MINI pattern

Over the last week I have worked on the computer to design a MINI pattern on one sheet of paper. This provides a photo and basic information about each quilt. The pattern is divided in 4 standard sections :

  1. fabric requirements
  2. cuttings instructions
  3. making the block
  4. quilt assembly diagram

MINI patterns for some of the quilts I made :

Floating Colors 8 – pdf file

Floating Colors 15 – pdf file

Abstract Dreams – log cabin block pdf file

Please be free and leave a comment about the MINIs, I would be happy to hear from you!!

Barbora

finished quilt – floating colors 15

Finally finished – the second of the “floating quilts”. The first one is smaller with 2 rows of 4 rectangle. This one has 3 rows of 5 rectangles. The blocks and sashing in both quilts are the same size.

This is my experiment – I wanted to see in reality not only the differences in the size, but also in the quilting technique. I quilted the small one with a walking foot with straight lines, the big one is free-motion quilted. I decided to quilt only the white fabric with two patterns : pebbles (white fabric in the rectangles) and waves (sashing). I have used my new thread  from Superior Threads So Fine! #50 in white and I am happy with the result. The quilting looks finer and the thread does not stand out. I think I shall use the thicker thread (a #40 or #30) for straight line quilting or free-motion quilting with a larger pattern and the #50 thread for fine, dense quilting.

I have updated my Etsy and Dawanda shops.

Now I have to get back to my quilting room and tidy it up !!!!

Till next time, happy quilting, Barbora

quilting book, threads and a wiener

Since the temperatures are up to 37° C it is wise to stay inside and stick my nose in the last batch of books I have received. I am absolutely smitten with the  Free Motion Quilting with Angela Waters : Choose and Use Quilting Designs on Modern Quilts.

Very descriptive explanations of various quilting patterns, this is now my “quilting bible”. I have practiced some of the patterns on scraps. My absolute favorite is Seafoam – combination of 2 patterns: Concentric Circles (this one I need to learn) and Pebbles (this one I am practicing).

Yesterday I have started quilting the sandwich I made before I went to Prague. I decided to combine the patterns pebbles and waves. I shall only quilt the white fabric (background) and leave the color rectangles to float – as the quilt’s name is Floating Colors. When I read the book I also noticed that Angela’s favorite thread is a 50-weight polyester So Fine by Superior Threads. I like to follow experienced advice and I have ordered some more thread at Barnyarns in the UK. Here a quilting detail from the backside.

So far free-motion quilting. In the meantime I finished a dog quilt . The design caught my eye whilst browsing the world-wide web. I loved the photos and I also found the author of the pattern: Boo Davis and the quilt I’m a Wiener Baby Quilt is from here book Dare to be Square. Since I have ordered sooooooo many books over the last few weeks, I decided to make the quilt just from the photo. I went through my stash and found enough material from the collection  Innocent Crush from Anna Maria Horner. I think the result was worth while calculating all these cutting dimension from the various fabrics.

May I introduce you now to my version of the Wiener Baby :

And a quilting detail – I have used both straight line quilting with a walking foot as well as free-motion quilting on the body, ear and head:

And my last work this week was a customer order for 3 pillow covers :

Till next time, Barb

back home and meters of new fabric

Late Sunday I got back home from Prague with my suitcase full of goodies. I got some new rulers (my favorite ones from Olfa), wonderful and colorful quilting threads from Mettler and Gütermann plus many, many meters of solids in dark & light grey, aqua, white, canary yellow and fuchsia.

And the party goes on – today I received my magic envelope from Hawthorne Thread with the following stuff :

  • The Birds and the Bees – Sunset Palette by Tula Pink

  • Kona Modern Quilt in Berry by Cynthia Frenette

  • A colorful design to be used as a backing (sorry, but forgot the fabric name)

My experience over the years is that the best for me is to order fat quarters from a fabric collection of my choice. I receive nicely matched colors and patterns. Plus I always order extra yardage for the backing and for stock.

I am very happy as over the last weeks I have received custom orders and a few inquiries for quilts. The only problem I have is a lack of time. August in Spain can be very hot and I am quite happy that there is no dog training nor yoga classes. It is like having holidays in the evenings, there is no rush to be on time somewhere. I also have a few new ideas how to remodel my sewing studio – to get more space for storing all my new stash.

Lots to do, let’s get started!!

Barbora

visiting prague and some new stash

This week I am in Prague where I am visiting my parents. The weather is very different to the one we had in Spain, i.e. hot and sunny. Here we have it all – hot and cold, sun and rain. Anyway, the parks are nice and green, a lot of flowers in blossom. Restaurants and cafes have the chairs outside and it is always a pleasure to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea on the terrace.

This is newly opened restaurant just around the corner from my parents.

I have also spent some  money on quilting threads and fabrics. Here the first lot I got :

There are more fabrics in my wonder basket, mostly solids. But the photos I took today were not good – because of the rainy weather we have at the moment, everything is just too dull. And my internet connection is slow and I have no patience to wait so long for an upload.

Till next time, Barbora