Monday, February 20, 2017

SWOONING OVER A STAR DESIGN

 My hat always goes off to the pattern designers out there...
even the unspoken ones from 100 years ago.  

Take for instance, there is a block called "Swoon" 
by Thimbleblossoms
 I have the pattern and this is the block... 

Image result for swoon block layout pics design

Sometimes the tiniest change in color placement or
cutting a piece of fabric to place in a design
makes it new!
I have to chuckle when I see all the excitement

over a block that has been around for years 
like this...

Star of Bethlehem

Image result for star of bethlehem quilt block pattern


I decided to give the "Swoon Block" a try
by making a mini quilt using my  
Charley Harper stash fabrics.

 I studied the pattern, did a little math (I hate math)
and my process began. 
Diagram A - Original pattern - cut pieces
Diagram B - My pieces - some one large piece vs 2 small pieces



Diagram A - Swoon cut pieces - Several HST
Diagram B - My cut pieces - 2 HST

The Chickadee birds fit the center
and some coordinating HST
 Zen Chic "Comma" mustard and dots plays well!

 
The dark teal flower print was up next...
I just began building it out as I went...
using more of the Zen Chic with it.


Here is where my stash FQs decided 
how to finish the  "white" area.


 diagonal corners are different and now my deign. 
I marked the sizes I had to cut to make my fabric work


I made four sections sets using the 
Charlie Harper leaves and Gray flowers



The Kwilty Pleasures "hack" uses fewer HST 



I sewed it all together, added a small blue border then
quilted it with an elongated serpentine stitch.

In the end....I like it and not sure what I will call it...
other than done!
 





Wednesday, February 8, 2017

BASKETCASE

 If you know me...I can be a basket case...
  I can get behind in my posts but my intentions are good.
Maybe if I stayed home a while...nah I like my adventures!

One of my favorite swaps in 2016 was 
The Basket Case Swap sponsored on Instagram.
My partner, Janet Smith (@bayleebarkley) 
loves Tula Pink...found this in my stash.


I decided to make a one hour basket...



added some simple quilting...


The finished basket turned out great!


She also mentioned Cotton and Steel was a favorite fabric...
I did a little research and found she enjoys paper piecing.
So I made a paper piecing tool pouch.







Here is the entire package I sent.  
With paper piecing tools in the case.
( small cutting board/rotary cutter)
 and a fun flying geese pincushion.



and of course my partner Jaia @handmadebyjaia
 NAILED.IT
Sending me all this Ghastliness!


I should have made a resolution for 2017 to keep on top of my posts...
but I am not a resolution kinda gal...
better late than NEVER
and hopefully you enjoy them regardless of the timing!