Friday, January 19, 2018

ECONOMY BLOCKS TUTORIAL

Yes, I know the "Economy" block is nothing new.
Actually its been around for a very long time aka
"Square in a Square" block.
When I saw the Ghastlies Moment panel...
it was a no brainer..cut and make Economy blocks.


I pulled lots of Ghaliness like the weaves and brambles
as well as some solids from my stash to find colors that work.



and the Ghastliness began!



All fabrics were cut into sizes I needed to make
LARGE Economy blocks. I like to kit up a project when I travel...or in this case
when I winter at the beach.





I made 30 blocks, one at a time and used the numbered straight pins to get them in some kinda design order.
You could chain piece blocks, especially if more scrappy.

I also press to the dark side
Press seams open if you prefer that method.
Don't be stingy with your starch...I use Best Press.

Lets take a closer look at cutting the fabrics 
for an 11" unfinished economy block.


Center Ghastlie squares are trimmed to 5 1/2" square
2, 5" squares / cut once on the diagonal (pink)   =  4 triangles  
2, 6" squares / cut once on the diagonal  (b&w) = 4 triangles

Lay the pieces out for color coordination....yep, looks good!



Its important to get the pieces lined up correctly to sew
Sew try folding all the triangles in half and press creases.




Crease the center block as well in both directions.



You can see here how easy it is 
to line up the two creases for sewing!
Line up the creases and line up the raw edges...
Sew 1/4" seam


Sew two smaller triangles to 
the top and bottom of the center block.



Trim off the dog ears on both sides.



Sew the other two pieces on remaining sides.
Trim to an 8" square.



Repeat using the larger triangles.
For a good placement see how the crease lines up with the 
intersected point of the block.



Sew triangles on opposite sides of the 8" blocks
and trim dog ears



Repeats sewing other two triangles on the remaining sides
Trim to an 11" square
You can use washi tape to mark you ruler or I have
these vinyl strips I have had for years.



And there you have it!
A very large economy block!



Often, there is no reason to re-invent the wheel.
Just google economy block sizes and you will find info..
like this cutting chart from CatBird Quilts Studio
She also has a tutorial and the math for sizing.
My 5 1/2" center square was not on this chart
sew I just guessed...and was right.

A. size of your finished block

B. size to cut your center patch

C. size to cut two interior squares; sub-cut each square on the diagonal

D. size to cut two exterior squares; sub-cut each square on the diagonal
The dimensions for C and D are oversized to allow for imperfection. You will still need to trim after these steps.
Sew here are a couple sneak peeks of my blocks.






Stay tuned because the finished
Ghastlies Economy Block Quilt top is almost done.

If you are on Instagram...follow me there too!
@kwiltypleasures


Monday, January 15, 2018

SLOWER THAN CHRISTMAS

Sometimes I am slower than Christmas 
posting timely blog posts...Sorry

SEW before I get to next Christmas...
I gotta little Ghastliness for ya!
(surprise, surprise)

This Ghastlies Christmas quilt began at 
a 2017 Spring Quilt Retreat 
using all the colors of the line that I had in my stash.







and I waited and waited for a snow fall...
to capture a Ghastlie Christmas moment!








NOT my first Ghastlies Christmas Quilt...I made this one
for a customer a few years ago.




And I love my Ghastlies Christmas Apron!



Made these Christmas pouches for a swap a few years back...



And yes, my Christmas stocking is very Ghastlie!

Monday, January 8, 2018

DO YOU LIKE IT SCOT?

Any Outlander fans out there...


and exactly what is a Sassanech?

Sas·se·nach
ˈsasəˌnak/
SCOTTISHIRISHderogatorynoun 
...nickname for an English person.
a term used by the Gaelic inhabitants of the British Isles to
refer to the English inhabitants.
---------------------------------------
More important it is the name Jamie Fraser (Scotsman) 
lovingly calls Claire Fraser (Englishwoman) in the series.
Image result

Cherie's ringtone is set to Jamie saying this!
I believe that makes Cherie, a bit more obsessed than me
about all things Scottish.  
And that would also include her sister, Terra!
She asked me to make them both an Outlander bag.
She came by to pick out patterns and look for fabrics.
Found some Outlander prints from Hawthorne Threads
and the Outlander plaids from 

Here is the beginning of a Supertote Bag for Cherie!


This turned out beautiful.
The tassel was made by Cherie and she wanted me
to include the "Coach" key ring, a gift from her sister.



Here is a close up of the tassel, with lots of leather, beads 
and charms that represent something from Outlander!


Inside the front pocket section...a custom cell phone pocket.


We selected the "Juliet Bag" pattern 
by Me and My Sister designs for Terra's bag.
 It came out amazing too!


This bag has two interior pockets.


Closeup showing the awesome tassel!
and I did a bit of fancy decorative stitches on the handles.



And here is Cherie (left) and Terra (right)
styling like all Sassenach women should!



All in all the bags were a huge success and
the we all have to endure DroughtLander til next season!

If you don't watch Outlander, may I suggest you
grab yourself a bottle of wine and binge watch til
you can't stand the heat!

It's a love story that goes waaaaay beyond love!




Monday, January 1, 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing each of you a year filled with 
happiness, health, and lots of sewing!


I am headed to Ocean Isle Beach, NC
with this view for 3 months...
(if you live in the area, let me know
it would be fun to meet some kwilty peeps)



2017 was very good to me.

Some of my Ghastlie goodness was featured
in the Alexander Henry Booth at Spring Quilt Market.


And I had my first solo quilt show!
Lots of people visited and wrote in my journal...
and according to all that...it was a success.



 I have a few things ready to work on.
Like these patterns...why reinvent the wheel?
There are great patterns out there!


My Painted Forest by Blue Nickel Studio
will be made with Cotton and Steel Spellbound & BOO
with a Black background....spooky, right?

My Pumpkins Quilt by Cluck, Cluck Sew
will have Orange, White, Gray Pumpkins
from a mixed collection I have been hoarding 
for a very long time.
And a White Grunge Background


You won't find any Bonnie and Camile fabrics
on my version of this pattern.
But it will definitely be right up my alley!
Stay tuned for this one!


I also have some knitting projects lined up

Here is a yummy yarn "Glen Coe"
which takes me directly to Scotland
and my fantasy with Outlander!


and the pattern I will use....
REFLECTION LINE SHAWL
by Tetiana Otruta


I am also enjoy Game of Thrones and found
this Game of Throne Yarn called
"Castlery Rock"

Knit Faster...Winter is Coming...
ooops - its here!

I selected this pattern.
Both patterns are available on Ralvery


The Wave
by Kristen Finley


That's it for now....I need to finish packing!




And here is some New Years history for you.
"Auld Lang Syne" translates to
"For Old Times Sake"
It all started in Scotland when Robert Burns
penned the lyrics in 1788!

Happy New Year!