Check out my unboxing video of new QT Fabrics coming out early 2025.
@QTFabric #Bohemian Sunrise #Autumn Smiles #TuckerTrimmer1 #Star60
Unboxing QT Fabrics: Bohemian Sunrise & Autumn Smiles
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Mysterious Kitty, OBW # 112
If you follow me you know I love my Chihuahua Tucker.
But, These cat panels by Rubin Design Studio, exclusively from eQuilter are just fabulous!
Mysterious Kitty panel measures 43.5″ x 29.5″. I decided to cut my strips 3.25″ yielding 168 – 5″ finished hexies.
I decided to start my design at the top of the panel, choosing the upper right corner to start, and placing 8 hexies across the top before going down to start the left side.
Above is the design I settled on. The edges of the panel range from black to dark blue. I didn’t think the green from the eyes would show up much, so I added Framed 60 stars to the upper right corner. They make the Kitty’s eyes sparkle more. I added Star 60 units to the left side in orange and blue made using the Star 60 Tool.
Above shows the top and bottom sections attached to the panel. Notice how much it shrinks when stitched together. We know we lose 1/2″ between straight seams. But, when stitching the hexies into rows we lose 9/16″ between seams. Depending on how many hexies are in your row, you lose about 3″ or more.
There are always two opportunities to tweak the design. The first is while designing with the hexies. The second is after you finished designing and the rows stitched are together. The photo on the right shows the top stitched together un-tweaked. I needed to soften the dark corners on the bottom of the panel. The photo on the right shows the top tweaked. I added appliqued Star 60 units on the lower right and left corners of the panel in different sizes and colors to created more of a curve I was looking for.
In my OBW Supply List, I show you a method to create appliqued hexies using fusible knit interfacing. This time I tried something different. I used Steam-A-Seam. I traced the fabric unit on the Steam-A-Seam paper, and then cut it out at least 1/4″ smaller. Following the Steam-a-Seam directions, I attached it to the back of the fabric unit. I removed the paper and finger pressed the raw edges under 1/4″. It was now ready to be attached to the quilt top. Once I have all my appliqued units attached to the top, I top stitch them down using Superior Monopoly clear thread.
Mysterious Kitty measures 90″ x 71″. I love her!
@rubindesignstudio @eQuilter @studio180design #MysteriousKitty #star60tool
Trunk Shows & Workshops
I get asked all the time where am I teaching. Below is my schedule so far:
- 9/17: North Country Trunk Show, NY
- 10/5: Zoom OBW Trunk Show, Arizona State Guild
- 11/9: Zoom OBW 1, Arizona State Guild
- 11/11-13: Thomas Sewing Center, Lexington KY, OBW Workshop
- 11/14: 11/17: Fantastic Quilters OBW Trunk Show & Workshop, Fairfield Glade TN
- 12/7: Zoom OBW 2 , Arizona State Guild
- 2025
- 1/10: Zoom OBW Trunk Show, Quilt Inc., Delmar, NY
- 1/18: 60 degree Log Cabin, Thread Bears Quilt Guild, Oneida NY
- 1/20: Sew Busy, Gloversville, NY, OBW Trunk show & Workshop
- 2/13: Zoom Workshop, Quilt Inc., Delmar NY
- 3/6 – 9: Strong House Inn, VT, Play Among the Stars
- 3/21: OBW Workshop, Amy’s Quilt Room, Union Town, PA
- 5/2 -5: Long Island Quilter
Reserve your place now for March 6 – 9, 2025 at The Strong House Inn, Vergennes, VT. Play Among the Stars workshop will focus on designing OBW’s. Adding stars/cubes of different sizes. We will cover as many Star 60 techniques as time allows. You can bring OBW projects you want help with designing. This workshop is about creative design. Workshop Description:
Contact me ,if you want to schedule me for a workshop or retreat: sewjackie@live.com
Traditional Ukrainian 4 Seasons Panel by Rubin Design Studio
I saw this panel depicting the 4 Seasons of the Ukraine and loved the soft colors. These Ukrainian figures, costumed in traditional dress, collect Easter baskets in spring, dancing in summer and autumn, and keeping warm by candlelight in winter.
Digitally printed, 29″ panel, includes four 14″ x 21″ frames, 4 Seasons of Ukraine by the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.
I prefer one large panel, so I cut apart the four scenes and stitched them together starting with Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.
I cut my strips 3.25″ to yield 5″ finished hexies. This panel yielded 160 hexies to build my design.
I placed 11 – 5″ hexies across the top, and then added hexies down the right side of the panel.
To avoid cutting off the dancers feet, I had to place hexies past the bottom of the panel. The hexies will shrink upwards once stitched together.
I added a strip of fabric to the bottom of the panel that would need to be hidden later.
I used leftover hexies and appliqued them over the added strip of fabric.
My 4 Seasons of Ukraine measures 93″ x 60″ It would make a nice wall hanging, table cloth or bed runner.
@RubinDesignStudio @eQuilter #4SeasonsofUkraine #OBW#111
Join OBW Quiltapalooza 2025 at Amy’s Quilt Room, Uniontown PA
A BIG Thank You to Amy of Amy’s Quilt Room in Uniontown, PA. I’m just now home from teaching a One Block Wonder (OBW) workshop or as Amy would call “Quiltpalooza”! It was fabulous! I had so much fun. The Hilton Garden Inn at Uniontown PA was the perfect venue. We had a great space and were very well cared by the staff.
This group of ladies did such a great job. They learned all about OBW’s and how to make Hollow Cube 60’s & Star 60 units. We delve into how to design and enhance our OBW’s.
Thank you Amy’s Quilt Room and the Hilton Garden Inn, Uniontown PA.
Amy has scheduled another OBW Quiltapalooza March 2- -23, 2025
Reserve your space now as they fill up fast!
@amysquiltroom @studio180design #quiltapalooza
Quilt Ninja Chronicles: Embracing Fun with Studio 180 Design Vests
Just for fun I thought I would share how the Quilt Ninja came about.
It all started in 2008. I went to the Virginia Consortium of Quilters Celabration at Smith Mountian Lake and participated in an Apron contest and won 1st place.
I covered the apron vest in pockets. I placed a pocket on my back to hold a ruler and placed a rotary cutter in a front pocket.
I would whip out the ruler and rotary cutter at the same time, stating loudly “Quilt Ninja”! It was pretty funny. Needless to say, the Quilt Ninja became my alter ego, and over the years has gained a name; “Myrtle May the Quilt Ninja”!
Myrtle May wanted some new duds, so this version was made in 2012.
This version was made in 2015. I embroidered a list of the Studio 180 tools on the back at that time. I changed from a ruler to a Magic Wand on the back.
This version was made 2019. It is covered in Studio 180 Design tool merit badges. It has a Magic Wand on the back.
2024: I needed a vest representing the Star 60 Tool. I made a pocket for each of the star/cubes you can make with the Star 60 tool; Capped 60, Hollow Cube 60, Framed 60, Striped 60, Quad 60, Checkerboard 60, Star 60 & Star 60 Log Cabin. I added a small One Block Wonder I made with a panel. I added embroidered words the distressed women is saying: “Someone has been cutting paper with my fabric sisscors”!
After all, a Quilt Ninja just has to have fun!
OBW Workshop Retreats
I wanted to share two OBW workshops/retreats coming up. The first one is in Reliance TN at Quilters Getaway, 898 Childers Creek Road Reliance, TN 37369 – November 11 – 13, 2024. Hosted by Toni Raynolds of Pieced Perfection. Join me for a creative journey in the world of 60 degree kaleidoscopes.
- Identifying and cutting your repeats.
- Aligning repeats including difficult fabrics.
- Choosing a ruler and understanding the difference between pointed & blunt tip rulers.
- Deciding what strip widths to cut
- And of course, cutting all your equilateral triangles.
- Designing with the hexagons,
- Integrating stars & cubes
- Designing around a panel
Make your reservation now by clicking on the link below:
Play Among the Stars – March 6 – 9, 2025
Join me at Strong House Inn, Vergennes, VT to Play Among the Stars.
Workshop focuses on designing OBW’s & the Star 60 Tool, along with Framed 60, Checkerboard 60, Striped 60, Capped 60, Hollow Cube 60, Quad 60, 60° Log Cabin and Power Strip Technique Sheets. Also, combining Star 60 units to create one of a kind stars to enhance your One Block Wonders. Bring your imagination and let’s create one of kind stars. Play Among the Stars Supply List:
I hope to see you at one of these workshops.
@studio180design @piecedperfection @stronghouseinn @quiltersgetaway
Play Among the Stars
I’ve been playing among the stars, literally! In August I will be going to Amy’s Quilt Room in Union Town, PA to teach a One Block Wonder (OBW) Workshop. I want to show them how to design aound a panel and how to add hexies/stars of different sizes.
The panel is Salt Water Dreaming by Spirit of the Bush, it measures 41.5″ x 27″. I decided to cut my strips 3.25″ to yield 5″ finished hexies. When you want to add hexies/stars/cubes of different sizes, they must be divisible by the original size of the hexies. Deb Tucker’s Star 60 tool makes it easy to do this.
15″ Star Block – This 15″ star is divisible by 5″. This star includes 2 rings of 2.5″ finished Capped 60 units. Your units are always half the size of the finished hexie.
- Center: 6 repeats cut into 3.25” strips = a 5” finished hexie.
- Companion Triangle: (Black Fabric) Cut 1 – 3.25” WOF strip, cut 6 triangles using the 60 degree line .
- Inner Capped 60: ( Orange point, yellow Trapezoid) Make 12 – 2.5” Capped 60 units. Cut two 2” WOF strips from a medium and light fabric.
- Half Hexagons: (Bronze fabric) Cut one 3” WOF strip. Using the Star 60 ruler, place the 5.5” line on the bottom of the strip and cut 6 half hexies from a medium fabric.
- Outer Capped 60: (Gold points, orange trapezoids) Make 12 Capped 60 units. Cut two 2” WOF strips from a medium and light fabric.
Stitch the center hexie triangle to the black companion triangle. Press seams open.
I used Capped 60 units as side triangles to the diamond shape created by stitching the hexie center to the black triangle. I stitched the second ring of Capped 60 units on either side of the half hexie and then stitched that pieced unit to the pieced center triangle.
Stitch 3 triangles together, pressing the seams open, repeat with the other 3 triangles.
Creating with a Star Center
When I was cutting out my hexies from the aligned panels, I had a strip left that was less than 3.25″. I usually save these for cutting out smaller hexies to applique on the quilt top. This time I trimmed the strip to 2″, the size that would make diamonds for a 2.5″ finished Star 60 unit.
See Star 60 Instructions:
I cut the diamonds following the Star 60 instructions on pages 2 – 3. I made 12 – 2.5” finished Capped 60 units. They were trimmed down to 2.25”. Stitch a Capped 60 unit on each side of the diamonds.
Cut a 3” WOF strip. Cut 6 companion triangles. Stitch to the Star 60 Units creating a pieced diamond. Cut another 3” WOF strip. Cut 12 companion triangles. Stitch to each side of the pieced diamond.
Stitch 3 together, press seam open. Stitch the remaining 3 together and press seams open.
Another Star Variation
Center: 6 identical equilateral triangles cut from 3.25” strips. Make 6 – 2.5” Star 60 Units. I used diamonds cut from a 2” strip of 6 repeats. Follow Star 60 instructions pages 2 – 6. Stitch the triangles to the Star 60 Units.
Make 12 – 2.5” finished Capped 60 units. Follow Capped 60 Technique Sheet Instructions. Stitch the Capped 60 units on both side of the pieced diamond.
Carefully pin and stitch 3 pieced triangles together, press seams open. Stitch the remaining 3 triangles together. Press the seams open.
I encourage you to “Play Among the Stars” with the Star 60 tool and the 8 technique sheets that create:
- Checkerboard 60
- Hollow Cube 60
- Capped 60
- Quad 60
- Striped 60
- Framed 60
- Star 60 Log Cabin
- Power Strip 60
@studio180design #star60tool #debtucker @amysquiltroom
Saltwater Dreaming
I’m playing around with a panel by Spirit of the Bush, Saltwater Dreaming. I want to see how many intricate hexagons I can make. They seem like they would represent tidal pools to me. The large hexagon on the bottom of the panel is 15″ finished. Can you tell what Deb Tucker techniques I used to make it?
@studio180design @debtucker #star60
Cubed Hexies – OBW #110
While I was teaching a OBW workshop at the Strong House Inn in April, I figured out how to put a hexie inside of a hollow cube. I couldn’t wait to get home and start playing.
I had 6 yards of this fabric from the Astral Voyage line by Josephine Wall and 3 Wishes Fabrics. It only had an 8″ repeat, but the design elements were large. I cut my strips 3 3/4″ for 6″ finished hexies. I make my hollow cubes using Deb Tucker’s Hollow Cube 60 Technique Sheet and the Star 60 Tool. I can make hollow cubes in 16 sizes from 3″ to 18″ finished cubes.
I wanted to start with 18″ finished cubes. I cut 2 short and 2 long frames from a light, medium and dark fabrics. I layered and aligned 6 repeats of my fabric and cut the size strips I needed. Then I cut my triangles using my Star 60 tool and following the technique sheet instructions. I layed out the triangles choosing what point I wanted in the middle.
For the first short frame, I layed out the triangle center pointing away from the short frame and the second short frame, the triangle gets turned one time to the left.
With right sides together stitch the triangles to the short frames. Press toward the triangles. Repeat for the medium and dark short frames. Add the long frames according to the Hollow Cube 60 instructions.
I layed out the framed triangles with the light ones on top.
I made three 18″, six 6″ and six 3″ finished hexies. I started by playing with the 18″ hexies and trying to decide where to place the circle of 6″ cubes in relation the 18″ hexies. Then I started to place the hexies on the right side of the 18″ hexies. BIG mistake. I know better. When designing around a panel you should always work your way around all four sides to establish the top, bottom , right & left sides. It is the same when working with hexies of different sizes. I should have designed on all sides of the 18″ hexies. Because I didn’t I was off by one triangle, you can see it on the left side just under the middle 18″ hexie. To fix that, I needed to remove a diagonal row under the middle hexie. As it was, I had 10 hexies down the left side andd 11 hexies down the right side.
Once I fixed the left side I had to totally redesign the right side. I wanted to share this so if you ever find yourself off by one triangle, you will know you have to remove a diagonal row to correct it.
My Cubed Hexies measures 83″ x 62″. I was pleased that with only an 8″ repeat I was able to get a pleasing design.
@studio180design #HollowCube60 #Star60
If These Threads Could Talk 