Last week was an absolute flurry of things to do. At some point in preparing for my starch applique class with Patch Yard, I realized that the only thing that I was missing was a sample to deomonstrate the reverse applique technique. A simple circle is perfectly acceptable, but would have needlessly been tossed into the orphan block bin... and who wants that?!?
Recently I decided to try out a few classes on Creativebug, and was excited to see that the Anna Maria Horner "Folk Flower" block was among the classes. The block itself is simple enough to figure out on your own, but it's always interesting to see the thousand ways that you can ultimately end up at the same end goal.
Sewing by hand never was my thing, and never will be... but bring in the word starch, and you are talking about a whole other ball game for me. All in all, I still appreciate seeing a variety of techniques used in quilting. For me, using reverse applique with starch applique, is like the universe aligning.
On my blocks, I decided to use an appliqued bias tape strip instead of piecing it. I much prefer the bias tape to sewing thin strips, that often have the tendency to be a little wonky because of their small size. For the background, I am using some pretty strongly patterned prints, which are a far cry from my usual low volume backgrounds.
I'm just sure that I can come up with some kind of fun project for these leftover circle cut outs, don't you?...
These blocks were the perfect choice not only to demo, but to start a project that I've already had in the back of my head for a while now... I just love those killing two birds with one stone moments. So, how about if I leave you with just a few impressions from the class?
This spring, as a special treat for my birthday, my husband took me to one of the finest and best-kept secrets in the area... a monasterial grounds since the middle ages, that was later a private hunting spot to a 17th century duke. The Forsthaus Heiligenberg, delivers everything that one could wish for when it comes to historical charm and quaintness. Mixed with fine delicacies made from regional products and attention to every last detail, it might be easy to understand how a romantic like myself could get completely swept away with the whole atmosphere....
As I sat across from my husband, I found that I was absolutely fascinated with the embroidery piece on the wall behind him. My gaze shifted back and forth between the vintage piece and my date. Later, as I studied it more closely my eye started seeing quilting shapes... and then a whole quilt. Even though I was soaking in the all too rare one-on-one time, my fingers were itching to get the idea on paper.
My first design was with large feathers similar to the original embroidery, but I found that the shapes were too graphic and dominant for the soft and organic shapes of the focal lovebirds. As usual, the design grew and evolved as I starting getting it into fabric form, and a medallion quilt seemed to be the most natural progression of things.
The applique borders were a later addition to my original design, and I was able to incorporate a softer applique feather into it as well as smaller birds that I also used in a second extra project that I will be included in the pattern.
There are certain projects, where it seems as if I cannot imagine it in any other colors but those specific colors. Even though blues and turquoises are not the usual color palette that I tend towards, these verigated Basic Grey's and Alison Glass blues were the direction that I knew I wanted to go. I've always love a blue and green combination, and the coral pomogranates, give it the contrast that I was looking for.
I hope to get first draft to pattern testers by the end of the month, so if you are interested (or you know someone who might be interested) then let me know. This quilt pattern is for an intermediate to advanced quilter with experience in applique. I am requesting a finished top (with or without applique borders) by February, with a February or March release date.
Oh... and I'm still not settled on a name. Here's a few that have been thrown into the suggestion pot...
Spring Lovebirds, Nested Lovebirds, Birds Of A Feather, Fly Away Home, Lovebirds In A Perch, Birds Of A Feather, Bluebirds Of Happiness...
Perhaps you've noticed already that Wednesdays are my posting days. It was actually something that I had started after I had re-joined the blogging world, and was linking up weekly with WIP Wednesdays. (ah, remember those days?) Having a set date actually keeps me motivated to keep up with posting, but it doesn't always match the current progress of projects that I might be working on. Right now, I'm literally just a day or two away from sharing my finished medallion quilt top, but that would mean you would have to wait... hmmm. But you certainly didn't think that I would leave you with the Wednesday high-and-dry's, did you?
So this week, I'm sharing the center medallion of the quilt pattern that I am currently writing. Next week is the flimsy finish with the applique borders, including the story behind the inspiration. After that, comes the fun part of continued writing and editing the pattern to get it into the hands of pattern testers - goal is end of September with a February release...
... but until then, I'll just let these two lovebirds take center stage.
Interested in pattern testing?... just let me know. Oh, and keep those name suggestions coming in.
Back in January, during the pattern testing phase of my Tiptoe Through The Tulips quilt pattern, one of my pattern testers shared with me about an applique project that she had just finished... essentially if one could take on Chuck Nohara blocks, then the "small amount" of applique in my pattern should be just fine too. I had never heard of the quilt designer before and was sent on a wild goose chase.
When I checked out the #chucknohara hashtag on Instagram, I knew I needed to watch myself lest I be sucked into yet another bucket list project... but I kept my cool. After I had found the 2001 Nouveaux Blocs de Patchwork online, I decided to put it on the back burner instead of in my shopping cart like the impulsive side of me had said to do. The disciplined side of me reasoned that if I just couldn't get it out of my head, then perhaps it might be worth re-considering.
If you are the average quilter (with or without kids), you know that summers, even though they are without the daily schedules and appointments, can still be busy... very busy. How many of you opt to be in the garden or traveling when the sun is shining rather than sweating from the steam of a hot iron?
So, since the thought of this book just would not leave me, (and trust me, I sat on this for a while) I decided to make this my summer travel, take it with you, basket project that I work on here and there as I have time. No pressures, no deadlines, no worries... just like summer. Even in those relaxed summer months my idle fingers can't go for too long without making something.
The book is a pretty no nonsense book with only small illustrations that have to be enlarged to the desired size. No instructions, no assembly diagrams, no fabric requirements... nothing. I have to say that it appeals to me the challenge of trying to try to figure out how blocks are put together. Everyone has their own approach, but since discovering the starch applique method, I'll not go back! The book, however, is not limited to only applique blocks, but uses traditional and other piecing methods too.
I've really been focused on using scraps for this. I'm planning for green to be the main/focal color with accents of pinks, oranges, and yellows. Even though Greenery is Pantone's current color of the year, my love for nature's color extends far beyond the passing trend.
The beauty of it is that I can prepare the freezer applique shapes and take them just about anywhere. We've been having the most divine weather, so these have been my afternoon on the terrace project these last days.
Want to read more about Chuck Nohara? Check out this blog post or this one. There are even some fun how-to videos (in French, but one can easily understand the process) or get inspired by some fabulous Chuck Nohara pins on Pinterest.
Linking up this week to Let's Bee Social
Last week I sent out a "call for help", asking for your two cents on how much time pattern testers might need for an entire medallion quilt instead of a single block or small finished project. Firstly, thank you for all the ideas and suggestions... I've pulled from several of them, and think that this is the planned scenario that I've come up with: Firstly, share the flimsy
and do a pre-call for testers, giving the fabric requirements to see if
the pattern can be made from stash, or if extra fabrics would need to be
purchased. Secondly release my third pattern while the testers are working on the pattern testing this one. Well... that's the plan, anyway.
Currently I am working the last border, which is a little heavy on applique, and should still take a good bit of time to complete. When working on a pattern, I usually sew up the top and then back track, which means that I'm still a good ways out on this one. Realistically, I'm looking at releaseing to testers in late summer/early fall with a spring release for this one.
At our Patchwork Treffen HH this past weekend, amaziningly I didn't do one single stitch on the sewing machine the whole time I was there... I left thinking, why did I even bring it? But some days I simply enjoy playing around with fabric, even if I'm not stitching it. I was able to whip up all these leaves for the border.
Are you interested in pattern testing and have time starting late summer/early fall? Applique experience is needed. Let me know and I'll put you on the list.
Linking up to Let's Bee Social
May I formally and officially introduce you to...
Tiptoe Through The Tulips, my second quilt pattern, for the intermediate to advanced quilter who enjoys working with a variety of techniques. With curved piecing, traditional piecing, bias tape appliqué, and traditional appliqué, there is a good mixture of quilting methods to make sure that there is never a dull moment. This pattern includes the required drunkard’s path and appliqué templates, two coloring pages to help you create your own custom version, as well an bonus table runner project.
... and what better way to celebrate than with a 20% discount on my Tiptoe Through The Tulips AND Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt patterns now in my Payhip shop! (sale runs from March 15th through March 22nd, 2017) Simply enter the code: Tiptoe when you check out.
There are several finished quilt size options:
- Single Block (approx. 24" unfinished), which would be perfect for a pillow, table covering, wall hanging, etc.
- Wall/Throw (approx. 69" x 69") 2 x 2 blocks + border/sashing
- Twin (approx. 69" x 92") 2 x 3 blocks + border/sashing
- King (approx.107" x 107") 3 x 3 blocks + border/sashing
- Optional Borderless/Double (approx. 83" x 83") 3 x 3 blocks
- PLUS a bonus table runner project (included in the pattern)
It's fun to see how patterns can take on a totally different look with just a simple background change. I turned this single block version into a pillow for my living room, and I love the dramatic effect of the dark background.
I've also included a bonus table runner project in the pattern for those who prefer smaller projects. Simply perfect for a spring table setting, don't you think?
I
really love some the creative, think-outside-the-box ideas that my
pattern testers came up with. Julie just made my head spin with ideas when she suggested to use the 24" tulip block as the center for a medallion quilt, so I decided to play around with another layout (not included in pattern). Wouldn't this be a fun version to explore? I can't wait to see her version!
Mareike has a keen eye for interpreting quilt blocks in her own way, while still staying true to the original pattern. She came up with this masterful layout of my Jeweled Kaleidoscope quilt pattern, and I thought it was just brilliant to seperate the tulip blocks and set them on point. You don't want to miss her lovely table topper that she made. (more on her blog here)
Speaking of pattern testers, even though it's the job of a pattern tester to thoroughly pick apart and search out every little tiny mistake, here are a few things that my pattern testers had to say about my Tiptoe Through The Tulips pattern:
“I love how there are so many varied aspects to the design...I've found with this, and other similar projects that I don't get bored just repeating the same block over and over. (Tiptoe Through The) Tulips is an interesting block pattern in and of itself (each block) and my eye travels over it, taking in each aspect. The little circles are like the cherries on top of an ice cream sundae and a little reward at the end of the block construction.” Melissa from mtweedel
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“The colors in the instructions are really pleasing to the eye. Cutting charts are really clear. I think it is a good idea to have the image of the part of the block you are cutting shown on the left. I thought the pattern overall is really clear and comprehensive, cutting, sewing and pressing. I thought the block came together beautifully and the illustrations make everything soooo easy.” Carmen Attie
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“This pattern is so detailed and really well laid out. I appreciate the amount of information that you've included. I like the extra table runner project. It's a cute design.” Becca from Cleaverr
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“First of all, I LOVE the pattern! There are a couple of different methods which appeals to a more experienced quilt maker, but it is not too difficult. There are so many beginner’s patterns about, it is great to see one a bit more advanced, while it is not really too difficult for an improver.
The instructions include generously constructed parts, which means quite a lot of trimming to size. While that may not be a favorite method for everyone, I love it, because it means the parts fit together very well.”
I think your pattern is very original, clearly explained in a step-by-step way, and gives great results. Sandra from Sew Of Course
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Be sure to see what's happening under the #tiptoethroughthetulipsquilt hashtag on Instagram, and I can't wait to see what you add to the mix!
Tomorrow is the official release of my Tiptoe Though The Tulips quilt pattern, but I wanted to first share the finished photos of my biggest quilt to date... a whopping 108" (ca. 275 cm)! Wheh!... when someone says "go big or go home", it would appear that I take it quite literally!
I sent my quilt off to Iva again to work her magic. Under my old machine, I could imagine that I would still be wrestling this beast at least until Christmas. She did an all over design of leaves and blooms that seemed quite fitting to this pattern.
The majority of these pictures are taken at an old historic water mill in the area... I don't have to look very far to find a great background shot here (the beauty of living in an old country) This is actually the same water mill where my husband and I got married ten years ago. We even have a picture of us on this very same bridge overlooking the water towards the mill.
We even ran into the mill keeper... he asked if our marriage was still holding? "As long as this tall, handsome man still holds my quilts, then, yes!" I told him. Fresh, I know. But it was still nice to take a trip down memory lane with our two boys, and share a nice afternoon snack and tea afterwards in the warm spring like weather.
As you can see, the quilt fits quite nicely on our king size bed (2 x 2m) with plenty of wiggle room for my 6'5" tall-drink-of-water husband. He has visions of getting an even longer bed... hmmm, we'll see.
I'm going to have a hard time deciding which of these fantastic lampshades will end up in our bedroom. I've been drooling over them now for a very long time, and these will be the sweet birthday present from my husband. (in two weeks) Shhhh... don't tell on me that I pulled them out for the photo shoot, but like a good little girl, I packed them away again until my birthday.
Be sure to stop back by tomorrow for all the pattern details and color/design options on the March 15th official release.
Quilt: Pattern: Tiptoe Through The Tulips from Allison Richter for Campbell Soup Diary
Started: August 2016
Fabrics: Alison Glass, Carolyn Friedlander, Cotton & Steel, Lizzy House, and various additional prints from my stash. Kona Cotton White.
Finished quilt size: ca. 108" x 108" in. (275 x 275 cm)
Linking up for Finish-A-Long 2017
