Jan-Feb-Mar Review

My 2010 Quilt Challenge for this year is still on track and may just be the most fun resolution I have ever set to follow. To share my progress with you, I thought it would be fun to do a review every three months with some more details. Take a look at the projects done so far as journaled on this blog:

    

--Quilting Books on Review--

My goal is to try new techniques from the quilting books in my own library first and then from ones I buy or borrow from the library. Two other goals are to use fabrics I already own and to first learn these new skills by making smaller projects.

As I believe when trying new techniques the success of completing the project is far greater when the project is small. If one does not prefer the technique, not much time or materials have been invested into a project that will never see the light of day.  All quilts should have an opportunity to shine!!

JANUARY 2010

Simple Stained Glass Quilts
Daphne Grieg and Susan Purney Mark

In The Back Country

 

Book Project                               My Quilt

My first project was really fun to make and there are many more projects in the book that I'd love to try. I usually don't stick with the exact directions on most patterns, so was impressed that I did for this one. I did make some changes to how I used color in the inner border.  I found cutting out the leading fabric with the art knife just like drawing. The  finished design was truly magical. This project is: 19 3/4" x 22 1/2". Mine was very close at: 20" x 22 1/2".

Fantastic Fabric Folding
Rebecca Wat

Kimono Sampler I

 

Book Project                                       My Quilt

My second project was a stretch for me as I am not really into fabric folding, so I did find the technique of folding a real challenge. However, I was really happy to see Rebecca include the kimono samplers, as they are much simpler to make. That made it possible for me to continue and be able to succeed in a finished project.  There are two other projects that I wish to try at a later date because I like the design, however, I would certainly replace the folding flowers with appliqued ones. This project is: 57 1/2" x 57 1/2". Mine was 27 1/2" x 27 1/2".  This smaller size is because I used the cutting instructions from the Kimono Sampler II but used the construction process from the Kimono Sampler I.  That worked really well for me.

FEBRUARY 2010

Quilts from the Selvage Edge
Karen Griska

Glass Tumbling Blocks                        Garden's Edge

 

Book Project                                    My Project

My third project was inspired from the quilt project shown above. My goal was to try making a border using selvages and then do something on the center block. I love applique so created flowers cut from selvage squares. I figured there would be opportunity to create a quilt from this book after I had collected the selvages from all the projects made during my quilt challenge.  However, since I didn't wish to wait until then, I created a design of my own. The project shown is: 48" x 49". Mine was 25" x 25".

Flower Pounding

Ann Frischkorn and Amy Sandrin

Good Chi

 

Book Project                   My Project

My fourth project was interesting to create and noisy too. You can make one of these any time of year, whether you choose flowers from your garden or the local flower shop. I decided to use outdoor plants, but still needed to keep it small because I didn't want to create too much noise. So, I made a smaller vase for the flowers and added butterfly buttons for added interest. I was surprised when a purple bud pounded out green. So there are many more great ideas left to explore in this book. This project is: 15 3/4" x 25". Mine was 15 1/2" x 23".

MARCH 2010

Watercolor Landscape Quilts
Cathy Geier

A Lake Superior Maple (Level 2)

 

Book Project                             My Project

My fifth project was filled with challenge and intrigue. Since this was the only project I wished to try at first, it was what I made. To me, size matters, and many quilt projects are just too large for me to make. I thought perhaps the fabric choices would create a quilt that wouldn't work,  but was rewarded along the way. The fusible grid worked well for me. However, with the more challenging projects this is what Cathy suggested: "If you do decide to do one of the more advanced quilts, there might be more scalene triangles and these aren't as easy to put together on the fusible because of the bias stretch inherent in the product... just be careful! I don't want to see you get frustrated." So, I will try foundation next time, as the grid would be too small for more complex designs. That is why I didn't choose the project "A Room with a View" this time. This project is: 27" x 31". Mine was 22" x 25 3/4".

Thanks for reading...

SIXTH PROJECT - APRIL 2010:

My sixth project will be shared next week...

Easy Does It For Autumn/ Art to Heart
Nancy Halvorsen

ISBN: 632552005211

 
 


Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Stained Glass Quilts

Book:

Simple Stained Glass Quilts by Daphne Greig & Susan Purney Mark

Time to reveal my project from the book - I choose to make the quilt - "In The Back Country"  (page 47)

Book, Focus Fabrics, Pattern

As I flipped through the book... this was the one that caught my eye first and a quick look through my fabrics made it my chosen project. There are so many great choices, and I will definitely be back to make another...

I want to stay true to my resolution to use my own fabrics, and to show you that it is possible to make beautiful quilts with the fabrics you already have in your possession. I also wanted to challenge myself and try fabrics that at first I may not have chosen, and still be able to create a beautiful quilt.

The Six Focus Fabrics

My favorite part was the drawing and cutting out of the leading. I love using paper-backed fusible and drawing out the patterns with pencil and cutting blade. I also marked on my drawing where to cut and where to watch out, so I would cut on the correct lines.

Cutting Out The Pattern From The Leading Fabric

It did not matter in the end, that I had made a few wrong cuts as everything was stitched down with a small zig-zag stitch (I used 2.0 / 0.8).  I stitched my leading down (fabric and batting only) and then attached the backing fabric. I prefer to hide my stitching and so do this in two separate stages.

First Two Sections Stitched Down (wrong-side)

It is the quilting of all three layers that is my least favorite. I haven't ventured into free-motion quilting yet, and so still stick with straight lines. Perhaps...one day I will be brave enough and learn to enjoy that part as well. But, for this year I am already challenging myself with new techniques that go beyond my favorite (fused applique) technique to broaden my quilting skills.

A teflon pressing sheet is definitely a good idea as you will see in the instructions. It really does protect your iron and your leading is held in place so it can be pressed in position correctly. I would recommend using a pressing sheet under your design as well as on top as the fusible webbing extends beyond the centre part of the cut leading. I ended up fusing my design down to the flannelette pad I had placed on my table, so I wouldn't have to move it on the ironing board. No worries... I just carefully pulled it off and it was fine.

I also make it a habit to cut a swatch from every fabric that I use in my projects (as I cut them) so I can later go back and see my fabric choices and have them available for creating scrapbook/journal pages of each quilt. I do not rely on memory because there is just too much information that will be lost. I plan to create a quilt journal page for each of these projects that are made in this 2010 journey.

In The Back Country

 Finished size: 20" x 22 1/2"

Next week...

My next book choice and then a reveal the following week. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!

New Year's Project Underway

I am now ready to share my new quilting adventure for 2010 with you each week ...

I wanted to ensure my website was available as it links with my quilting journey here on the quilt sampler journal blog. There were some technical things I had to figure out and am happy to report they have been solved.

NEW GOALS:

My goal is to try out two new quilting techniques each month and share my quilting journey on this blog, as I learn these new skills. Details of my chosen project to include:

1. quilting technique learned
2. which book the project is from
3. photographs and comments on my project
4. any dislikes and likes of the new technique
5. showcase a complete project or portion thereof
6. would I make another quilt using this technique
7. a write-up for the website - (completed project)

The list of book titles will be displayed on my website under the section called: "Featured", so you may check out what quilting books are on my to-do list. If there are any books listed that you have created quilts from... I'd love to share them on this website.

To participate please check out the links in the header called: "Join the Fun" and "Promote" to see what you can do to share your quilting journey. Or you may submit comments on the blog as it would be fun to see which projects you are enjoying from these great quilting books.

FIRST PROJECT - JANUARY 2010:

My first project will be ready to share

with you starting next week from...

Simple Stained Glass Quilts/

Daphne Greig & Susan Purney Mark

ISBN: 978-0-89689-582-9 /

Enjoy your new quilting adventure for... 2010!!