4 quarters out - so that you join them together in the right arrangement -

 and then stitch them together to create your complete block -

I know this block as Carpenters Wheel - and I love the 3-D effect. As my father was a carpenter it reminds me of him. I had hoped to make a table runner by making 3 of these blocks - but I don't have enough fabric so this will become a cushion - so look out for next week to see how this cushion becomes a quilt!!! 

Angela

Mystery block - part 1

 Recently I had the privilege of demonstrating at a trade show in Lillestrom in Norway, with Global Hobby. I had a lovely time and came away with quite a few half-square triangles and squares cut - and I really liked some of the fabrics - so here we start the mystery block -
this is a 16" finished block and you will need a long quarter of each fabric for the block - and make it easier for yourself by choosing non directional fabric - believe me it will be a lot easier! and you need clear distinction between the light medium and dark fabrics to get the best effect.

 

You need to cut 32 x 2 1/2" half-square triangles from each fabric - using the Big Shot http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray
and Bigz die - 659831 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659831/sizzix-bigz-die-half-square-triangles-2-1-2-assembled-square
and 12 x 2 1/2" square in light and 4 in dark, using the Bigz die 657607 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657607/sizzix-bigz-die-square-2-finished-2-1-2-unfinished
Join the triangles together to make 16 squares in each colour combination, (and press the seams flat open because of the complexity and number of seams that join) -

 

Join 16 squares together to make 8 rectangles like this -



and then join the remaining squares into rectangles, 4 of each -



So this will give you 32 rectangles and next time you'll see how to put them together for the complete block.
Happy sewing
Angela

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

STAR QUILT: PART 5

Dies used: Half-Square Triangles, 4 1/2in Finished Square
                Square, 4in Finished (4 1/2in Unfinished)
                Star, Nested

One single-size boys quilt, completed!

I'm so happy with the results and more importantly so is its new owner, Aidan. It was really very straightforward to make (especially the cutting, obviously!) using just two shapes (and therefore only two dies) for the pieced quilt top - definitely an example of simple but effective! A third die was used for the small applique stars that pepper the low volume, in-between areas.
There are plenty of colours in it but it meets his specification (thankfully it passed!) of 'mainly blue' with the orange fabric really bringing out the blues and providing some depth.

The backing fabric was picked up in the sale in Ikea and although it wasn't ideal to quilt with being more of a canvas weight it looks really good, the large print contrasting nicely with all of the fine detail on the front.

Hand-sewing the binding took longer than usual as making a stitch through thick backing fabric wasn't as easy as it would have been with quilters weight cotton but it wasn't too much of a hardship.

I really enjoy hand-sewing binding but it's starting to feel a bit indulgent when deadlines are looming and other sewing projects are stacking up, it may be time to investigate machine binding techniques!

Here it is in its new home.

Now to start something new, probably not another full size quilt just yet but I do have another son wanting one for his bed.

Happy sewing!

Star Quilt: Part 4

Dies used: Half-Square Triangles, 4 1/2in Finished Square
                Square, 4in Finished (4 1/2in Unfinished)
                Star, Nested

There are 2 lessons that I really should have learnt from making my last quilt:

1. Multiply the amount of time expected to complete the quilting by 4

2. Buy 1 more reel of thread than required

Oh and maybe a third lesson should be added on:

3. Never say 'X should be finished in time for my next post'.

Sure enough the quilting has taken an enormous amount of time, largely because it's so dense to make sure the die-cut applique stars are well secured (I love those little stars so much alongside the big, pieced ones). I'm in complete awe of people who can quilt a substantial item in a day or so.

And of course my thread ran out within a whisker of the end, again. Ho hum.

Before basting and quilting a border was added all around the edge to increase the overall size to just larger than that of a single duvet so that when on the bed there won't be any duvet sticking out from underneath. The backing fabric is from Ikea, it was half price in the sale and although it is a heavier weight than is ideal, the larger apple print was too good to resist.

This quilt is for my son, Aidan he turned 8 last week and his birthday made a natural target deadline. Unfortunately it wasn't possible to meet that deadline but as things worked out his birthday became a bit of a non-event as he became ill with a throat infection the day before. As a result his trip to Legoland had to be cancelled and replaced with 2 visits to the doctor and he didn't manage a single mouthful of his own birthday cake. A re-run of his birthday once he's fully recovered is set to take place. In the meantime he can snuggle next to me under this quilt and watch films as I hand sew the binding down.

See you next time when this quilt should be...no, lesson 3, I won't say it.

Happy sewing!