Tag Archives: QAYG

curved log cabin block and new stash

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.

stash 1606 - skalabara quilts

 

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 :

curved log cabin 8 1 - skalabara quilts

 

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.

curved log cabin 8 3 - skalabara quilts

 

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.

curved log cabin 10 2 - skalabara quilts

 

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

curved log cabin 10 detail - skalabara quilts

 

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.

curved log cabin QAYG block

 

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

barbora  flower small skalabara quilts

Sheila’s quilt – a QAYG project

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.

quilt detail sheila - skalabara

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.

quilt top sheila - skalabara

A colorful quilt back. This is QAYG magic!

quilt back sheila - skalabara

Detail of the strips covering the zigzag stitch when sewing the blocks together.

quilt sheila QAYG - skalabara

And some more details of the quilt so far :

quilt sheila collage - skalabara

Have you done QAYG projects? What is your experience? Let me know!

Thanks for stopping, happy quilting!

Barbora

twister quilt and ready for new challenges in 2015

Even though it was not my goal to finish the twister quilt this year, I made it with a bit of luck (and time). I also have a name for this colorful piece : Indian Summer Quilt. The red and yellow hues remind me of a wonderful sunny and windy autumn day when the leaves start to change their colors. Shimmer of green trees and sparkling blue water surface. It was fun to work with the twister tool : cut, piece, cut and piece the blocks.

indian summer twister quilt chair- skalabara.com

The quilt has 12 blocks, each is 23″ x 23″. Quilted in straight lines with the walking foot with distance of 1/2″ between the stitches. When putting the quilt together, I have alternated the vertical and the horizontal stitch direction.

indian summer twister quilt front- skalabara.ocmFor the backing I have used red marble and solid light green fabrics. For the blocks I have used a range of Kaffe Fassett fabrics in different hues. More details here :

indian summer twister quilt back - skalabara.comQuilt size : 69″ x 92″ / 175 x 233 cm

Block size : 23″ x 23″ / 58 x 58 cm

Now I have time to work on my Horizontal quilt and I have a custom quilt on order – with Drunkard’s Path block.

Wishing everybody a very happy 2015, Barbora

merry christmas and work in progress

Since returning from my pre-Christmas visit in Prague I have worked on the twister quilt. Now I have all 12 blocks finished and they are ready to quilt, one by one. Yes, once more a quilt as you go termination. This is my WIP for the end of 2014 and January 2015. Maybe I can squeeze in some work on my Horizon quilt.

color twister 1 - skalabara.comI had a wonderful time in Prague with my mum and other family members. The weather was mild for the time of year, but one frosty morning.

a frosty day in prague - skalabara.comShopping was also on my agenda. Not only I visited some malls but also the Christmas market on the Old Town Square in the heart of the city.

christmas impressions from prague 2014 - skalabara.com

Herewith I would like to wish all my friends and followers a very merry Christmas and a wonderful 2015. Thanks for all your comments and support.

See you soon, Barbora

 

lilac drunkard’s path quilt finished

Well, I finally finished the lilac quilt for Joan. The last drunkard’s path blocks for some time. Now I need to do some straight sewing and quilting! I have worked on this quilt for some time and now it is ready for delivery. Each block was quilted separately with the walking foot. I have joined the blocks together with golden strips on the front and with red ones on the back. The binding is also golden.

lilac drunkard's path 1 - skalabara.comQuilt size : 84″ x 84″ / 213 x 213 cm

Block size : 28″ x 28″ / 71 x 71 cm

lilac drunkard's path 2 - skalabara.com

lilac drunkard's path 3 - skalabara.com

And here some impressions from my early morning dog walks :

morning sky - skalabara.comLast weekend we went to Balneario de Archena near the town of Murcia to enjoy a few days in a spa. The hotel is situated in wonderful Valle de Ricote on the river Segura :

balneario de archena, murcia - skalabara.com

 

Thanks for stopping, have nice weekend and happy quilting, Barbora