The fabrics shown in this post were given to me by Island Batik. It’s Island Batik Ambassador Challenge time Again! October is “Top it Off” month.
I was charged with making a table topper any size, any holiday, but must include “applique techniques”. Last month I made a child inspired quilt, I was supposed to use my “BOB” (Block on Board) die from AccuQuilt. My BOB was Cleopatra’s Fan. Somehow I messed up and did not use my Cleopatra’s fan die in my design. So, I decided to combine it with my October challenge in an effort to redeem myself.
I love EQ8 (Electric Quilt 8), I always start by designing first. This is the Cleopatra’s Fan Block.
I loved how positioning the blocks made a great frame for the applique center.
I broke out my paper plates and got organized. This die uses mirror image block pieces. To keep my brains from falling out I used the die to cut out paper samples for the left and right pieces and taped them on a paper plate, this really helped me when stitching my blocks together. I was surprised how easy the block pieces went together. The curves were easy as they gave you notches to match up.
Now for the applique portion (not my best technique). I love Barb Olson’s art quilts, she is amazing, if you are not familiar with her check out the link. I decided I would try her pattern “Wild Child”.
This is Barb Olson’s Wild Child. What was I thinking. My version is not as…….I’m at a loss for words.
My Cleopatra’s Wild Child measures 58″ x 58″. It is more like the table topper that ate Central NY! I have discovered I’m not that good at machine applique. Although, the Aurifil thread I used to applique with preformed beautifully, and the Hobbs Cotton Batting was wonderful as usual. I’m not sure what I think of my Spring table topper, but I’m definitely not ready for my closeup Mr. Demille!
I just finished my “Doves of Hope” quilt and wanted to share it with you.
Deb Tucker designed this quilt for Marie Bostwick’s book “Hope on the Inside”. Deb’s pattern Doves of Hope is a twist on a traditional block titled Dove in the Window. She actually nestled a small dove block inside a large dove block to create a quarter section for each 19½” .
I will be teaching Doves of Hope in January 2020 at Copper Canyon Quilting in Lake Havasu, AZ.
I absolutely love how it came out. I pulled out my Island Batik scraps for this project, it is mostly made with Enchanted Forest fabrics. You will need your Tucker Trimmer I to complete this beautiful quilt and can make it in Lap, twin or King sizes.
I love Christmas Tree Quilts. I’m always looking for quilt blocks that look like Christmas Trees.
With this block and the Deck the Halls fabric that Northcott gave me to make this quilt, I have a winner.
What can be easier than Half Square Triangles made with Studio 180 Design’s Tucker Trimmer I & Flying Geese made with the Wing Clipper I!
I love designing with EQ8. Having the option of auditioning the actual fabric I will be using is awesome!
Perfect for cuddling up under in front of a warm fire. You can make this quilt using your Studio 180 Design Tucker Trimmer I & Wing Clipper I tool instructions and these fabric requirements:
Your Tucker Trimmer Tool Instructions give you the information you need to complete your Half Square Triangles. Cut your squares and using your Magic Wand draw two diagonal lines. Match up your dark and light fabric squares aligning the raw edges. Stitch on the lines, cut apart and press to the dark fabric. Remember: whatever you are pressing toward, goes on top. Trim your Half Square Triangle units to 4 1/2″.
Non Mirror Combo Units: Past construction methods would result in mirror image units. Sometimes we need combination units that are the same as in Card Shark which requires two of each units below:
Determine your color placement. Follow the instructions in the Non Mirror Combo Units Technique Sheet.
Make the half square triangles first by using the Magic Wand and mark 4 diagonal lines from corner to corner. Follow the stitching instructions in the technique sheet. Cut apart.
Press toward the dark triangle.
Cut squares for large triangles once diagonally.
Pair small triangles with the large triangles, center and stitch. Press toward the large triangle.
Trim units to 4 1/2″.
Stacked Square:
Layout your Stacked Square unit pieces.
Start by making a four patch and swirl the center. Our Stacked Square is a 4″ finished unit. Check the chart on the Stacked Square Technique sheet to find the Cut size for the center square, which is 2 1/2″. Using my my Tucker Trimmer I trimmed the four patch to 2 1/2″.
Check your color placement and stitch two triangles. Press toward the triangle and add the two more triangles pressing toward the triangles as before.
The Large Square Squared Tool is broken up into two different parts. Part “A” & Part “B” to include guidelines for making 12 different sizes. The chart in the Stacked Squares Tech sheet tells us what size to cut our side triangles and how line up for trimming. The first trim uses Part “A” to trim before adding the second round of triangles.
After adding the second round of triangles, use Part “B” to trim the stack square to a cut size of 4 1/2″.
Lay out your units, stitch together in to rows.
Card Shark is now ready to add the quilt!
I use my Groovy Seam Rippers made by fellow quilter Nancy Townsend as my little helpers while quilting.
The Whistle Stop Quilt is made up of 12″ blocks and 6″ finished blocks.
This is “Roll the Dice”. It is made with Studio 180 Design Square Squared and Split Rects tools. Click below to download the cutting instructions.
Using your Split Rects tool, cut 4 side triangles for Type 1 units, per your tool instructions from your two fabrics making sure your fabrics are right side up. Stitch triangles together and press seams open.
Trim your Split Rects to 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″, rotate and trim again.
Square Squared
Cut your center square using Part “A” for a 2″ finished unit.
Trim to the cut size of 2 1/2″ using Part “B” of your Square Squared tool. Rotate and trim again.
Layout your block units.
Place the center square/squared unit right sides together with a Split Rects unit aligning the raw edges of the top and sides. Stitch a partial seam along the dark fabric of the Split rects stopping just past the center of the Square/Squared unit.
Now add a Split Rects unit across the top. Be sure the dark fabric of the Split Rects Units are against the center square/squared unit. Press toward the split rects unit.
Add a third split rects unit and press as before.
Add the fourth Split Rects units.
Fold over the split rects unit with the partial seam and align the raw edges. Stitch meeting up with the partial seam.
Below is the complete schedule for the Whistle Stop Tour:
The beautiful fabrics featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik.
The Island Batik Ambassadors assignment for September is “Childs Play”, make a quilt inspired/designed for a child.
Included in Island Batik Ambassador’s Box 2, I was given a gorgeous fat quarter bundle from the Enchanted Forest line. These fabrics are so beautiful and the name “Enchanted Forest” reminds me of being a child at my grandparents house. My sister Mary and I would go through the backyard, past the little league field, playground and into the woods. For my sister and I, those woods were magical. We imagined we could find a fairy floating by around every tree & magical creatures of all sorts living in our Enchanted Forest along the Saquoit Creek. The many shades of green in the variety of trees and moss were amazing. In the Spring, we couldn’t wait to go hunting for violets, and would come home with beautiful bouquets for our Grandma Bessie.
I pin orphan blocks to the ceiling in my quilt studio. As I was contemplating what to make I spotted a favorite block. For me the creative process usually begins with EQ8, so off I went to see what I would come up with.
I love the flower affect that is created by using Shaded Four Patch & Split Rects units. I decided on a 10″ finished block using 4″ finished Shaded Four Patch units & 2″ X 4″ finished Split Rects Units.
I used all the fabulous fabrics in the fat quarter bundle and made each flower unique. Vivi’s Flowers was constructed with Aurifil Thread and completed with Hobbs Tuscany Silk Blend Batting. This quilt was made for my friend Cher Green’s beautiful Granddaughter Vivi. I named this quilt “Vivi’s Flowers”. It measures 46″ X 58″. If you would like a supply list for this quilt you may download it here:
You may have realized I love history and cemeteries. As my sister and I were visiting family in Forest Hills Cemetery (Utica, NY) we were drawn to this tree.
When I saw this panel I couldn’t believe my eyes. I have been taking photo’s of this tree since 2010. It is very near the grave of John Adams Great Granddaughter Mary Louisa Adams. Johnson and not far from our family. I love trees, I think I was a Druid in another life! Needless to say I just had to make a One Block Wonder using this panel from Quilting Treasures.
First attempt at designing.
When I stitched the rows together, I discovered I needed to add some fabric so the hexies would line up as I wanted them to. Then I had to disguise the added fabric and soften the edges.
I’m pretty happy with it. Below is a downloadable description of how I design a OBW with panels.
At least when it comes to One Block Wonders (OBW) it does. There are so many “Size” questions when it comes to choosing our fabrics. What size repeat should I choose? What size panel? What size strip width should I cut? What size design elements. The first thing I do when choosing OBW fabric is check the size of the repeat. Then I decide what size to cut the strips based on the size of the design elements. If I want to cut my strips 3 3/4″ wide then I want the design in the fabric to be larger than 4″ or I will not be taking the fabric apart.
I was going through my OBW stash and this found fabric I had started to cut up. I don’t know how long I’ve had it. It was The Saturday Evening Post line by Quilting Treasures. I had 4 yards of this striped pattern and another 4 yards of a different layout. I separated the strips and then found the repeat which was 8″ x 23″. I decided it was large enough to align the repeats and cut into 3 3/4″ strips. I could have cut the strips narrower for small blocks but I decided the design elements were large enough for 3 3/4″ strips which make 6″ finished hexagons. I used the ripping method to separate the strips to be sure they were straight. I have to say I don’t like this method. It made the edges wavy and was rough on the fabric. It may have easier to rip but next time I will use ruler rotary cutter,
It is not quilted yet but I do like the design. I used strips from the original fabric for the inner border. The outer border is from fabric number 2. It was also a striped with these small 5″ squares and larger 10″ squares below:
I have eight 10″ blocks of each, that leaves 6 panels for the blocks and 1 for the top with one leftover. Repeats can be from yardage or 6 panels can be used for our hexagon blocks. If I cut the strips 2 3/4″ I will get 3 strips will a little wiggle room left over. If I cut the strips 2 1/2″ wide I will get 4 strips with very little margin for error.
I made this 12″ block from hexagons cut from 1 1/2″ strips.
The photo of the tree is from Forest Hills Cemetery in Utica, NY. It is just above the grave of Mary Louisa Johnson, Daughter of John Adams, granddaughter of John Quincy Adams (6th President of the United States) & Great Granddaughter of John Adams 2nd President of the United States. The panel was 36″ 44″. It was so large it took 12 flowers pins to align it instead of the usual 6. I can’t wait to design it.
I spent last weekend cutting these panels into equilateral triangles. Now I’m ready to stitch away to my hearts content.
