Monthly Archives: November 2011

Red Bird Baby Quilt Finished and Started Working on Rock Around the Clock

So one more quilt finished and listed on Etsy and Dawanda. SOLD !!

Baby Quilt

I hope you can see the little red bird that is hidden in the center block.

I am happy with the design: this is also a project that can be done in a “wonky” style. Instead of cutting all the fabrics exactly, you can cut and sew together improvisationally. Just think first about the block size and the finished quilt size, get out your scraps or chosen fabrics and go for it. Cut, piece and trim the blocks to your desired size, sew together, prepare backing, batting and baste. Quilt as desired and bind the quilt to finish.

And now to my new project: I have a stash of red/orange batik fabrics that I bought some time ago, always thinking what to do with them.  Actually my very first big quilt was a sampler with batiks in blue/turquoise/yellow and I made it for my parents :

Whilst working on the Red Bird Quilt I found an interesting pattern on Quilters Newsletter. It is 9 patch block wonky variation of a classical London Stairs Block.

from Quilter Newsletter

Instead of making each 9 patch block in various color combinations, I decided to “rock around the clock”  and use one solid for the entire quilt and a different color for each “circle”. Before starting with the quilt I got on my computer and drawn the design. With 20x nine patch blocks, each of them 9″ square when finished, making the quilt size 36″ x 45″. I found a matching solid fabric in ebony, got out the batiks, cut 3,5″ wide strips and started piecing. Referring to my quilt assembly diagram I arranged the first 6 rows with units on my design wall and sewn them together. After taking a close look on the finished part I decided to add-on each side 2 more units.

In the end this quilt has not only 20x nine patch blocks but also 18 blocks of 2 units x 3 rows and 4 units x 2 rows for the corners. The quilt size is now 48″ x 57″ and has altogether 304 units. each 3,5″ square. On the picture you can see the unit and block distribution.

Wonky London Stairs design

Once more : it is important to cut and piece exactly. Square up your finished units to 3,5″ and the 9 patch blocks to 9,5″. Check your seams if the they are larger or smaller, redo if necessary. Otherwise the blocks may not join properly and your top is out of scale.

More on progress next time, please feel free to leave a comment, Barbora

Nine Patch Block Variations Or Red Bird Baby Quilt

Quilt Design

Thinking about what could be my next project I saw some nice nine patch quilts on the internet. This inspired me not only to work with a classical nine patch block, but also with some variations. Nine patch blocks are easy to sew, versatile and so a right choice for beginners. With these blocks you can check (and practice) your exact fabric cutting, sewing skills and pressing. Chain piece using 1/4” seam allowance throughout the project.

You can always alternate the size according to your needs : divide the finished block size by three and add 0,5” seam allowance to each cut square.

Sit down and think about the finished quilt, which block type you fancy, what are your favorite colours. Make a drawing, use your color pencils and start cutting.

Fabric choice

I used my favorite colors orange, pink and turquoise. To complete the palette I decided to integrate also some purple hues.

Go for your favorite shades, use solids and don’t be afraid to use strong colors. You can opt for a patchwork fabric designer collection (with matched colours) or just use your stash.

Nine Patch Block Variations

Cutting diagram is for a finished block size 6” square

Block A
Cut 4        2,5” x 2,5”     Light Turquoise
Cut 2        2,5” x 2,5”     Orange
Cut 1        2,5” x 6,5”     Orange

Block B
Cut 4        2,5” x 2,5”     Dark Turquoise
Cut 4        2,5” x 2,5”     Pink
Cut 1        2,5” x 2,5”     Dark Purple

Block C (is basically a Log Cabin)
Cut 1        2,5” x 2,5”     Light Green
Cut 2        2,5” x 2,5”     Light Purple
Cut 2        2,5” x 6,5”     Light Purple

Block D
Cut 1        2,5” x 6,5”     Dark Turquoise
Cut 1        2,5” x 6,5”     Light Purple
Cut 1        2,5” x 6,5”     Yellow

Block E
Cut 1        2,5” x 6,5”     Light Purple
Cut 1        2,5” x 4,5”     Orange
Cut 1        2,5” x 4,5”     Light Turquoise
Cut 1        2,5” x2,5”      Yellow

Block F
Cut 1        2,5” x 4,5”     Dark Turquoise
Cut 1        2,5” x 2,5”     Dark Turquoise
Cut 1        2,5” x 4,5”     Light Green
Cut 1        2,5” x 2,5”     Light Green
Cut 3        2,5” x 2,5”     Orange

Calculation example for a finished block size 9” square
Cut all squares                     3,5” x 3,5”
Cut smaller rectangles     3,5” x 6,5”
Cut larger rectangles        3,5” x 9,5”

Assembly

Chain piece the units row by row together, press seams open. Pin the rows together, check that the seams match and piece, press seams open.
Check the block size : 6,5 x 6,5”, trim if needed.

Arrange the blocks randomly row by row. Use your design wall or distribute the blocks on the floor to overlook the quilt design. Rearrange pieces till you are happy with the colour distribution and sew together.

So this is it ………… finished quilt top. Now prepare the quilt sandwich, give the quilting pattern an other thought and you are nearly there.  Cut stripes for binding and your quilt is now finished!!

Why Red Bird? Wait for the next post, untill then Barbora

Pink Summer Garden Quilt Tutorial

My very first tutorial. This is a great new experience for me. I wanted to do it for some time but did not dare to do so. So, lets start :

Quilt design

Quilt size finished 32″ x 30 1/2″. This is a pattern for a baby quilt that mixes squares and rectangles.

Fabric choice

Check your scrap basket. Select the colors you like – for my quilt I looked for warm shades: pink/red/orange. In case you do not have enough fabric rests, some shops sell scrap bags in different colors.

Backing : 1 yard

Batting : 35″ x 36″

Binding : 10″ from favorite color fabric. Cut 4 stripes each 2 1/2″

Cutting

126 pieces size : 2″ x 2″

126 pieces size : 2″ x 4″

Cut carefully and precise so that you quilt lines up as desired.

Assembly

Sew each 2″ x 2″ square to a 2″ x 4″ rectangle using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Chain piecing is the right solution, this saves thread and avoids thread jamming. I always use a small piece of fabric to start sewing.

For piecing I use cotton thread from Superior Threads – Masterpiece 50/2 in a natural color. I think white thread is too bright and can gleam through the seams after pressing.

Make random pairs by mixing the different fabrics together. Press the seams towards the square. Using a ruler check the correct unit size : 2″ x 5 1/2″; trim if needed.

Arrange the quilt layout row by row. Use your design wall or distribute the pair units on the floor to overlook the distribution. Rearrange pieces if you notice the same fabrics near to each other.

Sew 6 pair units together to make a unit A and check the size :  9 1/2″ x 5 1/2″; trim if needed. Press the seams in opposite directions.

Now sew 3 units A together to make a unit B and check the size : 9 1/2″ x 15 1/2″; trim if needed.

Use lots of pins to join the units and sew with an exact seam allowance of 1/4″.

Press the seams in each unit B in an opposite direction. Make altogether 6 units B with 6 rows (as shown on the photo) and 2 units with only 3 rows.

Join all units to a quilting top, press it well and check the size : 32″ x 30 1/2″. The edges should be straight and rectangular. Clean all threads on the wrong side of the quilt.

Now prepare the backing and batting. I used a solid pink and a stripe of pink fabric with a pattern. Lay out the pressed backing wrong side up, fix it with tape to the floor. Place batting on top it. Make sure both backing and batting are at least 2″ longer on each side then the quilt top.

Now it is time to place your top on the center. Straighten the top and start basting. I use safety pins to keep all layers aligned. Start pinning in the middle and work towards the edges. Check that the rows are straight line. Distance between the pins : approx 3″.

The sandwich is ready for quilting. Ordinary gloves from the garden center are a perfect help when moving the sandwich under the sewing machine.

I decided to quilt this piece with straight stitches following the vertical and horizontal seams. For machine quilting I use cotton thread :  Superior Thread King Tut 40/3 in Papyrus, walking foot and a stitch length of 3,5 mm on my Bernina.

Trim the extra backing and batting. The quilt is now ready for the last step : binding.

I found a good binding tutorial by Rita from Red Pepper Quilts.

You’ve made it – the quilt is now finished!

Hope you enjoyed this post. Please leave feedback and happy sewing, Barbora

November Nearly Over

It has been some time since my last blog post. Nevertheless it was a busy time :

  • My good friend Milena came to visit us for a week in September. At this occasion we went to Valencia for a long weekend. The city is incredible – you can see there more than a 1000 year history. Very old and modern buildings, a vast of galleries and museums, shops, restaurants and a beautiful seaside.

Now a coffee house temple

Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe

  • I have been to see my parents in Prague. We made a few trips, had super time together and perfect weather. Photos are from a castle complex north of Prague called Minichovo Hradiste.

North of Prague

North of Prague

  • I was training our dog Strubble as we went to an exhibition. This was held last weekend in the town of Torre Pacheco near Murcia.
    First time for both of us!! Everything went well. He did not win, but we were there. In a month’s time we are taking part in the next one in Alicante.

Torre Pacheco

  • GP Valencia Mondioring 2011 took place at the club I go to. The organizers asked me to take photos. So this was work for the entire last weekend of October. Participants came from all over Spain, including the Canary Islands + a lady from MOSCOW!! She and her husband came by caravan, i.e. 4.500 km (2.800 miles) and 4 days to drive just one way straight through Europe.

 

  • Patchwork got also some time and I finished the promised table mats for my sister-in-law Doris

  • And finally a baby quilt “Pink Summer Garden”

Listed on Dawanda and Etsy

My intention is to prepare a tutorial for the Pink Summer Quilt. The photos documentation is saved on the computer and now I need to  write an easy and understandable text. My goal is to finish with it latest end of November!!

A new experience for me, till then, Barbora