Apr-May-Jun Review

My 2010 Quilt Challenge continues to forge ahead... and I am already at the midway point. It has been an enjoyable journey so far, as I continue to check out those quilting books on my own bookshelf. Some of them have waited until now to be enjoyed. Take another look at the projects that I’ve blogged about over these last three months:

--Quilting Books on Review--

Several main goals still being maintained for this challenge are...
· EXPLORING the books in my own library,
· USING fabrics I already own,
· CREATING small projects to test out these new techniques.


APRIL 2010

Easy Does It for Autumn
Nancy Halvorsen

Halloween Candy Quilt

Book Project                            My Quilt

My sixth project was definitely fun to make and there are a few more projects in the book that I'd love to try. I usually change things that don’t fit my way of doing them. First off, I did not include any buttons, as they were specialty ones that I would have had to go buy. The only item I am allowing myself to purchase for this challenge is batting. And, secondly, I added a binding to the quilt when the pattern didn’t use that method; therefore not adding the hanging tabs, either. These types of quilts are my favourite as they are small, the machine appliqués are done with fusible web, and the quilting is easy to do on my own machine. My favourite choice for batting in these wall-hangings is fusible Pellon. This bright quilt will be certain to get attention with its beautiful autumn colors. If you prefer stitcheries, then you may like to make the smaller version in embroidery, as shown above. This project is: 9" x 24". Mine was very close at: 9 3/4" x 24 3/4".

New Collection of Classic Quilts
Lynette Jensen

High Country Pinwheels – Christmas

Book Project                                My Quilt

My seventh project went together quickly as it was all done by piecing the cut fabrics together. This method seems too plain for me, as I love embellishing with appliqué, buttons, and mock piping. However, the opportunity to use some of my Christmas fabrics, and see how fabric can create such an amazing result; were two factors in my choice. I also love the process of cutting up fabrics with my rotary tools, so it was still enjoyable. The projects in the book are mainly large quilts, so downsizing of the pieces was in order to get this one finished. Even though there are many beautiful quilts in this book, I think this is the only one I will try. This project is: 56" x 56". Mine was 32 1/4" x 32 1/4".

MAY 2010

The Bargello Quilt Book
Piecemakers

Mini-Bargello

Book Project                      My Project

My eighth project was inspired from all the colourful quilts shown in the book. So, did I follow the pattern? Yes and no! Firstly, the method is so simple... and fun. It is a must to follow the technique to achieve what is called “bargello”. However, the color palette is completely your own! I don’t know if I’ll make this exact pattern again. But I do know that trying a variety of “bargello styles” would be fun to explore. It was rather difficult to pick my colors, and when nothing suited the amount of print fabrics that I had on hand, I chose one print and the rest were plains. I hadn’t seen that color choice done before. And, then, I only picked seven colors instead of ten. I chose to do the ‘diagonal quilting’ over the ‘in-the-ditch quilting’. This quilting was actually quite fun... an opportunity for me to go out of my comfort zone. Although I still did breathe a sigh of relief when I got to the binding stage! I hung my quilt with the points going downward. The project shown is: 27" x 35". Mine was 29" x 25 3/4".

Four Seasons of Quilts

Cori Derksen and Myra Harder

Pumpkin Patch Baby Quilt

Book Project                        My Project

My ninth project began with enthusiasm; however, I just couldn’t get myself motivated to work on the freezer-paper templates and creating all that bias for the stems. Even with this background, you can see I have difficulty with random placement of color. So, I had to decide if I could push myself to doing it anyway or change the project to one I could complete. I went with the latter, and was very glad I did...

Holly and Berries Table Runner

Book Project            My Project

With a Christmas project already made in April, my first choice from the book was this autumn project. However, because this one wasn’t going to happen and I wanted to keep this book for May, this table runner was my second choice. Of course, I had to try my own method when doing the paper piecing portion. It worked out perfectly with the appliqué and my piece of holly and berries fabric. I had also planned on doing the stems in hand embroidery, but after spending so much time on my first attempt, I went with machine stitching, instead. Of course!

There are four fun mini projects (14” x 9”) that I’d go back for, but I still don’t know what I’ll do with my “Pumpkin Patch” appliqué-less quilt top. This completed project from the book is: 16" x 38". Mine was 15 3/4" x 34 1/2".

JUNE 2010

Turning Twenty... Again
Tricia Cribbs

9 Blocks – 3 x 3 setting

Book Project                        My Project

My tenth project was a perfect choice for using up some of those fat quarters that I have and aren’t particularly fond of as I like my fabrics to have two selvage edges. And fat quarters aren’t always so perfectly cut. I chose the smallest size because that is what I work with best. And, if you like to do everything will precision and order, then this technique is a sure thing to challenge you. When it says, “it makes no difference which side you choose”, it means exactly that. Of course, I am challenged when doing things randomly. So, if I ever make another one of these, I may just use my scrap fabrics, and choose my colors at random, to keep me from wanting to always match things up evenly! When quilting the layers together, I think all those seams and edges wanted to take a stretch because it wasn’t fun to quilt. I did, however, finally get it to work.

The project shown is done with the 12 blocks -3 x 4 setting. The finished size without borders would be 48 1/2” x 64 1/2 and with a 6 1/2” border would be 60 1/2” x 76 1/2”. Mine was the 9 blocks – 3 x 3 setting, and the pieces decreased by about one half to finish at 29" x 29".

Thanks for reading...

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Next Week:
July begins my third quarter of quilting topics and book reviews. For more details of upcoming quilting techniques and more great books check out my website for even more inspirational ideas!!

Four Seasons

Book:

Four Seasons of Quilts/ by Cori Derken and Myra Harder

I had picked an autumn project and got the quilt top sewn together. However, I just couldn’t get myself to work on the appliqué portion of it.

Background Setting For:

“Pumpkin Patch Baby Quilt”

I know this may sound odd because I love to do appliqué but the design and the size of the quilt caused me to stall. After some time trying to motivate myself to continue, I realized it was not going to happen. I made the decision to choose another project from the book and found that my eagerness did return.

*************************

Time to reveal my next project… my second choice was: "Holly and Berries Table Runner" on page 80.

Combining these two different techniques looked like a great challenge especially since - one was one that I love (appliqué) and one that I cannot find love for (paper piecing). I knew I’d finish this one, because of the way I felt about it.

Book, Fabrics

MORE ABOUT PAPER PIECING

Do you find some paper pieced block designs you’d love to make but hate using this technique? Then, check out my way to paper piece described below with photos. Generally, I find it works for me. As there are paper pieced design blocks that I have, on occasion, wanted to incorporate into a quilt top.

My Own Method:

1.) Print out the paper pieced pattern. (regular paper will do)

2.) Cut it out on the lines. 3.) Use these pieces as your paper templates.

4.) Cut out the fabric with seam allowances automatically added by using rotary cutting tools. (Place the one-quarter inch mark at the edge of the paper template.)

5.) Then follow the numbering on the pattern pieces to assemble the block. 6.) Press each seam open before adding another piece. 7.) And with this process that difficult block is completed!

The reason for paper piecing is to get those perfect points in the design. This I accomplished, even doing it my way.

The only problem was that my finished blocks were not square, mainly I think because of the small pieces and working with bias edges. You can see that the points in the design still are perfectly matched. So, I just squared them up and continued with the block assembly.

I’d suggest two ways – to square up your blocks, to the correct size:

1.) If your blocks end up smaller then the pattern requirements, like mine did, adjust your other blocks to fit. This is what I did for this project.

2.) Or… to make them the size the pattern requires to fit the other blocks in the quilt, add a narrow border around the block so that is ends up the size the project needs.

Okay, so this process worked relatively well. The quilt project that I had done several years ago used very large blocks and using my paper templates and the assembly process of the fabric pieces ended up perfectly matched up and square. It was my foundation paper pieced block that wasn’t so perfect.

THE APPLIQUE PORTION

Then, there is appliqué… for some people this is a technique that rivals my feelings towards paper piecing. And, there I would agree with you if you are referring to the needle-turned method. I tried to include a project with this method, but could not get myself to commit to it, so I know I found the technique I’ll stay with when it comes to appliquéd designs.

I love doing raw edge appliqué when it is done with fusible web and a machine buttonhole stitch. For me, this is the best way to have fun with appliqué designs.

Holly and Berries

I used red thread for the zigzag satin stitch for the berries and green thread for the stems and buttonhole stitch on the holly.

I considered doing hand embroidery for the stems, but changed my mind and used the sewing machine to stitch a double line along my pencil marks. They were done before the appliqué pieces were added.

Here is the back side of the appliqué section to show you how cool this side looks.

FINISHING THE QUILT

To finish the quilt layers, I stitched the paper pieced blocks with an “X” and the applique design is done with a shadow stitch all around the stems and berries; then separately around the leaves and single berries.

Showing the green backing fabric and the finished binding both done in Christmas fabrics. Seasonal fabrics come in so many wonderful patterns. When I found this project, I knew the holly and berries fabric would look great on the end borders on this table runner.

Then, a final note: I hope to come back sometime to do the applique on the other quilt. And, the book also has four small projects (14” x 9”) that would be really fun to make.

My Quilt

Finished Size: 15 3/4” x 34 1/2”

Next time...

Come back next week, for an invitation to share your favourite quilting technique. And if you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!