tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60487121176586118362024-03-13T13:49:33.007-04:00Quilting Hottie HavenQuilting Hottiedom. It's not a look. It's an attitude.Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-18333965574083730732019-05-31T11:02:00.004-04:002019-05-31T11:14:04.283-04:00I'm the June Guest Designer for IAQ!Every now and then, like once or twice a year, I need a good reason to make a blog post, and being the June Guest Designer seemed like a good one. I admittedly have not been good about blogging as, to be honest, it takes a lot more time to create a blog post than a social media post, and for a smaller audience on a regular basis, but for those who want to read, you get to have a whole lot more info than you ever thought possible about my projects, so that's the benefit! Today let's talk about my project, the Trefoil Tricks pillow - and let you in on the bonus Supernova block options!<br />
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As you may have already known or figured out, I love scrappy quilts, and I love using my Accordion Sewn HSTs™ method to create them. It's a fast, fun, innovative way to make half square triangles that don't have a match (if you don't want them to) and I thought this project would be a great little introduction to them for those who haven't tried!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdpVt4nQxp15SNDsKv1lj5Kh6gm9b5NCBgrGm9dZJ6ioadJDK6_E0f0DE5nlysCkrKhjJfnX4IL5pOz1koHHPHixkNn0HrJeXShXSIkApcdOehMf3oG4HldqRIKWbE6InuSllP-qdI8I/s1600/IMG_0661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdpVt4nQxp15SNDsKv1lj5Kh6gm9b5NCBgrGm9dZJ6ioadJDK6_E0f0DE5nlysCkrKhjJfnX4IL5pOz1koHHPHixkNn0HrJeXShXSIkApcdOehMf3oG4HldqRIKWbE6InuSllP-qdI8I/s320/IMG_0661.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
There's my pillow, just sitting there relaxing on my deck in a chair that I could tell you I spray painted just to match it, but that would have been a lot of extra work. In truth, I chose the colors for this pillow because I recently painted my living room and no longer have any accessories that match anything in there. The red/teal combo has recently become one I enjoy, and it for sure brightens up the room. Unfortunately, not enough to get a good photo inside. So you get my deck, and yay for my deck chairs matching. Enjoy.<br />
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The Trefoil Tricks pillow is so named more because of the trefoil in the center and a lot less so because of any trickiness I intended, or didn't, in the directions, but also because I love me an alliterative quilt name. I suppose we could call the Accordion Sewn HSTs™ a trick, but I prefer the term "witchcraft," which was coined by a quilter who tried it for the first time, was amazed, and instantly became one of my favorite people ever.<br />
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Toward the end of the writing of my first book on the method, "<a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/collections/all-products/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">Oompah! Jazz Up Your Scrap Quilts With the Accordion Sewn HSTs™ Method</a>" (also available on <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/collections/all-products/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">Amazon</a>), I started experimenting with Accordion Sewn QSTs™ as well. There's a snippet about them in the borders section of "Oompah!" and they are starting to appear in more of my patterns and design ideas, and will definitely feature prominently in book two, which is in process, nameless, and likely to come out early 2020. Self publishing is fun and means I don't have a true deadline other than those I make myself, so that's as accurate as I can be right now. ANYWAY, you no doubt noted that Trefoil Tricks used them, and hopefully if you hadn't tried them before, it was a nice little introduction!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tLUs80gObU1u83xe_RRtV5BAOzUTIgtVX2IZb7VGqdhewb6zRNiA5iviwWVbMA9LeZmSnicl2zwZ-gUMhuGFk_lts1zHOTr4juM-Fuh80WN0CbYymh80uv7lq9vF22C_XnbFPsmeWCA/s1600/IMG_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tLUs80gObU1u83xe_RRtV5BAOzUTIgtVX2IZb7VGqdhewb6zRNiA5iviwWVbMA9LeZmSnicl2zwZ-gUMhuGFk_lts1zHOTr4juM-Fuh80WN0CbYymh80uv7lq9vF22C_XnbFPsmeWCA/s320/IMG_0645.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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When it came to the quilting, I surrendered to my signature "enthusiasm over talent" philosophy, quilting a chain of not-quite-touching circles around the outer edges of the trefoil and filling in the background with not-always-consistently-sized tight stippling. I chose to leave the actual HSTs and QSTs quilting free. This may or may not be because I just didn't feel like quilting them, but I also kind of like how they look all naked. Also that way I didn't have to choose what color thread to use, which is always a bit of a dilemma when quilting shapes that contain two or more very different colors. In any case, I love my cute pillow and hope you enjoy yours too!</div>
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Part of being the guest designer was partaking in the very fun Night Sky mystery. If you don't know about the mystery and how it works, here are the details, straight from IAQ:<br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Night Sky Mystery Designed by:</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.patchworkposse.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Becky Jorgensen of<br />Patchwork Posse</span></span></a></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">.
</span></span>Here are all the other wonderful people who helped. Including all the awesomeness at #6.</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Diane</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> – </span></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.butterflythreadsquilting.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Butterfly Threads Quilting</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Cherry</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> – </span></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.cherryblossomsquilting.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cherry blossoms quilting</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Kelly- </span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.myquiltinfatuation.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My quilt infatuation</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Brooke- </span></b></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.sillymamaquilts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Silly mama quilts</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Beth- </span></b></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://evapaigequiltdesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eva paige quilt designs</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Becky- </span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.bobbininquilts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bobbin in quilts</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Sherry</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> – </span></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://poweredbyquilting.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Powered by quilting</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Amanda-</span></b></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.jedicraftgirl.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Jedi craft girl</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Jo</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> – </span></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.thecraftynomad.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The crafty nomad</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">11.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Joanne</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> – </span></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.canuckquilter.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canuck quilter</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">12.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "lato" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Diane & Audrey</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> – </span></span><span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.theclothparcel.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd3333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cloth parcel</span></span></a></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">IAQ details:</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> 1 year from purchase- over 60 patterns + 2015 year to current</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">year patterns is included!</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Finished projects:</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> During 2019 there are 2 Block of the months -one is a sampler<br />the other is part mystery (the guest designers are helping this year!), 3 extra<br />projects, swaps, challenges, giveaways and more!</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Skill level:</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> Beginner – Confident Beginner. Because of the community<br />atmosphere, you are able to get help if you are stuck, ask questions and share<br />a hint. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Technique:</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> Because of the guest designers and variety of patterns you will<br />be exposed to a rounded amount of different styles and techniques, including<br />applique, embroidery, paper piecing, patchwork, hand sewing hexagons etc.</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.iaquilters.com/membership-account-2/membership-levels/?pa=beth">Price: $120 / year</a></span></b></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Pattern Format:</span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> PDF files (download and save instantly)</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">IAQ membership format: </span></b></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">The group has an online community as well as a private facebook<br />group for members only. There you can share your own projects you are<br />working on or have finished, meet and get to know the members from around the<br />world, download patterns, and participate in the group. Everything is in one<br />spot- simple and easy to use on your computer or on your phone. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">The IAQ starts the day you </span></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">join. The 2019</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">projects will be starting on January 1st and will be shared during the first<br />full week of the month. During each month there will be two block of the<br />months, guest designer pattern, with the occasional extra project and rotating<br />swaps and challenges. Each Sunday you will get an email from the quilt<br />group about what’s happened during the week- but the group online is always<br />open! You can share any time during the day.</span></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">When you join you will also</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">have full access to all previous patterns- both in the group and by the guest<br />designers. There are more patterns than you have time! You will be kept<br />sewing all year long.</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
That's a lot for <a href="https://www.iaquilters.com/membership-account-2/membership-levels/?pa=beth">$120 a year</a>, and it's fun!<br />
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Moving on to into the Supernova block I created for the Night Sky Mystery. I love this block so very very much. I don't know if it's the colors (it probably is) or the simplicity, but I just love it more than is decent, honestly. What I did not love was the breeze that kicked up IMMEDIATELY OUT OF NO WHERE when I went to photograph it. Honestly. It's like the forces of nature have something against quilters, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZY95hd-j5IyXuO8Z-MrUN4eueFrtoVH64weC5FGDZlcwcoZFb2INk8kETHn3LimPbBHFybNbD67tIso6SLuuFZUYan5zoATKZY107XVsPGpq1giIHrLLq7GKsfQEvTVUKcW7taMAkdg/s1600/blowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZY95hd-j5IyXuO8Z-MrUN4eueFrtoVH64weC5FGDZlcwcoZFb2INk8kETHn3LimPbBHFybNbD67tIso6SLuuFZUYan5zoATKZY107XVsPGpq1giIHrLLq7GKsfQEvTVUKcW7taMAkdg/s1600/blowing.jpg" /></a></div>
At least it kind of blends with the cherry blossoms. But for the love.<br />
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The best way to outsmart nature ended up being throwing a couple of blocks on the walkway in the shelter of a large shrub, saying a prayer, and hoping for a moment of no wind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXgyhQdaoEHFnqRqaWYU307Y02UUrUsAHl41yLSjJCqZlcy6H9zERRrykbccwge8UESBSkAk9AzLXFpDgukG4mfT2c_53cGXzrSI0-wEEDMApVVzcmLdSJYAxBwJwPYLngjf9ww_ZrvE/s1600/ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXgyhQdaoEHFnqRqaWYU307Y02UUrUsAHl41yLSjJCqZlcy6H9zERRrykbccwge8UESBSkAk9AzLXFpDgukG4mfT2c_53cGXzrSI0-wEEDMApVVzcmLdSJYAxBwJwPYLngjf9ww_ZrvE/s320/ground.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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So check it out! The block using traditional HSTs, the one in the directions I gave, is on top. The same block using Accordion Sewn HSTs, is on the bottom. Look at how much scrappier that method makes it! That's what I love most! And as promised, here is the order to sew your accordion in order to make this block.</div>
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Note: First you'll need to cut your squares, which will be the same size and number as given in the Supernova block directions. However, instead of just using two yellows and two purples, I used eight of each (one square cut from each of eight purple fabrics, one square cut from each of eight yellows). I kept the background the same. Because the difference is way more dramatic that way, IMO.</div>
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ACCORDION ORDER:</div>
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yellow - stick a pin in this one so you know it is the first one</div>
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purple</div>
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grey</div>
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yellow</div>
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purple</div>
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purple</div>
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yellow</div>
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grey</div>
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purple</div>
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yellow</div>
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yellow</div>
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purple</div>
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grey</div>
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yellow</div>
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purple</div>
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purple</div>
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yellow</div>
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grey</div>
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purple</div>
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yellow</div>
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Tube it up, and cut down the square with the pin in it. Keep your HSTs in order as you trim and press, and then it should all lay out like a dream, starting with the yellow in the top left corner as shown in the photo above. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_seRHDMpyI3fVz8fKn9LRqr3cmKvsd9WJ1ipr1rPpnuFOePDYKUqLjpMSjuYQvPEMrX94ppbX0cjOX6Rjfv7mgjCoHBlOiBYnYi0JNW-DaueKvr6pesuGQZ7CLr2OZEg_3KZGLdGegSQ/s1600/acc+less.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_seRHDMpyI3fVz8fKn9LRqr3cmKvsd9WJ1ipr1rPpnuFOePDYKUqLjpMSjuYQvPEMrX94ppbX0cjOX6Rjfv7mgjCoHBlOiBYnYi0JNW-DaueKvr6pesuGQZ7CLr2OZEg_3KZGLdGegSQ/s320/acc+less.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
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Intrigued but a little confused? Just want to learn more about my pretty cool, if I do say, technique? Don't forget that for the month of June, any order containing my cool little <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/collections/all-products/products/accordion-lesson-sheet">Accordion Lesson</a> sheet is 15% off with the code HSTSROCK. It's a great little tool to prop by your machine, throw in your retreat bag, hang on the wall by your cutting table - even take to the beach with no fear of water damage if you get the laminated version, though I'm not sure it's the most practical use. But you do you.<br />
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Not to sound too salesy, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't also quickly mention the tool that makes Accordion Sewn HSTs ALL THAT MUCH MORE FUN, the <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/collections/all-products/products/clearly-perfect-slotted-trimmers">Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer<span style="color: #b00000;">s </span></a>by New Leaf Stitches. Oh. Em. Gee. If you have not tried it for trimming HSTs of any kind, but especially for Accordion Sewn HSTs, you haven't lived. I mean, check it out. First, you can use the straight edge to cut apart your accordion.<br />
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Then, you line up the HSTs for trimming to size and using those slits on the sides to do the best thing in the whole wide world for bulk elimination - cut off those dog ears!<br />
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I NEVER used to cut off dog ears. It didn't occur to me that it would be important. Now I can't imagine not doing so. I also never ever ever liked HSTs because the trimming took 156 years. Now I've invented a technique to make them do all sorts of cool things and use them almost exclusively in my designs. When I say that the <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/collections/all-products/products/clearly-perfect-slotted-trimmers">Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer</a>s changed my life, I'm not kidding.<br />
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If I totally hooked you, I hope you'll think about joining my "Postcards From Santa" QAL in July. Four weeks, four blocks, all using Accordion Sewn HSTs and QSTs. Make the blocks into a mini quilt or four mug rugs - totally up to you and totally adorable either way. I'll be taking signups starting June 25 right on <a href="http://www.evapaigequilts.com/">my website</a>! </div>
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Thanks for stopping by checking out what I'm all about! As I mentioned at the top, I'm not terribly active on this blog at the moment, but I do have some pretty active pages and groups on FB - Check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EvaPaigeQuiltDesigns/">EvaPaige Quilt Designs</a> for my day to day stuff, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/541146516236863/">Quilting Along With EPQD</a> for my public group, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/tealminiswap/">Teal Mini Swa</a>p for my annual swap to raise funds and awareness for Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.</div>
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-41869095867913670302019-01-24T14:22:00.002-05:002019-01-24T14:22:53.540-05:00Project QUILTING - True ConfessionsTrue Confession #1 - I've never participated in Project Quilting before, even though two of my favorite people in the quilting world, Kim Lapacek and Trish Frankland, run it. This possibly makes me a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad friend, but I hope the facts that I've followed along, cheered from afar, and even voted before have made up for my rude non-commitment to making a quilt in a week prior to this year. When Kim asked me if I might consider being a "celebrity sewist" this year and sew along for one of the weeks, I decided it was high time I participated and this way we both forced me to do it, which was clearly going to be a good thing.<br />
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True Confession #2 - I think the PQ logo thingy is THE CUTEST! So colorful and the CUSTOM FONT! I can never resist a good font.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-WOvKmOzb4WMCUlW6Ren-50berD2dBjtm8TKRzlmOgYCcczNmVnMWD6IOohMdpnq0uBuVIq6C0QrBZSIvdhO73xwcLEw11CoMR5QAwf2HM0WWJDjDt-PXws8J5qh2CqBoXisxnNWNYE/s1600/25550186_1953093628053178_8017183296706385793_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-WOvKmOzb4WMCUlW6Ren-50berD2dBjtm8TKRzlmOgYCcczNmVnMWD6IOohMdpnq0uBuVIq6C0QrBZSIvdhO73xwcLEw11CoMR5QAwf2HM0WWJDjDt-PXws8J5qh2CqBoXisxnNWNYE/s320/25550186_1953093628053178_8017183296706385793_n.png" width="320" /></a></div>
True Confession #3 - When the challenge of Red, White and Blue was announced, I died just a little inside. I honestly have never been drawn to red/white/blue quilts as a whole, in either all three colors or just red/white or blue/white. One quick glimpse at my social media feeds will show you that I tend toward brights and happy color combinations, and in the past I've had a hard time seeing red, white and blue as anything but Americana-esque and maybe a little bit more old fashioned than I personally prefer to create with - but THAT IS JUST ME. And a challenge is meant to be a challenge, so what is more simply and effectively challenging in quilting than making yourself use a palette you don't normally use? Not much. So it was like Kim and Trish created this especially for me, really. Plus, can we all agree that initial photo of the blue bike against the brick red wall is pretty darn stunning? It alone got me thinking of red, white and blue in a whole new, more modern way.<br />
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True Confession #4 - Though the rules state that the whole project, from inception to completion, must happen in this week, I thought of this design months ago, and knew that I wanted to pursue it and some others of the same size and theme later this year as a Christmas in July mug rug quiltalong, which I totally will be doing. I actually even made another one but gave it away for Christmas. But because I design in my head first, paper second, the prototyping process can take a bunch of tweaking, and the first one I made wasn't perfect. I'm still not sure this second one is either. But I did make some changes that I like, so it IS different, and I DID make the whole thing in the last few days. So there.<br />
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So, are you ready? I present my Santa Hat mug rug project, Prototype 2. Still not perfect, but getting there! It's a 7" square postage stamp style and was way fun to make! And quick! Because you may have noticed, it's not even Sunday and I'm done. Go me!<br />
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True Confession #4 - I did not notice that top right red piece of fabric somehow ended up in there with the white print of it looking like it's outlining the piece. I think we can all agree that looks stupid. But otherwise, I think the idea is coming along!<br />
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True Confession #5 - I of course made this whole thing using my <a href="http://www.evapaigequilts.com/">Accordion Sewn HSTs</a> technique, which you have either tried and decided it has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc3ClOPu4_w&t=128s">changed your whole life like it has mine</a>, have never heard of before, or are sick to death of hearing about. I hope most of you fall in the first category! If you are in the second, Google now! If you are in the third, I hope you can still stand me.<br />
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First I picked my fabrics, like we all did. I went with multiple reds and whites, but only one blue. I like a little consistency in the chaos, after all.<br />
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Pretty sure that top red fabric is the culprit of Outlinegate</div>
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The best part of Accordion Sewn HSTs? IMO, it's when you tube them up and they make a little crown-like thing, suitable for wearing around the studio and seeing if anyone might bow to you. No luck on that so far at my house.</div>
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Someone in my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/541146516236863/">FB group</a> last week said the accordions, when they are all ready to be cut apart, look like the Very Hungry Caterpillar. She wasn't wrong. This one looks like the Very Hungry Caterpillar wearing a sombrero.<br />
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Cutting apart and trimming is THE BEST with the <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/clearly-perfect-slotted-trimmers">Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer</a>, which you are also sick of me gushing over but is possibly even more life changing than the Accordion Sewn HSTs method, so I guess you're hearing about it one more time.<br />
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Once I had everything all cut apart and trimmed, it was really just a matter of laying it out the way I saw it in my head. In reality, it was a little too blocky at that point, so I added some Accordion Sewn QSTs (quarter square triangles) to give the "fur" part a little more dimension, with the red going into the white a bit and the background blue softening the edges of the bottom. I still am not sure I am finished with this design as it still looks a little choppy to me, but you get the drift.<br />
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I'm sure you can notice, too, that I actually doctored up the first photo I showed you, because the bottom right of this one looks like a fish tail. I definitely did not like that look. I'm thinking in prototype 3 I'll replace the blue/white HST with a 1/4 white, 3/4 blue HST and see how I like it. For now, I used my very meager Picmonkey clone tool skills to fix it.<br />
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My favorite part of binding small projects like this one is the joy I experience when I find I can use one of my premade bindings I keep wound on empty spools in jars. They are there mostly because I made way too much binding on another project a long time ago. but waste, not want not! And I wanted not. This red binding was perfection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRmkYATR9ybZi2czG0aHrvzaOjBoWgayStW1cmL9WPaLKH6SUwWRkaa28hsAsZSb2B8eUOFyRJQb_Xe99GxFEaBAB8XRnPZohocWrqQw7TTFhF2IO4wCh7ZLNtwN5fXYmJcOAwyvyAHE/s1600/IMG_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>True Confession #6 - I may have quilted this with pale grey thread, which went against Kim and Trish's rules. For an all over quilting pattern that doesn't stand out on any particular color of a multicolored background, it's my go to and they weren't here to stop me.<br />
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And check it out! It's just the right size for a cup of tea and a handful of chocolate covered cashews. Delightful!<br />
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I hope you have had a great time participating in Project QUILTING. I know I have! I'm so glad I finally was coerced into it; it really is amazing what you can get done. And the whole red, white, and blue thing? I am finding a new appreciation for the crisp edge it brings to the projects I'm seeing, and I already have some favorites that I can't wait to vote for. Great job, Project QUILTING Nation!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-4072647707156294262019-01-16T11:23:00.001-05:002019-01-16T11:37:32.745-05:00Highland Fling Mystery! The Cure for Droughtlander!It's coming.<br />
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Droughtlander. That sad, torturously long period of time between seasons of Outlander. For me, even rewatching episodes or relistening to the books is just not a substitute for fresh smoulder, fresh interpretations of the story, and surprise non-deaths (Murtaugh lives! I'm still adjusting, but who doesn't love Murtaugh.) I'm a difficult woman who wants what she wants. Claire and I would get along well.<br />
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This year I'm hoping to help us all out with Droughtlander with my latest Mystery project - Highland Fling!<br />
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Never heard of Outlander? We don't understand where you've been. Not an Outlander fan? We weep for you. But no worries! This mystery really is for anyone who loves sewing and is ready for spring. The only truly Outlander-y thing about my own personal quilt I've made while developing this mystery project are the colors I chose. I promise you won't be creating some sort of project that screams "Claire and Jamie forever!" You will, however be creating something fairly springy, and that's something we can all use in the doldrums of winter, right?</div>
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You'll note that I have expressed this as "a mystery quilt in 5 1/2 clues" and I am certain you are likely thinking I said that just to be cute. I am being cute, but I'm also not considering the Fabric Selection and Cutting portion a full clue, mainly because it isn't very mysterious. This first 1/2 clue will be sent to participants a little bit early, on January 28. This will give you six full days to locate and cut your fabrics so that you can be ready to sew on Sunday evening, February 3, when the first clue will be sent to participants. I'll be sending the first and all subsequent clues on Sundays, so that we can spend our evenings sewing even if we would rather be on the couch admiring how quickly Jamie managed to build a pretty fancy cabin in the backwoods complete with craftsman quality furnishings or hiding behind the couch cushion trying to avoid watching the entirety of Claire performing 18th century surgery on the kitchen table. </div>
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So what do you need to know? Here's the scoop, in my favorite Q and A format.</div>
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<b>What's the full mystery schedule?</b></div>
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As stated above, the first half clue will come out on a Monday, and then subsequent clues will come out each Sunday for five weeks.</div>
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January 28 - Fabric Selection and Cutting</div>
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February 3 - Accordioning and Clue #1</div>
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February 10 - Clue #2</div>
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February 17 - Clue #3</div>
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February 24 - Clue #4</div>
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March 3 - Layout and Finishing options</div>
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<b>Accordioning? What is that? And must we?</b></div>
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If you haven't accordioned, you haven't lived. But I may be biased in that belief, being the inventor of Accordion Sewn HSTs. Links to my videos on youtube are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc3ClOPu4_w">HERE</a>. If you haven't tried it, I hope you will!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Dc3ClOPu4_w/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dc3ClOPu4_w?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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As with most of my designs these days, this one does utilize Accordion Sewn HSTs because I keep coming up with more designs that can use planned accordions and I just can't get enough of how magically scrappy they can be. But if you don't want to make accordions, I will give alternate options for making these blocks using traditional HSTs. Like any Accordion Sewn HSTs project, they can be done without accordioning, but WHY WOULD YOU? (Yep. I'm biased.)</div>
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<b>How will clues be delivered?</b></div>
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Clues will be delivered to all participants via a pdf email attachment. Clues will be sent out by 2pm on the scheduled day. Depending upon the number of participants, they may need to be sent in batches, so I am only promising I will get them all out by 2pm. You may have them earlier in the day if I can do so.</div>
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A word on email delivery - I can only send your clues to the email you use when you purchase the mystery. If you decide to use a different email than you normally use, make sure you make note of where you are asking them to be sent. Also it's not a bad idea to triple check for any typos. I am not going to know if your email is correct or not, but you will. </div>
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<b>What will Highland Fling cost?</b></div>
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As with my previous mystery projects, Highland Fling will be $5 for the entire project. While the directions will include basic accordion sewing directions within them, and my videos of the technique are available 24/7 on youtube, I'll also be offering an optional handy accordion sewing full color technique sheet that you may wish to have if you would like to always have written directions of how to accordion and some tips and tricks right at your fingertips for an intro $3. This technique sheet is coming out in print soon, but you all will get first crack at it! It's not required for participation, but it's coming out due to popular demand and what the heck, why shouldn't I let you have it if you want it?</div>
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<b>When and how do I sign up?</b></div>
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I'll be opening the <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/highland-fling-mystery-coming-soon">link on my website</a> for preorders on Saturday, January 19. Starting to take names and emails early really helps me to be totally ready for that first half clue to go out in a timely manner on January 28, but signing up before the first day isn't required to participate! You can sign up anytime until the very last day of the mystery, but by then it won't be much of a mystery anymore, so it isn't as much fun. Anyone signing up midway through will be sent all of the pdfs that have been released up to that point, then added to the general distribution to receive the next clues when they come out.</div>
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<b>Can I share my progress online? </b></div>
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Yes you may! I'm taking a page from that other queen of scrappy mystery quilts, that other BKH, the illustrious Bonnie K Hunter, and allowing you to flood the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/541146516236863/">Quilting Along With EPQD facebook group</a> with your photos as you progress. If you prefer not to share, or not to see what the others are doing if you fall behind, that's totally fine! Just don't follow the group online during the mystery. We'd still love to have you drop in when you are done to show off your creation! You're also welcome to use the hashtag #highlandflingmystery on IG.</div>
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<b>What happens after the last clue comes out?</b></div>
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Besides having to slip into a mild depression over trying to figure out what we will do with our lives on Sundays now, with any luck you will have a new project to brighten your home for spring. Or give as a gift, or use as a washcloth. It's always up to you and I never judge. </div>
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As for the design itself, my mysteries go back into my design vault once we reach the end, and if I choose to release them later as a print pattern, I will do so at the regular pattern price of $10. See <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/suite-life-pattern-currently-pdf-only">Suite Life</a>, one of my favorite patterns I ever designed, and one that started as a mystery. A really fun mystery, too, as I recall!</div>
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I am SO excited to bring you this new Mystery project. I never knew I'd try this in my design life until I did my first one and I was HOOKED. I hope you'll join us to quench your Droughtlander!</div>
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-43731604357346727972018-10-19T14:13:00.001-04:002018-10-19T14:13:58.351-04:00Hurdy Gurdy QAL Part Five - The Finish Line!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was doing SO WELL! I got every tutorial out by noon on the day it was due, even if it meant writing the post until 11:58am. I was ahead of the sewing game behind the scenes. I was kicking stash and taking names. I was so proud. The quilting part was taking a little longer than I hoped, but that's normal for me. I tend to be maybe not the best machine quilter, but very enthusiastic, and my designs often head off into Crazytown, taking longer than anticipated. <br />
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Enter bronchitis/morbid sore throat/ sinus infection this week and pretty much derailed my train to funkytown. Best laid plans. Thank you for waiting a few extra days for this final tutorial.<br />
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So let's revisit the cool photo I took of my blocks, because I really do love them, and this is my blog and I can focus on whatever I want. Rarely do I take such a pretty random photo, so thank you for humoring me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsOC2aFLDHgk8FatSBENqR6eh9Yh39tMF1SnSSyr9lSAqlkrtwWTiI7rl7vvYkwMLM12H32iO3KF7JyRxPU5gAEgjyEersWmVcihgjfFukFioY85dV3K04cjToq7X3ZwkvO14BzQEyFk/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsOC2aFLDHgk8FatSBENqR6eh9Yh39tMF1SnSSyr9lSAqlkrtwWTiI7rl7vvYkwMLM12H32iO3KF7JyRxPU5gAEgjyEersWmVcihgjfFukFioY85dV3K04cjToq7X3ZwkvO14BzQEyFk/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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You may well have more blocks than I do. As I have said, I just needed a quick-ish project and wanted an alternate Hurdy Gurdy project of my very own. I'll chat about putting my three block project together per the instructions on <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">page 56</a> first, and then I can regale you with a few thoughts about the original quilt I did with 9 blocks, in case you were all eager beaver and did nine of them for your project.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgEg-chkN6JB11926eRoNADk4U00PPkin93sPbLrfbZypJpabiwAYEIDceW70_mh0foBpYbiIf6hcf8a3S2ZLSlOd1NP8vVIrv7HJk-WfD4wcQdzJGQ-2hvWBZOY_mepKlc21Dt2gYks/s1600/strips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgEg-chkN6JB11926eRoNADk4U00PPkin93sPbLrfbZypJpabiwAYEIDceW70_mh0foBpYbiIf6hcf8a3S2ZLSlOd1NP8vVIrv7HJk-WfD4wcQdzJGQ-2hvWBZOY_mepKlc21Dt2gYks/s400/strips.jpg" width="170" /></a>The runner (bed or table, you choose!) is set on point. Every now and then I like to throw some blocks on point, though I admit cutting setting triangles always makes me a little skeevy. I ALWAYS mess it up. I always cut the wrong ones twice on the diagonal, and waste good chunks of fabric. This time was no exception. Read directions twice, cut once is really not my cup of tea. I favor "Don't read directions, assume you know what you are doing, mess up, swear, repeat." It's just more fun and keeps the fabric manufacturers in business supplying my replacement fabrics after my mess ups.<br />
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With that said, read the directions. And to reiterate, it's the BIG triangles that get cut twice on the diagonal. The littler ones only once. I mean, even to write it out seems obvious enough to a normal human. I never claimed to be normal, though.<br />
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Once those setting triangles are cut, it's all about creating diagonal strips. Pretty simple, and my biggest piece of advice is to watch the direction you are putting those triangle sides when you get ready to sew. Who among us hasn't pressed one of these rows and then noticed the triangle was facing totally the wrong direction like a compound ankle fracture? It's almost as painful, if only to the ego. Somehow this I managed to do just fine! Celebrate good times, come on!<br />
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Two little tips for sewing these triangles to the blocks. First, I do pin, and I keep the block on TOP of the triangle. That way I can see where my points of my stars are and hopefully not totally cut them off. Plus having all those seams right under my needle, rather than under the triangle fabric AND the needle, means I can keep the seams going in the direction I need them to (Open. Always open.) and not have to just hope and pray that they don't get messed up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0H_EpHDFiQmKzLcN6lh-uWlkjz-thULaqU9SU1_DOPgDodv7QtlWtc_U6QuH635JZ2I1RadmaZxH-bvZxRGgsNgQWBcOcQLpABa9trS7K93JuHEE4Cw2YbfGyNyyTmA595UQO-xyMqw/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0H_EpHDFiQmKzLcN6lh-uWlkjz-thULaqU9SU1_DOPgDodv7QtlWtc_U6QuH635JZ2I1RadmaZxH-bvZxRGgsNgQWBcOcQLpABa9trS7K93JuHEE4Cw2YbfGyNyyTmA595UQO-xyMqw/s400/IMG_5259.JPG" width="300" /></a>Second, the side setting triangles are always easy to line up correctly, because one end of them is a 90 degree angle, just like the block. But the corner setting triangles are not quite so easy, since you are sewing a longer triangle side to a slightly shorter side of a square. Centering that point of the triangle on the center seam of the block is key - but wait? How do you do that if you are putting the block on top? Assuming you aren't using see through fabrics, this can be tricky.<br />
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I take my block and place it face up as shown, then line up the point of the corner setting triangle with the central seam. Then I fold back the block, exposing the back side, and pin at the center seam from the block through the triangle. This way I'm assured of having the triangle pretty accurately even and the overhang pretty symmetrical on either side of the edge of the square. I pin a few more places with the block on top, and can now sew it with the block on top as I prefer. Cool, huh? The photo to the right here should illustrate it for you, hopefully!<br />
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If you've never sewn a quilt on point, something this size, with just one block per row, is truly the best place to start. I find with longer diagonal strips I can never line up the right places to start and finish, and I end up with blocks overhanging on each end. By now you are probably thinking "I seriously can't believe she calls herself a professional" and believe me, I have that thought often myself. Happy to report that when I sewed these rows together, I didn't even screw up once. YAY ME! Pinning at the block and setting triangle intersections helps. Prayer doesn't hurt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNff7vPAeYsnFfcXupDY3JEqs65CqYsZTWXaEX64iTPldRqnxXqjXwUMK-9G4MsfvsE68QVyiBHL3KBRYiN2VsM3xzWJ8H3Uz8pZhbVm1nKsHTCqykmC293e2ZRu0AK3cyJU6xzskOn4s/s1600/IMG_5277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNff7vPAeYsnFfcXupDY3JEqs65CqYsZTWXaEX64iTPldRqnxXqjXwUMK-9G4MsfvsE68QVyiBHL3KBRYiN2VsM3xzWJ8H3Uz8pZhbVm1nKsHTCqykmC293e2ZRu0AK3cyJU6xzskOn4s/s400/IMG_5277.JPG" width="300" /></a>Ever since I had my first pattern in a magazine, and was told they wanted to never have "Quilt as Desired" as the last instruction of any pattern, I have always tried to give some quilting ideas with each pattern wherever possible. With that said, I didn't always do so in the book. So this tutorial will shed that extra light. Since I wanted the blocks to evoke turning leaves, I kept that idea up with the quilting. I put actual leaf shapes in all four corners of each block, using Aurifil 40 wt quilting thread, the only thread I would sell a kidney for if it ever came to that. I used a dark orange for these leafy shapes, as well as the little swirls I quilted into each parallelogram shape of the star. I was pretty proud of how it turned out. Award winning? No. But it isn't horrible, either. I give myself a 7.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM4i4QzsquNO34SWS_rNNNi6omdA7e6dXOqgkoiKMvUeS9nivcwRRjC373DjiydvMVSuNhE4MtkC-5MmPueoBXioJjXBtWFqhyphenhyphen6ZxNY0ImVafnnv8eC2K-vKfJqAIVg9jP36g9yeHRQ0/s1600/IMG_5280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM4i4QzsquNO34SWS_rNNNi6omdA7e6dXOqgkoiKMvUeS9nivcwRRjC373DjiydvMVSuNhE4MtkC-5MmPueoBXioJjXBtWFqhyphenhyphen6ZxNY0ImVafnnv8eC2K-vKfJqAIVg9jP36g9yeHRQ0/s400/IMG_5280.JPG" width="300" /></a>For the purple setting triangles, I was dealing with a lot more open space, and had already quilted the blocks at a medium density. So I knew I had to go pretty close to medium dense on those to keep the runner from being puffy in all the wrong places. Because a puffy in all the wrong places runner is a wine glass tip over waiting to happen.<br />
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I changed to a purple thread that matched my purple fabric. This is the key to knowing your limits. I figure if I'm quilting something all fancy-like, I can do it in contrasting thread ONLY if I'm quilting on top of pieced stuff, because it all kind of blends and is more forgiving. But a piece of fabric by itself isn't as forgiving. There's nothing to look at here but the purple, and any contrasting thread quilting is going to scream in the viewer's face "HERE I AM AND I HAD BETTER BE STUNNING!" Quilting designs can be so rude sometimes.<br />
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I ended up mirroring the leafy shapes I'd done in orange thread within the blocks, one big one and two kind of "half leaves" along the long edge of the triangle. I filled in the resulting areas with some more swirlies like I'd done within the stars, which now to me look like fallopian tubes. Whatever. Dare I point out quilts often have a role in human reproduction? Why not a little basic knowledge while we are at it, I guess.<br />
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Overall, the blocks and setting triangles ended up being quilted pretty comparably densely, so I am thrilled. It's all got that nice crinkly look of just the right amount of quilting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVvMMshAW4TbhJd4kQfrkKMaTCyNGMCpFrxk2ylaF450YbZDyuX66-wyIdxT8PYmrC-5urBNVvZkwZQxihM-3XEhtHVDxQu0Lns7mzk7MUVDSZ3qtYNGfaotMQME2OFY0tf6kefX-T7c/s1600/IMG_5276+%2528002%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVvMMshAW4TbhJd4kQfrkKMaTCyNGMCpFrxk2ylaF450YbZDyuX66-wyIdxT8PYmrC-5urBNVvZkwZQxihM-3XEhtHVDxQu0Lns7mzk7MUVDSZ3qtYNGfaotMQME2OFY0tf6kefX-T7c/s400/IMG_5276+%2528002%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I bound the quilt by machine. I do that now sometimes. It's not the end of the world, especially for something you might end up washing more frequently, isn't going in a show, and you just want done. All of these applied to this quilt, so I found a batik fabric in burnt yellows and purples and threw it on there. As you can see in the photos above, it looks pretty good and I am pleased with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILuIFU2ii6VfKApJvimBgYHjL4B1OQkaRqKmP_fpOXh59i6TL10xfgoeRxZx5PzRxy8LVWhC_EpYdxMBEbwguSOscM0tFiwNUii75Jp_2To7Nh1ynrfPFVGoVtl_sm1lx-DewR0o0Syo/s1600/IMG_5275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILuIFU2ii6VfKApJvimBgYHjL4B1OQkaRqKmP_fpOXh59i6TL10xfgoeRxZx5PzRxy8LVWhC_EpYdxMBEbwguSOscM0tFiwNUii75Jp_2To7Nh1ynrfPFVGoVtl_sm1lx-DewR0o0Syo/s320/IMG_5275.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Thank God New England has no shortage of old buildings lying around to hang quilts on and snap a photo.<br />
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Though on <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">page 56</a> I suggest using a fabric the same as your Color Two for the setting triangles, you can see I chose to go with the purple, which was my accent color. I chose to do that because I thought, and truly believe I am right, that if I went with my Color Two, orange, my blocks would have kind of died a little. They need to be set on something darker to show the true autumnal beauty, kind of like the real leaves always look best against deep blue sky. As always, my directions are never set in stone. I suggest what I think will work for most situations, but in the end, your quilt, your colors, your choice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkXMveawPkLak6bqC8kCdDC9x7KYC2G3-elly-d05EAL7RKKTfFwuR9vDnzTiX6knozrpoVp9HTbakd4wQy87-5n53-mILiSS5M4-mYavIDAEXjUOze6mLN6YYTJqZ2QLIGe0Ni7uYsI/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkXMveawPkLak6bqC8kCdDC9x7KYC2G3-elly-d05EAL7RKKTfFwuR9vDnzTiX6knozrpoVp9HTbakd4wQy87-5n53-mILiSS5M4-mYavIDAEXjUOze6mLN6YYTJqZ2QLIGe0Ni7uYsI/s320/IMG_4416.JPG" width="320" /></a>If you chose to make the full version, you won't risk incorrect cutting of setting triangles, but you will get to choose whether you want those little stars at the sashing intersections to be made from your Colors One and Two, as I did, or if you maybe want to go crazy and try something else entirely. You are allowed! In themselves, the sashing pieces are pretty easy to make - if you can sew along the diagonal, you can make those sashing strips, and then when they come together with the little squares? It's so simple yet stunning. I love a design that looks way harder than it actually is to pull off.<br />
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The quilting I chose for the larger sized version from the book was simple straight lines radiating out in V's from the center of each block. The sashing was done simply as well, with just some stitching 1/4" away from the seams inside the sashing. I used a medium grey Aurifil 40 wt for all of the quilting. I love grey thread because it blends into a grey background but doesn't scream "HERE I AM AND I HAD BETTER BE STUNNING" against other colors. <br />
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The photo of Hurdy Gurdy on the <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">back cover</a> of the book is actually pretty good as far as showing the quilting, in case you need further assistance on that. Whatever you do, I know it's going to look completely amazing!<br />
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And with that, our Hurdy Gurdy QAL has come to an end. I'd love to know if you've done any sewing along, if you've banked the ideas for another time, or if I've intrigued you in any way to make this design at some point. I am very thrilled with how my new sample turned out and can't wait to show it off in my new <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/pages/lectures-and-workshops">lecture about my Accordion Sewn HSTs™</a>.<br />
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Until next time!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-4426069682737798862018-10-09T12:12:00.001-04:002018-10-09T12:12:35.162-04:00Hurdy Gurdy QAL Part Four - Cut Those Accordions and Sew Those Blocks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Assuming you are all ready to stop wearing your accordion tubes as delightful accessories, it's time to cut them apart and get to sewing your amazing, fantabulous, and stupendous blocks.<br />
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Unless you are Harriet. Harriet has already got most of her blocks done. She's my hero.<br />
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For the rest of us non-Harriets, we are getting down to business. Find those accordions and head on over to your cutting/trimming areas!<br />
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You know what I love best about the accordions, besides pretty much everything? I love that sewing them all up means that all of my squares are CONTAINED. They aren't in little piles all over my cutting table, risking being lost in a stiff breeze or a rogue cat attack. They are just where they need to be, ready to go when I'm ready to work on the next block. I love that Harriet gets that. She's just hanging those accordions by the finished blocks, ready to go when she is. I highly recommend being Harriet- and Beth-like and cut just one accordion at a time, sew it all into a block, and then move on to the next. It will make your life profoundly easier.<br />
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Did you stick the safety pin in your accordion when you sewed it? And is it still there? If so, as you know from reading the book intro, that's the square to slice down the diagonal with your scissors. But here is a little secret - for the Hurdy Gurdy block, it honestly doesn't matter which background square you slice down. Any of the background squares will work, I promise, because the pattern you sewed the background and your two colors in is just repeated four times. So if you forgot the safety pin, there are no worries. Pick a background square and slice that baby down the middle. With scissors. To try to cut the tube using your rotary cutter is inviting complete disaster. <br />
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If you need to review Cutting Apart and Keeping in Order on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oompah-scrap-quilts-Accordion-method/dp/1720353301/">page 10</a> before you take that first slice, do. There's no shame in wanting to be sure you do it right! The key to the ease of any of the blocks in this book that are made from ordered accordions is keeping the order throughout the cutting, trimming, and pressing process. It's a lot of restacking at each step, but it's worth it to take the time to keep all of your HSTs in order, from cutting to ready to lay out.<br />
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These particular accordions being 28 HSTs long, they aren't going to stack quite as easily as those that are shorter without risk of becoming the Leaning Tower of HSTs - a. I avoid that problem with these longer accordions by stacking them more horizontally than vertically, as shown in the above photo. As long as they stay in order, either way is great.<br />
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With any luck at all, you won't come across this issue as you are cutting apart your accordion. Yep. Check it out. Even I, the queen of all things Accordion Sewn HSTs, can mess them the heck up and sew a flap shut now and then. There usually is swearing when I discover it, I won't lie. But let's be honest, there is swearing in the studio frequently around here. Just another day, really.<br />
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To free the flap, should you be a dummy like me, you'll rip that puppy out, but don't panic. It's very easy to just resew the seam with the HST now freed. But do free and resew it the second you come across it in your cutting apart of the accordion - even better if you notice before you start cutting, but this is real life. I didn't notice, and you might not either. Fixing it before trying to cut the rest of it and just telling yourself you'll remember what went where and where it goes in the stack is probably not going to work out quite so well. Just saying. I might know this from experience.<br />
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Trim and press or press and trim. Your order will depend on what trimming tool you are using, which is also outlined on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oompah-scrap-quilts-Accordion-method/dp/1720353301/">page 10</a>. Are you getting the idea that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oompah-scrap-quilts-Accordion-method/dp/1720353301/">Page 10</a> is one of the best pages in the whole book? You aren't wrong! So much fun and information to be had!<br />
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I always start and end at the left side of my star when I lay all my HSTs out in order, as shown by the arrows on my diagram on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oompah-scrap-quilts-Accordion-method/dp/1720353301/">page 53</a>. As we discussed earlier, though, since this accordion repeats four times, any point (top, right, bottom, or left) is totally the same as any other as far as where you start and end. So if it makes more sense to start at the top, go for it. All you have to remember is to go clockwise no matter what and you are golden.<br />
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But what if some horrible tragedy befalls you between your final step of cutting, trimming, and pressing and layout, like you trip on the way to the design wall and spatter your HSTs all over the floor, or you see a mouse run by and you throw them up in the air while running screaming from the room? Well, never fear. If it's the latter, set some traps, then go pick them all up. It's going to take you a little longer to figure out how they all fit together, but the beauty of the Accordion Sewn HSTs method is going to mean they are STILL going to all end up in the same places they would have pre-mouse sighting. Just start with one of the background pieces and match up each fabric as you go around. That's all. It's a little miracle. Though I really recommend just avoiding having a horrible tragedy in the first place, in the end your block will still be exactly as it was meant to be.<br />
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You'll note that on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oompah-scrap-quilts-Accordion-method/dp/1720353301/">page 53</a> there is also a lovely "blown apart" diagram of how I suggest sewing by <br />
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sections to get this block, including the corner pieces you sewed in part three, all put together. As with anything, these are a simple suggestion. If you'd rather sew them in different units that make more sense to you, as I actually did because I was paying no attention to my own book, I promise that will work too! It's a symmetrical block, after all. Broken down into units that fit together without Y seams or having to throw things is really the only key to joy in the construction.<br />
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While we are here, take a look at that red flowered fabric at the top right of the lower unit pictured to the right. See how the directional-ness of the flowers is the same in the bottom unit as it is in the larger unit, where they will line up? This is yet another miracle of Accordion Sewn HSTs - directional fabrics always line up properly. Why? I LITERALLY HAVE NO IDEA. I'm sure it's a mathy sort of answer, and one that most engineers could not only explain easily but are right now laughing at me for not understanding, but I really don't care. This amazes me every time and I need you all to be amazed, or pretend to be amazed, right along with me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb0jherASGVzdJ27RVKFknY5QKfyHeQ-0q0LF_aPRgaXz4vBi2w1vdsJ-bWE4bqGT-J60bTHHSp_eLFYPib4nAZb4_zXx_v9UWRMl8NJdQKF7PJHYNpCbFF9rrco1vKlu1g_eAIAtNuc/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb0jherASGVzdJ27RVKFknY5QKfyHeQ-0q0LF_aPRgaXz4vBi2w1vdsJ-bWE4bqGT-J60bTHHSp_eLFYPib4nAZb4_zXx_v9UWRMl8NJdQKF7PJHYNpCbFF9rrco1vKlu1g_eAIAtNuc/s320/IMG_5247.JPG" width="320" /></a>I really could not be happier with how my blocks really do look like the leaves changing. Remember that rogue accordion I made with the oranges next to each other? Well, this block is why! Look how those oranges in the middle making a star change the look somewhat! I now kind of wish I'd done them all like this, but whatever. I love all of these blocks and I absolutely love how the deep purple looks. Of course I used all of it and then some up from my scrap bins, and now I want to be able to use it for my setting triangles next lesson. Will I find more? Will I have to change my thinking? I guess you'll have to tune in then!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-1394462313492223612018-10-03T12:22:00.000-04:002018-10-03T12:22:48.008-04:00Hurdy Gurdy QAL Part 3 - Time to Make Some Noise! Accordioning those Blocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9iU46gv_3GJrWki1b7klqARTli-szbz_zSkNo90-kh2sd64Ov7a_35iGSk_8d3ahD7mb8zKNXuN9UK4a1HK5wtokz0IywHvFBj-1JW9PMhaeCmb4l_WMdUHOoiNEePsZBD9lr19E7Mw/s1600/Hurdy+Gurdy+QAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="627" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9iU46gv_3GJrWki1b7klqARTli-szbz_zSkNo90-kh2sd64Ov7a_35iGSk_8d3ahD7mb8zKNXuN9UK4a1HK5wtokz0IywHvFBj-1JW9PMhaeCmb4l_WMdUHOoiNEePsZBD9lr19E7Mw/s320/Hurdy+Gurdy+QAL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally! Finally we get to touch our sewing machines! Well, unless you are me, whose main machine (Janome 6125, since I know you'll ask) crapped out on her last week by refusing to feed fabric through anymore. Just out of nowhere. One moment we were happy together, singing "You are My Sunshine" and "Kumbaya," and thirty seconds later I was telling her she was the bane of my existence and swearing to never speak to her again. #angersewing<br />
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Luckily, like most quilters, I do have a spare machine, the Janome My Style 100, which looks like it should be best suited for a child's first machine and is better known in my house as "Barbie's Dream Sewing Machine." However, it's thankfully one that is best suited to simple piecing, and is a surprising workhorse in that arena, so I was still able to piece my accordions and not be behind the rest of you. That would be embarrassing. Worst QAL leader ever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuCZFZgyjjNOgU0FhSa1s9VD1WPiMwmaQWZGzyjCC50qoY2Fusaryq9xxNn6ZvRzyZzkpcfifKcW5nArTORJsAvpe3bmIMtLBYRDq5WLH-Xuk-dYcP8APMwfBEVmFucY5rMxCGoPpyW8/s1600/IMG_5208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuCZFZgyjjNOgU0FhSa1s9VD1WPiMwmaQWZGzyjCC50qoY2Fusaryq9xxNn6ZvRzyZzkpcfifKcW5nArTORJsAvpe3bmIMtLBYRDq5WLH-Xuk-dYcP8APMwfBEVmFucY5rMxCGoPpyW8/s320/IMG_5208.JPG" width="240" /></a>If you are planning to use the <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/clearly-perfect-slotted-trimmers">Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer</a> for trimming, and I really hope you are because I would like to think you like to make things as easy as possible for yourself, I recommend threading your machine with a thread that you'll be able to see. I often thread the top of my machine with my Color One, and the bobbin with Color Two, because in most cases I'll be able to see the thread on at least one side of my HSTs that way, and I am able to feel like I at least made an effort in matching thread so that it won't show. But sometimes, like this time, I go crazy and use a thread that is completely different, like my purple shown. I can justify it because as you may recall, my accent fabric color is purple, so eventually it's going to match, right? And in the meantime, I can see perfectly to line that stitching up and trim quickly with my CPST.<br />
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I'm just over here assuming you've kept up thus far, that not only have you chosen and cut all your colors and pieces, but you've also done a little accordion practice. I'm hoping the practice went fairly well, and from all the examples of #accordionsewnhsts I'm seeing hashtagged on IG and FB daily, I think it probably did. Granted, most of those are not from this QAL, but it doesn't matter. Things for the most part seem to be going well in Accordion Sewingland, and I'm just assuming things for this QAL are in that category. But what if they didn't? What if you were frustrated?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKjy2S2vn3Wq8AN-WZFjRF_uamnZAe06UkEVI5WeMit57hCoXze5yWAQZ5vIOMutcRvUlbV9f3iBhETytxkXBKtwZJOSavcVY7j3V7s5MXFRZm0QOxKdAgkl3AbH9RL2Kid8v-WTY-z0/s1600/IMG_5205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKjy2S2vn3Wq8AN-WZFjRF_uamnZAe06UkEVI5WeMit57hCoXze5yWAQZ5vIOMutcRvUlbV9f3iBhETytxkXBKtwZJOSavcVY7j3V7s5MXFRZm0QOxKdAgkl3AbH9RL2Kid8v-WTY-z0/s320/IMG_5205.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
First of all, thank you for not sending me nastygrams full of words akin to what I was yelling at my sewing machine. Second, did you check out the amazing Troubleshooting chart on <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">page 11</a>? I came up with the idea to include it in a dream (one where lots of people were really mad at me because they were having issues - not all dreams are sunshine and roses, people) and I am really pretty proud of it. Even if you don't have issues, read it for the entertainment value.<br />
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So now that we are all accordion experts, we are off to the races! At the bottom of <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">page 52</a> is the photo and explanation of the order you will sew your accordions for each block. You'll sew one accordion for each block you'll be making, so I'm at three accordions, which I show you here to prove that I sewed them all and also to make you feel better that you aren't the only one who hasn't put the garden hose away for the season yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9PpjgP9UZevfWYAVGyWgWOl6J66Is7xXxbf0EoJrQkGYM3posZU9yQxjvGkrJA-YRxbvgvJIgj8rrOwk1UWDyyR7n9LvrymaTZh31vCb5iyk8gavmoR4ZS0CwQqFRDrdtDg4nywt3Dc/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9PpjgP9UZevfWYAVGyWgWOl6J66Is7xXxbf0EoJrQkGYM3posZU9yQxjvGkrJA-YRxbvgvJIgj8rrOwk1UWDyyR7n9LvrymaTZh31vCb5iyk8gavmoR4ZS0CwQqFRDrdtDg4nywt3Dc/s320/IMG_3420.JPG" width="240" /></a>Now, you may note a couple of things about my accordions. Number one, they are a far cry, contrast wise, from my original Hurdy Gurdy accordions, which were teal and red, arguably two very different colors. In a way, you may sort of have to take my word for it that I followed the same order when sewing my red and orange accordions, because red and orange are pretty similar, being from the same family and all. I did touch on my concerns and reasoning behind my non-contrasty choices in Part One. I continue to hope I have made a good decision and that my final project evokes the feel of leaves turning. So far my accordions are making me all October happy, so I guess that's good. In the end, this is my quilt. Your quilt is your quilt. I've already made one all contrasty, and I love it. So I am trying something a bit new. Nothing wrong with that, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTgoleraM0iSBcjJDmqObw8mhqe634NCUspBmKtmqgJnYQwhfhEYjFggo9aXVVYtz5mg39eYYvxD2Qhw2YO2xL4Z-CdcHBl6NTLyZFojIzgu-tXnbscw374e3bbjXCmrrdsTZ8N0DZSI/s1600/IMG_5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTgoleraM0iSBcjJDmqObw8mhqe634NCUspBmKtmqgJnYQwhfhEYjFggo9aXVVYtz5mg39eYYvxD2Qhw2YO2xL4Z-CdcHBl6NTLyZFojIzgu-tXnbscw374e3bbjXCmrrdsTZ8N0DZSI/s320/IMG_5206.JPG" width="320" /></a>You might also notice that the accordion on the far left is slightly different from the other two in terms of order, with my Color Two (orange) being intermingled a little differently with my Color One (red) within each of the four repeats of the pattern, with the Color Twos ending up together in the middle of pairs of Color Ones. See the photo closeup to the left to admire this slight change and to be impressed by my lack of ability to trim threads. Meh. They'll be gone once we start trimming. Why make more work?<br />
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I have a vision for how this block will look different from the other two. Perhaps you can figure it out as well. But we will save the reveal for next week when we figure out if it actually worked when I sewed the blocks. In any case, I'll throw it in the middle of the runner so it had better be spectacular!<br />
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Be sure to remember to tube up the accordions! As cute as they are and as easy to see all your lovely fabrics as they are all straight, without tubing you'll lose one very important HST, and you'll end up having to refer to the<a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method"> page 11 </a>Troubleshooting chart when you can't figure out why you have random extra pieces. Plus they are pretty cute when they are tubed as well! And the uses!<br />
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Wear it as a bracelet!<br />
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Put it on the cat as a tutu! (Not pictured with accordion tutu. The cat was having none of that. And oh yeah! <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">Page 45</a> now contains a lie in the callout box. I DO now have a cat. I just didn't when the book went to press. Sorry about the misleading journalism on that one.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbqSCk-tqGsrBAKuN73n4-mcgXkHHgmCqhX6_KcMmoFvbABahh9Thqz0N6v1saSsCnMH61viYCVAdQBS6d6wUzRPJJzNQ3ByRYRPaqlpehtoY30A8OPA6F4efTA_-w34OGkolhKvAS3w/s1600/IMG_5091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbqSCk-tqGsrBAKuN73n4-mcgXkHHgmCqhX6_KcMmoFvbABahh9Thqz0N6v1saSsCnMH61viYCVAdQBS6d6wUzRPJJzNQ3ByRYRPaqlpehtoY30A8OPA6F4efTA_-w34OGkolhKvAS3w/s320/IMG_5091.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's your own personal tiara!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpihEm6VBNLZk-goKhommWdOK1GZ1YjDwbjpe5yt1SWJQOysfDgYYarJyzV_KuAT4RGlQM7HDXU-NAyicvwvZmAQ7IkSXRKY2NoXH4az9bBm2ZnPfF9YPGpXI6UwBR3mjjRfecS49Hvr0/s1600/IMG_5214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpihEm6VBNLZk-goKhommWdOK1GZ1YjDwbjpe5yt1SWJQOysfDgYYarJyzV_KuAT4RGlQM7HDXU-NAyicvwvZmAQ7IkSXRKY2NoXH4az9bBm2ZnPfF9YPGpXI6UwBR3mjjRfecS49Hvr0/s320/IMG_5214.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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But in all seriousness, I actually think they look like they fit right in with my fall decor, no?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uo8fP5X0cVtX-z05Riu3vJVFGmBcpEfqlYItwCXbSw8GH3s3X089AtNnEC6gjv90M6_boi7ue7EPJPLjzRBb5bVgjpkair26A6VzX2uUcEAB4hfNjA-ImIdJ133oejFHKFH2GudF2TA/s1600/IMG_5210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uo8fP5X0cVtX-z05Riu3vJVFGmBcpEfqlYItwCXbSw8GH3s3X089AtNnEC6gjv90M6_boi7ue7EPJPLjzRBb5bVgjpkair26A6VzX2uUcEAB4hfNjA-ImIdJ133oejFHKFH2GudF2TA/s320/IMG_5210.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I find that each accordion tends to take about 15 minutes to sew. While I'm curious if that is fast or slow compared to others, just remember your pace may vary. If you break 10 minutes, though, I definitely want to know!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNHm_bmHbLOPAoPEDi74u288XGb6ebvGDs6o4J3ibOsGOlbCH0uGaCkHyP99DaabpQjRzr0uSi6SmA4RCRvd6ITWKUuUJFZ-3jdlKXEV8_gJJN6O81kY66uGqaEpc9J9qXhqAugTU7Js/s1600/IMG_5217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNHm_bmHbLOPAoPEDi74u288XGb6ebvGDs6o4J3ibOsGOlbCH0uGaCkHyP99DaabpQjRzr0uSi6SmA4RCRvd6ITWKUuUJFZ-3jdlKXEV8_gJJN6O81kY66uGqaEpc9J9qXhqAugTU7Js/s320/IMG_5217.JPG" width="320" /></a>I'd also definitely suggest working on the Block Corner Construction pieces,<a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method"> pages 51 and 52</a>. A little easy, mindless sewing that you can chain piece, then you'll have those parts done and not have to worry about them once we start cutting those accordions apart and creating the rest of the block next week! The chains even can look like little smiles if you hang them on your design wall before you cut them apart. It's like getting a little affirmation from your piecing that you are rocking this project.<br />
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Open pressing of seams is my mantra. If you haven't given it a try, I continue to <strike>berate you into submission</strike> suggest that you give it a try. I will never be known as a perfect piecer, but I have definitely found that my points are a lot more accurate when I press my seams open. Sure, you can't nest your seams, but you CAN line them up really well just by looking at them, smoosh them tight together, pin, and sew, and they come out looking pretty darn good most of the time. Plus the flatness of the final block is enough to make even the Flat Earth Society proud.<br />
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You'll need to make just 6 each of the Left Accent Unit and the Right Accent Unit shown on <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">page 52</a>. I like to confuse you I guess, so I'm showing two Left Accent Units in this photo. But you are smart, and you will do 6 of each.<br />
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Ok, so that's it for this week! I hope you enjoy your actual sewing and I hope you'll share some of your amazing looking accordions in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/541146516236863/">Quilting Along with EPQD facebook page</a>, or by using the #hurdygurdyqal hashtag!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-60366436872214028412018-09-26T09:27:00.000-04:002018-09-26T09:27:07.867-04:00Hurdy Gurdy QAL Week Two - All That Infernal Cutting <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u54wbVHnHBWVm7ZXK0PwppedqLWx_kP9EDwBJJjYXke-mn9hmaQkDE42Mqpybuk1Q2mBBSDPsJq5Q4ZCKzKSwomO7i_EHUAwbC7GeETqWulVgH0JT2iZqLyAJ5GPdsbQ2KS3jETWQOk/s1600/Hurdy+Gurdy+QAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="627" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u54wbVHnHBWVm7ZXK0PwppedqLWx_kP9EDwBJJjYXke-mn9hmaQkDE42Mqpybuk1Q2mBBSDPsJq5Q4ZCKzKSwomO7i_EHUAwbC7GeETqWulVgH0JT2iZqLyAJ5GPdsbQ2KS3jETWQOk/s320/Hurdy+Gurdy+QAL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cutting for a quilt is the spawn of the devil. It just is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NAc3Rs9aMQCWH1KzKcxt2eamH_Ntm_anMezU0WR4CpyJiefwVRx2Wbgwp0tz_KtzekIqvpHHetqmqk6n6Dcq03GRa_2U0RWTYq4xGFzE1z4UptBLXl3yVoTHgvOhAS0fl6VdIrmvCls/s1600/vm+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NAc3Rs9aMQCWH1KzKcxt2eamH_Ntm_anMezU0WR4CpyJiefwVRx2Wbgwp0tz_KtzekIqvpHHetqmqk6n6Dcq03GRa_2U0RWTYq4xGFzE1z4UptBLXl3yVoTHgvOhAS0fl6VdIrmvCls/s200/vm+collage.jpg" width="200" /></a> I suppose there are some of you out there who love themselves a good session of slicing up helpless inanimate objects for hours on end using sharp instruments. In another world we might need to worry that you were psychotic, but thankfully, we quilters get you. However I'm in the camp of quilters who would really prefer I could snap my fingers and be done with all my cutting immediately.<br />
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Side note - I taught a class last week of my Vinnie Loves Maude pattern (shown on right). Even the baby size, which I had them all cut for, has over 1000 pieces. In good news, no one killed me, though some grumbling commenced. In better, one of the students bragged that using her guild's AccuQuilt cutter she got it all done in less than an hour. So there's definitely that option. We all bowed down to her appropriately.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5T8HQ01Pp_9NmZJmcmLgBqaJYuiKZx-FGOA0MfHmfqIoveUcvNdz34htOP8_romJ4yuQQcQqg8xgwLEImJkS_f0f51w5a5sbw1WW3UGxUhMVw2drfQ2SsrrH85BRzfDi87ZHXjBhf8I/s1600/IMG_4398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5T8HQ01Pp_9NmZJmcmLgBqaJYuiKZx-FGOA0MfHmfqIoveUcvNdz34htOP8_romJ4yuQQcQqg8xgwLEImJkS_f0f51w5a5sbw1WW3UGxUhMVw2drfQ2SsrrH85BRzfDi87ZHXjBhf8I/s320/IMG_4398.JPG" width="240" /></a>Hurdy Gurdy is one of the most popular quilt designs in the "Oompah!" book, and I'm pretty sure one of the reasons is because of the way all those fabrics come together to make the pattern look so cool. But "all those fabrics" becomes the problem of ALL THAT CUTTING really quickly. So the best thing to do is either decide, like I did, to make a table runner with just three blocks (cutting amounts, page 56), or steel yourself for the realities of the mind numbing dullness of cutting and just go for it with the amounts for the larger quilt found on page 51. I definitely find that rocking out to some 80s hair bands on Pandora helps, but maybe that's just me.<br />
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As a scrappy quilter, my
cutting process isn't quite as straightforward as whipping some strips
off my yardage and cutting them into the correct sized squares. For one,
I don't want any of my fabrics to be the same in my blocks and if
possible, my whole quilt, so cutting more than one or two of any
particular fabric is useless to me. For another, I tend to be digging
around in my scrap bins for pieces that are big enough for what I need
rather than going directly to my yardage. I end up using a few different methods of cutting that may be of interest to you. Or not. But you're here, so you might as well read on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kCTj4yFzmcHkuEa9mAkaLact2-9yCqp4v-GVm5MfUreyFO2k0prPn0LFKnrSwSNeNcDnovHwDrtyc4jgUFtEhP-osUXIpikC8R9bloU7NwR0YVUcmCltiaQxwGXJhUS6sYkjyLAqx_A/s1600/IMG_5178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kCTj4yFzmcHkuEa9mAkaLact2-9yCqp4v-GVm5MfUreyFO2k0prPn0LFKnrSwSNeNcDnovHwDrtyc4jgUFtEhP-osUXIpikC8R9bloU7NwR0YVUcmCltiaQxwGXJhUS6sYkjyLAqx_A/s320/IMG_5178.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stack, Smash, and Bang</td></tr>
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<b>The Stack, Smash, and Bang</b>. So once I've chosen all my fabrics, like I did and you did in last week's tutorial, I'm left with a pile of randomly sized fabrics to work with, from all of which I want just one square (maybe two) cut. So I'm a big fan of just stacking those smaller puppies up, smashing them down with the iron just to make sure there are no creases, and banging out a stack of 5-6 squares at once. I do try to be cognizant (ooo! That's one of Mr QH's favorite big words - apparently I listen to him) of bias when I stack them, but let's be honest. I'm about using up fabric scraps and if I end up with one or two squares that aren't perfectly cut on straight of grain, I lose approximately zero minutes sleep over it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBzv4BnhGYRckgkkfZCnmFzW7pHJzK7Oxquq_i7vVkwkJWodGhsyvl7WYl2HO80ss0gqR9HOE-zqBAePJMggPjowjJFptcn519frI7ut-vn3VGeVjFz1PwU7uSoUQ63V8VhehnCpItAw/s1600/IMG_5117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBzv4BnhGYRckgkkfZCnmFzW7pHJzK7Oxquq_i7vVkwkJWodGhsyvl7WYl2HO80ss0gqR9HOE-zqBAePJMggPjowjJFptcn519frI7ut-vn3VGeVjFz1PwU7uSoUQ63V8VhehnCpItAw/s320/IMG_5117.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fold and Slice</td></tr>
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<b>The Fold and Slice</b> If I'm willing to have more than one square of the same fabric, which now and then I will suck it up and do, I just fold over the edge of the yardage or scrap far enough that I can cut out two squares at once. Seem obvious? Yes. Thank you for humoring me. It's one of those things that I point out in the case that someone didn't know. We all learn these things at our own pace! The nice thing too is that I didn't cut a whole strip of yardage this way but still managed to just get exactly what I needed. I am a little cheap with my fabric - I love to use it up, but I also love to be efficient. On the other hand, I do toss small scraps and trimmings with reckless abandon. I know many of you are clutching your pearls at the thought of all the birds and dog beds that could benefit, but I'm a tosser. You do you, I do me, and we are all happy as can be. I think I just made that up and maybe it should be on a pillow. It can also be sung to the Barney theme tune if you must.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3D1vBmG0iGPmCiBcyVKqvpH7nOqMGHjLhN8fVNMJdvEeqrzItO2_taBPFVWtaelnjSQQ8a3mHtbOHRZkamiONQHhKln-0H45dAZ0VvWeoe_8hLsUY_x8W4Df5tugW-uzmdxJkVeqIzk4/s1600/IMG_5119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3D1vBmG0iGPmCiBcyVKqvpH7nOqMGHjLhN8fVNMJdvEeqrzItO2_taBPFVWtaelnjSQQ8a3mHtbOHRZkamiONQHhKln-0H45dAZ0VvWeoe_8hLsUY_x8W4Df5tugW-uzmdxJkVeqIzk4/s320/IMG_5119.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The OLFA rotating mat is a gift from the gods</td></tr>
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Do you own one of these OLFA rotating mats? If you are a scrap quilter and tend to cut from smaller pieces, or if you are any kind of quilter who ever trims anything, OMG. I totally recommend it. I used mine continuously while cutting out all my fabrics for my runner! Continuously! It started to yell for a union mandated coffee break!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptH_jxGfo9Mlgq52Cb-RnRY3M6fKBKJIj3jpNekLQ_-o7VD3a0vCJPk6ENVrfeffK9BG58ImMVXGXgy3IZNmFDm7JHGz-N5OQXtpxePCPURYxLXLFMT8PayxeraBGEvfgjTDWnuJvV7U/s1600/IMG_5120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptH_jxGfo9Mlgq52Cb-RnRY3M6fKBKJIj3jpNekLQ_-o7VD3a0vCJPk6ENVrfeffK9BG58ImMVXGXgy3IZNmFDm7JHGz-N5OQXtpxePCPURYxLXLFMT8PayxeraBGEvfgjTDWnuJvV7U/s320/IMG_5120.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Piece to Piece</td></tr>
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<b>The Piece to Piece</b> Finally, sometimes I get obessed with using a fabric in my quilt but I don't have a large enough piece of it ready to cut. However I DO have enough of the fabric to be able to piece it together to cut the right sized square. In that case, I figure I already am going to have a million seams in my quilt, what's one or two more? I have no issue sewing some smaller pieces together so that I can chop them right up again. I definitely recommend open pressing of seams if you do this, though. It not only makes the seam flatter, but eliminating the bump you'd have with a pressed to the side seam also makes the fact that you have a seam there at all a whole lot less obvious. Another thing that would make it way less obvious is using tone on tones for this method when possible, which I did do as you can see in the photo, and using matching thread, which you can see I did not. However I wanted you to see it. Or I was lazy. Possibly both.<br />
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Eventually, you'll have those pieces all cut out. It's going to be a beautiful thing, truly. It's possible by that time you'll have also perfected your rendition of "Pour Some Sugar on Me," and if so, extra kudos.<br />
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There's definite joy in having all your pieces cut out and ready to go. There's also a time and place for deciding to just cut one block's worth of fabrics at once if it makes you feel more human. I tend to fall in that latter category. Whatever you need to do to stay sane during the cutting process, you do it. We aren't here to judge, we are just here to get you through it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-f0MpKUVSFmy9KYSO_sBEfGdwm8CRRx5dEzUaLw9_YbGCt1007uDBeaaT4pnZQ-gRbzg2hNQhaNRPJiqGUbYURy5DN4uAQymDJh2F6SRgkRH7QRSHZWsx5fCmCNc8pGO_QPZhgHb8hc/s1600/IMG_5122a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-f0MpKUVSFmy9KYSO_sBEfGdwm8CRRx5dEzUaLw9_YbGCt1007uDBeaaT4pnZQ-gRbzg2hNQhaNRPJiqGUbYURy5DN4uAQymDJh2F6SRgkRH7QRSHZWsx5fCmCNc8pGO_QPZhgHb8hc/s320/IMG_5122a.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All my beautiful squares, ready to accordion.</td></tr>
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Next week is when the BIG FUN begins! So I hope you're keeping up because you don't want to miss the Oompah joy of the actual accordion making!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-80870802172707094772018-09-19T09:38:00.003-04:002018-10-03T12:29:23.909-04:00Hurdy Gurdy QAL Part One - Fabric Selection and Accordion PracticeSo you've decided to join us for the Hurdy Gurdy QAL! That's because you are a seeker of fun and an owner of fine taste in quilt patterns. As I am a purveyor of both fun and quilt patterns, I feel like maybe we were meant for each other. Yay us!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Part one of part one - Dive into those fabrics!</b></span></h3>
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I know most of you likely are all set to go with the book, and that is great! If you don't yet have the book, and if you can't find it in your LQS (many have it! Ask them first!) or you may buy it right from <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/oompah-jazz-up-your-scrap-quilts-with-the-accordion-sewn-hsts-method">my site</a>. If all else fails, it is available <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1720353301">on Amazon</a>. It's all up to you! <br />
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Because the book is required for the QAL, I will not be referring to any sizes or amounts of any fabrics to be cut, as you will have that information already. I definitely will be referring to various pages and sections, so you'll need it handy! <br />
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As with any project, color and fabric selection is generally the first big hurdle. Especially when it comes to scrappy quilts, quilters can tend to be overwhelmed. Some of us feel like we are really pretty good at choosing color combos and fabrics that sing together like the Vienna boys choir, and others of us feel like we sometimes end up with fabrics that sing more like a group of cats in the dumpster behind the pizza joint while there is a full moon. The keys to the city of Vienna is a really awesome combination of just a few colors, IMO.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5gH6qHTnAyZpX2iukh6ALWx_C5MlBNFUEX-gDRaeoh4X06VVMucCDpzEkb5orhtqDtZMqsV48wHrBW0BIrIC9Q8OQl7N81UdlIkCBlAb6XiZo1HkvlvpeGiVnVNDvXld0C40M9puyCo/s1600/IMG_4396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5gH6qHTnAyZpX2iukh6ALWx_C5MlBNFUEX-gDRaeoh4X06VVMucCDpzEkb5orhtqDtZMqsV48wHrBW0BIrIC9Q8OQl7N81UdlIkCBlAb6XiZo1HkvlvpeGiVnVNDvXld0C40M9puyCo/s320/IMG_4396.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got 99 fabrics and only matched one...or thirteen.</td></tr>
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"Hurdy Gurdy" as seen in the book was my first attempt at a teal and red quilt. Those who know my style and color loves know that you've likely never seen me use red. I'm just not a fan. It's never done it for me. The whole teal/red fad of several years ago in more modern quilting passed me by, and I didn't even care. But for some reason I was all about giving it a shot this time around, and I kind of loved it! It's all about the contrast of a warm color with a cool color that makes the teal/red combo really work. Think about other cool/warm combos - purple/orange might look like a sunset, green/red is obviously Christmas, green/pink is every sorority girl's favorite, and maroon/yellow is fall in a quilt. I know you'll think of more.<br />
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Once I've chosen my color scheme, when choosing my actual fabrics I go with my philosophy of "consistency in the chaos," which can be described as "choose a few, use a slew." Choose a few colors - in the case of Hurdy Gurdy, Color One and Color Two - and then grab every single fabric you own that is of those colors. Every. Single. One. You can pare down later, but having more to choose from at the beginning means you might actually use more in the blocks, because you're going to discover fabrics you forgot you even had. I'm a huge fan of using a different fabric for every "chevron" shape in each block, and that's a lot of different fabrics. We can be real - I did reuse reds and teals in multiple blocks, but each block of my quilt does have all unique reds and teals. I encourage it. We are being scrappy here! Your consistency will come from the color theme, and I promise it's going to look amazing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RybbaYNIfVopj5xQdli9WmW8isM0voLvWq1mPLK_43TdoQdkBQCeVXVV6UQ3kvtF4_GsUmbav16w1QJCUuveYoG70sWuM5RsIXjbKPYZ_vXTFS1W0NmafBqZ2IufS7_Ithp7KSbkPeQ/s1600/IMG_4093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RybbaYNIfVopj5xQdli9WmW8isM0voLvWq1mPLK_43TdoQdkBQCeVXVV6UQ3kvtF4_GsUmbav16w1QJCUuveYoG70sWuM5RsIXjbKPYZ_vXTFS1W0NmafBqZ2IufS7_Ithp7KSbkPeQ/s320/IMG_4093.JPG" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's possible I've never loved a photo backdrop more.</td></tr>
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As you'll see in the cutting charts on pages 51 and 56, you'll also need a background fabric and a contrast popper. I went with a light silvery grey for background and a navy for the popper, once again just because I was looking for high contrast in value. My tester/sample makers made completely different color choices, both from myself and from each other, and I love that! You can see both Linda's and Barbara's quilts on page 56 as well. So many more options to think about!<br />
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I've mentioned I'll be going with a table runner size as I too participate in the QAL, because I am my own biggest fan. Because I like to mix it up, I'm going with less contrast in my fabric and color value selections. This time around I've opted for reds and oranges as my Color One and Color Two, which one might argue are really just two ends of the same spectrum. In my case, for this project, that's totally the point, because I'm going for making these blocks look like autumn leaves turning. I know, go ahead and laugh at me trying to be all artsy. But I have a vision, and by gosh, I'm going to go with that vision no matter what!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQj4jffhBbLv1zxUBfC_zp14KBotqqZLyurec6H4s6d2takugvD6uNSNZXXw7I49BIWTV8SkGMz7BxPvUfkDNsTpdBz-Xe-FT5rKpN9U35ocRdRKfVIpItpjAxbUroCnSRLYJV7AL8GA/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQj4jffhBbLv1zxUBfC_zp14KBotqqZLyurec6H4s6d2takugvD6uNSNZXXw7I49BIWTV8SkGMz7BxPvUfkDNsTpdBz-Xe-FT5rKpN9U35ocRdRKfVIpItpjAxbUroCnSRLYJV7AL8GA/s400/IMG_5122.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
While I don't need you to cut your fabrics until the next tutorial, I'm showing you mine cut because I can get them all in one photo that way. I'm all about efficiency. I'm liking how they are definitely red and orange, but also kind of blendy. It's going to be a different look, but I think it's going to work. It's also going to be perfect for a thought I have about switching up the accordion order (OMG! Can she DO that? Yep. My pattern, my quilt, my rules!) so we will see if all these visions in my head work into reality like I hope.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTAvWP6IznQKBJdQVoSJp03rZTST6W59SLoS1I4GvhyfYcLwR1nbVbOcGC8vAAkJYYIaGS5yhlNIelNCKXOJpJhbVkSzK5dRb9ODc402LosJE9zaepnpfJw18v8i3LYGxoinVIn7P4Pg/s1600/IMG_5121a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTAvWP6IznQKBJdQVoSJp03rZTST6W59SLoS1I4GvhyfYcLwR1nbVbOcGC8vAAkJYYIaGS5yhlNIelNCKXOJpJhbVkSzK5dRb9ODc402LosJE9zaepnpfJw18v8i3LYGxoinVIn7P4Pg/s320/IMG_5121a.JPG" width="240" /></a>For the contrast color, I decided to go with deep purple, which to me is for sure an autumn color. I found a gorgeous rich purple in my scrap bin, but even eyeballing I knew it wasn't going to be QUITE enough for all of the contrast squares I was going to need. Enter the "consistency in the chaos" philosophy as related to value. I found another deep purple which had enough to get me to the magic number, and it could not have been more perfectly matched in value. Just a little different print. NO ONE WILL CARE. If I am wrong about this, I'm certain I'm right about the fact that I am not going to care if they do care. Because once again, in my world, scrappy means lots and lots of fabrics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA0evvvaZ08v5CpctPK7rCoumHyDpg1yNp9AJMq0nfHzqzG6SgQDWZm7GBnAQEEXZYW22KvKWeN2SHxaRS8hyphenhyphenWRjU1key22VObLYL3cbWvWLuxmD3nIzCBQIS_jLQWDkzH69Md47MeUc/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA0evvvaZ08v5CpctPK7rCoumHyDpg1yNp9AJMq0nfHzqzG6SgQDWZm7GBnAQEEXZYW22KvKWeN2SHxaRS8hyphenhyphenWRjU1key22VObLYL3cbWvWLuxmD3nIzCBQIS_jLQWDkzH69Md47MeUc/s320/IMG_4416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Want to know a secret? All those navys in my original Hurdy Gurdy quilt? There are seven different fabrics represented. You'd never have known, though, would you? I give you a close up that you can zoom in on if you need to see a few of them.<br />
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You might even notice I did the same thing with my background fabrics. Several beiges, all pretty much the same tone and value but different prints. Totally legal! Uses up scraps!<br />
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So again, no need to cut yet, but I hope some of these thoughts help you look at your fabric with fresh eyes as you are contemplating your quilts!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Part two of Part One - Practice makes semi-perfect!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I dare to dream that since you purchased "Oompah!" you've done nothing but accordion sew your little faces off. But this may not be true, because you may have been too busy just living your lives without me and my ideas at the centers of them. So now is the time. I always recommend that before you start your first official ordered accordion project, which you are doing by making Hurdy Gurdy, you have a basic understanding and skill level making any sort of accordion at all. You'll be happier, I'll be happier for you, and you're going to get hooked, so it's a huge win for all of us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I definitely recommend reading the entire introduction section of the book if you haven't already. If nothing else, it is delightfully snarky while being incredibly informative, much like this blog. You might well learn something new, even if you've accordioned with me before accordioning was cool. Starting on page 7, though, are the true get down to business directions for making a basic accordion.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHbp3lftn3n62gdPxpjPDYBj9E-5dpYWF7AMu9ICq3WMP0mq-691-311w3LrY-Bl_vbeYK4yRUoPrpK_8AnbPJiDqQ1iPVBb1pZzSuyJnXmdkHMCBQzdx8O8j_Nf8rzejTvUPUn30RmU/s1600/IMG_5128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHbp3lftn3n62gdPxpjPDYBj9E-5dpYWF7AMu9ICq3WMP0mq-691-311w3LrY-Bl_vbeYK4yRUoPrpK_8AnbPJiDqQ1iPVBb1pZzSuyJnXmdkHMCBQzdx8O8j_Nf8rzejTvUPUn30RmU/s320/IMG_5128.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Practice fabrics don't have to be to your taste!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love using charm packs or random scrappy charm squares I never did anything with for practice (or in my case, for teaching the method in classes). It's a great way to use up stuff you really didn't know how you were going to ever use, and they are already cut for you. I was recently gifted a fat ton of charm squares that must have been from some kind of swap, and I am pretty much set for life on precut squares. If you aren't so lucky, just cut like ten and follow the step by step directions - watch the videos, too! Links on page 7! - and you'll be accordioning like a champ! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I recommend making one accordion, in any order, about 10-15 fabrics long to practice. Obviously, between the book and videos you are going to be perfect, but page 11's chart about troubleshooting is there in the off chance that you mess up. Make sure you practice cutting it all apart, too! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Ok, so that's pretty much it for the first lesson. We are easing in and I can't wait to see what you come up with. If you haven't joined the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/541146516236863/">Quilting Along with EPQD</a> group on FB, I'd love to have you check it out. It's new, but I'm hoping this QAL will kick it off in style. It's meant to be a place where anyone can share anything about this or any of my other QALs or mysteries (more of those coming very soon because holy! I have so enjoyed doing them!) and post photos directly. I really hope you'll post some of your color combos and practice accordion photos before our next lesson next week!<br /><br />I also have the hastag #hurdygurdyqal for IG, so please hashtag away!<br /><br />Enjoy, and I'll see you next on 9/26!</span></span><br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-45588779479673930902018-09-10T11:05:00.001-04:002018-09-13T11:07:54.534-04:00Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-87281030716092095742017-06-14T10:58:00.000-04:002017-06-14T10:58:15.977-04:00Announcing the "In the 'Hood" Summer Mystery!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJpTxqTP7QgJeYt-rwhqOWHA0nqPgGSPUX7JTljW1jfoMxEFb9RtY1yYH59g6a8ppM344cSnLhpgMW_n4FUL0XE5PRNa3tJNlKL4Grp5fR-gXR94q0LvrpvBXdF94QiX1PZGjHTO8Af4/s1600/nutcrackerwhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="756" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJpTxqTP7QgJeYt-rwhqOWHA0nqPgGSPUX7JTljW1jfoMxEFb9RtY1yYH59g6a8ppM344cSnLhpgMW_n4FUL0XE5PRNa3tJNlKL4Grp5fR-gXR94q0LvrpvBXdF94QiX1PZGjHTO8Af4/s320/nutcrackerwhole.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/suite-life-pattern-currently-pdf-only">Suite Life</a>, the tablerunner sized result of my first mystery!</span></td></tr>
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Fair warning: Once I try something and it works, I'm pretty apt to try it again. I really am only human in that a positive experience gives me a new reason for designing for you, and I really do enjoy repeating successful programs for all of you to enjoy. Here's hoping I wasn't a one hit wonder with my first mystery project last fall! <br />
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This summer I present the EPQD "In the 'Hood" Summer Mystery! Unlike the Jingle Jumble of last fall that resulted in my popular <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/suite-life-pattern-currently-pdf-only">Suite Life</a> pattern (two sizes and styles, plus a bonus project #shamelessplug), this is no "mini" mystery. This is a full blown (50" square) quilt! Why? Because I felt like it. That's pretty much it.<br />
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And since it isn't a seasonal design, there's no need to make a smaller project like the nutcracker guys runner was just to get it done in time for the holidays. Oh no. You can start this baby with us, receive the clues along the way, and you'll have 9 full weeks of summer to get it done if you keep up. If not, eh. You'll finish it eventually and you won't feel like you missed the perfect season to use it. Or gift it. Or ball it up and throw it on the UFO pile, to remain unquilted until 2027. It's your quilt. I don't judge what you do with it.<br />
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So how does this work? I'm so glad you are going to let me tell you!<br />
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<b>What is the "In The 'Hood" mystery?</b> <br />
Well, it's a mystery, so I really can't tell you. Ha! Kidding. A mystery quilt is one that you create step by step through a series of staggered clues, that if written well enough and/or the quilter is just not thinking the same way I do should only reveal the true pattern at the very end. This mystery will consist of five clues, released via email bi-weekly starting Friday, June 23. The first clue begins with supply list and cutting and the last will have you completing the entire quilt top. <br />
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<b>Why should I do this mystery?</b><br />
<ul>
<li>You love a puzzle</li>
<li>You only have 14 current projects going and you like to have at least 20</li>
<li>You've made one or two of my patterns in the past and like my style</li>
<li>You've never made one of my patterns but you've heard good things</li>
<li>You've never heard of me or my patterns but you love a new experience</li>
<li>You're always up for an adventure</li>
<li>You have fabric you'd like to play with</li>
<li>You're looking for an excuse to go fabric shopping</li>
<li>You believe quilting is a four season activity </li>
<li>Your children are home from school and you need to lock yourself away for an hour or two here and there </li>
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So basically, if you like to sew, and you like a good project, you should do it!<br />
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<b>When will clues be released?</b><br />
I'll release clues every other Friday, starting on June 23 and ending on August 18. This will give ample time (2 weeks) between each release for you to complete the clue, even with summer activities taking us away from our sewing rooms on occasion.<br />
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<b>What if I fall behind?</b><br />
Well, we won't flog you. It's summer. You do your best to keep up. The worst that will happen is you'll maybe see the end product after the last clue is released before you have a chance to finish. This should only enhance your desire to finish it eventually.<br />
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<b>How will my clues be delivered?</b><br />
When you purchase the mystery package, I'll enter your email into the clue distribution email list. Every time a new clue is released, you will automatically receive it in your email by noon on the release day.<br />
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<b>What if I sign up mid-summer? Will I still get all the clues? </b><br />
Of course! You can sign up any time, and whatever clues have already been released will be sent the day you sign up. Then your email will be added to the distribution and you'll get the next one along with everyone else. My MIL used to tell me I was crazy efficient. I promise to prove her right!<b> </b><br />
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<b>Is it important for me to give you my real email address when I order, rather than the one I use for spam, or is it okay if I give you the spam one and then send you a frustrated email because I can't find the clues?</b><br />
So, yeah. That happens. A lot. I can only send clues (or pdf purchases, which is where this tends to happen more) to where you tell me to send clues. I know it is probably reflex to put a spam email into online purchases, but please try to give me your real one so we can both be happy with the outcome when I send the clues. I promise I don't add you to my newsletter distribution unless you've checked the box that says that is okay.<b> </b><br />
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<b> Is there a cost? </b><br />
The mystery will cost $5 - that's just $1 per clue.<br />
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<b>Where do I sign up?</b><br />
You may sign up starting June 16 <a href="https://evapaigequilts.com/products/in-the-hood-summer-mystery">HERE</a>.<br />
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I hope to see you all "In the 'Hood" this summer! <br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-49213447498848860092017-02-07T11:15:00.002-05:002017-02-07T11:16:31.983-05:00Life is Suite Again!It's officially been exactly three months to the day since I blogged. Many of you have given up on me, I am sure, and I do apologize for the long delay. Here are my reasons, in no particular order:<br />
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1. The holidays kill me yearly.<br />
2. Got new computer, which is always a fun learning curve for me.<br />
3. Literally took me six weeks, working on trouble shooting for at least a few minutes almost daily, to sign into this blog again on new computer. I was minutes away from calling Blogger and freaking out on them.<br />
4. Yes, I am a computer disaster, still.<br />
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Okay, so that's actually all perfectly in the right order, from holidays to computer horror. But this morning it all, for no reason I can figure, ACTUALLY WORKED WHEN I TRIED TO SIGN IN! So while I should be organizing the rest of my taxes, I'm seizing the moment!<br />
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So here's what I can't believe - I haven't even told you all about my Suite Life pattern here! Based on the popularity of when I ran it as a Mystery in the fall, I am thinking many of you know about it already. But in case you missed it, it's my first pattern finish of 2017!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRtgSKRIWamZME4LyarzHhE38rkSGDkBmgb7mwDV1nQLFhNL6sxR4Ay8rK0tnsVjiswAod_PQCQRY1kfVeeA9Zk8cKDxZ_8P7V8hbBbp7vB6o9n5XISxlsnUOQKCKxeQDmBU0UzKP5Eg/s1600/Cover+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRtgSKRIWamZME4LyarzHhE38rkSGDkBmgb7mwDV1nQLFhNL6sxR4Ay8rK0tnsVjiswAod_PQCQRY1kfVeeA9Zk8cKDxZ_8P7V8hbBbp7vB6o9n5XISxlsnUOQKCKxeQDmBU0UzKP5Eg/s320/Cover+one.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I know, I know, you are all thinking you are over Christmas and who wants a Christmas pattern now? Maybe true. But I'm a rebel. And I'd rather get this one done now and photographed with snow on the ground (see that snow?) than wait until August. Plus here's hoping Checker can sell a few at Spring Market, when believe it or not, the Christmas stuff is everywhere you turn. <br />
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In any case, I'm not totally wrong. And how can I be wrong when this is SO DARN CUTE??? Slight bias showing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXExSRRoWBd4sob7nrw8WCDZuguZSm15AHRUEPLPV_WZMrYJrOC99r7fIaDLmrBRZUeDNHg7rpLI-7_-arzGh50TEKZBLIhT2OGugCEykOtuTei0WhTd-ppUCf05JNMMJGcpE60kvKpc/s1600/nutcrackerwhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXExSRRoWBd4sob7nrw8WCDZuguZSm15AHRUEPLPV_WZMrYJrOC99r7fIaDLmrBRZUeDNHg7rpLI-7_-arzGh50TEKZBLIhT2OGugCEykOtuTei0WhTd-ppUCf05JNMMJGcpE60kvKpc/s320/nutcrackerwhole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The pattern started life as my Jingle Jumble Mini Mystery last fall, with five clues released over five weeks, plus a bonus clue on finishing ideas. Everyone who participated ended up with a cute table runner, and believe it or not I know of at least five that were given as Christmas gifts! That's how quick and finish-able the runner version is! <br />
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Maybe you find the fact that three of my soldiers are upside down in this photo offensive. Or maybe you find it simply curious, but figure I'm weird and somehow that makes it make sense. Or maybe you instantly get exactly why I did that, which was because when this is on a table, I can either choose to include both sides of the table in the joy of the cuteness, or I can have all the soldier guys facing only one side of the table. Which to me seems a bit unnecessarily rude. So there you go. Don't like the upside down effect? Just turn the blocks around. As with everything, the end product is YOUR quilt. I want you to be happy. I want me to be happy. Answering emails from customers upset that their soldiers are upside down and their dinner party was ruined because of it (hasn't happened, thankfully) would not make me happy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnLkUGUxSRHclIQFth8gsCJuyEviUrFUPNwefpkc3CNFg1d5lhzRwtzSnHGFoZhTo8-mrFPnLwdU0c4AQ5wbEODFoXLrnn3_HC-kmaROr6bMMlacYihamjvI96dwAHU9fdiAuBkKibvg/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnLkUGUxSRHclIQFth8gsCJuyEviUrFUPNwefpkc3CNFg1d5lhzRwtzSnHGFoZhTo8-mrFPnLwdU0c4AQ5wbEODFoXLrnn3_HC-kmaROr6bMMlacYihamjvI96dwAHU9fdiAuBkKibvg/s320/IMG_0322.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little photo session halfie. It was a little windy.</td></tr>
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Currently the "Suite Life" pattern is available as a pdf only, and can be found either on <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/patterns/suite-life/467604">Craftsy</a> or my <a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/suite-life-pattern-currently-pdf-only">website</a>.<br />
So what else have I been up to in three months? Well, here's a quick pictorial rundown to get you back up to date and me totally fluent in posting photos from this new computer.<br />
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1 - <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU_umRyiXSmGHtiLna3YZvFzBOoWhsnRXK6WuJOhd1CLZlbiKwjzarzjbmrJNUuvRiUJMR61vVQ76xBhm_BvvBatlVdL0bFp3rhP7KPO8g6Zg_eFjd0IBaRF1iuFOLBkwd0eGuLxDPm0/s1600/640x640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU_umRyiXSmGHtiLna3YZvFzBOoWhsnRXK6WuJOhd1CLZlbiKwjzarzjbmrJNUuvRiUJMR61vVQ76xBhm_BvvBatlVdL0bFp3rhP7KPO8g6Zg_eFjd0IBaRF1iuFOLBkwd0eGuLxDPm0/s320/640x640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Like the photo says, I'm an Instructor at AQS QuiltWeek Lancaster! HOW CRAZY IS THAT? I'm so excited to bring my "Now YOU Give it a Scrap Slap" color and design class to the national (ack!) stage on the afternoon of March 30. You'll find it listed in the catalog for the show as "Hands On Scrap Slapping," but same thing; AQS had a five word maximum for class title, thus the change of name just for this event. Heading to the show? Dying to meet me? I'm dying to meet you, too! So sign up! <a href="http://www.quiltweek.com/workshops/25504-hands-on-scrap-slapping/">http://www.quiltweek.com/workshops/25504-hands-on-scrap-slapping/</a><br />
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2 <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFzoJR1i7IRVXGY-b8jqHm5vpkZRFc-coy_-dA-mqiBs26A2jjmJbAlkIrRqfWducWG1RGYocEEqyB3o51Qvsc4xAYWmO85fLcYB9PRblEgN3Wyp3wqz2vPCB3uNx4mtkoygbYH2u7i4/s1600/drop+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFzoJR1i7IRVXGY-b8jqHm5vpkZRFc-coy_-dA-mqiBs26A2jjmJbAlkIrRqfWducWG1RGYocEEqyB3o51Qvsc4xAYWmO85fLcYB9PRblEgN3Wyp3wqz2vPCB3uNx4mtkoygbYH2u7i4/s320/drop+2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's time again for Drop and Give Me Twenty! In fact, it started last week, but it's truly not too late to join in at any point in February. Well, maybe the last day or two, because by then what's the point, but now is still plenty of time to join in, get in the habit of sewing 20 minutes a day, and amazing yourself and all the rest of us with all that you can accomplish this month! Come on over and join us at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropandgivemetwenty/">Drop and Give Me Twenty 2017 </a>on Facebook.<br />
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3. Other people's patterns<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbozb7YBtgNpebcE-0W5SckO89G9UDVa7SNqc0cqOjg6GEZWw0m3aP1kTgrXd1DwsAl4xPkwxPjevw6Re820VUuthPts2uFYy72LMbuHeipax7OAbT1HCcWQLvZfiuJyljARzOZ7fkl4/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbozb7YBtgNpebcE-0W5SckO89G9UDVa7SNqc0cqOjg6GEZWw0m3aP1kTgrXd1DwsAl4xPkwxPjevw6Re820VUuthPts2uFYy72LMbuHeipax7OAbT1HCcWQLvZfiuJyljARzOZ7fkl4/s320/IMG_0221.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sometimes you just need or want to have fun with another designer's
ideas. I had such fun "VFW-ing" my orphan blocks into a Victoria Findlay
Wolfe inspired "15 Minutes of Play" type quilt. It was a study in
partial seaming and more than once had me tearing my hair out for lack
of another 1/2" on a block, but in the end it's for sure a totally
unique quilt no one else could claim as their own. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQNZMBeEPBRwdkuIfzQmQf9ykxxC50I_HH9HmE8nHj7Y3q2ooMr5Rp5GCGHb4u01Ub1rMJBraBvW7eFHFYh4jW5CuJAxvI87z9-rfLi_3wc5x3sc7ayK9daKczvxVxGXVToU1t6AY6GE/s1600/painted+forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQNZMBeEPBRwdkuIfzQmQf9ykxxC50I_HH9HmE8nHj7Y3q2ooMr5Rp5GCGHb4u01Ub1rMJBraBvW7eFHFYh4jW5CuJAxvI87z9-rfLi_3wc5x3sc7ayK9daKczvxVxGXVToU1t6AY6GE/s320/painted+forest.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I finished <a href="http://bluenickelstudios.com/shop/?item-details=192364556&item-name=Painted-Forest----A-Fresh-New-Urban-Folk-Pattern-from-Blue-Nickel-Studios">Blue Nickel Studios's "Painted Forest" pattern</a> last week, and I cannot tell you how in love with it I am. The colors and fabrics were WAY too much fun to put together and I cannot wait to quilt it. What shocks me the most is how close to Scott Hansen's original colors I stayed. That is testament to his awesomeness for sure; I NEVER seem to go with what has been presented to me, but this time I did. And made a complete disastrous upheaval of my entire studio in the process; why is it that no matter what scrap I'm working with, I know I have another one somewhere that could be even better.<br />
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That should catch you up on a few highlights. Here's hoping next time I try to blog in a week or so I can get back in here to do it!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-50964485409447328132016-11-07T10:00:00.000-05:002016-11-07T10:00:19.952-05:00Maggie is All Danced Out and Heading Home <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F6QARlMdOWDzZ7SKYh0qjr8iq6hODA0cT6FAbnXrbId2P0N3QuQ3OyF-npf9TBuvHZlWugqI1XTjRVIbAlPsqR5l3yRqWdRcpd5TNeH6EzKp2WO3LDrbat_ov508L3johXvOu0nCUcc/s1600/ButtonSpring2016MaggiesFirstDanceBOMwithBorder.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F6QARlMdOWDzZ7SKYh0qjr8iq6hODA0cT6FAbnXrbId2P0N3QuQ3OyF-npf9TBuvHZlWugqI1XTjRVIbAlPsqR5l3yRqWdRcpd5TNeH6EzKp2WO3LDrbat_ov508L3johXvOu0nCUcc/s320/ButtonSpring2016MaggiesFirstDanceBOMwithBorder.jpg" width="320" /></a>
When Jacquelynne asked if I would be a sponsor for this BOM project, I answered that I'd be thrilled to send prizes (which I did, in month 3)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJHInCWvtSG_heG984tP8jGGC2TRH3RXQ2FA4rczVWWHVJwUi5XT571KxGo_S-6gXqTJuMHGr7Zo6KL0uRiswjV-JeXrLpLZNcHc5uSS92l7eUWy_2BjLyLDE2WleGS2PjTiIDqoMqiM/s1600/August-Giveaway-EvaPaigeKit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJHInCWvtSG_heG984tP8jGGC2TRH3RXQ2FA4rczVWWHVJwUi5XT571KxGo_S-6gXqTJuMHGr7Zo6KL0uRiswjV-JeXrLpLZNcHc5uSS92l7eUWy_2BjLyLDE2WleGS2PjTiIDqoMqiM/s320/August-Giveaway-EvaPaigeKit.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/mod-ified-trees-kit">Remember that? </a></td></tr>
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but that I really wasn't sure I could commit to being an actual blogging sewer. She convinced me otherwise and I'm so glad she did. I work best on deadlines, and I love having a little project on the side that is just for fun. This filled both slots for me, and to top it off everyone who has been lucky enough to enter the morass of my quilt studio in the last few months has exclaimed over it on my design wall. Even my 13 year olds.That is saying something, people. So thank you, <a href="http://www.jacquelynnesteves.com/">Jacquelynne</a>, for this lovely experience!<br />
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And thank you, readers, for showing up to see how I'm going to scrap up the quilt every month.
Those of you who know me know I love to get a little crazy with a border. Emphasis on "little;" I'm not saying I go all nutso and avant garde and asymmetrical and artsy, but I do go rogue and change them up most of the time, generally adding a little piecing to long plain borders. Is there anything wrong with long plain borders? No. So why do I do this?
1. My scrappy heart demands it.
2. My limited supply of yardage demands it.
Being a scrappy designer means the most I ever buy of most fabrics, even if I really really love them, is a half yard. Long borders generally don't work with half yards.<br />
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Sure, I could go buy more fabric. But that would mean I had started these borders in time to do so. Deadlines. I love them, I work well with them, but I like to test my sanity.<br />
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So that's what I came up with for borders to round out my scrappy version of Maggie. Let's see how I changed it up a bit from the original version.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ve39ehiYvv1Bc6zmsPVeuaHkJAhVnm9E08mFUJcvnwcSSQAUcmOyTdGMFkhE0RLEqwsbkYZh579Y4X6c72igAiFlLHc8ZblXGeeBKCU9SdwXV-IQn4R6_0wFtEkRQiT41trsTii8u_g/s1600/Maggie+sides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ve39ehiYvv1Bc6zmsPVeuaHkJAhVnm9E08mFUJcvnwcSSQAUcmOyTdGMFkhE0RLEqwsbkYZh579Y4X6c72igAiFlLHc8ZblXGeeBKCU9SdwXV-IQn4R6_0wFtEkRQiT41trsTii8u_g/s400/Maggie+sides.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Darn but I do love a good recolorization. Look at how different they look! I do love how the red triangles in the original evoke for me a feeling of an old photo album, which goes along with the old fashioned feel of Jacquelynne's version. So cool.<br />
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For my version, I didn't change anything about the construction of the first two borders. All I did was recolor them. Instead of doing all the corner HSTs in grey with red, I did one each of grey with each color in my scheme of green, yellow, blue, and purple. Then instead of the long white borders, I chose to add long colored borders, again in the same color scheme. Placing the HST and long borders of the same color together on one end at each corner kind of blends it all together and makes it look like a ribbon changing color as it goes around the blocks.<br />
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Or not. That's what I'm seeing, you may see just some colored lines. Quilting, man. It's all in the eye of the beholder. But that's what I did for the first border.<br />
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The second border, the thin grey border. I left the same. I tend to have a lot of grey in my stash, because I use it as backgrounds. So I had enough to work with for that border.<br />
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The third border demanded I either go to the fabric store, which as we covered earlier wasn't happening for lack of time, or come up with a pieced border that would look like it belonged. As I'm better at doing the latter than spending time and money at crunch time, I dove back into the scrap bins to find two fabrics each in....say it with me now....green, yellow, blue, and purple! I think I may have you trained.<br />
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Made 16 HSTs out of my scraps and background, and turned one set of each color (if you don't know by now the colors, there is no hope for you) into a flying goose 4 1/2" x 8 1/2".<br />
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At risk of boring you to tears with this same picture AGAIN, I'm throwing it here one last time so that you can follow along without having to scroll up to look. I'm thinking of you. Really I am.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also props to my neighbors Julie and Scott for giving me carte blanche to use their fence as a backdrop for photos.</td></tr>
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Then I cut eight strips of background fabric 4 1/2" x 14 1/2" and sewed one to either end of the flying goose units. I sewed an HST to either end of these borders - check out the top border with the purple flying goose. It has a blue HST on the left and a yellow HST on the right. Then I could just add two of these borders to the sides, and throw grey cornerstones on the remaining two borders and smack them right onto the top and bottom.<br />
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"Smack." It's a quilting term.<br />
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Now, remember my purple situation with one of my blocks? Yeah, I'm over it. Yes, I still know which one it is. But at first glance, I doubt you do. And if you do, don't tell me. Moral of story - anything can blend if you throw enough variety of fabrics at it to deflect the viewer's eye.<br />
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I really enjoyed this project and I actually plan to finish it! Really I do! I think it will be a great springtime quilt to hang in my front hall, where I tend to put my seasonal ones. That means I have about 4 months to finish it, and I think I can squeeze it in.<br />
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Our prize today is one that I LOVE. I mean, LOVE beyond all reason love and use always and think the inventor is brilliant LOVE. The Clearly Perfect Angles by <a href="http://www.newleafstitches.rainadmin.com/">New Leaf Stitches</a>.<br />
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If you have never experienced the sheer ecstasy of the CPA (and I'm not talking about your accountant), you NEED TO. You just do. I have forever thought that the most primitive method we quilters are still using in our work is drawing the $^&*$# corner to corner lines on squares that we are going to make into HSTs or flying geese or whatever. I mean OMG. It's the 21st century. We can do better. And you know what - Kari Carr DID! She invented this gizmo; it adheres to your machine with all sorts of cool guidelines so that you can always have a perfect 1/4" seam, always know where to place your block for sewing corner to corner or 1/4" away from corner to corner, can make 45 degree angles for foundation piecing or geese effortlessly, can join binding strips without fear of wonk (another quilting term)....I mean the list is long, people. It's the best $11 you can spend. I love it so much I'm going to be demo-ing it when I head to Tannersville PA next weekend to be the speaker at "Quilters Day Out" sponsored by Mountain Laurel Quilters' Guild. And I don't just demo anything, you know. I have to love it so much that I gush my face off. It makes for much more entertaining demo.<br />
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To enter the CPA giveaway, please comment below answering the following questions:<br />
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1. Have you been plugging along on Maggie's First Dance, and if so, how far have you gotten?<br />
2. Favorite book you read recently. I know this has nothing to do with Maggie, but I read audible books while I quilt and I desperately need some new ideas.<br />
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I've really enjoyed getting to know so many of you over the last six months. I'm definitely going to miss our little monthly Monday morning chats. If you will too, please consider following me on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EvaPaigeQuiltDesigns">Facebook page</a>, on IG (@evapaigequilts), or <a href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=an5iokhab&p=oi&m=1107378338208&sit=ktyx5sigb&f=442b4808-9c5d-46be-a8d8-b91148a19e0e">signing up for my newsletter</a>. Any one of these places is a great way to be among the first to see where I'm going to be live and gushing about my favorite products, or to find out about cool projects I'm doing, like the <a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/jingle-jumble-mini-mystery">Jingle Jumble Mini Mystery</a> I have going right now. We're on week 3 today, but you can hop in at any time through 11/28 - and it's a "Mini" mystery, so you'll more than likely catch up quickly!<br />
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Thanks for sharing this time with me! I've enjoyed it! Hope to see you again soon!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-81149676132056886172016-10-03T10:00:00.000-04:002016-10-03T10:00:22.532-04:00Maggie's Swinging into a Square DanceMonth Five! For real! Can you believe it? The BOM has just marched on this year and it feels like every few days that I'm getting a friendly reminder from Jacquelynne to kindly get off my butt (my words, not hers) and make my blocks and blog about how amazing I am (again, my words, not hers). So here we are, and here we go!<br />
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Ha! Remember my butterfly sitch <a href="http://evapaigequiltdesigns.blogspot.com/2016/09/block-4-maggies-dance-card-is-getting.html">last month</a>? I just noticed the butterfly is on the logo up there. The whole thing. Jacquelynne really is so much better than I am in all ways.<br />
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So this month we make five blocks. ACK! FIVE! Does this mean in month six I'm making SIX, because if so I better start now. I saved it all til yesterday and while they weren't hard, between picking out all my scrappy fabrics and cutting and sewing all five it was one of those projects that "expanded to fill up the time allotted," ie took me all day. However, I love my blocks, so well worth it.<br />
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I decided to add a little more color and scrappiness to my blocks, so I chose to use five different fabrics in each of my four main colors (blue, purple, green, yellow) rather than just yellow. So that meant a dive into my scrap bins.<br />
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I know many scrappy quilt designers like to preach that you should cut and order your scraps into special sizes, like 5" squares and 2 1/2" strips. To this idea, I always say "What happens when you need a bigger piece of scrap, or feel like doing something more exciting than using a couple of different sizes?" To my knowledge, none of the famous designers who order their scraps has actually heard me ask them this nor have they felt the need to answer me personally, but whatever. To each their own. My bins are scraps from tiny to just under 1/4 yard and I like it that way. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual randomly sized scraps found in my purple bin.</td></tr>
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I found what I needed and cut them all into the size given. Because I am a quilter, I own tools to cut things, and that is what I do. Doesn't bother me at all that they weren't all precut to 2 1/2" strips. Because now I have more of most of them in bigger sizes and I STILL got to use them in this project. #winning<br />
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You can probably tell my greys were all different too. Because why not. My middle name is Random.<br />
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Cutting and sewing for an afternoon lead to five blocks, three illustrated here, along with the cautionary tale of "If you store your scraps in jumbled bins as I do, they tend to be wrinkly even after pressing." Bad news: I was too lazy to repress them before taking this photo. Good news: I can and will press them to death before I put the quilt together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you can't tell is that all these whites are different, even within blocks. This is a truly scrappy quilt.</td></tr>
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Remember my issue with that one purple last month, and my musing that, should I decide to care, it might not really go with the rest of my purples? Well, I think making these blocks scrappy has sufficiently rendered the point moot. One of my constant quilting mottoes, along with "Perfection is Overrated," is "Whenever possible, Deflect." I think all this color does that well.<br />
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I'm already kind of excited about an idea I have to add a little more color to these alternate blocks. This of course assumes I will finish it. Because as you can see, I don't even have the whole thing together although I should, and you likely will never return to my blog to see if I do finish it because this month has proven I am slacking. Here's hoping we can all just picture it for now. I do promise to have it together AND WITH BORDERS next month! You heard it here first.<br />
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Someone who never slacks is this month's giveaway sponsor - Christa Watson of <a href="http://www.christaquilts.com/">Christa Quilts</a>. I've gotten to know her professionally over the last couple of years and she is a wonder. She designs fabulous modern patterns and wrote the best book on machine quilting I've ever come upon (no money was exchanged for me to say that) "<a href="http://christaquilts.bigcartel.com/">The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting</a>," which she penned along with <a href="http://www.quiltingismytherapy.com/">Angela Walters</a>. Angela covers the long arm parts, and Christa covers the domestic machine parts. As I am a domestic machine quilter, or of as I call it the "roll, stuff, swear, drink, repeat" variety, her tips on quilting designs and using your tiny machine for big quilting impact are amazing.<br />
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However, disclaimer. The book is amazing but that is not the prize this month. Never fear, though - Her patterns are just as fabulous! I mean look how cute! <br />
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In order to win the pattern pack, you must leave a comment for me telling me your favorite fall soup or stew. Recipe optional; you know we are all just going to look it up on Pinterest anyway if it sounds good. I considered asking you to tell me your brand of iron given my nasty wrinkled blocks, but that was just boring. And iron is only good to eat in cereal.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com96tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-31866168170087657832016-09-19T14:18:00.000-04:002016-09-19T14:23:12.281-04:00Bloggers Quilt Festival - "Snack Bandito"<br />
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As always, the<a href="http://www.amyscreativeside.com/2016/09/19/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2016-edition/"> BQF </a>has snuck up on me. And as always, I don't have any sort of fantastic amazing quilt that might be remotely in the running for a prize. But what I do have is a little project I designed for a shop in NE to use as their Row by Row row (there has to be a better way to say that), which I just love and hope you will as well!<br />
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Many times the Row by Row row (there it is again) is designed by a shop employee, or a designer who lives nearby the shop, or even a famous designer. I fall in none of those categories, having designed this row for <a href="http://www.thequiltbasket-york.com/">The Quilt Basket</a> in York NE - NE standing in this case for Nebraska, not New England, mind you. So imagine my surprise when they contacted me and asked if I'd be interested. Imagine further my concern about whether I could design something they could be proud to use as their Row by Row row (hereafter to be referred to as the Triple R) when their vision was to have "a vertical Triple R featuring a corn row with a raccoon sitting at the bottom chowing down on an ear of corn." That may not have been the exact wording, but it for sure was the gist. I do love me a challenge, though, so I was happy to give it a go.<br />
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Don't you love the first step of the design or quilting process, which is fabric shopping? I was told to go with fabrics that were batik-y and tone on tone-y (my terms, not theirs, but I knew what they meant) so that when they were kitting the design, they could find easy substitutions to what I was using out here in the eastern NE.<br />
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Found the greens, greys, and the best corn fabric EVER IN THE HISTORY OF CORN FABRIC. This will be much more obvious in the next photo.<br />
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I love designing machine applique, but have to admit I am a weird form of designer who really can't draw very well. Often my shapes end up much more realistic in fabric than they do with just pen and paper. The corn I figured I could fake okay by looking at photos of corn, but the raccoon could be an issue. Thank God for coloring books! Thankfully I found a cartoony looking raccoon I was able to use as a model and made my own for this row. Using Mistyfuse as my fusible, I was able to cut out all the various racoon parts and fuse him all together first, just to make sure I had the right scale compared to my row and corn size. Isn't he pretty cute?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND LOOK AT THAT CORN FABRIC! PERFECTION!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super extreme closeup. Because why not.</td></tr>
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The corn was less fun to make, but only because corn doesn't really have much of a sparkling personality. But it had to be done. I used a random piece of background to play with the scale of the corn vs the racoon and see how many leaves, etc, I would need to fill the space.<br />
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Once I was happy with the scale and shapes, I fused the corn and raccoon to my Triple R background, and the fun began! A little zig zagging around the raccoon parts gave him a personality - and some blue eyes. </div>
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A little thread painting gave my corn a little silk. I was pretty proud of that part, even if it may not have been exactly how corn is found in nature. But hey, it's a quilt, right? Of a cartoony racoon eating corn. Perfectly realistic wouldn't have blended with my brand of imperfection.<br />
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A little zig zagging to smack him onto the background and we had the design.<br />
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The Quilt Basket really only wanted the row as a row, but I took it upon myself recently to go ahead and finish it off as a wall hanging. He seems like he's pretty happy about being a real quilt now, not just a Triple R.<br />
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I do love an unbalanced border for a little interest. If you imagine hard enough, those little yellow squares can turn into corn kernels, right? Or maybe that's really stretching it. Either way, I like it.<br />
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A few close ups:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As always, I'm not a fabulous machine quilter, but I am a very enthusiastic one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now and then, the perfect back appears. </td></tr>
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We used the name "Home 'Sweet Corn' Home" for the Triple R, but I'm calling my version "Snack Bandito." Right now all of the Triple Rs are "in the vault," so to speak, and if you missed out on getting the directions from <a href="http://www.thequiltbasket-york.com/">The Quilt Basket</a> this summer, you are out of luck until November 1, when the shop is allowed to sell kits. I believe they plan to do so. I also may release a pattern including the borders and finishing options early next year, or may even add a little something or someone to make it a bigger quilt. Time will tell. For now, though, I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about the background of designing this Triple R!<br />
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Thank you for stopping by! I'd love to know if you participated in Row by Row this year! And especially if not only you participated, but you actually collected this row. And oh my goodness, if you participated, collected, AND made the row?? The trifecta! Please if so share a photo with me at <a href="mailto:evapaigequilts@charter.net">evapaigequilts@charter.net</a>! I don't think I can ever be tired of seeing my designs made up in actual fabric by amazing quilter peeps!<br />
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Enjoy the BQF!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-39953269014998624762016-09-05T10:00:00.000-04:002016-09-05T10:00:31.849-04:00Block #4! Maggie's Dance Card is Getting Full!Well, thank God for this sew along. Otherwise, I obviously would have no need to blog! Have I mentioned August is not my favorite month? And clearly I had nothing good to say. So let's hope September is better and this isn't the only time you'll be hearing from me!<br />
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One of the reasons I was only too happy to lend my blogging and sewing services to this sew along is that as a designer, I rarely have time to work with someone else's pattern. Between all the designs in my own head and trying to work on those, weed out those that don't work, get a few out into the world each year, and sharing them on the road with lectures and workshops, along with these other people living in my house and demanding attention, it's honestly a real treat to just follow someone else's lead for a bit, and of course to put my own little touch on it in the form of scrappiness!<br />
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The green/blue/purple/yellow theme continues with block #4!<br />
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And you know what else continues? My overarching lifetime theme of imperfectionism.<br />
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Nice job on that butterfly placement! Woo hoo! <br /><br />You might wonder if I noticed the problem before I added the grey corner. You might not be at all surprised that yes, I did, but my next thought after an expletive was "What the heck ever." Sometimes butterflies fly just out of our sight. Let's pretend I wanted to get all philosophical with this block and the meaning of butterflies we just can't quite reach, rather than the true fact that I suck at applique placement.<br />
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In other imperfect news, I am still trying to decide if I should redo the purple in block #2 - top left in this photo.<br />
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True to my word at the beginning, I've kept it scrappy and used different greens, blues, purples, yellows, and even different greys and whites in each block. It's all being pulled from my scrap bins every month. My actual yardage stash is likely feeling very neglected. In any case, though, the purple in block #2 is a bit more on the maroon side than the rest of them. Can I live with it? I'm not, after all, one to stress over these things or be one with my seam ripper. I am, however, one to be obsessive about color sense, and I think I generally have a good one.This purple just might not work. But I'm willing to do some alternate blocks next month and see if I can settle it down a bit.<br />
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I'm sure you all have opinions. Feel free to share them. I may or may not take your advice or my own even, but it's always nice to have options and ideas.<br />
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This month's giveaway is sponsored by Deanne of Snuggles Quilts. Who doesn't love a snuggle?<br />
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Win three of her beautiful patterns just by entering! In the comments, to celebrate the end of my least favorite season and the beginning of my favorite, tell me what you are looking forward to most about this fall. If you hate fall, that's okay, but I hope you can find something to look forward to in the next few months or life will just be sad. Sad like half a butterfly. We don't want that.<br />
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Happy sewing! <br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com84tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-64137431015513264332016-08-01T10:00:00.000-04:002016-08-01T10:00:10.329-04:00Maggie's First Dance BOM #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We're back! And guess who is not only your blogger of the moment today, but also the prize sponsor this month? OMG......IT'S ME! And my Mod-ified Trees kit! </div>
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So crazy, right? And here you all thought I was just hanging out behind the scenes, putting together my blocks and blogging wittily about the process. But as with all of us, in reality I'm so much more. This post should prove that by the end!</div>
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Let's get started on Block #3!</div>
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As you can see, mine continues in that blue/yellow/purple/green scrappy theme, and this time adds a touch of whimsy in the form of "I threw this thing together the night before I left for 10 days in Vancouver and Alaska and I didn't even bother to trim it before snapping the photo." But you get the idea. It's (basically) done and awaits only some machine applique thread work and trimming. <br />
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I'm going to show you in a second how I went about using the Transdoodle by <a href="http://www.mistyfuse.com/">Mistyfuse</a> with my applique pieces because it might just be my most favorite new notion, but first let's point one thing out....remember my fancy little tip last month about flipping your fabric over and using the "wrong" side if it is just a little "too"? Well, this month my grey fabric was just a little too dark and features that little trick..and if you compare the photo above of the pieced grey pieces with the photo below of the grey piece I used for applique, you can totally see it. It's like two fabrics in one! Who wouldn't love that?<br />
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But yeah, on to the Transdoodle! Mistyfuse Iris is one of my sponsors for my Teal Mini Swap (more below) and in addition to sponsoring a blog giveaway, she also was kind enough to throw a Transdoodle in for me because I said I was a little bit fascinated with the idea of it. And then I used it for this block and man, I'm even more so! It's a packet of tracing papers of different colors and tones (dark to light) with a powdery substance (not anthrax) (I'm assuming) on one side which you use to trace your applique shapes onto your fabrics prepared with Mistyfuse. No more #2 pencils and parchment! </div>
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So here's what you do. First, rough cut your applique pieces (NOT THE SHAPES!) and fit them together as best you can on a piece of Mistyfuse. I used one about 10" square(ish).<br />
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It works much better if you can place the Mistyfuse on parchment first, but it is hard to see the Mistyfuse in the photo when I did that. So here's what it really looks like. I promise the Mistyfuse is there.</div>
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Then you are going to want to put a second layer of parchment over the top of the whole thing and press well. The Mistyfuse just kind of melts right into the fabric.</div>
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You can either cut your pieces apart once they are all fused, or just leave them together. I opted to leave them together and just line up my shapes with the fabrics I was going to use for them, but either way will work. Do what works best for you. <br />
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To transfer the markings, I layered the Transdoodle sheet (I'm using white here, since I started with the flower, which is a dark color) on top of the WRONG SIDE of the fabric (ie the Mistyfuse side) <br />
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Then all you have to do is trace with some sort of sharpish/bluntish object that won't make a mark, like a hera tool, a dry ballpoint pen, or raid the "weird tools" slot of your notions box and grab the kabob stick you use for turning tubes. That's what I used.<br />
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I of course forgot to take a photo of the flower, but here you can see how the leaf shape turned out when I used the Transdoodle. Pretty cool, huh? Then all you have to do is cut it out and place it!<br />
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Thanks Jacquelynne for another lovely little flower block.<br />
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Along with Maggie's BOM, I'd like to take a moment to talk about my current project, one that Jacquelynne was kind enough to help me out with by being a <a href="http://jacquelynnesteves.com/featured/teal-mini-swap-for-ovarian-cancer-research/#more-7218">blogger and giveaway spot </a>herself last week - My annual <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/twoforteal2014/">Teal Mini Swap</a>. It's a mini swap (natch) and fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and I'm running it for the fifth year to coincide with September being Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.<br />
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Each year, I've been blessed to have quilters come together from all over the USA to join me in this event. Participants pay $15 to register, $10 of which is donated to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. The rest goes to my expenses, which thanks to the USPS are not insubstantial. Why OCRF? Simply put, they are leading the way in both research and awareness for this deadly horrible disease, and have been doing so ever since my mom was first in treatment 16 years ago. Even 14 years after her death I still receive their newsletters and am amazed by the advances, most of which might have kept her alive long enough to meet her first grandchildren in 2002 had they been available then....but it's still never enough. I don't want more women to be affected. I don't want quilters to have this disease happen to them. I can't prevent it, but I can use my internet presence to make a difference each year. To date, my fundraiser has raised over 7000 dollars (including this year's registrations so far) for OCRF. Sure, it's not millions. But it's a start. <br />
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This year's fabric sponsor (I'm big enough for a fabric sponsor, anyway! Woo Hoo!) is Moda, and swappers all receive a piece of this fabric, modeled by me, to be used in the mini they will make for their partner. <br />
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Registration began last week, and will continue until August 29. We've already got participants from 44 states and I'd love to turn the whole map teal!<br />
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Here's a few of the cool minis swappers received last year. You can see even more by scrolling through our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/twoforteal2014">Teal Mini Swap Facebook group</a>. The talent in this group amazes me more every year.<br />
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Jacquelynne was lovely to help me out with the kickoff, so <a href="http://jacquelynnesteves.com/featured/teal-mini-swap-for-ovarian-cancer-research/">please check out her blog too</a>! She just might inspire you. And if you want to <a href="http://conta.cc/2a5EEMr">register to join the swap</a>, I certainly won't stop you! Let's kick ovarian cancer to the curb and run it over with the car for good measure. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxjjznkEajb2iwx6UsHBSnPMIPlfeBpm4ZL6nPyKFTFSg4D7Cb3JYvbcz9UB29iCef34kgb3UdRNFlBsVZUn5YSx7BIxUQA_AQ8Hs7xjm3T0WfkNQvrZkVfW-kUxbKafQzERmFBuy1hc/s1600/EvaPaige+Ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxjjznkEajb2iwx6UsHBSnPMIPlfeBpm4ZL6nPyKFTFSg4D7Cb3JYvbcz9UB29iCef34kgb3UdRNFlBsVZUn5YSx7BIxUQA_AQ8Hs7xjm3T0WfkNQvrZkVfW-kUxbKafQzERmFBuy1hc/s1600/EvaPaige+Ad.jpg" /></a></div>
But now back to this month's BOM giveaway, my cute little <a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/mod-ified-trees-16-x-39-runner">Mod-ified Trees</a> kit. This silly little pattern is way fun to whip together and takes just an afternoon - FOR REAL! It's almost as much fun to pick out the fabrics, so I love putting together the kits!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFPZIwKJ8yRxZ9_YBPqskmbDwFS9iFVQ-7mVeZS3GsvB8_ymzO-NmvUpADDKNyXB5YSVjafZIcKtKiGKociYB_CzcDPH8Tz1cCVmqp3j5DtRCQ-flDPNvhoCCJ-if70DSDKBjv_7MqoE/s1600/mod+paula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFPZIwKJ8yRxZ9_YBPqskmbDwFS9iFVQ-7mVeZS3GsvB8_ymzO-NmvUpADDKNyXB5YSVjafZIcKtKiGKociYB_CzcDPH8Tz1cCVmqp3j5DtRCQ-flDPNvhoCCJ-if70DSDKBjv_7MqoE/s320/mod+paula.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's even a really great pattern when done in country colors, like one customer made!</td></tr>
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To enter to win the kit, please leave me a comment telling me if you like the color teal, or if you think teal is the color of gangrene. Or both. I suppose they don't necessarily have to be mutually exclusive options! If you don't like teal, do tell me a color or palette you prefer to use instead when you create. We all have our favorites!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to Block #4 with you!Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com210tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-5893639528580968682016-07-18T13:55:00.001-04:002016-07-18T13:55:42.774-04:00Vinnie Loves Maude Quiltalong #5 - Dessert is Served and it Tastes Like Quilting Thread<br />We made it to the end, though not without more drama than should happen on a first date. Thank you all for your kind words and your patience as our time together was disrupted by the very unexpected death of my mother in law. I'm very hopeful that the rest of the summer will be full of only happy things.
Happy things, like the finishing of a quilt!<br />
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Is there anything that can bring a quilter simple joy quicker than the last stitch of a binding? I can't think of anything right off the top of my head, actually. Maybe the smell of a new jellyroll in the morning? The sound a new blade makes on your fabric, hopefully not to be followed by the sound of a scream of pain coming from your own mouth as you run over a finger? I guess actually the simple joys are pretty endless.<br />
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We've reached the final stage of our QAL, the one where in pattern booklets the directions often start and end with "Quilt as Desired." Often causing palpitations and stress sweat, am I right?
If you check out page 7, #2 under "finishing" you'll see that even in my pattern booklets I try not to leave you completely hanging. It's here that I wrote "The cover quilt was machine quilted with loops in the prints and outlines in the low volume areas, and wavy lines in the borders."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YA0rbknpz2PeXCDRZzOHozQp7GGPHQ_iBezqe6JKaWhZY8SoUm7L_yjxentvI0ojD-QWai2CuPnp7Tu_nLvzHfvqYceuAnNHyaMQWZiaVhVJbslGF93fPPhDbNkWKpuAJJFb9rwW-ZU/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YA0rbknpz2PeXCDRZzOHozQp7GGPHQ_iBezqe6JKaWhZY8SoUm7L_yjxentvI0ojD-QWai2CuPnp7Tu_nLvzHfvqYceuAnNHyaMQWZiaVhVJbslGF93fPPhDbNkWKpuAJJFb9rwW-ZU/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what that meant - loops big and small in the body of the quilt.</td></tr>
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Admittedly, that's still a pretty generic description. How big are the loops? Do I mean all the prints, both outer and inner circle thingies? What color or weight thread did I use? What cocktail did I prepare to celebrate when I was done quilting it all on my home machine? I mean really, the unanswered questions are still there. (The answers: Both big in the background and small in the prints; yes, all the prints; 40 wt coral thread, and red wine.)<br /><br />Sometimes all that a quilter needs to stop "quilting paralysis" is to have a jumping off point. Maybe it helps. Maybe it doesn't. But I can sleep better at night knowing my own patterns contain a little quilting encouragement in the form of "WWBD" (What Would Beth Do) at the end.<br />
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Though it is hard to see, I did do very similar quilting on the famous runner. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQOht7SwNOOIssxVVg3lb7_iotOjlcXPGRonVFrPFjizFIAz7T9Vr_NqOKI7b0HAOqp14_lnSZmh7z6aPWrFGXriKBjQbC2gLgMc6JjJIwn0MXeXSHZBc3IK3JCX-c_HNbVLddeecAJE/s1600/vinnie+runner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQOht7SwNOOIssxVVg3lb7_iotOjlcXPGRonVFrPFjizFIAz7T9Vr_NqOKI7b0HAOqp14_lnSZmh7z6aPWrFGXriKBjQbC2gLgMc6JjJIwn0MXeXSHZBc3IK3JCX-c_HNbVLddeecAJE/s320/vinnie+runner2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully you can zoom in!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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If you are looking for a more modern looking option that is as simple as it comes but looks pretty darn amazing, I believe you can't go wrong with random wavy lines. I used them to finish this extra block I had from the swap and I personally think it is pretty darn cute. <br />
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The key with the wavy lines? Don't make them perfect! Don't make them parallel to each other. Wave some in while the line next to it waves out! The less they line up the better! How can that not appeal to my imperfectionist base?<br />
<br />Don't believe me that they need to be imperfect? Make some wavy lines all perfectly parallel to each other. I think you'll find the overall design turns boring. At least it sure does in my opinion. And if you hang out here enough, you know that I DO have opinions. <br />
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Wavy lines too free love-hippie-style for you? No worries. As much of a pain as straight line quilting is (sorry, not trying to discourage anyone from trying it, but make sure you clear your schedule for several days if you go this route), it always looks (and feels!) amazing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP42Xw-R0EL0ek7zoGgpCCcSp0KqpVlSXugmerBy1G6wpXvEL7qs_Gwb-k6GE4Z4Xe_mRc5YUzcridyHWc8gTtod39SpHrTpTdhdDJ7FwEJtNAvWlOsK_f0pL_cXHXlIWC9mvMkTtMAU/s1600/Vinniedone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP42Xw-R0EL0ek7zoGgpCCcSp0KqpVlSXugmerBy1G6wpXvEL7qs_Gwb-k6GE4Z4Xe_mRc5YUzcridyHWc8gTtod39SpHrTpTdhdDJ7FwEJtNAvWlOsK_f0pL_cXHXlIWC9mvMkTtMAU/s320/Vinniedone.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lines are 3/4" apart. Because I know you were asking in your head.</td></tr>
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This photo of my finished QAL quilt shows how I not only straight line quilted my top, but I divided it into sections on the diagonals to do so. Not only did this make me feel like I was accomplishing the quilting quicker, because who doesn't love being able to check off a section as DONE, but it also made the quilting stand out more and add more movement. Way fun.<br />
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A lot of people like to use painters tape or some other marking tool on their quilt when they straight line quilt, and it's definitely a great way to ensure your lines stay completely perfect. But you know me. Like I care about completely perfect. When I straight line quilt I'll mark the very first line along the diagonal so I know I'm off to the right start, then I just eyeball it. Having received plenty of compliments on my quilting over the years, a few of them even deserved, I know I don't feel the need to get all crazy with marking. But you might. If so, I say go for it.<br />
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Thanks so much for playing along with my little QAL. Having never done one before, I had no idea what to <br />
expect or how to make sure people felt involved, and I am not sure I did all the right things. But for a first time it was fun and I think a good start. Hopefully you got a little more info about how these blocks came to be, how to create them, and what you can do with them once you do. <br /><br />These lessons, and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/VMquiltalong/">FB group</a>, will live on for as long as Blogger and FB allow, and I encourage you to share your photos and your experiences in the group! <br />
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Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-47465627017885026022016-07-04T10:00:00.000-04:002016-07-04T10:00:00.151-04:00Block #2 Maggie's First Dance BOMThe resounding message I received from my first block posting was heard loud and clear - "WE LOVE YOUR COLORS!" Well, thank you, hotties every one of you. You have impeccable taste when it comes to color sense. <br /><br />I loved all of the blocks I saw from my fellow bloggers, so I know this is high praise indeed.<br />
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As you may recall, I had decided to go with "scrappy" as my theme for this BOM, but that's about as far as I had gotten in my planning. Your love of my colors made me cement my thought that I might keep the same color families (green, purple, blue, yellow, white, grey) for each block, but use different fabrics of those colors in each block. So that's exactly what I did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5OHlTPTXvxnzPEj5_r2hKB6fbKK4UJ2ARKYDzXk_uIDgbuNmsHY4tRgPf9_UzYqj1WtotMSHkvnZWdlu6CBTt6J2SEx2_6rPIYv72n0RVMGnHmnP51VjfBw6iYIn9cfeKXhfcxTE35A/s1600/140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5OHlTPTXvxnzPEj5_r2hKB6fbKK4UJ2ARKYDzXk_uIDgbuNmsHY4tRgPf9_UzYqj1WtotMSHkvnZWdlu6CBTt6J2SEx2_6rPIYv72n0RVMGnHmnP51VjfBw6iYIn9cfeKXhfcxTE35A/s320/140.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forgive the wrinkles. Not only is it still scrappy, but it flew 800 miles stuffed in a suitcase.</td></tr>
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You may note that I tried a little something new with this block, and that something was thread painting the center part. In my mind, this was going to be quicker than tracing and cutting out and fusing and appliqueing all the little pieces down. This notion proved to be laughably inaccurate and proved yet again how very entertaining it must be to live in my mind. But whatever. It was an experience.<br />
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It's pretty clear that I used the time-honored motto of "If you can't do it well, do it with enthusiasm." In all honesty, it's frightening how many areas of my life this motto has been applied to, but that's a story for another day. In this case it was worth it to try something a bit new and see what happened. That's another of my mottoes (nod to Dan Quayle) and I'll never regret being adventuresome! I'm not sure if I'll attempt it on another block center or not, but I'm glad I gave it a go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvbw47nnsjRJDhaI0Vo2zzYcktTbBSrF_J7ggBUaVMN8fKulrXefiO6bF3yBVM3xppgRiRZWKSdiubSKmcVifr-fktjvyO90Fa98WTE9pS9TrCl2lPNCF4BbftuVipQToIRUQ2BytYcc/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvbw47nnsjRJDhaI0Vo2zzYcktTbBSrF_J7ggBUaVMN8fKulrXefiO6bF3yBVM3xppgRiRZWKSdiubSKmcVifr-fktjvyO90Fa98WTE9pS9TrCl2lPNCF4BbftuVipQToIRUQ2BytYcc/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a pretty simple method - pin the block pattern to fabric and stabilizer, outline with thread of choice, and color it in with back and forth or loopy loops. When you get right down to it, all thread painting is is coloring in with thread.</td></tr>
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One tip I can give about fabric choice that I use frequently: if your fabric is a little too "too" on the right side (a little too dark, a little too printy, a little too textured, a little too much in any way), flip it over and use the back. I did that for both white and grey in this block, and it really helped keep things from getting too "in your face" with the grey and too "why is the alphabet scattered all over the background" with the white. Check it out! You just doubled your fabric stash with that one tip! Feel free to buy me a drink sometime.<br />
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Since I brought this block all the way to Minnesota, I figured I'd better give it a little photo shoot for you.<br />
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Once you make your own block, give it a photo shoot of your own and share it in any of these ways so we can all see it!<br />
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<ul>
<li><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://jacquelynnesteves.com/maggie-bom-linky-page/">http://jacquelynnesteves.com/maggie-bom-linky-page/</a></li>
<li><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.pinterest.com/jacquelynnes/maggies-first-dance-block-of-the-month/">https://www.pinterest.com/jacquelynnes/maggies-first-dance-block-of-the-month/</a></li>
<li><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewQuiltyFriends.JacquelynneSteves/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewQuiltyFriends.JacquelynneSteves/</a></li>
<li>Instagram #MaggieQuilt<br />
</li>
</ul>
So on to the giveaway. This month we have two sponsors, and if you are in the continental US, you can enter both!<br />
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The first, available for US addresses only as those pesky shipping regulations make sending aerosols across borders prohibitive, is a prize pack from Therm-o-Web. I love a good adhesive for applique or basting, and I'm sure you do as well! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LSr45367ge7c4i32-y7phTJMSjNg8L7n2PCBKx7ZljcoqmfaGvw7WcbOT0mcd_QrcAr6AtodVFpQkzdiWgMCT5_CDvVA0EzryUZacBePfoI6obybvMGFGbgoSrTNfXUs8luSjxmmq7U/s1600/Thermoweb-Giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LSr45367ge7c4i32-y7phTJMSjNg8L7n2PCBKx7ZljcoqmfaGvw7WcbOT0mcd_QrcAr6AtodVFpQkzdiWgMCT5_CDvVA0EzryUZacBePfoI6obybvMGFGbgoSrTNfXUs8luSjxmmq7U/s320/Thermoweb-Giveaway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For our international and HI and AK friends, Michele at the Quilting Gallery is offering up a prize pack of pattern and template for "Starlight."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYclsVZ34KmZAEkxDNP2GIlGKKwXzmubixBCU9gt4Ip2FlJDdWIKSyfmNi1LwoQhrTD0OCWiJuOiYjZpZwpM3aDQDXASsxPv7qJBtwijkbR1ASPbbDyzZ72k2DaNMrIFjNMBrru83IbcU/s1600/MicheleFoster-starlight-prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYclsVZ34KmZAEkxDNP2GIlGKKwXzmubixBCU9gt4Ip2FlJDdWIKSyfmNi1LwoQhrTD0OCWiJuOiYjZpZwpM3aDQDXASsxPv7qJBtwijkbR1ASPbbDyzZ72k2DaNMrIFjNMBrru83IbcU/s320/MicheleFoster-starlight-prize.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
To enter for the international prize, you will need to head on over to <a href="http://quiltinggallery.com/blog-posts">http://quiltinggallery.com/blog-posts</a> and enter directly on Michele's blog. She's a spunky Canadian who will be happy to help out our international friends! If she gets a winner from Juneau, though, I may offer to deliver it in person as I'm headed there soon!<br />
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To enter to win the Therm-o-Web prize, please comment where you live, and what you would have me do if I were to visit your town (a favorite restaurant, special park, tourist attraction, etc). You just never know...I might find myself there and need something to do!<br /><br />
See you next month!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-28166062885017454542016-06-27T23:59:00.000-04:002016-06-27T23:59:00.224-04:00Lesson #4 Vinnie and Maude Make a Love Connection - Let's Join Those Blocks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am loving the blocks I'm seeing in the QAL FB group! And not one complaint about those tiny squares we dealt with in the last lesson! Yay! Either you conquered them with some of the tips or maybe you just knew I didn't want to hear any whining. Either way, I'm happy.<br />
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No matter how many blocks you have whipped up since our last lesson, they won't do a whole lot of good just sitting around your studio, dining room table, guest room, living room, or wherever it is that you do your sewing. It's my experience that quilters tend to average about 15 UFOs at any given time and we don't need this project turning into number 16 for you. So let's get them sewn together!<br />
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The big two decisions you need to make are layout and spacer blocks (or no - because depending on your layout, maybe you don't need spacer bars!) We'll start with layout, because as many of you have pointed out already, the possibilities abound and I might as well get you all a-twitter with ideas right off the bat.<br />
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The two obvious layouts most of you are probably working with are the one shown on the cover <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazu9Nl1syKEr-MzsWr3_zY-m8sHg_Iv0t9i1JlOmixB8_IOxESgvOaMqkN0Dc8xOEGWv4J9XsxonisW6z3UyZcv962PUPAbQwabA_QKTZsDd7itG-ZzvXazHKx5Fbd2WQiRr_Ac_z6hs/s1600/vinniefixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazu9Nl1syKEr-MzsWr3_zY-m8sHg_Iv0t9i1JlOmixB8_IOxESgvOaMqkN0Dc8xOEGWv4J9XsxonisW6z3UyZcv962PUPAbQwabA_QKTZsDd7itG-ZzvXazHKx5Fbd2WQiRr_Ac_z6hs/s320/vinniefixed.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a little like bouncing balls.</td></tr>
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or the baby sized version<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj20HATn6b7Xl7c1ZPcB2dLPAH0C47SYfbkcof6UUS8g8W_05SHEkAcxhPxU30i7b6E-G2_CsW1QAuSgf5MaHj-j-SbWHnBlAGR9dDEF5FcT8EjOgW3cZAkTO2pWgkOxPrux8ePjMfVo/s1600/baby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj20HATn6b7Xl7c1ZPcB2dLPAH0C47SYfbkcof6UUS8g8W_05SHEkAcxhPxU30i7b6E-G2_CsW1QAuSgf5MaHj-j-SbWHnBlAGR9dDEF5FcT8EjOgW3cZAkTO2pWgkOxPrux8ePjMfVo/s320/baby.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Both of these versions shown in the pattern use spacer blocks. I will never deny that I am not a fan of "blocks and sashing" style quilts, and therefore I'm always looking to set my designs in more interesting (to me) ways. Spacer bars come in handy for that kind of thing.<br />
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But that isn't to say you NEED them. In good news, I'm also a fan of blocks that form interesting (or at least some form of) secondary patterns when blocks are placed next to each other. I didn't love how my scrappy blocks looked side by side, but if your blocks are a little more planned with a more consistent background fabric, you just might love the look of them side by side in a grid:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYYfRsMxFyjf8Pv87S3JGox1JFaNeRMG4eaOgr_uI430trnuJLkWHHf2mPgNTGHpyGOkU1-U9_RrPnGuBPv5XuW63p_5aEpIqt65IO72PVLlVCcVDxm7lrtXGXQDM6Iyz28b-IIJT5Ek/s1600/sidebyside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYYfRsMxFyjf8Pv87S3JGox1JFaNeRMG4eaOgr_uI430trnuJLkWHHf2mPgNTGHpyGOkU1-U9_RrPnGuBPv5XuW63p_5aEpIqt65IO72PVLlVCcVDxm7lrtXGXQDM6Iyz28b-IIJT5Ek/s320/sidebyside.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of looks like tiles to me.</td></tr>
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Or on point - in this example I used the same blocks for the setting triangles. You'd have to slice some of your hard work to do it, but it could work. I'd probably sew it all together then square the sides off before adding the corner setting triangles. A little easier than doing more math!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYIQlqP_yjjQgk2l35WoBMoVVprz74IciRxWLv0Vx9z5vvYVmQO9GbIy80J3IdlCvwSUNLwKIhh9IGT6AydBGtmZrTNgA-LZ1DTs3mxRopDSV1UgLj40TEUfSavgx6cKmF-asHNLOo3M/s1600/on+point.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYIQlqP_yjjQgk2l35WoBMoVVprz74IciRxWLv0Vx9z5vvYVmQO9GbIy80J3IdlCvwSUNLwKIhh9IGT6AydBGtmZrTNgA-LZ1DTs3mxRopDSV1UgLj40TEUfSavgx6cKmF-asHNLOo3M/s320/on+point.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like an explosion of Halloween</td></tr>
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Isn't it pretty cool how on point the lines of the block almost look wavy? It amazes me that these are just turned a different way - both settings are using exactly the same blocks!<br />
<br />If you are doing the larger blocks, this all works the same way, and you probably got a taste for how the lines get a little wavy when you saw the layout for your quilt on page 7 of the Vinnie Loves Maude pattern. I'd love to see someone add lots more larger sized blocks and make a twin or larger! But yeah, I don't have time so why should you either right now? I'll just keep hoping! <br />
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Then of course there is the photo you've seen a million times, but I'll show it again anyway:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQU2EikgAqzgrPAsgbB29kfDrKIhiG7u-QfNmAjqoYxSuHAsgIC66ILkq02oqd-mXM6phStABBytdsEhxPtKXH_iDuGfHOWoMYcmjrmLjNPMVeHMVMWNu-B-_w79XpIcF3clwNI-JMxg/s1600/deb+vinnie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQU2EikgAqzgrPAsgbB29kfDrKIhiG7u-QfNmAjqoYxSuHAsgIC66ILkq02oqd-mXM6phStABBytdsEhxPtKXH_iDuGfHOWoMYcmjrmLjNPMVeHMVMWNu-B-_w79XpIcF3clwNI-JMxg/s320/deb+vinnie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deb Hartman's award winning version.</td></tr>
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These blocks in my runner shown at right were set side by side, but because they were all so different, there is still plenty of interest in the design for me. But then there is Deb Hartman's award winning (for real! She won "Best Use of Color" in her guild's challenge!) runner<span style="color: #0000ee;">, which uses all the same colors but that border f<span style="color: #0000ee;">abric and added use of some appliques just ups the interest for me <span style="color: #0000ee;">and makes the whole thing sing. <br /><br /><span style="color: #0000ee;">Don't you love talking quilt possibili<span style="color: #0000ee;">ties? It's almost as much fun as talking baby <span style="color: #0000ee;">n<span style="color: #0000ee;">ames.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><br /><span style="color: #0000ee;">But wait! There's more!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">What i<span style="color: #0000ee;">f you DO want <span style="color: #0000ee;">to add space<span style="color: #0000ee;">rs? And why shouldn't you? <span style="color: #0000ee;">Not only do they add som<span style="color: #0000ee;">e interest to a setting, but if you have extra fabric<span style="color: #0000ee;">, why not use it up<span style="color: #0000ee;">? <span style="color: #0000ee;">PLUS, as you will see, there is <span style="color: #0000ee;">at least one <span style="color: #0000ee;">way that the spacer bars can act as a s<span style="color: #0000ee;">elf <span style="color: #0000ee;">border! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">There are two way<span style="color: #0000ee;">s to look at the spacer bars - as solid bars, and as pieced bars. The pieced bars were what I chose for the cover quilt, <span style="color: #0000ee;">because when I started designing this block and pattern, <span style="color: #0000ee;">in my mind the background would blend well with the blocks<span style="color: #0000ee;">. At first, I thought that this could likely be accomplished simply by using a <span style="color: #0000ee;">si<span style="color: #0000ee;">ngle low <span style="color: #0000ee;">volume fabric for all the spacer bars, and that in do<span style="color: #0000ee;">ing so it would total<span style="color: #0000ee;">ly blend right in with all the low v<span style="color: #0000ee;">olumes in the backgro<span style="color: #0000ee;">und of the <span style="color: #0000ee;">blocks. I was oh so wrong. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Every time I looked at my <span style="color: #0000ee;">quilt on the design wall with the <span style="color: #0000ee;">one-fa<span style="color: #0000ee;">bric spacer bars, it was like my eyes forgot how to <span style="color: #0000ee;">kee<span style="color: #0000ee;">p moving. Dead stop at every bar. It literally ki<span style="color: #0000ee;">lled the momentum of the quilt.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Luckily, this was easily fixed, <span style="color: #0000ee;">if not quickly fixed. All it took was another dive int<span style="color: #0000ee;">o my low volume <span style="color: #0000ee;">scrap bins, som<span style="color: #0000ee;">e cutting and piecing, and the background<span style="color: #0000ee;"> really started to enhance rather than forestall the full design. Just seeing how much more move<span style="color: #0000ee;">ment these spacers gave to the overall look kept me going, even as I had to piece <span style="color: #0000ee;">13</span> large spacer bars and <span style="color: #0000ee;">4 <span style="color: #0000ee;">narrower ones. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OFVI20kE8DP1nL5mHTl3lL029jbCZBI6tDnbFIZZaPjanys9W4x21SIvKaXvJSUXyNYWdUTX7fv3Yujk6y8Xn8-lxYj1u_VjuoF6HHH_2AsXFmDqV9H3W-Lxef8YH5dSkHdka1GPRkI/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OFVI20kE8DP1nL5mHTl3lL029jbCZBI6tDnbFIZZaPjanys9W4x21SIvKaXvJSUXyNYWdUTX7fv3Yujk6y8Xn8-lxYj1u_VjuoF6HHH_2AsXFmDqV9H3W-Lxef8YH5dSkHdka1GPRkI/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />Page 4 of the pattern shows the basic pieced spacer bars in Diagrams 8a and 8b. In both cases, you can see I put the wider of the scraps in the middle of the pieced bars, but there is no reason you'd have to stick with that. As long as your spacer finishes at the right length, go crazy! Add more or less units! As I say in the cutting directions on page 2, you can even piece the individual units within the spacer bars if you think you can handle the excitement. Hopefully you can see in the above photo how I did that - look for the horizontal seams within those spacer bars and you've found them!<br />
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If you aren't in the mood for so much piecing, though, there really is nothing wrong with just using a single fabric for all of the spacer bars. I did it with a small version of the scrappy blocks, and while it is a different look, who is to say it isn't just as valid? There are no rules in my quilting world - there really shouldn't be too many in yours either!<br />
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As I was working on my own new version of the Vinnie Loves Maude for the QAL, I discovered that combining pieced and unpieced spacer bars is also a nice possibility and adds even more fun as the pieced bars, if done as I did, create a bit of a self bordering effect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODnA8ZbyXEbXwVzpQ7DGJUrGgn1r21Gv8mJDaHToRpKNnUTYLTtygYhG_2dyU4g95TJA1p5nTiT5z-GnX4L71bGi26lrDAjrxvm0-RbuyyhP0FAA0hT-HJnp4uRI6e5mU3MXXah_b1MY/s1600/self+border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODnA8ZbyXEbXwVzpQ7DGJUrGgn1r21Gv8mJDaHToRpKNnUTYLTtygYhG_2dyU4g95TJA1p5nTiT5z-GnX4L71bGi26lrDAjrxvm0-RbuyyhP0FAA0hT-HJnp4uRI6e5mU3MXXah_b1MY/s320/self+border.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Granted this is only the top, so it doesn't look completely amazing yet, but I always like an unexpected and/or asymmetrical border. This border is sort of "incomplete," in that it doesn't border around the middle blocks in each row, but in my mind once the binding is on that will disappear a little as there will be blue all around. In my mind. We'll see how reality goes. In any case I personally really love the look of having combined some basic spacer bars in the middle of the quilt with some pieced ones on the outside. Just another option to blow your minds.<br />
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Spacer bars or not, the piecing of the top is really pretty straight forward. Combine your blocks into rows and your rows into blocks. If you aren't doing totally scrappy and you care a lot about where some of your fabrics end up in the rows, make sure to use a pin on the end of a row or the side of a block to remind you which end is up (or down, or right, or left....the key is to remember what you used that pin to tell yourself, which isn't always easy to do in my own studio, I'll be honest.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uPHP5wqtrFAd_Zy2mnvyxKMxne2vFhyyveZNFxkjCVucjFCdny9zw5Ip0gmtorN_t0ul457NI187Vq0-C6JYXiiS0UDy_2PDOSLMHZglmqVAlx2QTartxh2Jcf7bFDPDMezxwUdHJOE/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uPHP5wqtrFAd_Zy2mnvyxKMxne2vFhyyveZNFxkjCVucjFCdny9zw5Ip0gmtorN_t0ul457NI187Vq0-C6JYXiiS0UDy_2PDOSLMHZglmqVAlx2QTartxh2Jcf7bFDPDMezxwUdHJOE/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Now, what did that pin mean again?</td></tr>
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One more piecing note, which applies not only to my blocks but also to the entire top construction. I'm coming out to you as an open presser. It's true. If you didn't know it, you do now. I've been pressing seams open for about three years. I started during a QAL run by Michele Foster called Aiming For Accuracy, and pressing seams open was her very first tip on being accurate.<br />
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To be honest, I thought she was slightly crazy. Seams are supposed to nest! They can't nest if they are all flatty and open on each other!<br />
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But then I gave it a try. And darned if it doesn't work.<br />
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For one thing, it's way easier to pin seams properly when you can actually see both seams and feel where they are flattened. Observe:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KRHRx8NOVYN0IorASkTwEF3pZB5D3a6RZXr0rVUeNAGsQWS8udwXZJ9EIxzNA1yy0UlzCpy6aLOHkveGn69FA4TztqDW1nDNluZ2so6OFEEOqn6JkLIslLl3mp9PKG7CjIf34TyX6k0/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KRHRx8NOVYN0IorASkTwEF3pZB5D3a6RZXr0rVUeNAGsQWS8udwXZJ9EIxzNA1yy0UlzCpy6aLOHkveGn69FA4TztqDW1nDNluZ2so6OFEEOqn6JkLIslLl3mp9PKG7CjIf34TyX6k0/s320/014.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously you wouldn't pull back the seam allowance with the pin. But see how the seams come together?</td></tr>
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And then there is always the bit of slippage that can happen when butted seams come apart as they are being sewn. I honestly believe that is eliminated when the seams are nice and flat and don't contain ridges that can get pushed in the wrong direction, even slightly, by the presser foot. <br /><br />While I don't care a ton about exacting points, I do have to say, pressing open has made a huge difference in my accuracy. It's something I recommend to just about every student to just try and see if you note a difference in your own accuracy. If not, go back to pressing to the side. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-87619326954661278382016-06-13T23:59:00.000-04:002016-06-13T23:59:30.612-04:00Lesson #3 - Piecing those blocks! Dinner has arrived!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Assuming you haven't decided to either drop out or hex me due to all that cutting, and in good news I haven't to my knowledge been burned by any laser beams shooting from your eyeballs directed at me nor have I woken up screaming in the night because my cutting hand felt like it was being severed, we are on to the fun part - getting Vinnie and Maude to make blocks together. It's a little risque, but we're going to do it anyway. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCxA1NoLjH-qF2Bs6QO5pirTYuxV4-d5Iv0iU8HsaHzPX4-zSsuYrFl98_ysKTveeOHRVUBVsdVYDC8U4dV-e_Q0wnwjovnkO_1F6iwInrXa6G_zbGCTcvtrJ8yajIDe_QQeF-YW3Q_o/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCxA1NoLjH-qF2Bs6QO5pirTYuxV4-d5Iv0iU8HsaHzPX4-zSsuYrFl98_ysKTveeOHRVUBVsdVYDC8U4dV-e_Q0wnwjovnkO_1F6iwInrXa6G_zbGCTcvtrJ8yajIDe_QQeF-YW3Q_o/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a>The first and loudest <strike>complaint</strike> suggestion testers had for me was regarding those pesky smallest squares of background fabric. Whether you've decided to go all scrappy on us like the cover quilt or your background is all the same fabric like the one I'm making along with this quiltalong, you're going to have to deal with those small squares. We are equal opportunity for frustration of small pieces around here.<br />
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If testers had had their way, I'd have rewritten the pattern to get rid of those squares. But sometimes it's amazing to be the boss, and be able to say no. As tiny as those squares are, to me they make a difference in the look of the block, and I like it a lot better WITH them than without them.<br />
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Witness the subtle, but still there, difference in the photo below. The right side block is made as the pattern calls for, using the smaller squares. On the left, the block is made with only the larger squares. While I am only one opinion, I personally like the block on the right better. More of the print is showing, so it is more ABOUT the prints than making the background equal. And the center "star" type thing is way more pronounced and exact when the block is made as printed, rather than being somewhat cut off at the corners. But that's me. If you really really hate the little squares, try it without. Maybe you'll be okay with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YwYL0Hxp0GBlI07sfXRsfnbCxVB4uO8DCpCXvHf98iARkQLN_E_MDKcPWAwXVUBS5K_1FYt3DFfcbTttqX9M7zxiNI_x13gKK28yVLQ1rdVApmKTsCCuTprteCCN_6BqqVGmeCNRhyphenhyphenk/s1600/019s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YwYL0Hxp0GBlI07sfXRsfnbCxVB4uO8DCpCXvHf98iARkQLN_E_MDKcPWAwXVUBS5K_1FYt3DFfcbTttqX9M7zxiNI_x13gKK28yVLQ1rdVApmKTsCCuTprteCCN_6BqqVGmeCNRhyphenhyphenk/s320/019s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM3x9EcwAdNj39-XiFmaoPtXoQFrpPHBbZLP7edqvuyd5AHV-4dQg_dI1yqCBeevTmFYiwfoOYlBMFwjVmuPoY1RlIQ_0_lIopUTUsaiSz4t2NcEdnx9wB96cnnnJw8IkAgUefAyHldA/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM3x9EcwAdNj39-XiFmaoPtXoQFrpPHBbZLP7edqvuyd5AHV-4dQg_dI1yqCBeevTmFYiwfoOYlBMFwjVmuPoY1RlIQ_0_lIopUTUsaiSz4t2NcEdnx9wB96cnnnJw8IkAgUefAyHldA/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a>I will say this - once I told testers I was not budging, most agreed I was right to leave them in for interest of the block. I place the Vinnie Loves Maude block in the category of "Not Difficult, but Takes Some Time." Not all quilts can be whipped out in an afternoon. And much like the adage, of which I am a huge fan and believer, of "You Get What You Pay For," you also get in design interest of a finished quilt what you are willing to put into it. There's a time and place for quick quilts; I love that time and place and have made and designed lots of them and will continue to do so. There's also a time and place for quilts that might take a little longer; if we are honest, those are the quilts we are drawn to more frequently in show and tell and quilt shows and online. I want to design a few of those too, and this just happens to be one of them! (Insert "So there.")<br /><br />So how do we mentally deal? We buckle down, we put on the fun music or a good audio book, and we chain piece our little heads off and get those suckers on there!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QG7iipPHIy1b3LB8d6SdP1QfKfFondPy2aKA0F2IU_oDUBxA6NnvZRAUAcJzn1-3JtruDHUWMsqiB4FLZ60HZvYMXvM6Ai940gx3R6PYKBQURctxIwtmUnb1Ths5lOgqXxfWb5ut0eI/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QG7iipPHIy1b3LB8d6SdP1QfKfFondPy2aKA0F2IU_oDUBxA6NnvZRAUAcJzn1-3JtruDHUWMsqiB4FLZ60HZvYMXvM6Ai940gx3R6PYKBQURctxIwtmUnb1Ths5lOgqXxfWb5ut0eI/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a>With small pieces, especially sewn at a diagonal, seems to come the risk of some machine entanglement, and let's be honest, "entanglement" may be kind of fun to say, but it is no fun to deal with. No one wants to be pulling fabric out of the bobbin case on a regular basis. One thing I have found to help when chain piecing these bits is to lift the presser foot between each piece in the chain and manually insert the needle into the next set to be sewn, as shown at left. The needle can be inserted right at the tip of the piece, but because it is indeed actually INSERTED rather than sewn onto at a rapid pace as chain piecing goes, the risk of pieces becoming messed up at the corner and/or all balled up in the machine is cut down significantly. Does lifting the presser foot and putting down the needle between each segment take a little more time? Sure. Would having to stop chain piecing to rip a seam that got entangled and messed up every three segments take longer? Trust me, it would, it does, and it has for me. <br />
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You may not find that chain piecing these small pieces is any problem at all for your machine to handle, and if so I say bully for you. I personally find the smallest squares can ball up, but the other squares, which are only a teeny bit bigger, never do. It's a mystery of the universe. And for those of you making the larger size block? You'll probably have no idea what I'm talking about, because yours will go together smooth as anything, being that much bigger.<br />
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Now, you may have noticed in these photos that I have not done the expected thing when sewing corner to corner - crazy as I am, I have NOT drawn a line on the background pieces. I haven't even made mention of doing so anywhere in the pattern. Is this because I am a rebel? Is this because I am lazy? Is this because I have discovered the best tool in the world that eliminates the need entirely? YES TO ALL, HOTTIES!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD47a0ISos16exRGbOMdbukLYoqzlu_2rwf2m0nxpZvDQrRiErmFXTnIEX1-n11M335twabFtdAPGNVSuUYntrQyNcUwzNb1iWhKqAfHnCNQNFDjH8kig3tZfRhhd7Kgc6x_P2y5NdR-8/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD47a0ISos16exRGbOMdbukLYoqzlu_2rwf2m0nxpZvDQrRiErmFXTnIEX1-n11M335twabFtdAPGNVSuUYntrQyNcUwzNb1iWhKqAfHnCNQNFDjH8kig3tZfRhhd7Kgc6x_P2y5NdR-8/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The tool in question is the <a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/clearly-perfect-angles">Clearly Perfect Angles tool from New Leaf Stitches</a>. It's basically a clingy plastic sheet that adheres to your machine and, as long as you follow the easy directions given on how to put in on your machine, your needle is lined up perfectly to sew either a perfect diagonal, as in the <a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/vinnie-loves-maude">Vinnie Loves Maude blocks </a>or any flying goose you'll ever make, or a perfect 1/4" seam, as you'll need in any block ever, or even piecing at a true diagonal, as you'll do if you ever make my <a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/yankee-frugal">Yankee Frugal</a> quilt pattern and many others I did not invent.<br />
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As shown in the photo at right, just keep the tip of your background piece in line with the middle of the black and green lines on the CPA, and you will make a perfect diagonal every time. It really is that simple. Sometimes, if you listen very closely, you can even hear the angels singing.<br />
<br />As an added bonus, the plastic creates a smooth surface on the machine that seems to prevent some of the balling up and entanglement issues. Why? My theory is that it keeps the fabric moving smoothly, and therefore it doesn't have time to get tangled, even on those pointy little edges. But what do I know? I'm no scientist. All I can tell you is it seems to make a difference. <br />
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In the pattern and on the cover, the background pieces are all different low volume fabrics rather than one fabric for all of the background. I personally think that though it is more of a pain to cut all those pieces, the end result of the block is SO much more interesting with all those different fabrics, and it's really what gives the block the "vintage-y" look that lent it its name. But all that is really neither here nor there at this point since you have already done all your cutting. My point in bringing it up at all is that if you are using all different fabrics in the background, there's so much going on in this quilt that no one will notice if one or two of the same one touch, so put them on without spending a whole lot of time overthinking.<br />
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Okay, so moving on...you've gotten all your little background squares sewn to your prints, which as you will see on page 3 we now call Unit A. Whether you do this in sets of 16 prints, so you do enough for one block at a time, or you do all the print squares for your entire quilt at once, is totally up to you. I like to do one block worth at a time to break it up. Either way, at this point, grab 16 of your Unit As. Admire how awesome they are.<br />
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Now, maybe you care and maybe you don't about this next process, which is to plan a little bit about where to place the fabrics within each block. I cared in the quilt I am currently making but I didn't in the cover quilt, and the reason was that in this current quilt my fabrics tend to be a
little more similar, and I didn't want prints that look too much the
same too close to each other in the block. Also, to be honest, I didn't make any of the cover quilt blocks, so I REALLY had no need to care about those. So here's how I rectified that. If your prints are more scrappy, you can probably just piece the blocks without worrying too much about placement.<br />
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1. Choose four fabrics for your corners, Units B and C on page 3. I choose two sets of fabrics that are quite similar to each other - a set of teal with yellow, and a set of teal with white<br />
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2. Make one Unit B and one Unit C from each of the fabric sets chosen. Alternatively, you can make your two Unit Bs from one fabric set and the two Unit Cs from the other fabric set. Either way you make sure you have these sets ready to be placed in opposite corners of the block.<br />
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NOTE: Did you read step 2 on page 3? That reminder to watch placement of corner triangles is worth tattooing to your hand. Or embroidering to hang above your machine. Or something. Without doing it right, your block will not look like mine and you will be sad. I don't want you sad.<br />
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3. For the rest of the block units, you will need four Unit As for the center, which I like to choose kind of the same way as for the corners, that is two sets of similar prints, and then the rest in pairs for the sides. This is a little different from the order I have in the pattern on pages 3 and 4. What did I say, I'm a rebel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrceB6tCoWE0NtsDepYVusRJ3mxOUWjfId6rfHNriVpmHRxscwUK55kX3R58OBgVL5pNPJtZKBh1F2VQGo-X7YIaI6YF21mhA8r7yTDQg-0HD8cY_CWcnhF1gDMpvbheeObqr9VZviPMQ/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrceB6tCoWE0NtsDepYVusRJ3mxOUWjfId6rfHNriVpmHRxscwUK55kX3R58OBgVL5pNPJtZKBh1F2VQGo-X7YIaI6YF21mhA8r7yTDQg-0HD8cY_CWcnhF1gDMpvbheeObqr9VZviPMQ/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
4. Once the final background pieces are added I always arrange my units and play with them a bit until I get it right. But having those Units B and C in opposite corners really helps me lay it out so that my fabrics aren't too blendy.<br />
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Then all that is left is the big old sew the rows together and make that block sing part. I don't pin anything as I sew unit to unit, but once I have three rows, I do pin at the intersections. The way the units come together it isn't crucial to line much up, but the rows do have some intersections you might care about. Or not. I'm not picky, as you know. If you are, pin more. If you aren't, don't. <br />
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Finally, another thing to consider, something I did when making my blocks, is changing up the construction of Unit E in some of your blocks. I am making the baby size quilt, and decided to do four Unit Es as shown on page 4, but then mix it up and do five with the larger triangles to the middle. Look how Unit E goes from roundy to squarey with just that simple change! But the block still looks cool, and the "starry" sort of center created with the background fabrics remains.<br />
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Slow and steady wins the race on the piecing for this one. I'm giving us all two weeks until the next tutorial comes out June 28, which will be all about the spacer bars. I know it's only like a third of a page in the pattern, but I've got some stuff to say about them you just might want to hear. <br /><br />Remember to post your progress on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/VMquiltalong/">Vinnie Loves Maude QAL group</a>. I love seeing what you are all doing!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-5216093266343012802016-06-07T12:00:00.000-04:002016-06-07T12:00:15.915-04:00Quilter's Block Party, the Cure For Boring Guild MeetingsMy brilliant friend Terri of Purple Moose Designs has invented a new game for quilt gatherings, and none too soon, I might add. If someone made me play Quilt-o one more time I was going to have to scream. Those may have been my exact words when she told me about her Quilter's Block Party card and drawing game. I'm not one to mince words and I am so excited to have had the chance to try out the game. I promise you it is more rollicking than Quilt-O. I like rollicking on any given day, don't you? And what's more rollicking than a "pictionary-type" game where you get to draw quilt block names poorly and scream out random words? Pretty much nothing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No buttons, pennies, or M&Ms needed. On second thought, M&Ms are always needed.</td></tr>
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I arranged for a girls game night at my home to try it out, and had a nice group of 5-6 ladies willing to give it a go. Then my daughters announced that the school talent show was the same night I'd planned for it. Momming. It gets in the way. So I had to reschedule, and unfortunately then just two other quilters were available for the new date, so the offending parties who made us reschedule in the first place, ie my two 13 year old daughters, were pressed into service. I didn't allow them to drink wine with us, but they were just as good at the game as we ladies were. Which is not to say any of us was great, but that's what makes it more entertaining, right?<br />
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We decided to bend the rules a little and just took turns drawing while everyone else got to guess. Whoever guessed got a point. We played to 8 and the big winner was Melissa Heys of <a href="http://www.thecompletedquilt.com/">The Completed Quilt</a>, who happens to be my neighbor and friend. I run in famous circles for sure. I can confidently say that none of us, however, is going to win any awards for artistic ability in the drawing department.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving new meaning to chicken legs (Wild Goose Chase)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunce in the Box? No, it's Jack in the Box.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll admit, given my daughters' history with drawing accidental genitalia, the start of this one scared me. She redeemed herself with the flowery Propellers. Must be a plane headed for Hawaii.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robbing Peter to Pay Paul, of course.</td></tr>
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For those concerned this game might be too easy, given that block names are pretty common, I promise you the block names in each deck are certainly not all ones you've even remotely heard of; Terri dug deep into the public domain to bring us such obscure blocks as Domino Chicken Foot. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all agreed it sounded like a disease.</td></tr>
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Terri's giving away a fabulous prize pack with all you need for a ladies night of your own. All you need to do is visit <a href="http://www.purplemoosedesigns.com/weblog/">her blog </a>and leave a comment for the grand prize!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd enter for the cheese board alone, but then again I already own the card game. </td></tr>
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Thanks for stopping by! If you've never experienced my particular brand of weird, go right ahead and keep scrolling and read a few more of my posts at your peril! I'm currently running a QAL for my newest pattern, <a href="http://evapaigequiltdesigns.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">"Vinnie Loves Maude" </a>all summer long -and really, the posts will be there always so join any time! It's a cool looking pattern and you'll find it has so many possibilities once you get into it! Way more than I could fit in an eight page pattern, hence the quiltalong!<br />
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All you need to join in and start your own romance between Vinnie and Maude is the pattern, which <a href="http://www.purplemoosedesigns.com/store-detail.php?cat=2&ID=0">Terri actually carries in her store</a>. So easy to find! We'd love to have you along for the fun!<br />
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To enter my giveaway for the game, and a couple of fun surprises from me, leave a comment telling me a great guild program you had in your own guild that was not Quilt-o as we have established that I don't enjoy that game, or if you aren't in a guild, just tell me something fun and non quilty that you like to do in your spare time. I'm always looking for ideas! <br />
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Thank you to Terri for designing such a great game, and for letting me in on the fun!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-9557784338390325832016-06-06T23:59:00.000-04:002016-06-06T23:59:05.489-04:00Vinnie Loves Maude QAL Lesson #2, Cutting Tips - or Arriving at the Restaurant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue;">The fab<span style="color: blue;">rics have bee<span style="color: blue;">n contemplated, assessed, reassessed<span style="color: blue;">, fond<span style="color: blue;">led, maybe rolled around in, whate<span style="color: blue;">ver. We don't judge around here<span style="color: blue;">. (</span>Oh who are we <span style="color: blue;">kidding<span style="color: blue;">?</span> We ju<span style="color: blue;">dge. Just not about fabric lust.) </span></span>As long as they are chosen <span style="color: blue;">and all pi<span style="color: blue;">led up cute on your cutting table</span></span>, you are ready to move o<span style="color: blue;">n <span style="color: blue;">to the <span style="color: blue;">se<span style="color: blue;">cond</span></span> part of the big <span style="color: blue;">blind <span style="color: blue;">date event - cutting all those pieces.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">Yep. You've maybe looked at your pattern and seen <span style="color: blue;">three-figured numbers of how many of <span style="color: blue;">each whatever to cut<span style="color: blue;">,<span style="color: blue;"> and i<span style="color: blue;">t's entirely possible that you may have died <span style="color: blue;">just a little inside. Allow this p<span style="color: blue;">ost to serve as virtual CP<span style="color: blue;">R if necessary. I <span style="color: blue;">can't have my peeps keeling over on me before we've even set rotary bla<span style="color: blue;">de to fab<span style="color: blue;">ric!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">My first tip for cutting may seem obvious, but I never assume anyone knows everything in my head (that would be sc<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">ary for you, believe me)</span></span>. </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">So here it is - Frequent Breaks, Aug</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">mented by Cocktail Hour. </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Seriously. To cut XXX squares of prints all in one sitting means you need a sitting. And most of us not only cut standing up, but have lives. So cut a few, then throw in a l</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">oad of laundry. Cut a few more</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">, go pick up a kid at some kid a</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">c</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">tivity. Cut some more and reward yourself with a</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">n episode of Outlander. (<span style="color: blue;">W</span>arning: some people cut in front of the </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">TV, wh</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">i</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">ch is al</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">so a great tip, but I d</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">on't recommend it with Outlander</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"> du</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">e to possib</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">ly missing a Jamie </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">shirtless moment.) </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Cut a <span style="color: blue;">bunch of li<span style="color: blue;">me fabrics then a bunch of limes for gin and tonics. </span></span>You get it. Stagger the cutting and it won't make you want to </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">strangle me quite so much. I like breathing, so I appreciate it.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">This is about half of my prints. Then it was time for something a little less mind numbing.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"> <span style="color: black;">A tool I fin<span style="color: blue;">d invaluable for cutti<span style="color: blue;">ng squares<span style="color: blue;"> en masse from strips is the Shape Cut. I've had m<span style="color: blue;">ine fore<span style="color: blue;">ver and honestly it's one of those tools that I don't use frequently as I don't use strips frequently, but when I do use it, <span style="color: blue;">it is almost like I can hear ang<span style="color: blue;">els<span style="color: blue;"> singing. Es<span style="color: blue;">pecially <span style="color: blue;">if you've chosen a <span style="color: blue;">single fabric background for <span style="color: blue;">your quilt, I highl<span style="color: blue;">y recommend giving it a whirl and at least all <span style="color: blue;">of those p<span style="color: blue;">ieces will be cut really quickly.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Video from youtub<span style="color: blue;">e. It isn't me, in case the fabric didn't give that <span style="color: blue;">away.</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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So that's all well and good. But what if you are NOT cutting from strips, as may well be the case the scrappier you are going with your palette? And especially if your scraps, like mine, are all sorts of shapes and sizes?<br />
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Actually the shape cut still works pretty well. Sure there will be some waste when you start off with odd shaped pieces, but it still cuts down on some of the measuring and moving around of rulers. <br />
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This video is actually me. God help us all, but here we go.<br />
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Finally, as far as making the cutting go faster, my final tip is using some precuts for the prints, even though as most of you know I'm not a huge fan of "line-y" quilts, ie quilts made from a single fabric line. However the ease of cutting the prints from jelly rolls, charm squares, or layer cakes may make up for it for you as you slice and dice your way to piles of squares. Make the quilt less "Granimal-ly" (another of my fun made up adjectives, harkening back to the matchy matchy Granimal children's clothing line of the 1970s) by adding other fabrics to the mix that share the same colors, but are decidedly different in tone or value or scale or all three, and you've "Scrap Slapped" it like I always love.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5mvio3-9EXjV4D4ueo7COPt8dilO3PLoLftB_Wl_Mj9eh4roS0VqJe4wzEvHbzSXwIrXIRBQLJcY7TA84_xuf_kslc-i8U4iJv6-xwAzUOul5WpbSRkNcM0GExPDS37Ng-z4ZeGoz2I/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5mvio3-9EXjV4D4ueo7COPt8dilO3PLoLftB_Wl_Mj9eh4roS0VqJe4wzEvHbzSXwIrXIRBQLJcY7TA84_xuf_kslc-i8U4iJv6-xwAzUOul5WpbSRkNcM0GExPDS37Ng-z4ZeGoz2I/s320/041.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yardage to the left of me, precuts to the right...here I am, stuck in cutting hell with you.</td></tr>
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Another thing to consider when cutting the prints for this project is scale. With smaller and medium scaled fabrics, you shouldn't have to think too hard to get a nice looking square cut that makes sense, but those larger scale prints might be a little more complicated. Just cutting in strips you risk losing some of the fun of the print. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeD_NK2b65jOZo4rwD6vcEnD4LplLMf5opgshRpdJUDfbWkCbL6Ta3_B-Syw9Zviw1Q4ExM72bCJnnx6WiQBzhJ_vnssWnsbrTPxs_mihniLj_E-ZeiXQsnCA_GivPBcOxB0r0fV_a1M/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeD_NK2b65jOZo4rwD6vcEnD4LplLMf5opgshRpdJUDfbWkCbL6Ta3_B-Syw9Zviw1Q4ExM72bCJnnx6WiQBzhJ_vnssWnsbrTPxs_mihniLj_E-ZeiXQsnCA_GivPBcOxB0r0fV_a1M/s320/026.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
My advice is to go ahead and fussy cut. Find some motifs that look great centered or slightly off centered or whatever and cut a few holes in your yardage. Don't worry about waste if you love the fabric. As my husband says of just about anything, and it definitely applies to fabric "They make more." And even more importantly, as designer Amy Friend says of fussy cutting, "If the fabric does what you want it to in the design, nothing has been wasted." She is a wise woman.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbIGpi5FTGihqky_-AADLejNJ0F9oKrajvF2BLNvXOORRZMQJjzpArU6PWzXIw1_rdkwV92ANV103_z8sqeKo9YjAvam-GRMBcHLU6pxdAbFkbeTmjoolnvH6W4KpA9iaD7rgUIEVSQA/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbIGpi5FTGihqky_-AADLejNJ0F9oKrajvF2BLNvXOORRZMQJjzpArU6PWzXIw1_rdkwV92ANV103_z8sqeKo9YjAvam-GRMBcHLU6pxdAbFkbeTmjoolnvH6W4KpA9iaD7rgUIEVSQA/s320/027.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I personally just use my clear square rulers to fussy cut. It's close enough to fussy for me. Some people prefer to make a "window" dealie out of cardstock or some other heavy paper lying around the house and use it to audition motif areas. Either way. It's a great technique for cutting down large scales into something pretty and both workable and eye-catching in this pattern.<br />
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I hope a few of these little tricks and tips may help you in the cutting process. I know it's involved, and honestly there isn't much I can do to help you other than to make sure you know I'm over here, cheering you on as your piles of cut fabrics get bigger! Finally, remember, I never required you to make the lap/twin version when you signed on to the QAL, so if you are feeling overwhelmed, make a goal of enough blocks for a table runner at first. If you feel like you can keep going, add four more and you've got the baby sized version. Then go on from there. I really do find breaking up the cutting and sewing does wonders for my attitude! Maybe it will for you too!<br />
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I'll see you back on June 14 when we fire up those machines and get going with the piecing!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-54453974454462491992016-06-06T10:00:00.000-04:002016-06-06T13:01:51.152-04:00Maggie's First Dance Block #1 - <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Totally keep forgetting to ask <a href="http://www.jacquelynnesteves.com/">Jacquelynne</a> who Maggie is. Sigh. But whoever she is, let's get ready to swing her right onto the dance floor!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmE-5H8w3gZAbTfek401cpIZkuTpzChGffSd0mU64wRscUtdntE3xp-eEFQpp4LPHKPNaA4cTCEcyul1I0HGpvvgs5-Wfyt2N5Rao6AnpO500ckGA00H2jFPgjMUmkTC-d0hcoli7vV4Y/s1600/jlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmE-5H8w3gZAbTfek401cpIZkuTpzChGffSd0mU64wRscUtdntE3xp-eEFQpp4LPHKPNaA4cTCEcyul1I0HGpvvgs5-Wfyt2N5Rao6AnpO500ckGA00H2jFPgjMUmkTC-d0hcoli7vV4Y/s320/jlogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope you've gotten a chance to check out Jacquelynne's directions for the first block. I found them very easy to follow and was able to whip up mine pretty quickly. As one who has quilted before might imagine, the most time consuming part was picking out the fabrics. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VxudubZrgB3_b5khUQQTgrpzrZ6_K9AMQdUzqvU5Beisfkh3Fq5zQrIiW-31Rs9zcxawbchT5fMtSrQiOq2Ye66cQk5ivoVxZjZPdnzijWsYR74fMK5VpvGo7htE0NTKDZCmNKunK_Y/s1600/111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VxudubZrgB3_b5khUQQTgrpzrZ6_K9AMQdUzqvU5Beisfkh3Fq5zQrIiW-31Rs9zcxawbchT5fMtSrQiOq2Ye66cQk5ivoVxZjZPdnzijWsYR74fMK5VpvGo7htE0NTKDZCmNKunK_Y/s320/111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I knew I wasn't going to be embroidering the center, because though I used to be quite the embroiderer (and a bit of a total geek) at age 11, I really am not into it anymore. I guess I'm all about the time factor, and cutting out applique shapes just takes less time. In looking at my block now, I'm not sure why I didn't use the yellow in the centers of the flowers, but what the heck. What's done is done. And it still looks pretty nice, in my oh so humble opinion.<br />
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As I may have mentioned in <a href="http://evapaigequiltdesigns.blogspot.com/2016/04/maggies-first-dance-bom-will-you-be.html">my intro post</a>, I don't really plan to stick to any certain fabrics throughout this project, but I will try keep the grey and white and maybe the purple (or <b>a purple,</b> anyway) consistent. As a scrap quilt designer I totally believe in both the power of scrappy to punch up your quilt and make it sizzle, but also in the need for consistency in the chaos. The grey and white and purple will be my constants. That's all I'm promising for now. But do keep in mind I am a woman, and we do enjoy changing our minds continuously.<br />
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Once you make your block, be sure to head on over to Jacquelynne's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewQuiltyFriends.JacquelynneSteves/">Sew Quilty Friends FB group</a> and show us what you did! I'd love to have you stop by my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EvaPaigeQuiltDesigns">EvaPaige Quilt Designs page</a> while you are over there too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszZa6f09GbGtOfaIwdy65zvJGWlHmwWZL7WT6OWZ46e9kwSlCHGwzOGFPtgdI5VdhATQz6ElR_MdOyv5IZUII7u6psHv5oPvwdRl6kWErGbLHlXLqmXJcexyp4HyJPWODz69v8gemkTc/s1600/Aurifil-Giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszZa6f09GbGtOfaIwdy65zvJGWlHmwWZL7WT6OWZ46e9kwSlCHGwzOGFPtgdI5VdhATQz6ElR_MdOyv5IZUII7u6psHv5oPvwdRl6kWErGbLHlXLqmXJcexyp4HyJPWODz69v8gemkTc/s320/Aurifil-Giveaway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS-zLg3zMGBNK_-XQa1sMnWm08tskYagY5tnwpiIQpcABcOaHu0JrnrDgtSXNEL5S-kwgnlRYBUqmN88SlUwjz0EJl_NBTA8ZodYou_Pgvjdz3Tkhvu1KP1x3rG88JK7Xv8vPmOwSNjg/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS-zLg3zMGBNK_-XQa1sMnWm08tskYagY5tnwpiIQpcABcOaHu0JrnrDgtSXNEL5S-kwgnlRYBUqmN88SlUwjz0EJl_NBTA8ZodYou_Pgvjdz3Tkhvu1KP1x3rG88JK7Xv8vPmOwSNjg/s320/042.JPG" width="240" /></a>I am so excited that <a href="http://www.aurifilusa.com/">Aurifil</a> is our sponsor this month! There will be one winner chosen from each blog participating, and the lovely people at Aurifil will choose one of the collections shown above for you. You really can't go wrong with any of them.<br />
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I'm a huge fan of Aurifil thread, and ever since I discovered its joys a few years ago I've used it exclusively for all of my machine applique and machine quilting and have not looked back. I can even prove I have a decent collection by showing how I was able to quickly grab a spool of each of the colors in my block, and it's even pretty obvious some of them have been used extensively.<br />
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I became infatuated with Aurifil at Quilt Market one year, and was lucky enough to score one of the coveted tickets to my LQS's evening with Alex Veronelli, of Aurifil hottie fame, where we learned how the thread is made and believe it or not even though that sounds like the worst science fair project ever, it is actually quite fascinating when told to you in imovie format by a silver fox. I'm just saying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEtXH8iIoi4jjscH-QeT5VR7ePhWZ4Kj7W9XOS_Cq6HEKXSnna5VkPmvdAX60KVW3Btuyz7DMuJImKyafwcHbHKOkhAmo6-e9kJfAkxYjJ0fLYQc_XzRJl8yHm5g3ZAyPliKgZ4rwn3c/s1600/menalex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEtXH8iIoi4jjscH-QeT5VR7ePhWZ4Kj7W9XOS_Cq6HEKXSnna5VkPmvdAX60KVW3Btuyz7DMuJImKyafwcHbHKOkhAmo6-e9kJfAkxYjJ0fLYQc_XzRJl8yHm5g3ZAyPliKgZ4rwn3c/s320/menalex.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He looks pretty thrilled to pose with me, don't you think?</td></tr>
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Enter to win one of the fab little collections by commenting below which quilting personality you've talked to in person, whether you made coherent sense at the time or were too in awe and just babbled, or if you haven't met any, who would you like to meet? I'm leaving the interpretation of "personality" wide open, <strike>in the hope that puts me in the running</strike> because I'd love to see a huge variety, and I'm sure I will. This industry is chock full of cool quilty peeps who make it their job to provide quilters with constantly fresh products and ideas, and they can be so inspirational in person! I know Alex inspired me to switch entirely to Aurifil for quilting, and that's a big deal. What a salesman.<br />
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If you don't end up winning, or just can't wait to see if you do, I'm certain my friend Donna at <a href="http://www.followthatthread.com/">Follow That Thread</a> can hook you up. At risk of sounding like an infomercial, I will admit I'm a gusher, and when I love something, I don't shut up about it. But it's time to go for now so I will do so.<br />
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See you next month! In the meantime, make sure you check out what all the other bloggers are doing too!<br />
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Greg at<a class="" href="http://greydogwoodstudio.com/" target="_blank"> Grey Dogwood Studio</a><br class="" /> Monique at<a href="https://farmhousequiltsblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> Farm House Quilts</a><br class="" /> Julie at<a class="" href="http://thecraftyquilter.com/" target="_blank"> The Crafty Quilter</a><br />
Me - Beth at<a href="http://www.evapaigequiltdesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> EvaPaige Quilt Designs</a><br class="" /> Kim at<a href="http://gogokim.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> My Go-Go Life</a><br class="" /> Jacque at<a href="http://lilypadquilting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Lily Pad Quilting</a><br class="" /> Brenda at<a href="https://thequiltingnook.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> The Quilting Nook</a><br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com179tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-10783561010707271922016-05-31T00:00:00.000-04:002016-05-31T00:00:27.483-04:00Vinnie Loves Maude QAL Lesson #1 - Fabric Selection, or Dressing for the First DateCan't you just see Maude, getting ready for her first date with Vinnie, staring into her closet and sighing heavily: "But I have NOTHING TO WEAR." Well, I'm not sure how to help her out, but as far as helping you pick out your fabrics for the spectacular quilt you are about to make, that I can do.<br />
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Now that you have the pattern, the first exciting step is to audition fabrics. (Don't have the pattern? <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/vinnie-loves-maude/197655">Click here!)</a> One of my favorite things about any quilt design is how its look can change so much just by changing a fabric. Or two. Or all of it. While it took me several years of being a quilter to be brave enough to step out of the color choices of the designers whose patterns I was using, once I took the leap I never looked back. Color and fabric choice is the quickest and easiest way to put YOUR stamp on and your personality into another designer's pattern. So don't be afraid to color your quilt with your own crayon box, ie your stash. <br />
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But if you are still looking for color and fabric inspiration, allow this tutorial to kick start your fabric pull fun.<br />
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<b>Option #1 - Modern prints with low volume backgrounds, just like "The Cover Quilt."</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwKBu-QTdDrKK7gNstaddFXII240BUF8HIjyNtpbk91DFM6KnAVpxz0zM1dhxbTnffcUN-ckgclES_30JnMgCSyNnjs9tazd74LR97EzGSaP4m6hAAFXhxXxiGubLDUBaz7Qz2He3SYk/s1600/vinniefixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwKBu-QTdDrKK7gNstaddFXII240BUF8HIjyNtpbk91DFM6KnAVpxz0zM1dhxbTnffcUN-ckgclES_30JnMgCSyNnjs9tazd74LR97EzGSaP4m6hAAFXhxXxiGubLDUBaz7Qz2He3SYk/s320/vinniefixed.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
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A mish mash of as many different low volume prints as I could get into one quilt was really the inspiration for this pattern, believe it or not, and the rest just kind of grew from there. I used modern prints for the foreground and envisioned that the end product would look very modern indeed. Imagine my shock when I had the whole thing together and it looked like something my great grandma might have made if she hadn't been so busy not being a quilter.<br />
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Also imagine my joy to find this awesome quote from the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/09/what-is-low-volume-fabric/">Craftsy blog</a>, proving I wasn't losing my mind to think new looked old: "The trend to use <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/06/low-volume-fabrics/?_ct=rbew&_ctp=116620">low-volume fabrics</a> in <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/quilting?_ct=rbew&_ctp=116620">quilting</a> is actually a very classic idea. Many antique and vintage quilts feature low-volume prints as background <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/kits/quilting?_ct=rbew&_ctp=116620">fabrics</a>
simply because solid fabrics were a bit harder to come by. If an early
quilter didn’t have solid fabric yardage, she most certainly had
leftovers of light prints and calicoes that could be used as background
fabrics."<br />
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Well. There you go. And the name Vinnie Loves Maude, derived from "Vintage" and "Modern" was born. Plus we've just learned that when pluralizing "calico," apparently we add an "e." Step back, Dan Quayle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CFYAIBIqeeDN4FfaLZzRqU2qN0DKJmGcDTyHz7zzByWpmiSNrCWEuEvJO9l0XkNNAWeNa-OAx7gNvi57K5tKrRpgM0MKjow1G8puHmyQlbJcAU-AAlj6N70PfKXg3-4WalfjF1o2tP0/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CFYAIBIqeeDN4FfaLZzRqU2qN0DKJmGcDTyHz7zzByWpmiSNrCWEuEvJO9l0XkNNAWeNa-OAx7gNvi57K5tKrRpgM0MKjow1G8puHmyQlbJcAU-AAlj6N70PfKXg3-4WalfjF1o2tP0/s320/084.JPG" width="240" /></a> In this close up photo, you can really see how all the low volume backgrounds blend, yet create a distinct patchwork background for the really cool modern prints used by all of my testers, showing them off without overpowering them.<br />
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<b>So what exactly is a "Low Volume" print? </b><br />
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Much like what exactly is a 1/4" seam allowance, every quilter probably has a different interpretation of the real answer, but here's the basic jist with a splash of my own opinion thrown in:<br />
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Low Volume - "a very light colored fabric, preferably cream, beige, eggshell, ecru, spoiled milk, buttercream with a hint of vanilla, grey, or on a crazy day a very light pastel, that reads light, yet contains a subtle print." Refer again to the photo at right - see how the background fabrics all have a little something-something going on? No solids among them to make your eye stop and ruin the flow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cSLrhVHNlbhKgqzEAHgrDm3RIEyeiJxESxXi0AtUsp8O8bxhsn96I15SygD_hMFLTf1ZSl1Zvwgau03bl-ze82VExzUJsUz_zeltlXvyjlW7S7QRzVNIxtkM_Ak5nt-rRk2Q_3AilKc/s1600/LV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cSLrhVHNlbhKgqzEAHgrDm3RIEyeiJxESxXi0AtUsp8O8bxhsn96I15SygD_hMFLTf1ZSl1Zvwgau03bl-ze82VExzUJsUz_zeltlXvyjlW7S7QRzVNIxtkM_Ak5nt-rRk2Q_3AilKc/s320/LV.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good LV choices</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here's a dirty little secret - three of these LV fabrics are actually the BACK SIDE! If your LV is still a bit obvious in the block, just flip it over and use the back. That tip alone just paid for this whole QAL, didn't it?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCawLam7KBZaxh66pwcEhyVdGqBQzj1fTAmcLivIGefrA0GdMohm2GGtKD32r9LBomlslWDeeQP8CRr6UIszinDOg0AFc0XbhW3mcMXnG3I_UCFYkWW-YQDoKdRU-aOeWV6AlRy_FWk8A/s1600/LV+no.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCawLam7KBZaxh66pwcEhyVdGqBQzj1fTAmcLivIGefrA0GdMohm2GGtKD32r9LBomlslWDeeQP8CRr6UIszinDOg0AFc0XbhW3mcMXnG3I_UCFYkWW-YQDoKdRU-aOeWV6AlRy_FWk8A/s320/LV+no.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so good LV choices - too much color or obvious pattern.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now, those who took part in my test and group quilt know that there was quite a debate about not only what is low volume, but also what is modern when it comes to a "modern" print. And that, my hotties, is the million dollar question. What I was looking for comes down to this basic definition I'm pulling out of my own head, meaning your opinion may vary:<br />
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Modern prints - "Bold colors and medium to large scale prints, often but not always geometric in nature, and purchased at a quilt shop no earlier than 2011." As with many things, I find it easier to say what <i>isn't</i> a modern print, and what isn't are tone on tones, batiks, primitive or Civil War fabrics, small scale prints or ditsy prints, and 30s types of fabrics. This is not to say I don't love those fabrics (well, let's be honest, I don't love two of those categories, but they will remain nameless), it's just to say that they aren't, in my mind, "modern." But maybe they are in yours. Maybe you want to try low volume background with some of your own brand of modern. Who am I to stop you? It's your quilt! I say do it! You love the fabric, you use it. Plain and simple.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CauK3DSUmqjBMRD2__TS3H71fgAB6B67LlQcAkNIsxXg3fAR-Cz2qejqBpS7OS8iHXlushsOHMI4z9ZkY2GzfiUk9WdzshHsKDlVk7zi9p3OQmdC96bHcJkfLx_8Yf-EdqvXMGE3xgg/s1600/modfab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CauK3DSUmqjBMRD2__TS3H71fgAB6B67LlQcAkNIsxXg3fAR-Cz2qejqBpS7OS8iHXlushsOHMI4z9ZkY2GzfiUk9WdzshHsKDlVk7zi9p3OQmdC96bHcJkfLx_8Yf-EdqvXMGE3xgg/s320/modfab.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd call these modern</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWdyeLzenePULX82m24VD2EpyEpsLO_xPkWz9wyMQB8PjYDuN1X6eCBc_ocZCT9KY5kZTJBDRkUqlEH2E-1ojq8G741TWr1a9ujxRf_Qlmd-M_ZQxJi_7Fhml8AyPbp0r0ggvyjweifo/s1600/modfabno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWdyeLzenePULX82m24VD2EpyEpsLO_xPkWz9wyMQB8PjYDuN1X6eCBc_ocZCT9KY5kZTJBDRkUqlEH2E-1ojq8G741TWr1a9ujxRf_Qlmd-M_ZQxJi_7Fhml8AyPbp0r0ggvyjweifo/s320/modfabno.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would not call these modern,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">Option #2 - Reverse/Inside Out</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">However you care to say it, I'd describe this option as the reverse of the first option, with the prints (darks) being the background and the low volume or lights being the foreground. I loved the one block I received from testers that had reversed the values and it now lives in the middle of the table runner sample. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-_Q2v3ATFtzTvXJFuyUibp9Dd7tVmXxXc-7jbKI16C2Ae5Mai79zLcXXkvvTteQgFtdPjBydW7K59qDMBJRg3tC9sTqtA2k3E88L2gluggF1ygFp0SCp4EkKQODxz-xFdR26m9BhTc4/s1600/vinnie+runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-_Q2v3ATFtzTvXJFuyUibp9Dd7tVmXxXc-7jbKI16C2Ae5Mai79zLcXXkvvTteQgFtdPjBydW7K59qDMBJRg3tC9sTqtA2k3E88L2gluggF1ygFp0SCp4EkKQODxz-xFdR26m9BhTc4/s320/vinnie+runner.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">I whipped out the handy dandy EQ to see what a whole quilt might look like with this color scheme. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha76yTfMWJY5LbHumVG_bA2_rXy6ZslZNrDhd5L8caLrtaaL0Wix3b80sHSExzdJb58cS5oEWfsLnhf8S6_mdNPmbZ6rkupxBZHTgxjRxrYu9tuaD_Z7Ih07yJCNOB8CjMWvqpeVb6W8M/s1600/bwvin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha76yTfMWJY5LbHumVG_bA2_rXy6ZslZNrDhd5L8caLrtaaL0Wix3b80sHSExzdJb58cS5oEWfsLnhf8S6_mdNPmbZ6rkupxBZHTgxjRxrYu9tuaD_Z7Ih07yJCNOB8CjMWvqpeVb6W8M/s320/bwvin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Kinda vintage lacy, no? But maybe you need a little pop of color or nine?<br />
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Okay then.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7uU0W_T7imqH9OV7MpWDf3jBLTaOycEI85rHF40mZl3Z9ObTosmSH5B7WS4-RWbL4Pwan5NfvRPXbgkQ2kqrg2B2zgyd4_acWXLtp-DrbRTptremcaqbF42RJJnxFtHdqwRWS1O6JTo/s1600/bluewithpurple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7uU0W_T7imqH9OV7MpWDf3jBLTaOycEI85rHF40mZl3Z9ObTosmSH5B7WS4-RWbL4Pwan5NfvRPXbgkQ2kqrg2B2zgyd4_acWXLtp-DrbRTptremcaqbF42RJJnxFtHdqwRWS1O6JTo/s320/bluewithpurple.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how using the same background fabric makes that funky 8 pointed star secondary pattern pop out.</td></tr>
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Love that.<br />
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Now throw in more of a scrappy background with lots of different black prints:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYiRu50wq-1w51Qgbxrcypx-kf5aE8wrIU2m3gGHvyucdVn0olsdMv04vdJAlbLDntQ4p726SIDHg_wqTttRpuHNUsY50MAf-31ZpTPRHUYOMW5QUAVen7hHILgDfCS2Rk0O4fkB4t2M/s1600/bwtonal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYiRu50wq-1w51Qgbxrcypx-kf5aE8wrIU2m3gGHvyucdVn0olsdMv04vdJAlbLDntQ4p726SIDHg_wqTttRpuHNUsY50MAf-31ZpTPRHUYOMW5QUAVen7hHILgDfCS2Rk0O4fkB4t2M/s320/bwtonal.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Isn't that cool? A scrappier look, but still the same feel. I love and adore EQ. <br />
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This may be my favorite option, so I feel like I should say more. But there is no more to say. dark background, lighter prints. Done.<br />
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<b>Option #3 -Pop Those Colors!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcTH5t_OkW5CDl0zkJYXfU6DHAscYRauUGR0PV02w3Nb6w82yUbaHqiwAEXhL9LOjkkoJlwmn7o6qFn1RAZGReQbGc1V4Se9J3xaZSte1QOXVXLfYx-upG7zcvxLbAvvTMBILCZ-nXnI/s1600/grey+pop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcTH5t_OkW5CDl0zkJYXfU6DHAscYRauUGR0PV02w3Nb6w82yUbaHqiwAEXhL9LOjkkoJlwmn7o6qFn1RAZGReQbGc1V4Se9J3xaZSte1QOXVXLfYx-upG7zcvxLbAvvTMBILCZ-nXnI/s320/grey+pop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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People who know me know I'm all about the grey as a neutral these days. Mainly because grey IS a neutral, and one that often really can pop colors way more than white or cream ever can.<br />
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This example of a colorway is all about a little pop of yellow in a sea of three different shades of grey. Not 50. That would be too titilating. Less is more. To accomplish this look, just choose a couple of fabrics for your prints rather than lots of scraps, and sub in a few background squares of your "popper" color in the center background of the blocks. A great new look if you don't feel like digging through all your scraps!<br />
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Too much grey for you even to get the idea? How is this for you? Cut it down to three fabrics with a darker background and you get a pretty, lacy effect with a little bit of pop of that yellow. Reminds me of how some brides are throwing on a pop of color with a bright belt over their dress these days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR1RJSPONYu18Mq_0HXdzaVuuQUt1Qkba3PxSwdIphQ4XbHa6c2EIpkRrT3Rh4rBSd0befhYonMI9jgFj9ZdHz0N6nt-wpw9sKn5M5QfcSY4ua6NOcPNp-FOH5KDCGI7zD2jwEnO4UYM/s1600/bluepop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR1RJSPONYu18Mq_0HXdzaVuuQUt1Qkba3PxSwdIphQ4XbHa6c2EIpkRrT3Rh4rBSd0befhYonMI9jgFj9ZdHz0N6nt-wpw9sKn5M5QfcSY4ua6NOcPNp-FOH5KDCGI7zD2jwEnO4UYM/s320/bluepop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking for a little more drama using just a few fabrics? How's this? Choose those few fabrics plus a background, bring the popper (this time green) out a little further by including those inner rectangles in the pop, and you've got a pretty cool little design that your LQS is thrilled to have provided some chunks of fabric for!<br />
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Now, as you may note in the pattern, the five block runner is not shown, only suggested on page 7 - and if you haven't seen Deb Hartman's orange runner that was the inspiration, make sure you look in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/VMquiltalong/">FB group</a>! It's a stunner! As far as fabric requirements for a five block runner in color ways like I've shown here, half a yard of each fabric you plan to use should be more than enough, with scraps left over for your next Vinnie project!<br />
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The block at the left was made by one of my testers, and is sort of a combination of all of these popper type blocks. It only proves the possibilities are really and truly endless! <br />
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<b>Option Four - Holiday!.....Celebrate! </b><br />
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You'll note the pattern actually has two block sizes, and I had some fun recoloring the larger blocks size quilt into some festive holiday themes. Obviously, either block size could be done with holiday or other novelty type fabrics. They are just kind of fun!<br />
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<b>Option #5 - Solid background with modern fabrics, or What I'm Doing</b><br />
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You've no doubt seen some of my blocks by now if you've been on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/VMquiltalong/">FB group</a> or my business page. Or if you've looked at the blog button, which is just a photo of one of my blocks with some words on it.<br />
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So basically I decided to make another baby sized version with small blocks, using teal modern fabrics as my prints and a solid coral for the background. Isn't it amazing how much more "modern" the design looks with all one fabric in the background as compared to the cover quilt? <br />
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I'm still working on a few more blocks - this is a QAL after all, so I'm playing along too - but through the magic of EQ I can show you my color scheme:<br />
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I'm already thinking ahead to quilting thread colors!<br />
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So there you have it - five different options for your own color scheme, but obviously those are only the beginning. Whatever fabrics you choose, just be sure they are some you love! Nothing in the world is worse than working on a quilt you can't stand, am I right?<br />
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Next Tutorial all about cutting tips will be up on June 7! Thanks for playing along!<br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048712117658611836.post-33765422979921831382016-05-17T10:30:00.001-04:002016-05-18T09:08:03.321-04:00Vinnie Loves Maude Quiltalong INTRO - Time to Open a Tinder Account for These Crazy Kids!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What do you do with a great pattern with lots of piecing, tons of options, and cool extras that wouldn't fit in the pattern? Start a quiltalong! In five sessions, we'll go from
a pile of scraps, or yardage pulled from your stash, or the fodder from your latest trip to the quilt shop all the way to a finished quilt, with tips, tricks, size and
design options, color theories, and yes, plenty of butt kicking to keep
you going along the way.<br />
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Vinnie Loves Maude is one of my favorite
patterns I've designed. When I first designed it, I had in mind a very
modern looking quilt - imagine my surprise when the pieces of the cover
quilt all came together with a bit of a "vintage" vibe. Cue the chickens
and feed sacks!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd_LW0mH1tXR3rsKtyef7hmFBlYXSr2jBg8JHarOc3RFJ7Uu3yt5kj3q7KX-gBNyHeoqm7G0nvi1az9ncQJuHt5YQqRExdmYcrokRa22RQkOx1X_7QLwxrkbE4bbT1W1o1gmbZVN5W8M/s1600/vinniefixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd_LW0mH1tXR3rsKtyef7hmFBlYXSr2jBg8JHarOc3RFJ7Uu3yt5kj3q7KX-gBNyHeoqm7G0nvi1az9ncQJuHt5YQqRExdmYcrokRa22RQkOx1X_7QLwxrkbE4bbT1W1o1gmbZVN5W8M/s320/vinniefixed.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vinnie Loves Maude. Sometimes Tinder works out.</td></tr>
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This block is so versatile, it can be made in different sizes, and a
different color scheme can give it a whole different look. Different settings and sizes for the finished product make this a pattern you might just use more than once! Until you dig
into the pattern, you just won't know what it is capable of! And that's
where the quiltalong comes in - to fill in all sorts of extras that just won't fit into an 8 page booklet pattern.<br />
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Those of you who know me in any capacity (online through this blog or my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EvaPaigeQuiltDesigns">EPQD FB page</a>, you've heard a lecture or taken a workshop with me, you've tested for me, or you know me in person - and aren't you the luckiest of all?) know that I can chat. I can expound. I can actually teach stuff. But I can't do all that in a pattern and still have it be something I can print for less than a bazillion dollars a printing. So I've decided to take Vinnie Loves Maude, one of my newest (as of this second, which is midnight May 18, 2016) patterns, and turn it into a quiltalong and something of an online workshop. <br />
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Questions? Here are the answers:<br />
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<b>How Much Does this Cost?</b>: Yes, let's get that one out of the way immediately. The only cost to you for this quiltalong is a copy of the pattern. Buy the pattern <a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/vinnie-loves-maude">on my website</a> or <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/vinnie-loves-maude/197655">Craftsy</a>, or please ask for it at your local quilt shop, where I also encourage you to go to buy some fun fabrics to include! The actual delight of taking a virtual class with me is completely free, and the best money you will spend all year! <br />
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<b>Where and when can I find all the tutorials? </b>See the "Vinnie Loves Maude Quiltalong" page up there on the main bar of this blog? Hit that and it leads you to the main page, which will include the following schedule and links to each tutorial as they become available.<br />
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Schedule:<br />
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May 18 - Intro and Official Launch - You're here!<br />
May 31 - Fabric Selection<br />
June 14 - Cutting<br />
June 28 - Piecing Blocks<br />
July 12 - Spacers and Borders<br />
July 26 - Quilting and Finishing<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1921yOzhVaG6TO63Ui6gtQhncg7-WnTekIgKnkyyFAfesNMx_J0OuDI5bSkwrAkDaz5YDEenODET35BGJbQKGdOTSGcu84uB9LZeVCNT0CMSzbOcjuvnxbfN4tpePjD5xPyTlo6upf7E/s1600/vinnie+runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1921yOzhVaG6TO63Ui6gtQhncg7-WnTekIgKnkyyFAfesNMx_J0OuDI5bSkwrAkDaz5YDEenODET35BGJbQKGdOTSGcu84uB9LZeVCNT0CMSzbOcjuvnxbfN4tpePjD5xPyTlo6upf7E/s320/vinnie+runner.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus table runner - it's not even in the pattern, but it will be discussed in the QAL</td></tr>
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<b>What Can I Expect to Learn? </b>Vinnie Loves Maude was my group quilt project for 2016, which means that the blocks were tested and swapped and the pattern written based on input from 45 people. As you can imagine, 45 quilters participating means 569 things coming up I never thought of. This quiltalong will address many of the items brought up, such as fabric selection for different looks to this quilt, cutting techniques to get the most out of your scraps, yardage, and focus fabrics, dealing with some of the smaller pieces without stress, fabric placement within blocks and efficient piecing of blocks, optional layouts or projects, and even quilting ideas. No "Quilt as Desired" for you! Also, you'll get butt kicking. A project with so many blocks can be daunting. I'll keep you on track and finishing blocks as fast as you are willing to stay with me. Sometimes just knowing someone is out there wanting to help you finish will do it for you. Let me be that person; let's face it, it makes me feel powerful. All will be presented in a lively manner as you've come to expect on my blog, and with any luck will be just like you are taking a class from me, but on your own time. It's like my very own online course. <br />
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<b>What If I Don't Start On Time?</b> On time? What is this odd concept of which you speak? While I'm known for being early to stuff in my real life, when it comes to quilt timing, I'm always late to the party or falling behind. The schedule above is when the tutorials will be released (all in 2016 dates, BTW, for those of you arriving here from the future), but starting and finishing "on time" is really just all relative. Yes, part of my plan is to do some virtual butt kicking so that you really CAN finish this quilt in five sessions. But I'm also not planning to travel around to your places of residence and do any ACTUAL butt kicking. You've found this QAL, so why not start now, finish when you can? The tutorials will be here forever and ever amen.<br />
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<b>Do I HAVE to Buy the Pattern? </b>While I will have no way of knowing if you do for real or not, I guarantee you that without it, you will be making things needlessly difficult for yourself. I will not be giving measurements or amounts in the tutorials for any aspect of this quilt because they are already in the pattern; the tutorials will enhance and expound upon the information in the pattern, and it will be referred to frequently as well as being the best source of information between tutorials. And the diagrams I slaved over are to die for, if I do say. I mean, we are talking frame-worthy. For those alone you'll want it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr53reUr2HaZiA6kM23D1o8N1zb27gkFphpLoNuarqLvDOt7DmeC9ppP2IqcVawK89ZOG-XS4cw5OwhquQhoziVQ6bPhujLP0jmx3-FwyLudL0ee8NNJz1NjQjHSYuzGaFiY4z70iHDk/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr53reUr2HaZiA6kM23D1o8N1zb27gkFphpLoNuarqLvDOt7DmeC9ppP2IqcVawK89ZOG-XS4cw5OwhquQhoziVQ6bPhujLP0jmx3-FwyLudL0ee8NNJz1NjQjHSYuzGaFiY4z70iHDk/s320/012.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plus they are really cute.</td></tr>
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Sticking with the QAL will allow you to finish this lovely quilt along with others doing the same. Wouldn't you rather have the fun and learning of working on this quilt with all the info at your fingertips rather than spending hours upon hours trying to figure out how I created this pattern, how big the pieces are, how many to cut, etc just from photos? As the designer, I already spent hours upon hours and weeks upon weeks figuring out all the details (as well as editing, testing, and writing it all) FOR you. Please respect the work designers put into patterns and use them rather than try to recreate them. We love doing it for you and appreciate your support!<br />
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<b>Where Can I Share Photos? Am I Allowed to Blog About This? </b><br />
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Share away! I've started the IG hashtag #vinnielovesmaudeqal, and share any time on your own FB pages or any other social media you like. All I ask is that you use the name of the pattern and/or my company name (EvaPaige Quilt Designs) in the posts. If you have a blog and want to write about your fun with this QAL, go right ahead! There's even a blog button (top right column of this blog) you can grab and post on your own blog. Link it to http://evapaigequiltdesigns.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html and everyone will be sent right to the main page to join in.<br />
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Also I have started a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/VMquiltalong/">FB group</a>, and if you care to join and share your photos, chat with others doing it, or get notifications from me about tutorials going up, etc, please join us!<br />
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Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm. It's going to be fun, so come on along! If you need the pattern, once again it's <a href="http://evapaigequilts.com/products/vinnie-loves-maude">on my website</a>, <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/vinnie-loves-maude/197655">on Craftsy</a>, or maybe even at your LQS. Pick it up today and be ready to go May 31 with the first tutorial - all about fabric selection and cool looks for your future quilt! <br />
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<br />Beth at Quilting Hottie Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01519248245914333237noreply@blogger.com0