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Saturday, November 28, 2020

Play Time :: Frivolous Fun!

I've been longing to make a quilt where I could let loose and have fun.  Not that most of my projects aren't fun.  I wanted a creative release and what better way than combining improv, scraps and circles?!


Enter Frivolous Fun!  And it was just that...a lot of fun!  I grabbed some Kona Haze for the background,


Flipped open my scrap bins, and began picking larger pieces for the half circles.  I didn't want to cut from yardage, so whatever was in the bins was what I was going to use.


Once the half circles were cut I began piecing background sections.  With each background I tried to use a different color.  And, since it was pieced together I could position the pieces so that they filled the curve section in a haphazardly way.  As long as I could cut the size I needed I was good to go.  


I ended up making five different circle sizes, 8", 6", 4 1/2", 3 3/4" and 3".  The largest being half circles and sewn together, but the four remaining sizes I wanted to use the six-minute circle method.  I love this method and have used it many times.  It's simple and very satisfying.  Who would have ever thought freezer paper could be used in quilting?!


I cut out background squares in four sizes for each circle, making sure that after they were inset I had enough border for trimming when it came time to assemble all the blocks.  I ended up making two solid circle sizes




The 6" and 4 1/2" circles were first pieced with scraps and then inset.  Keeping with the background of the half circle theme but different.  

Last time I made a similar quilt to this one I actually pieced together a black and white stripe because I didn't have fabric I could use.  I learned my lesson and ended up buying some 1/4" stripes just in case I might need it one day.  


This was the day!  I cut 1 1/2" (1" finished) strips of the stripe fabric and began the design layout.  After randomly placing my circles on the design wall (by randomly I mean I rearranged them over and over and over again) I started adding the stripes.  I didn't want to go overboard and add too much, so I slowed down and tried to think logically!


One thing about designing a quilt like this that needs to be puzzled together is I can trim my circle blocks to any size I need them to be.  As long as there is enough background, I can make each one work.  Which is the perfect way to make the stripe fabric work too!  

Since the stripes are 1/4" wide, I was able to trim the stripes so that they started and ended with black using the 1/4" to my advantage for the seams.  Because I allowed for extra background, I could trim my circles to the exact size needed to make the stripes work.   

 

Nothing is ever set in stone when 'puzzling' together a quilt.  Having the leeway to adjust and trim so that each circle or background piece fits together is both fun and stressful!  I try and plan out sections that line up without having to do partial seams...that would be a whole different level of brain power for me!  All in all, I'm pleased with the results.  I fulfilled my desire to have some frivolous fun!

I have the top pinned but will have to put off quilting for a few more days.  We have our quarantine partner family coming today!

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18 comments:

  1. Kathy,
    Great looking quilt! Love how you made the circles. I watched the video and will try this method. petuniakr@aol.com

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  2. Love it! Your method of "oversizing" can work in any improv situation.

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  3. I love that black and white stripe in this and thanks for showing how you do your circles that is interesting.

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  4. Wow! I ❤️ this! Thanks for sharing your process!

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  5. I'm so glad you found the perfect black and white stripe print to use. The circles are fun and I look forward to seeing how you quilt it. :)

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  6. Beautiful top, and your creative process is very interesting. Love the use of B&W stripes 😍

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  7. LOVE this quilt top, Jayne!!! It's an improv masterpiece.

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  8. I get the random placement while rearranging thing - haha. This is just so fun. With all of your quilts, I keep thinking "Oh, that's my favorite!" and then you make another one! They are all my favorites, I think. :-)

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  9. I really like this quilt. Every time I see a circle quilt, I think I want to make one. Having watched the video, It looks like something I might tackle!! Thanks.

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  10. That looks like soooo much fun, Jayne! Love your work

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  11. What a great plan of attack! Using scraps to make circles, oversizing the backgrounds, and utilizing black and white stripes (I have learned to always keep B&W stripe in my stash, in several different widths) are the perfect combo for creating this quilt top. I can see big stitch quilting on this one too. Maybe black pearl cotton? Well, your break with pod-friends will give you time to think about what you want to do, quilting-wise. Whatever you do won't ruin it! :-) It's a fabulous design.

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  12. the black and white stripe is my favorite part! I keep some on handout all times. some day I need to figure out that 6 minute circle. yours look terrific

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  13. This is an awesome design, I love the bits of black and white striped fabric in it.

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  14. This is an awesome way to play! that black and white strip just makes everything sing - I love it!

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  15. So crisp and clean and chic and modern...I drooled all over it :-D

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  16. I like this blog. Thank you for sharing this information.

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  17. Nice blog! I really like your information.

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