Monday 27 May 2013

Friday 24 May 2013

Strip Quilt for Baby - Variation


 

4 1/2" and 8 1/2" sections are inserted
to add a feature to the quilt top.  


At the bottom of this page is a link to my original step-by-step tutorial of the piecing method. 


In this variation after 2 strips are sewn together,
cut off 20" on the left end of the long strip set
and insert a 4 1/2" "fussy cut" feature of your choice. 
  


Then after 4 strips are sewn together,
cut off 20" on the right end of the long strip set
and insert an 8 1/2" "fussy cut" fabric feature. 



At this point cut the strip sets into 40" sections
and sew them together to form your quilt top. 

Attach a 3" border and
use the "turned" method to put the quilt together. 

The finished size of this quilt is approx. 45" x 60"



Here is the back.  
The feature fabric borders a flannel centre. 
The wavy quilting lines used
give the fish a wavy ocean to swim in :)

Here is the link to the original tutorial:

Please Enjoy!  



Please share your photos with me on my Facebook page if you make this project! 
Quilters Enjoy Color on Facebook




                                                            




Wednesday 8 May 2013

Taking the Color Mystery out of Mystery Quilts (Neutral Color Theory)




This is a Mystery Quilt that I recently finished. 
It is made from a gorgeous pattern with a  unique color palette. 

In this post I will explain how to choose a color palette with this neutral color concept. 


Neutral concept, you may be asking?   But...it's so bright.  It does look bright, but the color palette actually consists of many shades of neutrals with one big pop of color. 



A Mystery Quilt pattern will normally ask for a light, a medium, and a dark color along with a print.  In these situations, where the pattern is a mystery, stick to as many neutrals as possible.  This quilt was a complex pattern that required many fabrics, but the principle will still be the same when fewer fabrics are required.  


In the case of this quilt:

Lights:
1.  Light Gray with a minimal floral print.  It reads as a solid color. 
2.  Cream Heart Print.  You can see the print, but at a distance it reads fairly solid. 

Mediums:
1.  Taupe Floral Print.  Again reads quite solid. 
2.  Taupe Heart Print.  You can see the print, but at a distance it reads as a solid color. 

Dark:
1.  Black Print.  You can see the print, but at a distance it reads as a solid color. 

Prints:
1.  Yellow, Black, Gray and White.  Bold Print.
2.  Yellow Batik.  Huge punch of color. 

Backing:
Yellow Solid enabling the quilting lines to show up. 



Here is a photo of the Neutral / Yellow Palette
as in the above quilt. 

In the next 3 examples, I have simply switched out the "Pop of Color".  All of the neutral colors are the same. 



Neutral / Red Palette




Neutral / Blue Palette




Neutral / Green Palette



Proceed with confidence to your next Mystery Quilt :)




Quilt Design:  Catherine Laycraft
Custom Quilting:  Lorraine Appleby




Wednesday 1 May 2013

Wildflower Block - Tutorial (2 1/2" Strip Pieced)

 



Spring is Coming! 
The Daffodils are just starting to bloom in my yard and I am inspired
to design something floral themed. 
Here is my new "Wildflower Block". 

I love this diagonal setting.  



 +AP16


Materials:

2 WOF (width of fabric) 2 1/2" Dark Strips. 

1 WOF 2 1/2" Light Strip.

Subcut:

Dark Fabric:
8 - 6 1/2" rectangles. 
2 - 12 1/2" rectangles. 

Light Fabric:
16 - 2 1/2" squares.


 Here are your cut pieces.


Mark a diagonal line across each light square.

Place the squares on the ends of the 6 1/2" rectangles,
watching your angles as in these photos.  


Sew along the diagonal lines. 
Trim away the excess fabric. 


Press the seams open.



Layout the pieces as in this photo. 


Sew the 6 1/2" rectangle pieces together, end to end. 



Sew the strips together in pairs.



Complete your block. 
Square to 12 1/2". 

Layout in a square or diagonal setting.   


Happy Spring :)

+AP16


Here is a tutorial for completing the quilt...