I read Gwen Marston's Liberated Quiltmaking II last month. Published in 2010, it's a wonderful book filled with photos and instructions of lively, colorful blocks. So when I pulled {yet another} set of vintage blocks out of the closet I decided to incorporate some of her stars.
Here's what I completed yesterday. The background and center squares are cut 2.5" while the star points were made from crumbs and scraps. What a relaxing way to spend the day.
Scrap quilts, improvisational quilts, and art quilts with occasional forays into travel and books.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
More Log Cabin Baby Quilts
Just before Christmas a friend's wife gave birth to a darling baby girl. Their son is so excited! And I am, too. Here's the quilts I made for them. This one finished about 42" with those half-inch logs.
This next one is about 64" square and has two-inch logs.
Half Log Cabin |
Here's a quick view of the backs. The one on top is one of my favorite Alexander Henry prints; so many lovely colors. The quilting is a combination of straight lines and feathers but I had to put some spirals in the border.
Quilt backs |
I pick a quilt block to use up scraps. Then I piece the blocks slowly as leaders and enders when I'm working on other projects. As they are finished, I press them and add them to the scrap block box. When I need a quilt, it's halfway complete. When I get tired to making one style block I choose another. Works for me. These blocks use light & dark fabrics. I'm about ready to start a new block using medium shades; they are overflowing my scrap bag.
Enjoy the day. Ann
Enjoy the day. Ann
Friday, December 20, 2013
Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges
With Christmas presents wrapped and under the tree, I went to Natural Bridges SP near Santa Cruz last week. There used to be more bridges but they have collapsed. Still gorgeous.
Natural Bridges |
No one was in the water except this guy, busy searching for dinner.
Snowy Egret |
The best reason to visit this time of year is the butterflies that winter in the ravines. Looking up, they appear to be branches of dead leaves. But look again.
They group like this for warmth. There were thousands of them this year but I'm told there were millions in the '70's. Monarchs live on every continent except Antarctica. They lay eggs on milkweed, the only plant their caterpillars eat. Human development is destroying milkweed habitat. I bought some seeds to plant in a pot this spring. One bush per monarch. I'm on their migratory path so perhaps they will visit me soon.
Enjoy the day. Ann
Enjoy the day. Ann
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Still Working on the Border
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... I'm still working on the star border for my Trip Around the Block. The original post about the borders was in August. (Wow, so long ago.) Here's another "rough draft" layout. My borders are usually darker but this time I'm determined to make a light border... and use hexagons. Just to be different.
This was my last layout before cutting. OK, the stars are cut. But sometimes I've cut material then changed my mind and not had enough fabric for the revised version. So now I try harder to get a sense of the fabric relationships before cutting very much. What do I like here? A narrow striped inner border. The pink in the middle and black and white around it. Some white space between the inner and outer border.
This was my last layout before cutting. OK, the stars are cut. But sometimes I've cut material then changed my mind and not had enough fabric for the revised version. So now I try harder to get a sense of the fabric relationships before cutting very much. What do I like here? A narrow striped inner border. The pink in the middle and black and white around it. Some white space between the inner and outer border.
I downloaded isometric graph paper from my favorite site, printablepaper.net, and started sketching. So many grids (polar, isometric, hexagon, pentagon, and a raft of diagonally printed grids in addition to music, knitting and beading.)
Eight-pointed stars would be much easier to piece but this is a nice change of pace.
One quarter of the border is now finished. My stars and garters! It's painstaking, time-consuming sewing. I'm finishing loads of scrap blocks as leaders and enders, though. Perhaps by the time the entire border is done there will be enough for another baby quilt.
The inner border is not attached to the quilt yet. In fact, it's not cut. I prefer to finish fussy borders first and then cut the simple, inner border as needed. It lessens the stress; who cares if the inner border is 1/2 or 3/8 or 7/16 inches wide? It just needs to fit.
Fret not; enjoy the day. Ann
The inner border is not attached to the quilt yet. In fact, it's not cut. I prefer to finish fussy borders first and then cut the simple, inner border as needed. It lessens the stress; who cares if the inner border is 1/2 or 3/8 or 7/16 inches wide? It just needs to fit.
Fret not; enjoy the day. Ann
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Placemats and Napkins
I made a set of placemats and napkins as a Christmas present. After much discussion we chose mattress ticking for the fabric. And they are so cute! The ticking is canvas-weight, perfect for placemats.
I like them so much I just finished a second set of mats for my husband. (Just what he always wanted!) But I used Moda Kasuri Medallions in indigo quilting cotton for the napkins. The heavy ticking required a half-inch seam but the napkins needed just a quarter-inch seam.
My grandmother taught me to miter corners but Britex Fabrics of San Francisco recently posted an inspirational guest blog by Nicole with very clear instructions that are very similar. Try it out.
By the way. Notice how much prettier the place setting looks. Those placemats were washed, then ironed while damp. Mine were dried and then ironed. Even with steam I couldn't get all the wrinkles out. Next time, I'll iron straight from the washer.
Enjoy the day, Ann
Enjoy the day, Ann
Friday, December 6, 2013
Quilts for Generations to Come
Finally figured out how to post some photographs of the quilt enveloping friends' future generations. Isn't this why most of us quilt? Don't you love seeing them still used and enjoyed years later? Family quilts hold a lifetime of memories and more.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Déjà vu All Over Again
I've been very busy doing everything but quilt for the past two months. But my daughter shared a photo she took of friends expecting their first child. Why am I writing about it? The quilt "prop" is the first scrap bee quilt I ever made... about thirty years ago. So fun to see it again!
Bow Tie scrap quilt |
Inserting her Flickr photo eludes me; however, here's a link to her site. It looks so good with a happy couple snuggled inside.
Fall Maternity Collage
Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the day, Ann
Fall Maternity Collage
Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the day, Ann
Monday, November 18, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Trips Around the Block Tutorial
They are made with the same simple block using similar black & white fabrics. Streak of Lightning is so bright and cheerful but I also like the shadings of grey in the next. It was set with dark grey crosses centered on a multi-colored friendship star then sashed with very light greys.There's finally time to work on this quilt again after a long hiatus for baby gifts and traveling. I'm still working on the border but here's a tutorial for Trips Around the Block, a two-block quilt of X- and O- layouts.
My basic plan for this quilt:
Fabric Requirements:
My squares finished 1.5". Each 10.5"-block is a seven-patch with 49 squares. I chose an odd number of columns and rows with an X-block in the corners. A 5-by-7-block quilt finishes 52.5" by 73.5" without borders and takes 1715 squares, about 4.875 yards of fabric.
Cutting:
Cut strips 2" wide and subcut into 2" squares.
If you prefer 2" finished squares use five-patch blocks instead. In this case, each 10"-block contains 25 squares. A 5-by-7-block quilt finishes 50" by 70" and takes 875 squares - about 3.875 yards of fabric. Cut strips 2.5" wide and subcut into 2.5" squares.
Pressing:
Consistent pressing enables seams to butt together perfectly. For O-blocks finger-press odd rows up and even rows down. For X-blocks finger-press the odd rows down and evens rows up. Press the columns of the O's to the right and those of the X's to the left.
Sewing:
After laying out the O- or X-block, sew squares into columns and then sew columns together to complete the block.
Trip Around the Block without border |
- Make the main diagonal grid medium to dark blues and greens. (1-4 on the value finder.)
- Group two or more rows of darks or lights together frequently.
- Use lots of spring and summer colors and white, some black, very little brown.
Fabric Requirements:
My squares finished 1.5". Each 10.5"-block is a seven-patch with 49 squares. I chose an odd number of columns and rows with an X-block in the corners. A 5-by-7-block quilt finishes 52.5" by 73.5" without borders and takes 1715 squares, about 4.875 yards of fabric.
Cutting:
Cut strips 2" wide and subcut into 2" squares.
If you prefer 2" finished squares use five-patch blocks instead. In this case, each 10"-block contains 25 squares. A 5-by-7-block quilt finishes 50" by 70" and takes 875 squares - about 3.875 yards of fabric. Cut strips 2.5" wide and subcut into 2.5" squares.
Pressing:
Consistent pressing enables seams to butt together perfectly. For O-blocks finger-press odd rows up and even rows down. For X-blocks finger-press the odd rows down and evens rows up. Press the columns of the O's to the right and those of the X's to the left.
Sewing:
After laying out the O- or X-block, sew squares into columns and then sew columns together to complete the block.
The two left columns are sewn. After all squares are sewn into columns, sew columns together. |
Make seventeen O-blocks first. Any combination works. Vary the darkest round of each block. You can use different fabrics in the same round. Here are some examples I posted previously or go to this post for more examples.
The middle block has four dark corners. The darkest fabrics of the right-hand block are round 6 (counting from the center.) |
When completed, lay out an alternate set.
O-blocks laid out in an alternate set. The second block in row three has different fabrics in round six. |
Now it's time to make eighteen X-blocks. Start with the main X of 13 squares to divide your block into four quadrants. Think of opposite v's as a round and again make them any way you like. The fabrics in a "round" can be the same or different.
Originally it seemed important to have a darker and lighter side of the X. However, the X itself is very strong and the O's establish the diamond shape. So whatever you put in the V area should work.
I had more trouble sewing the X-blocks correctly; I kept trying to sew them into O's. It helped to keep them laid out as I sewed. This post has more examples of X-blocks.
I had more trouble sewing the X-blocks correctly; I kept trying to sew them into O's. It helped to keep them laid out as I sewed. This post has more examples of X-blocks.
X-blocks laid out but unsewn. They look much larger than the O-blocks because the squares are not sewn. |
I'd love to see what you create!
Enjoy the day. Ann
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Grocery Bags
Baby bibs, aprons and now reusable grocery bags are helping reduce my fabric hoard. These are very simple, lined bags with no pockets. I keep one in my purse and another in my backpack so they're always at hand. My last plastic bag was the pattern template. After making two bags with pleats at the bottom like the plastic ones, I decided boxing the bottom would sew through fewer layers. The box is easier but pleated bags fold up more neatly. Here's a tutorial for boxing a bag by Drago[knit]fly.
These are great gifts in California where everyone must bring their own shopping bags to the stores. Instead of piles of unused yardage I have many new scraps.
These are great gifts in California where everyone must bring their own shopping bags to the stores. Instead of piles of unused yardage I have many new scraps.
Fret not. Enjoy the day.
Ann
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Big Tex Star Quilt
Here's what I made with those last few Puddin' and Pie blocks. Just in time for the State Fair of Texas and another baby shower. What fun that this baby's quilt connects with his cousins' quilts.
Big Tex Star Quilt |
I decided to arrange the blocks to fit a star in the center. The four new blocks are twenty-four inches each.
Big Tex Star block |
I used a variety of free motion quilting designs in the lights and the blues, parallel lines in the Ts and curved line quilting in the stars and yellow fabrics. I also quilted the baby's name in free motion zig-zag in the border. It doesn't show much from the front but it's a nice touch.
Enjoy the day! Ann
Enjoy the day! Ann
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Puddin' and Pie Quilts
Several years ago I exchanged these blocks with friends. Basically it's a modified Rail Fence with most strips cut 2.5 by 6.5 inches. They are so simple to make; the two points are in the middle of the block making it easily trimmable. Four together make a traditional Puddin' and Pie block. Over the years I've made several quilts with them.
This is one of my favorite borders. The notched ends give it a ribbon effect.
This is one of my favorite borders. The notched ends give it a ribbon effect.
The outer border was made with original blocks and some mirrored blocks to look like "T"s.
These two were given to brothers. I waited years for their cousins to appear but finally gave up and made a quilt for the local hospice.
Never give up. A cousin arrives this year. There were only sixteen blocks and their mirrors left. I don't want another alternate set so I'll play around for a while.
Fret not; enjoy the day. Ann
Fret not; enjoy the day. Ann
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Another String Quilt
There were just enough Red and String blocks left for this toddler quilt. Perfect for one of the four baby quilts. Although I didn't intend to repeat a top, it's practically the same setting I used here. Cheerful and bright!
Ditch quilted along the sashing then quilted a simple grid across the quilt. The border has printed spirals so I quilted more of them. They look great.
Enjoy the day! Ann
Enjoy the day! Ann
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Four Patch Log Cabin Tutorial and Settings
Some people asked the directions for Four-Patch Log Cabin. It's an easy six-inch finished block using six fabrics. Here's a cutting chart.
Fabric Color Number of Pieces Cut Size
Bright A 2 2" by 2"
Bright B 2 2" by 2"
Black A 1 2" by 3.5"
Black B 1 2" by 5"
White A 1 2" by 5"
White B 1 2" by 6.5"
Using quarter-inch seams sew the four-patch together, pressing seams to one side and butting them together to finish the four-patch. Next sew Black A rectangle to the four-patch, pressing to the outside.
Add Black B rectangle and again press to the outside. Double check that you are adding rectangles in the same direction on each block. Mine are clockwise. It doesn't matter whether they turn clockwise or counterclockwise as long as all blocks are consistent. Finally, add White A and finally White B, pressing to the outside.
What about the setting? Regular Log Cabins on point make a Straight Furrows set.
When Four-Patch Log Cabin blocks are laid out the same way, they appear more like Streak of Lightning. Log Cabin blocks look like dark and light triangles. This block looks like a dark/bright square with a white L. That makes the difference in the layout.
Here's one variation of regular Log Cabin Streak of Lightning layout.
The fabrics in FPLC are so strongly patterned that simple quilting seemed best. The black and white logs are simple straight line and ditch quilting; the bright squares are free-motion orange peel. I thought about heavier quilting but decided they should match the logs in density. There are lovely feathers in the bright red that don't show up. Finally, the border just needed simple echo quilting to highlight the prints. Sometimes less is more. But looking at the regular log cabins inspires me to use some of the designs Leah is using in her locks of hair. I'll have to sew these tops now.
Enjoy the day! Ann
Fabric Color Number of Pieces Cut Size
Bright A 2 2" by 2"
Bright B 2 2" by 2"
Black A 1 2" by 3.5"
Black B 1 2" by 5"
White A 1 2" by 5"
White B 1 2" by 6.5"
Pieces for Four-Patch Log Cabin block |
Partially sewn Four-Patch Log Cabin |
What about the setting? Regular Log Cabins on point make a Straight Furrows set.
Straight Furrows layout, log cabin blocks |
Four-Patch Log Cabin. Layout is Straight Furrow but looks like Streak of Lightning. |
Streak of Lightning set, log cabin blocks |
Enjoy the day! Ann
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Four-Patch Log Cabin Quilts
I've gotten a bit sidetracked. Somehow four friends are having baby boys... soon. How did I not know? Fortunately I keep extra blocks for these events. I need to dig them out to see what can be done. Here are some I made last time.
They are made with the same simple block using similar black & white fabrics. Streak of Lightning is so bright and cheerful but I also like the shadings of grey in the next. It was set with dark grey crosses centered on a multi-colored friendship star then sashed with very light greys.
Here's the original block: a four patch of 2" unfinished squares combined with one row of log cabin strips. Notice the darks were sewn before the lights. You can also see the quilting design. I squared off the individual feathers so it looks like a philodendron in my backyard. Linking up with the Free Motion Quilting Project.
Four-Patch Log Cabin, Streak of Lightning set |
They are made with the same simple block using similar black & white fabrics. Streak of Lightning is so bright and cheerful but I also like the shadings of grey in the next. It was set with dark grey crosses centered on a multi-colored friendship star then sashed with very light greys.
Four-Patch Log Cabin, Cross set |
Here's the original block: a four patch of 2" unfinished squares combined with one row of log cabin strips. Notice the darks were sewn before the lights. You can also see the quilting design. I squared off the individual feathers so it looks like a philodendron in my backyard. Linking up with the Free Motion Quilting Project.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Flower Power Bullseye
This was the final bullseye quilt finished around 2006 using the leftovers from my first one. I wanted to see how Texas Mink held up over time and thought it complemented the raw edge of the bullseye blocks. It has lasted very well. The quilt has been heavily used, washed and stored in a chest for several years. The border has flattened. Washing reinvigorates it but it never looks as pristine once it's folded or washed.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Comparing Trips
While I continue to play with the border I thought it would be fun to look at different trips. They've been posted before, but I like grouping smaller photos for easy comparison. Block choice really affects the quilt, as does fabric. Google search to find more examples.
Original Trip Around the World creates one large diamond. (If you don't want the diamond effect, Postage Stamps looks like one quadrant of the original trip.) Mini Trips Around the World are made with multiple smaller Trips... more trips but fewer rounds in each trip.
Scrappy Trip block is composed of squares laid on one diagonal like a mini postage stamp. Rotating the blocks creates diamond shapes and strong sides that disappear at block boundaries. But blocks don't have to be rotated. Look at Sujata Shah's gorgeous quilts for alternative settings. Asymmetrical blocks like Scrappy Trip have more setting variations than ones like the other trips. Bonnie Hunter has examples and instructions for these quilts on her site: Quiltsville Trip and Quiltsville Scrappy Trip. (Note: I didn't use her method for my first Trip; the rounds don't repeat regularly.)
Trip Around the Block uses two blocks to establish strong center diamonds and grids. Value variations occur at block boundaries again but are subtly different than Scrappy Trip.
Isn't it amazing the different quilts you can make with only squares?
Fret not; enjoy the day. Ann
Trip Around the World |
Mini Trips Around the World (layout) |
Trip Around the Block (layout) |
Scrappy Trips |
Original Trip Around the World creates one large diamond. (If you don't want the diamond effect, Postage Stamps looks like one quadrant of the original trip.) Mini Trips Around the World are made with multiple smaller Trips... more trips but fewer rounds in each trip.
Scrappy Trip block is composed of squares laid on one diagonal like a mini postage stamp. Rotating the blocks creates diamond shapes and strong sides that disappear at block boundaries. But blocks don't have to be rotated. Look at Sujata Shah's gorgeous quilts for alternative settings. Asymmetrical blocks like Scrappy Trip have more setting variations than ones like the other trips. Bonnie Hunter has examples and instructions for these quilts on her site: Quiltsville Trip and Quiltsville Scrappy Trip. (Note: I didn't use her method for my first Trip; the rounds don't repeat regularly.)
Trip Around the Block uses two blocks to establish strong center diamonds and grids. Value variations occur at block boundaries again but are subtly different than Scrappy Trip.
Isn't it amazing the different quilts you can make with only squares?
Fret not; enjoy the day. Ann
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Trip Around the Block Border Ideas
The blocks are together. To make the quilt large enough I need to make another set of blocks around all sides or add a border. Here are some borders I've been considering.
A scrap of this border made a star center in the middle of one of the O-blocks and reminded me to look for this fabric in my stash. It influenced the direction of my fabric choices but the border is a bit narrow for such a large quilt. And there is not enough to complete the border. So I either need to find some fabrics to enlarge (and lengthen) it or save it for a lap quilt.
A scrap of this border made a star center in the middle of one of the O-blocks and reminded me to look for this fabric in my stash. It influenced the direction of my fabric choices but the border is a bit narrow for such a large quilt. And there is not enough to complete the border. So I either need to find some fabrics to enlarge (and lengthen) it or save it for a lap quilt.
I bought this Henry Glass fabric recently because it looked like a perfect binding or narrow border. The colors actually blend with the sawtooth border fabric.
Repeat stripe border fabric |
This is a border I drafted using six-pointed stars. It's not pieced yet so the stars are still too large. If I use it the stars will be multicolored. The innermost fabric is an old Nancy Crow ombre stripe followed by a sweet pink random dot print. I love the black & white stripe but are there too many dots?
Pieced star border |
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