Coloring with Fabric

Aren't these fun?

I made 3 other blocks first where I was going to a more controlled color scheme but, frankly, it wasn't very much fun.  Sure these blocks look good, but I want to play with color!

I chose to make my blocks using all the glorious colors from Zen Chic Spotted.   I precut a whole bunch of fabric in the sizes needed and have it all kitted up in one box.

Then, as I get ready to sew a block, I pull the 12 fabric strips I need, careful to avoid a duplicate fabric in the same block.

These blocks go together quickly using these Pineapple papers for paper piecing from Fat Quarter Shop!   They have them in two different sizes -  6'' blocks and 12" blocks!

I'm not yet certain of my block setting but am aiming for about 30 of these blocks before I start figuring it out!  I do like the secondary patterns that develop when the blocks are set next to each other without sashing.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

A Finish - Her Favorite Things

My daughter has a friend she met in Middle School with Cerebral Palsy.  This lovely young lady is in a wheelchair and communicates with an keyboard and a large, contagious smile.  The girls Skype every month or so and spend quite a lot of the time smiling and waving at each other while the mom and I fill each other in on what the girls have been up to!

This young woman is turning 25 this year and I wanted to make her a special quilt - one sized for a wheelchair.  She is an avid collector of Converse sneakers so the Converse block pattern is from Kristy @ Quiet Play was absolutely a perfect choice.

I love paper piecing and really had to force myself to stop making blocks once I had 6 of them.  I kept finding fabric in my stash thinking that it would make such a great color for a sneaker.

Her favorite color is green so this print is just perfect for the back!   I quilted it with organic wavy lines and a lovely shade of light gray Aurifil thread.

My favorite way of attaching a label is to fold a square in half and secure down 2 of the 3 sides before the binding is sewn on.  My daughter helped with the label.  I use the Pentel Gen Roller for Fabric (affiliate link)for my labels.  If you heat set, it is washable.  (I tested these pens a few years ago when making a signature quilt for my mom.)

Don't you want a pair in every color?

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Pineapple Blocks

Have you ever made a Pineapple block before?

I've only made a few pineapple blocks.  I didn't have a specialty ruler so I figured out a process with my regular rulers to square up the block each round.  (See that post.)   It worked just fine but was a bit tedious.

This might be why I was so excited to discover Fat Quartershop has Pineapple papers for paper piecing all ready to go for two different sizes -  6'' blocks and 12" blocks!

I love paper piecing so this product is just perfect. 

I've made a few blocks so far and when done, this quilt is going to someone special!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Her Favorite Things

We've a family friend in her twenties who loves her Converse.  She'll be visiting us next month and I wanted to make her something special.

This young lady is in a wheelchair so I've sized the quilt so that she can tuck it around her while in the chair.  I plan to put flannel on the back to make it extra cozy.

I love paper piecing and really had to force myself to stop making blocks once I had 6 of them.  I kept finding fabric in my stash thinking that it would make such a great color for a sneaker.

The Converse block pattern is from Kristy @ Quiet Play.


Have a wonderful day! Patty

Large Scale Paper Piecing

I love paper piecing and I had the chance recently to take a class from Nicole Neblett at Mama Love Quilts called Big & Bold Freezer Paper Piecing.  Nicole is a member of our guild and will also be teaching this very same class at QuiltCon.

How lucky for us to get a sneak preview!

My quilt is roughly 20'' square - pillow sized on purpose.   What looks like black in the photo is actually a deep navy color - the same color as the stripes.

I am thinking about whether I should bring a little blue up into that upper left corner - what do you think?

The technique itself was a lot of fun - like putting together a puzzle.

I brought along  Precision Quilting Tools Wool Ironing Mat (affiliate link)   and it worked really well for pressing the freezer paper to the fabric.

Nicole is on an episode of Fresh Quilting demonstrating this technique - check it out!

Have a wonderful day! Patty