Sister's Choice Quilts

Viola Border

 Just so you know, I haven't abandoned Viola now that she is off my design wall.  I have a plan for a border involving half square triangles.  I got the triangles made, as you see in the photo above.  They all need to be trimmed to 3 inches, a task I know is going to take me a little while.  I plan to stay with my father next week, and will take them with me as a portable project.  Dad is continuing to recover from his broken leg, but still isn't well enough to be on his own.

Here is Viola, resting on the guest room bed.  That bed is queen sized, and the top fits just on the top of the mattress.  The finished quilt is going onto a twin sized bed, so I do need to make the quilt a bit wider with the borders I have in mind.  Once I get those half square triangles trimmed down to size, the borders should come together quickly.  Then off to the quilters with her, and with luck, Viola will be on Eva's bed this spring!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

 

Winter Mantel

 After the holidays I could not wait to get all the clutter cleared away.  I craved clear surfaces and minimalist decorating.  Now that nearly a month has passed since Christmas, I am getting over that desire.  Let the decorating begin again.

When we lived in the Monterey area, we became friendly with a couple who owned a home decorating shop.  This shop was so much fun to go into.  The wife was the most talented floral arranger, and the shop had the most outstanding assortment of silk flowers and containers for arrangements.  My husband and I went to the shop so frequently, we soon became fast friends with the owners.  We purchased so many really beautiful home decor items from them over years we lived in the area.  As a matter of fact, I still have a closet I call "The Marty Cupboard" where I store all the out of season arrangements she made for me and decor items I acquired from the shop.  Marty had such creative vision and could imagine my space and come up with the most amazing ideas for decor.

Before long, our friendship progressed beyond shopping and home dec consultations.  I have such fond memories of this couple and the evenings we spent together over good wine and gourmet dinners.  Now that we have moved away, we see each other only occasionally, but when we get together it is always a treat.

They have recently sold the shop to new owners, and have retired.  I was so sad to hear that because I feared that an end had come to me getting any more of Marty's fabulous arrangements.  Nobody put things together with the artistry she did. 

My husband was down in the Monterey area not too long ago on business, and out of curiosity, stopped by the shop to see how the new owners were doing and if the "tone" of the shop had changed.  Things were quite pared down in terms of the amount of merchandise on the floor, but it seemed the new owners were making an effort to keep things relatively similar.  I had my husband on a mission to see if he could purchase some particular silk flowers I wanted for an arrangement, but he found that, though the new employees wanted to be helpful, they just didn't have the vision of our old friends.  He had gone to the shop prepared to spend some money, but just wasn't getting the assistance and creativity he needed to make a purchase.

He was about to leave empty handed, when he looked up on a high armoire and saw the orchid arrangement pictured above.   I am so glad he is a tall man.  He brought down the arrangement, and knew it would be perfect.  When he got to the wrap desk, he mentioned to the employees that he had been friends with the previous owners of the shop.  "Oh, my goodness!  Well, did you know that Marty still designs for us occasionally, and this is one of her arrangements?"

I cannot tell you how much more special this beautiful piece is, knowing that my friend's hands were the ones that put it together.  Some things are just meant to be.

Log Cabin Progress

Whoops, one of these blocks is turned the wrong way.  Can you spot it?  I never notice these things until I take a picture and can see things from a different perspective.  Just goes to show you how valuable snapping a photo of your project can be before you get it all sewn together.

I've been working on these Log Cabin blocks when I have a minute, and Sara seems pleased with the results.  I don't think we will stick with this arrangement though.  She prefers more of an all over pattern formed by the blocks, such as Barnraising or Chevrons.  I have been constructing the blocks four at a time, and sticking them up on the design wall in quadrants helps me visualize how many I have made. 

  When we Googled Log Cabin Layouts, Sara thought this layout might be a good one:

photo from http://www.quiltmag.com/tag/layout-designs/

This block takes up way more fabric than I thought it would!  Goodness, I thought I would have tons left over for another project, but is seems that I need to buy more.  I just ordered additional half yard cuts of all the blacks in the Modern Backgrounds Ink collection by Zen Chic.  Just watch, I will be ordering more of the lights any minute.

My plan is to have a setting of 8 blocks across and 8 blocks down, with a containment border and outer border.  I was thinking I would just make a little lap quilt she could place at the foot of her bed, but she really needs to have a full sized bed quilt.  Right now she uses a down comforter set while it is chilly winter weather, but come spring and summer that thing will get relegated to a shelf in the closet.

So, as you see, I am not even half way finished making these blocks. 

Hope you all had a great weekend.

 

Paganini Christmas Table Topper

Well, it didn't get done by Christmas 2015, but I can tell you it will be on my table during the holidays in 2016!  This is Paganini, a Miss Rosie Schnibbles pattern that has a number of variations in how to construct the block.  This little pattern is worth the price, that is for sure.  You can make the blocks umpteen different ways for completely different looks.  I love the effect of the pretty fabrics in this table topper.  I think when the blocks are arranged without a lattice, they make a kind of kaleidoscope effect, don't you?

Here is another version of Paganini I made last summer:

My little Christmas Paganini quilt finishes at about 35 by 28 1/2 inches, which will look very nice on a rectangular dining table.  I used a layer cake of a collection by Sweetwater called Holly's Tree Farm.  This coming June Sweetwater will come out with another Christmas collection called The Cookie Exchange with a similar color palette, so if you like the feel of the fabrics I used in my quilt, you will be able to purchase something similar this summer when the new group is released.  I had enough fabric in the layer cake to make two table toppers, which was my intention.  Only one got made for now.

If you enlarge the photo, you can see the adorable prints in the Holly's Tree Farm line.  Old fashioned cars with Christmas trees on top, sprigs of holly, Christmas trees, stripes and text.  You can always count on Sweetwater to be adorable, but understated.

Denyse Schmidt Fabric

I am a huge Denyse Schmidt fan.  I have purchased most of her collections, and have used them in several quilts.  I am jealously hoarding my leftover scraps for future projects.  One of her earlier groups that I missed out on, was one called Katie Jump Rope.  Oh my gosh was that collection of fabric beautiful, and I missed out on it forever, I thougt.  Denyse's designs are kind of 40's retro, with a modern vibe.  Always charming and very interesting prints.  

Well, her fabric company is Free Spirit, and they have just recently come out with a new collection by Denyse also called Katie Jump Rope.  I can tell you the fabric has the same feel as the original designs of the same name, but I don't believe they are repeated exactly.  The fat quarter bundles on the top left and right are from the newly released Katie Jump Rope group.  The two bundles on the bottom left and right are from her New Bedford collection.  I believe these are all still available from Fatquartershop.com.  I have some ideas for using these, which I will share with you all once my ideas come together more completely.

If you are a fan of Lori Holt (Riley Blake), but get somewhat weary of the heavy dose of the cuteness factor in her lines, you might like Denyse Schmidt.  Her fabrics have a similar vintage feel and similar color palette, but are somehow more sophisticated and 40's authentic feeling. 

The photos below are of two quilts i have made using primarily Denyse Schmidt fabrics.

Steam Punk

Crumbler

Log Cabin Moves to the Design Wall

I've been playing around a bit with possible setting layouts for the Log Cabin blocks I have been making for Sara's quilt.  At the moment, I like this idea, but may change my mind once I get a few more blocks made and can get an idea of the effect more blocks can have when laid out.

I do want to tell you about one more little "pitfall" to avoid when making this block.  Do you see how when arranged in this pattern, the black strips form a nice bold design?

Notice the block on the lower left.  I wan't really paying attentions when I was sewing the strips on, and grabbed a dark grey instead of a black, thinking it would work fine, as it was a "dark".  Well, I don't think it works at all.  The use of the lighter grey fabric strip spoils the uniformity of the design and breaks up the pattern the black strips are making.  

So watch out when you are reaching for your strips.  If you have a certain pattern you want to stand out, the use of a fabric in the wrong value can spoil that.

I am still enjoying making the blocks, and think the Creative Grids Log Cabin ruler is terrific.  My only other observation at this point in the construction process is that in my opinion, the block would be more interesting and more complex if there were more rounds of strips.  In my blocks, I have the red center square and a line of light grey, a line of dark grey and a line of dark.  Three rounds of strips going around that center red square.  I think it would be more interesting if there were four, five or six rounds!  And maybe even narrower strips of fabric.

But there isn't a ruler for that, so I am going to stick with with I've got.

Viola--All But Borders

Seriously, the amount of time these blocks have been on my design wall is shameful.  The quilt is Viola, a Miss Rosie pattern.  I am so happy to tell you all that I decided to go with a 12 block, 3 by 4 setting, and use the finished quilt in Eva's room here at my house.  We recently picked up some "wall art" for her at Hobby Lobby, and this quilt will be a great accent to the rest of the room.  Once I get it quilted and on the bed, I will show you a photo of the entire space.  

I concentrated like mad to get these blocks done and sewn together and by late Monday, I had it done.  Each block finished at around 18 inches, but is composed of four sections, each one of which amounts to a block in itself.  You've got your vase unit with appliquéd stems, two side flower units and a full flower unit.  This is a very time consuming quilt.  If made according to the pattern directions, the quilt will be 16 blocks total and finish at around 80 some inches square.

I do not want this quilt to be much longer that it presently is, as it will go on a twin sized bed.  I do want it a bit wider however, so I will be expanding the side borders somewhat to achieve that end.  I have loads of 3 1/2 inch print squares left over, and will do something fun with half square triangles.  Stay tuned for that development.

Thanks to Thelma and Sinta for encouraging me to join in their sew along.  I sure did take my time with this one, and to say that I "sewed along" isn't quite accurate.  Thelma finished her top months ago, and I think Sinta is about ready to wrap hers up as well.  Both Sinta and I got sidetracked with other projects and life events over the past few months.

I am so happy this is a near finish, and can't wait to get my next project up on the design wall!

Log Cabin Block Pitfalls to Avoid

Looking at a Log Cabin quilt, you would think it is so simple.  And it is, or can be eventually.  As mentioned in my previous post, I am using the Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool, which is terrific.  I got the idea for the Log Cabin project from a YouTube video called Hope Blooms Log Cabin Quilt put out by the folks at Fatquarter Shop.

The ruler comes with detailed instructions.  Fatquartershop also has a free Hope Blooms Log Cabin Block pattern you can print out, which shows you how to use the Creative Grids Log Cabin ruler to make their version of the quilt  My first pitfall was trying to follow both pattern instructions at the same time.  I realized at some point in making my first block that the patterns were reversed in their use of dark and light strips.  If you are cutting strips to measure, it is important to get the lights cut to the right length and the darks cut to the lengths they need to be.  You cannot interchange them, as they are different lengths.  Also one pattern numbered the strips in order of use, and the other pattern used letters of the alphabet.

I tell you, I sat for the longest time staring at those two sets of directions and ended up more confused than ever.  So, my advice is--if you use the tool pick one set of directions and don't confuse yourself with even looking at another set!  You notice in my photo above, I have little scraps of paper with the Fatquartershop letters of the alphabet as well as my numbered pins that correspond to the Creative Grids ruler.  I was making myself unnecessarily crazy.

The second pitfall is:  know that you are going to have to end up cutting more strips.  The main reason for this is that you will want to use certain colors or fabrics in the various "rounds" and you'll find you did not cut enough of whatever it is you need to achieve your desired effect.  Believe me, you will end up cutting extra strips of certain colors.

You notice in my dark fabrics, the first round is light grey, the second round is a darker grey and the third round is black.  Just trust me that you will end up cutting more strips in the colors you need.  Have more fabric than you think you need.

A possible third pitfall is deciding if you want to cut your strips to various prescribed lengths or not.  The Fatquartershop instructions called for cutting strips into various lengths:  3 1/2, 5 1/2, 7 1/2, 9 1/2.  The Creative Grids instructions just have you sewing your long strips onto the side of the block and whacking it off close to the edge--no measuring.  That lack of precision troubled me, so I followed the Fatquartershop instructions and cut my strips according to their use of darks and lights.  So I guess I did end up kind of combining both pattern instructions.  No wonder I sat scratching my head for the longest time.

Don't throw up your hands and declare with all this bother you will never attempt a Log Cabin quilt.  I made 18 blocks over the weekend, and I can tell you by about block number 14 I wasn't even looking at either pattern any more.  Or not very often anyway.

The blocks are fun to make, and easy once you get your head on straight.  Not sure how big this quilt will be, or even how many blocks I need to make.  I suppose I will be cutting more strips....

 

Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool

I've been experimenting with a new ruler, and I have to say I really love it.  That is the Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool. I got the idea to make a Log Cabin Quilt from a Fatquarter Shop Video on how to make a Log Cabin quilt they called Hope Blooms.  It is part of their Classic and Vintage series, which is quite good.  I watched the YouTube video and got totally inspired.  Sara needs a quilt for her bedroom in her new house and I thought the Log Cabin would be a fast, yet dramatic impact quilt to make for her.

I sent away for the ruler, and planned to start Sara's Log Cabin quilt after the holidays.  I wanted to use my Zen Chic Modern Backgrounds in creams, grays and blacks, with just a touch of dark red for the center squares.  You can get the idea of how the ruler works in the photo above.  You cut 2 inch strips which are then sewn around the center square in the typical Log Cabin method.  You square up the center red square in the Round One square window of the ruler and trim the block down.  Repeat this for three rounds of strips.  The blocks end up a perfect 8 inch finished Log Cabin block.

Tomorrow I will share with you a couple of pitfalls you can avoid when making this block.

Frivols #5, Alternate Version

This is my alternate version of the Frivols #5 kit.  The primary pattern in the kit didn't float my boat so much, but luckily each Frivols box contains a card with an alternate design suggestion.  To all of you who haven't even taken the plastic off your Frivols tins:  You need to check out what's inside!

I didn't use more than a third of the fabrics in the kit, so I could make another little quilt like this one or maybe a smaller version of the primary quilt in the kit.  I used some French General fabric I had on hand for the background print, and also used a red French General piece from my stash for the border.  I tried using the navy and red print that came in the kit for the border, but I was just not that wild about bringing out more navy in the quilt.  The red made me happier.

The quilt measures about 21 1/4 inches square.  The finished block size was 4 1/2 inches.  The thing about working with such small pieces (especially when making flying geese units) is that it becomes harder to keep things from going wonky on you.  The slightest error in a seam allowance seems to be magnified much more than when you are making 8 or 10 inch square blocks.

After making the first block (bottom center in the photo), I started pressing all my seams open.  That really helped a lot to keep each block flatter and more square.  I am swallowing any pride and showing you the backside of the quilt top.  I try to clip my threads carefully, but the back of the quilt always looks a bit like a birds nest.  Anyway, if you can stand to press your seams open, it does help.

Have a great weekend everyone!  I look forward to sharing my next project with you on Monday.