curved log cabin block and new stash

Jul15

New stash is always exciting : these fabrics are from my friend Kate. She visited in Las Vegas not only shows, but also a few quilting shops. It is a perfect collection of blenders and patterns in bright hues.

The colors come together really nicely and it is a great addition to my stash.

new stash = new idea = new project

The other day I was on the internet looking what other fellow quilters are up to and I came across a curved log cabin block. Log cabin is always a versatile block with different quilt layout possibilities. But the curved log cabin block makes a nice optical illusion – it looks more like a circle than a square block. I just had to try this new variant of the classical block. What better could I do with the new fabrics I got!

17 different fabrics + white background + yellow binding later :

The result is a mini quilt measuring 19″ x 19″ with 4 curved log cabin blocks. This block type is ideal for a QAYG (quilt as you go) pattern, but the block should be larger, lets say at least 24″ square. This size is good for a cushion cover or for a throw. I have a few ladies attending my classes that prefer to work on larger, individual blocks and piece them first together when all blocks are quilted. I am starting to be an expert on QAYG patterns. At the moment I am revising my scribbles and feeding the computer with all the QAYG patterns I have written down in my paper notebook.

I shall keep this mini quilt, that I have free-motion quilted with a loop pattern, as a sample for patchwork and quilting classes. Over the last few months I have started preparing different patchwork blocks and quilting samples to show to my patchwork and quilting pupils.

For the next block I have pieced, I added one more strip. Piecing four blocks together and adding an outer border makes the block 21″ square.

Here a detail (trying to take a nice pic on a windy day)

The block is now larger, but still not big enough for a QAYG pattern. I added one more strip and this brings the block including the outer border to a size of 26″ x 26″; i.e. the quilt size is 78″ x 78″ when making 9 blocks.

More details on the curved log cabin QAYG project coming soon!

barbora

place mat with frances firefly block from the fancy forest pattern

Jun4

This place mat is the result of a Frances Firefly block that was not wide enough to use it in a small version of the Fancy Forest quilt. Precise piecing is a must for all blocks as well as accurate cutting and pressing. So that you do not end with a few more place mats.

I have decided to practice my free motions skills on this small project and got out some variegated cotton threads from Superior Threads : King Tut Quilting Thread. I have been using this thread for many years and I think that the quality is outstanding. I buy neutral colors in cones and color threads in spools.

But what free motion pattern? I started practicing an “eight” pattern on some scraps. After getting more confident I filled the wings and the body with the new design. Even though my Bernina sewing machine came with a BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) for easy free motion quilting, I prefer the ordinary embroidery foot. And practice, practice and practice …….

For the background quilting I used the pebbles pattern. It keeps the place mat nicely flat and smooth.

The binding fabric is a solid in bright fuchsia. Solids are my favorite fabrics for binding a quilt – it is like adding a frame to a nice picture. It should underline the quilt design, but it shouldn’t be the highlight.

I didn’t quilt the small colorful 1″ squares on top, they just pop up.

My next project is a second place mat with Hazel Hedgehog block, once more with free motion quilting finishing to match this place mat.

barbora

small fancy forest quilt

May29

When I first saw the Fancy Forest quilt from Elizabeth Hartmann I knew it was the right project for a wall hanging to decorate the spare bedroom. First I got the Hazel Hedgehog pattern and made pillow covers for kids in the family. At the Prague Patchwork Meeting I finally found a fabric collection that was the right one to start with the Fancy Forest quilt. The pattern is written very clearly, it is easy to follow. Precise cutting and precise piecing with a 1/4″ allowance is a must. It was fun work and finally I pieced all the blocks needed for the small version of the pattern. I have added the sashing and the quilt is now prepared for quilting.

fancy forest quilt - skalabara

Here details of the individual blocks :

fancy forest quilt 2 - skalabara

fancy forest quilt 3 - skalabara

fancy forest quilt 4 - skalabara

I wasn’t very precise with cutting and piecing with the upper firefly block and it turned out that it was a 1/4 inch narrower than it was supposed to be. I had to make a new one and changed the colors. I shall make a place mat with this one.

ff frances firefly thread

Now it is time to select a backing, make a sandwich and start quilting! A good project for the next week (or maybe weeks).

You are welcome to leave a comment, I appreciate it! Thanks for stopping by and have a good start into the new week,

barbora flower small skalabara quilts

a year of finishes – horizon quilt

Mar13

When going through my blog posts I found out that the Horizon quilt sat more than a year on the shelve. On Friday I made the last stitches to attach the binding. And here is the Horizon quilt:

Quilted with the walking foot in straight lines following the block pattern in vertical, horizontal and diagonal directions. Once more I have used machine quilting thread from Mettler no. 40 in color natural 04. I have pieced the back with two different fabrics : a green-blue plain and a colorful pattern fabric Cocoon in Sapphire by Valori Wells for Free Spirit. For the backing I have used 2 yards from each fabric.

The binding is a plain fabric in light lavender and stitched to the Horizon quilt entirely with the sewing machine.

Details piecing and quilting.

Horizon Quilt

quilt size : 66″ x 77 ” / 168 x 195 cm

blocks : 42 pieces x and cross blocks

finished block size : 11″ x 11″,

wadding : Quilters Dream Cotton in select natural quality

quilting thread : Mettler Quilting No. 40, col. nat.-4

I have made the Horizon quilt with 4 charm packs, a jelly roll and 10 coordinating plains. Here cutting details for the x and cross block :

Here the first and second post about the Horizon quilt. From the rest of the jelly roll fabric I made this baby quilt with bentobox blocks.

Thanks for visiting my blog, have a wonderful week and happy quilting,

Barbora

Sheila’s quilt – a QAYG project

Feb20

This time I am writing a post is about Sheila’s quilt, a QAYG project. A project were all pieces are quilted separately and later sewn together with a zigzag stitch. To cover the zigzag we use a thinner decoration strip sewn first on the back and a wider strip sewn on the front. Sheila has pieced and quilted this piece herself. She only asked me to sew the last two long strips because the quilt is getting heavy.

This quilt has 12 blocks, each block is 20″ x 20″. The quilt top is now 60″ x 80″ and it has a perfect size to fit the mattress. The next phase is to add borders for the drop. We have calculated the exact measurements so that the drop borders just about touch the floor. Sheila has used for this QAYG quilt 3 charm packs and a light green solid to make the broken dishes block. Each block has 9 broken dishes units and is finished with a blue border.