Slowly Spinning

Yes, I am still here....plugging away at these paper pieced blocks.

After making the first block, something was bugging me (and it was not just the fact that I had made every mistake possible before finally getting it right). It had turned out just like I had planned, but to me, it appeared to spinning backward. Weird? I don't know, but I knew I had to make a change.

So before I moved on, I flipped my pattern so it was be the reverse, and the the blocks would spin clockwise. That's better. :)

I'm happy to say the second block did not require the use of a seam ripper {happy day!} and turned in the right direction (at least, in my opinion). But it was still slow. I've since gained a rhythm and can work on several pieces at once, kind of like chain piecing, and it's much more efficient. But still, one block takes about an hour and a half to make from start to finish. Now I know, you have to love the process to take on a paper pieced project!

I'm just relieved this will be a wall hanging and not a bed quilt. :)

Hopefully soon I'll have a complete quilt top to share!

Spectrum Quilts

Last spring (yes, over a year ago!) I was lucky enough to participate in Bianca's (Sweet Diesel Designs) rainbow charm swap. Perfect opportunity for someone like me - relatively new to the sewing scene - to get a wide range of fabrics quickly and inexpensively. Well, it has taken a long to decide on a project! So many possibilities for one set of charms.

Here are a few of my favorites....

Spectrum Half Square Triangle Quilt

Circle of Geese - Colorwheel block - link to paper pieced pattern

Starflower Block Quilt - with tutorial - Ellison Lane

Jeni's Color Wheel Mini Quilt - based on Purl Bee's free pattern

And a few more that you'll have to go see:
Modern Drunkard's Path
Color Wheel Wall Hanging

See? How could I decide on just one project? So many cool options.
I knew I just had to dive in.

I landed here, combining several features of my favorites:

This block should eventually become something like this...

I was inspired by the "Wheel of Fortune"block in 5,500 Quilt Blocks Designs. (I love this book!) If you google this, you will find about a million variations and a few free patterns. But I wanted something very specific, requiring a few adjustments - like touching outer rings, just the right proportions, and it had to be sized for good use of charm squares, so I set out to make my own pattern.

I knew this block's detail would require paper piecing. 

Paper piecing? Yeah, I had heard of it and wanted to give it a try. But designing your own pattern for a first try? (And in Photoshop?) Probably not a great idea. A bit ambitious. It was a lot of trial and even more error. But eventually, I was able to produce what was in my mind.

charms sorted - and encroaching on someone's space :)

Now with all that time invested and charms sorted and ready to go, I am committed!

I just hope I can pick up speed! :)

 -  Click here to see the "Over the Rainbow Charm Swap" flickr group - some really neat projects there. (And it didn't take these ladies a year to cut into their charms! Amazing.)

Isosceles Baby Quilt

I have seen many simple triangle quilts floating around the online crafting community the last little while, and I thought it seemed like a great way to use up a few pieces in my stash that have been sitting for a long time.

I picked up this retro-ish floral swirl a few years ago for $1 a fat quarter. (I think it is part of the Park Slope line by Erin McMorris). And I've wondered what to do with it since. Sometimes I snag a deal and then feel stumped...

As the busy summer went on and I really didn't get much time to craft, I decided just to jump in with something easy, and not think about it too much. I needed a project!

I picked up this isosceles triangle template at Joann's on sale (Tri Tool), just after I had drafted a paper template to use. Perfect! This was easier to use and inexpensive - and could be used for different size triangles. And because this quilt was quick and easy, I think this will be a good tool to have. (If you'd like to use my paper template, there is a link below.)

I cut my fabrics into strips 6 1/2" wide, - the same height as my unfinished triangles. I then used the template, aligning the bottom and top edges, to quickly cut the sides of each triangle. I started cutting at the folded edge of each strip (cutting a half triangle) and then when I reached the selvage ends, I went ahead and cut a partial triangle with whatever was left. I used these pieces on the ends of each row. 

Each quarter yard yields about 11 full triangles and 2 partial triangles.

I pieced the triangles together, offsetting the pieces so that the 1/4" seam intersects the edges, and when the pieces are pressed open, the top and bottom of the row will be flush. (After doing this once or twice, it becomes easy to eyeball).

I pieced 13 triangles together (plus partial triangles at each end) to make a row, and then I sewed together 9 rows. After I had all the rows sewn together, I trimmed the right and left edges straight.

I practiced quilting in 'Loops and Double Loops' on this one. I'm happy to say I'm improving! This time my loops are a bit more even in size and spacing than the last.

This quilt measures 42" x  54".

If you'd like to make your own, you will need:

6 - 1/4 yard prints 

1 1/4 yard solid 

1/2 yard binding (or make a scrappy binding using your prints. You will just enough left over to cut one strip 2 1/2" by the width of fabric from each print - perfect for binding.)

1 2/3 yard backing (this quilt top will be a full 42" wide, so make sure your backing fabric is at least this wide as well)

* Click here for the printable isosceles triangle template.

Anyway, there's the first finish of the school year! It's only been a few days, but I think we're finding a routine. That should mean I get more work done, and have more time for sewing!