Pick Up Game :: Revisited

This past Saturday we had our monthly Guild meeting, which happened to be an open sew meeting.  I needed something to sew that day...I had nothing in the works...so I invented a new project!  I know, it seems ridiculous even to me!

24" x 24"

But what's a girl to do?!  I took a design I made last year (Connections) for a Curated Quilt Challenge, and revamped it using bright jewel tone Peppered Cottons.

I fully intended to stop right where it was, but something got to me and I felt the need to keep going.  Story of our quilt life, right?!




I've had this Studio E Peppered Cotton fabric for quite a while, and I figured it was about time I use them.  Plus, I wanted to make something with bold colors ever since I finished my pastel Pink Haze quilt.



The blocks are a very simple paper pieced design.  Three sections are all you need!  However, when four blocks are sewn together that's where the magic starts.  You can take it in many different directions depending on your color placement.  

Since this was suppose to be a simple small 'pick up' project, I played with the design and colors in EQ8 until I found one I liked.  Even then, I had to change a color I choose in the original design. 



I was bound and determined to get every seam to line up, which was easier said than done!  Using a large basting stitch (3.0) before sewing a 1/4" seam was used to ensure this would happen.  It helped, but I still had to get the seam ripper out and try a couple times on some of the blocks.  

6.5" UNFINISHED

Even though this was a project to fill time, I learned from previous projects that I would be very sad and dissatisfied if I didn't try for perfection!  So I did my very best!

Dare I say I had so much fun that I felt the urge to go one more round?!  I wouldn't say fun had much to do with it.  But I loved how it turned out and was curious what I could do if I were to add more...



And so I did.  As I was cutting out the fabric for the new round, I had to change up some of the fabric selections.  I pretty much used every stitch of my peppered cottons, which is a good thing.  There is no way this quilt will get any larger, unless I add a border.  After the final round it will be 36" x 36".



If I hadn't precut the pieces of fabric before making the blocks it could have been a disaster!  Midway through brought some color changes and that led to having to
s-t-r-e-t-c-h some of the fabric to make it work.  Otherwise I would seriously been short by 'just that much' and the quilt would have stalled!  As it was I made it work and time will tell if it'll come together as planned!

Today is QuiltCon!!  My first time attending and I can't tell you how excited I am about that!  I've only watched from afar, and now I get a front row seat to the festivities and hoopla!  Plus, the real bonus is meeting many of the people I know only through Social Media.  It's gonna be amazing!  Of course, seeing all the beautiful quilts promises to be the cherry on top of the entire experience!  

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF 

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

Pink Power :: Baby Geo

I'm going through a pink phase as this new version of Baby Geo will show.  Pink was always an okay color throughout my life, but it wasn't until recently that it has become my favorite color.  I'm not sure why that is.  Maybe I'm reliving my childhood or finally getting in tough with my girlie side!  Whatever the case I couldn't resist the urge to make a very, very pink quilt.

PINK POWER :: BABY GEO
34" x 46"

This is my third version of the design.  The first was Geometry Lesson, a lap quilt that got me started on the concept.  I liked where it took me and decided to redesign it into a baby size version.  In that design, I reduced and reconfigured the pieces for the same, yet different Baby Geo version. 

 

It is a lot of pink! A lot!  The background is Kona Haze, although I'm not 100% certain, and it does a good job to neutralize the pink to some extent.  At the time I wanted pink, pink and more pink.  If I had taken the time and not jumped in so fast, I think I would have added more coral or peach shades.  Next time?!

The truth is, it didn't look so electric when I had all the pieces on my design wall!  What takes the most time is the cutting.  It would be one thing if I could mass cut the shapes, but each piece is a different color and the majority of pieces are different sizes.  I'll cut a few blocks, stick them on the wall, cut a few more and repeat the process until I'm happy with the color placement.  After which I'll cut the background pieces.



Once the cutting is finished, the piecing goes pretty quick.  Which is very welcome at that point.



I used Aurifil 50wt thread in Baby Pink (2423), Bright Pink (2425) and Light Strand (2000) for the quilting.  I didn't need more bright pink at this point, but the shades are subtle and worked well with the background.  You can tell it's pink if you are up close.



Just as with the previous two quilts, I wanted to add a curved element.  I used a marker and drew the first curve,  and thereafter the side of the my foot gave me the 1/2" width between each line.  



After finishing the initial curve sections, I filled in with more 1/2" as well as 1/4" and 3/4" lines.  I also added a couple grid areas for a bit more interest and texture.  



You can barely tell that the thread color is pink in this shot.  It is just has I hoped it would look though!  

The binding and backing is Kona Honeysuckle, a beautiful bright pink that put the final finishing touch on this quilt.  

Sometimes at the end of a quilt I find that there are changes I wish I had made along the way.  Small details usually, such as color, quilting or placement of blocks.  I think we all feel that at some point.  I remind myself there is always next time!  

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF 

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

Block Print II :: Pink Haze

It's a treat for me to share this next quilt!  The design is one I've been entertaining myself with by changing the layout and colors, and always coming up with something new and interesting.  The fact that one block can be arranged in so many different ways, to me is simply amazing!

PINK HAZE
40" x 40"

I usually don't lean towards soft muted colors, and I'm not even sure how this palette landed in my lap, but it did!  I mulled it over before making a final decision on the next step which was size and fabric.  Picking the right shade of colors was quite the challenge!  There was a lot of back and forth with 'too dark, too light, too bright, too similar'.  Eventually it all came together and I was ready to start putting my design idea to the test!

The fabric I used is Kona Cotton in White, Quicksilver, Silver, Baby Pink and Ballet Slipper. 

     
The first Block Print quilt I made using this design was a dark gray and red combination and using 6" paper pieced blocks.  That quilt will be displayed at QuiltCon in Nashville in case you'd like to see it!  

This time I went with 10" blocks to increase the overall size of the quilt.  After printing the paper templates there are a few things I like to do before starting to sew.  I mark each section with the color to cut down on confusion and get the right colors in the right section.  Then I calculate out how many of each color per section is needed.  (Example:  section 
16 of 1A - white, 16 of 1B - light pink)  The last step is pre-cutting the correct size for each section and the quantity needed.  When I'm making the same block numerous times I usually sew the same section in each block and work through to the end.  Much like chain piecing or assembly line style!



You know what the last step is...the dreaded quilting!  I knew I'd do some kind of geometric quilting so at least that part was settled.  I printed the quilt on paper and attempted to plan out the design.  I say attempted because it didn't work out quite as I had hoped it would!  My hat is off to those who are able to preplan from start to finish their quilting designs!  I ended up getting frustrated and gave up.



What I've found that works best for me is quilting section by section.  One step at a time.  Eventually it all comes together, and so far that method has worked for me.  



Picking the right thread color is another important step.  I used Aurifil 50wt thread in three colors.  Dove #2600, White #2024 and Baby Pink #2423.  My only goal was not to have any gray or white thread in the pink sections, but pink did make it into the gray.  It's subtle, but it's there!



These pictures of the back illustrates the quilting and thread color a little better.  

Like I said, it's subtle!  

The larger picture of the quilting can be see from the back, at least somewhat.  I don't know what it was about this quilt, but it was nearly impossible to get the accurate colors in the photos.  I tried everything!  Different locations, different times of the day!  In the end I had to do the best I could.  If you have any tips for photographing gray or pastel quilts I'd love to hear them!  Hiring a professional photographer is not an option!



Except for the colors, the top photo is the end result from the bottom EQ8 design below!  It's always a sigh of relief when a vision becomes reality!



I'm excited to make another version using the Block Print block!  Ideas are never ending, having the time to do it is altogether another matter!  First I have to wrestle with the nagging thought in the back of my head of 'when is enough enough'?!  How many is too many of a design?!

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF 

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

A Medley :: Mishmash :: Potpourri of Little Things

It's the little things that fill our time and keeps us busy!  There is always a reason or at least a way to justify going off script, and I must say I do enjoy the change of pace every now and again!

In between large projects I do love to fill the time with smaller project as a way of clearing my head and regrouping.  Not all are with that purpose in mind, but it does help.

IMPROV POT HOLDERS
8.5" x 8.5"

Last week I dove into some good old fashioned improv.  I was contacted and asked if I could make two sets of black and white pot holders.  Of course I could!  In fact, I was itching to go from precise piecing to something a bit more freeing.     

The pot holders were received and she loved them!  Not only did she love them, but she wants another two sets!  It's rather perfect timing as I just finished quilting an labor intensive quilt and ... I need a change! 

SWEET MINI
5" x 7"

You guessed it!  I made another mini mini!  This was made with the bonus triangles from my Sweet Dreams Quilt.  I've been getting better about letting go of scraps, but in this case I was sure it would make a sweet little somethin'!    

THREADS TABLE RUNNER
15" X 52"

I'm feeling like a ping pong ball!  Here we are back to improv!  My gray scraps were building up and while there might not be enough for quilt size, there certainly were enough for a table runner.



It's a smaller version of a quilt I made years ago called 'Threads'.  Scraps of gray in all shades and bits of all the colors in the rainbow.  

I often say a runner is a smaller project that is quick and satisfying.  This was no exception.  



I finished it off by quilting organic lines in varying widths horizontally and vertically.  The vertical lines are just down the center which create a funky grid.

CURVE TABLE RUNNER
15" X 52"

Here we go with another runner!  One of my guilty pleasures is curves.  I love curves and honestly I don't do them enough.    



I like to take a neutral background, in this case it's ivory, and toss in one of every color!  Maybe not every color, but a lot of colors.  I used Shot Cottons with a few Peppered Cottons for variety sake.  



The quilting is another favorite, organic curves.  It's a sure fire way to create texture!  Plus, how fun is it to have something small to quilt where you aren't fighting with the bulk of a quilt and you can go full throttle with the pedal down?!

As you can see, I like to stay busy!  I don't like to be idle, except at night and even then I enjoy having some sort of hand stitching to do.

And I know I'm not alone!  What is it that you like to do to keep yourself busy?

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF 

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

A Softer Side :: Pastel

I'm going soft!  In the never ending exploration of quilting I've decided it's time I try a different color avenue.  One that I really haven't done, but have always wanted to.  I'm testing the waters so to speak.  Don't get too use to it, I'm still a huge fan of bright, bold and saturated colors!

It isn't that I haven't thought about making a quilt in pastels, because I have.  Maybe I had to have the stars line up, but actually I didn't know what quilt design to go with!

'SWEET DREAMS'
30" x 41.5"

Then one day out of the blue, it hit me.  There was no reason to reinvent the wheel, so I decided to stay in my comfort zone.   The good old Half Square Triangle!  

This quilt is one of my go to designs.  Bright and bold with a neutral gray border.  I always match the center blocks with the same color but different shades and top it off with the center accent.  Completely opposite from the soft pastel quilt.  



One of my favorite things about this design, besides the simplicity of the block, the uncomplicated layout and the color options, is the quilting options!



If you have followed along with my adventures, you know that quilting is the one area that stumps me!  Mostly with free motion, but I've had my battles with the old walking foot too!  With this design I know the only thing I'm going to do is geometric straight lines.   



That philosophy works with my usual color combination, but it wasn't going to cut it with this one!  I think it had to do with the fact I used Kona Snow with the pastels and it created a very loud and proud grid!  What to do, what to do?!  

Well, to start with concentric 1/2" lines in the white squares of course!  I used Aurifil white thread in those blocks.

The blocks with color needed a bit more pizazz!  I hunted for thread in six magical pastel colors before I knew where I was going, but it happened.  I don't know what you call the quilting design, I'll call it Sun Rays until I know differently!