'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' WIP

Here we go again!  Round and round and round I go...where I stop...

This idea was floating in my head spurred on by the 2015 Pantone Quilt Challenge.  Anne at Play Crafts and Adrianne at On The Windy Side are hosting this challenge again this year. 

You know the color?  Marsala.  I don't know how I feel about it.  Actually I do...I'm not a fan! I'm just not.  But, I seriously wanted to participate in the challenge and see what I could do with the color ~ or close to the color.  I'm going to blame this all on Anne (just kidding), she does inspire me and makes me want to push the limits. 

I pulled out some solid scraps of 'in the spirit of Marsala' colors to begin with.  I call this my 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' work in progress because I didn't have a clue what I was going to do once I started.  And I still am not sure!  Fun stuff, right?!  

I pulled out a couple Circle of Geese paper piecing templates and started there.  I just randomly places the different shades for texture.  The fabrics are a mix of Kona, Shot Cotton and random scraps dug out from the depths of the bucket.

A couple weeks before I started, during my brainstorming phase ~ I saw this gorgeous solid staring me down.  I decided it was going to be in the Pantone Challenge piece.  That I was sure of!  I think, but not positive this color is Bella Tawny Olive.

Hexagons.  Why not.  It may work, it may not!  

  

I guess I should say I also decided to use Emma's Garden by Patty Sloniger. (the top fabric)

The bee part anyway!  They were perfect as 1" hexies.  Sweet little bees...buzz, buzz, buzzing!

I'm a little bummed that I couldn't get the true color of this Tawny Olive.  It's similar to Kona Wasabi or Cactus.  I made a few 3/4" hexagons last night and this morning I decided to throw in some 1/2" as well.  Apparently I'm taking this project in some direction ~ hexagons seem to be the theme!

Moda Tawny Olive

Here I am.  At this point.  Is it the point of no return?  The point of contention?  Or pointless? If I only knew!  

Linking:

WIP Wednesday
Needle & Thread Thursday
TGIFF
Crazy Mom Quilts

Cat Scratched!

I was asked ever so nicely if I would make a cat pillow last month.  My daughter Britt, thought it would be the perfect birthday gift for her childhood friend Anne.  How could I say no to that?!

She has a love for cats so it was easy deciding what to make.  

I love this paper pieced pattern from Six White Horses and the pattern is available on Craftsy~ Whiskers.  The first time I made this was for my sister, ( Pillows for Christmas ).  I knew one day I would try it again!

Plus, it was the chance to practice a little free motion quilting!  I used a bright yellow for the whiskers, Denyse Schmidt Posie (from my secret stash) for the cat and cream background.  I added a white border to make it an 18" x 18" pillow.  

This was my second attempt at a hidden zipper.  It wasn't as successful as my first.  Not sure what the deal was, but I tried!!  (the third time was so much better).  Sorry Anne!!  Just don't look too closely at the zipper please.

What's a birthday without a birthday card?!  I cute, quick and fun way to wish someone special a very Happy Birthday! 

LINKING:

Sew Cute Tuesday

Fabric Tuesday

Let's Bee Social

Mini Quilt With Prints

I'm getting ready to 'share my technique' of curved piecing at our next Guild meeting.  I'm not a comfortable speaker or teacher or anything like that...but I also know these ladies are supportive and won't throw rotten tomatoes at me either! (or pin cushions!)

With that in mind I thought I should make a couple curved pieces for sharing and examples. Plus it was also an opportunity to make a basic tutorial too!  You can find that here:  Curves Tutorial. 

Except for woven stripes, I don't think I have ever used prints in any of my curved piecing. What better time than now?  I'll tell you...it was a challenge!  I grabbed some Kate Spain Daydream, coordinating solids and was ready to roll!

I usually cut the strips before I start.  Once I decide on fabric, what I plan to make in the end ~ I cut random widths varying from 1" to 3".  Length is always a few inches longer than what the finished size of the piece will be.  For me, how curvy I want the curves determines the width as well.

I overlap my first two pieces by an inch or so and gently free hand a curve with my rotary cutter.  Think of your cutter as your drawing pen!

You can mark, pin and then sew your pieces or you can go rogue and just go for it.  Once you become confident and comfortable with curves, you'll most likely skip this step!

The most import thing to remember is you want to have nice, smooth seams.  Use small stitches, needle down and take your time.

Press your seam to one side.  

And begin again...over and over and over!  Overlap, cut, mark, pin, sew, press!

Before you know it you will have something like this.  Row after row of wonderful curves!

I decided to make a mini quilt/wall hanging with this piece.  At first I was unsure this would work for me.  Me and prints have a love hate relationship.  

I straightened up the edges, looked at it again and again...

...and promptly whacked it in to four 3" sections!

I decided to add a 1" white sashing and border, plus extended the Kona Honeysuckle wave. That took a couple times to line up correctly!

1 1/4" coordinating print.

And finish it off with a 2" white frame.  

18" x 13"

I have to admit...I was not sure I was going to like this at all when I started it.  It wasn't until I cut the 4 sections that I was sure I could make it work.  

It ended up being a sweet little mini quilt!  I machine quilted organic wavy lines and used Kona Honeysuckle for the binding.

If anyone has any tips on curves, I would love to hear them!  

LINKING:

Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop

Fabric Frenzy Friday

Curves ~ Tutorial

Curves.  Grab your pen (rotary cutter) and give it a try!  There isn't a right way or wrong way in my opinion.  What works for one, may not for another.  I have been getting my 'curve on' for a long while now, but you can bet there was a lot of trial and error in between!

This tutorial is the first time I have used fabric other than solids!  I'm telling you...that was a challenge!  

I like to start with strips.  The width of the strips will depend on how curved you want your curves.  I picked an assortment of fabric in prints and solids.  They vary in width, but the length is approximately 12" long.  

I picked two strips and overlapped one on top of the other about an inch.  

With the fabric lined up on the top (and over lapping), I take my drawing tool (rotary cutter) and cut a gentle curve from the bottom to the top.   Discard the scraps.   

If you have never tried curves before, I suggest marking several spots on your strips.  

Pin with right sides together matching your marking lines together.  This will help keep your curves lined up when its time to sew them together.

Sew the two pieces together using a 1/4" seam.  Go slowly, use a small stitch length and have your needle in the down position. You will be adjusting the fabric as you go, being careful not to stretch or pull the fabric.  You really want to have smooth, gentle curves.

Press your seam to one side and bring on the next piece!  

Again, over lap, free hand your curve, mark, pin, sew and press!  

Once you become comfortable with curves, it becomes easier and easier.  Your curves will have more motion, the strips will become smaller and eventually marking and pins will be unnecessary.  It's like taking the training wheels off your bike!

Keep cutting!  I cannot tell you how many times I was half way in to a curved project and just hated it!  I was ready to toss it in the trash!  I decided I was going to finish it regardless of all the wasted time and fabric!  You know what?  They ended up being amazing when finished! Keep going...you just never know!

I hope this was helpful in some way!  Curves are a lot of fun, the possibilities are endless!

I almost always flip my cutting mat over when cutting curves or pieces that don't need to be squared.  It gives a little extra life to the front with the grid for serious cutting!