It's a Gem :: Rainbow Runner

My first completed quilt of the year!  Thankfully I choose to make a runner which made the finish quick and easy.  But a finish is a finish, and a first is a first!

IT'S A GEM
15 1/4" x 47 3/4"

The fun part was using scraps, making odd inset circles and quilting it.  All in all it was fun from start to finish!

There was little doubt how I would quilt it, which is always a good thing.  I knew I'd add a little color with coordinating thread, but not so much that it became overwhelming.

Matchstick quilting was exactly the way I was going to take the quilting.  Dense lines from side to side using black thread.  I marked a 1/2" section through each circle that was off limits to black thread!  Those sections would end up with matching colored thread.    

Once the hundreds of black lines were finished I could begin the fun part.  Before that happened I had an idea!  Wouldn't it be cool to have the quilting go right off the edge?  In order to do that I had to trim the runner and sew on the binding.  I'll admit that it was a little tricky and that the back of the binding isn't gorgeous, but the front...that turned out perfect!

I also didn't feel the need to do any more quilting inside the circles.  Lines through the center and around each circle was it!  Less is more...except there is the matchstick quilting which is more more more!  

All these photos were taken after I washed and dried this runner.  If I'm selling any of my quilts, I always wash each one beforehand.  The exception is mini mini's and the occasional wall hanging.  Why?!  We all know how a quilt can shrink and change in appearance after washing.  I would be shocked if I were a customer and saw the transformation!  By washing first they get the true measurements and can't be shocked...or even ticked off!  Self preservation on my part too!

Now it's time to move on to another project.  I want to make a quilt but I'm having a hard time coming up with a design.  I know it needs to be purple!  Great first step!  I might be leaning towards log cabin blocks...we shall see!

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING 
MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF ● WHOOP WHOOP FRIDAY

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

First Project of 2021 :: Rainbow

I'm always itching to start a new project and with the new year upon us I couldn't wait.  I usually have my first (whatever that may be) ready to share practically before the sunrises on January 1st.  I missed that traditional first this year!

I decided that this year should start with a rainbow!  I'm optimistic this year will get back on track in many ways...fingers crossed and bring on color!

There are so many things I love about this project.  Rainbow, circles, scraps and improv!  Not to mention it's a table runner which means a quick finish.  Total satisfaction!

I pulled all my scrap bins out and began with one color at a time.  Before long I had my eight (8) rainbow squares (purple somehow didn't make it into this photo!) that varied in size and shape from 5-6".  

I almost always use the six-minute circle method which means pull out the freezer paper!  The tutorial for this method shows how to make perfectly round circles, I on the other hand wanted something a little more organic for this project.  

After cutting eight (8) freezer paper pieces, I placed the improv block on the the square and traced around the outside.  This became my guide to how big I should make my shapes and insured that I'd have enough seam allowance to pull it off.  I drew the shapes and cut out the centers.

I choose to use Kona black for my background and cut eight (8) 17" x 7" rectangle strips for that.  Once I centered the template I ironed the freezer paper to the background. 

Leaving plenty of wiggle room for the background seam, I cut the center out, clipped the curves and with a washable glue stick I adhered the seam to the freezer paper.  

Once that is finished I glued the improv block to the back.  Once all my blocks were prepped in this way it was then that I removed the freezer paper and started sewing each section.  Reducing stitch length a little and using a zipper foot is a must with smaller circles for me.  That and taking your time! 

 

Pink starts the progression.  Maybe not the typical ROYGBIV standard, but my rainbows require there is pink included!

I can't decided if these shapes are raw precious gems...

...or maybe an Amoeba that has the ability to change its shape?  

Yellow could be an egg.  My son thinks they look like Yoshi eggs!  You have to know your video games to get that reference!

There is a little bit of a challenge when making inset circles using improv.  Inevitably there are thick seams you have to contend with.  It can be done though!

I know in the standard ROYGBIV model the BIV = blue, indigo and violet.  I can't help but switch the blue with aqua/teal, indigo with blue and violet with purple.  

Mine is: PROYGABP!  Pink, red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue and purple.  Not as catchy as ROYGBIV is it?! 

I think creative license or artistic freedom is essential.  I use it in my rainbows, much of my quilting and sometimes...in everyday life!

I'm going to ask...are you a rainbow fan?  I know there are some people who aren't and that's okay.  Diversity is always a good thing!

Now I'm off to finish quilting this runner.  Can you say Matchstick?!  It takes a while, it's worth it and thankfully this is only a runner!

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING 
MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF ● WHOOP WHOOP FRIDAY

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

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!

 LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING 
MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF ● WHOOP WHOOP FRIDAY

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY