Our Inklingo yahoo group just had a Mug Rug Swap. Look at the gem Fiona in Australia made for me:
I LOVE it. Fiona not only hand pieced these New York Beauty blocks, she also hand quilted them. What an amazing amount of work. Sigh. I don’t know if I can bear to use it as a mug rug, I may stain it with my tea or coffee. I can be really clumsy. I’m thinking this may end up displayed on my wall.
Thank you so much Fiona for such a treasure.
The Alliance for American Quilts contest this year had the theme ‘Home is Where the Quilt Is.’ The entries had to be a specific house shape–basically 15 inches wide by 19.5 inches tall.
I entered the contest with this design that I drafted for Inklingo shapes a couple of years ago:
I used 1 inch shapes, it’s hand pieced and machine quilted. The ‘rings’ are trapuntoed. More on my design and its construction in my next post.
I named the quilt Connections. This is my artist’s statement about the quilt:
‘One of the things I love about quilting in this age of the internet is the connectedness of the worldwide quilt community–from my home to yours! The interlocking rings that intersect at the earth illustrate these connections.
This pattern is part of a demiregular tesselation in geometry.
This quilt is dedicated to you, my inspiring online quilting friends, and all you have taught me.’
My heartfelt thanks to all of you!
’til later, Jillian
I’m not yet confident enough of my hand or free motion quilting skills to use them on a quilt. I use a walking foot, kinda Mary Mashuta style. I prefer not to have to mark a whole quilt, but primarily do it free hand, or use masking tape or freezer paper (stitching next to the tape/shape), or wash away stabilizer (motif marked on it) as the stencil.
I’m always on the lookout for gently curved motifs or motifs in which I can pivot easily with the walking foot. These can be layered for some really nice results.
It recently dawned on me that there are MANY Inklingo shapes that I can use as quilting shapes to stitch around! I can use shapes with or without the seam allowance–it will all depend on the quilt or block design.
In the pictures below use your imagination to see quilting lines next to the Inklingo shape, perhaps some echoing of the shape, etc. I wouldn’t necessarily use all of these together, but I could! The possibilities are very exciting to me. The name of the Inklingo collection that the shape can be found in is noted. To give you an idea of scale, the four matching blocks are 16 inches square:
The clam shells and apple cores are from one of the hundreds and hundreds of worksheets that Linda has provided in the collections and wonderful design books. They could be used for an all-over quilt design.
Below are 6 inch blocks from a table runner of 3 inch Inklingo HSTs that is in process:
I could go on and on (and on), but you can discover other ideas for yourself!
I’ve always thought Inklingo collections and design books were a steal. Quilt pattern books don’t have more than 10-12 quilts in them; Linda offers dozens of patterns in the design books alone. Now we have another way to use the shapes, increasing their value even more!
I’d love to hear about or see your Inklingo quilting motif design ideas.
’til later, Jillian
I’ve been struggling with viral eye infections (both eyes) and a couple of other eye issues for weeks. Doc says it should be better in a week. This has made it difficult to do much of anything. I’m going to post a couple progress reports I had drafted until I’m able to do more.
After over four years of being cut, my Summer Porch throw, an Eleanor Burns pattern, has been pieced. This is truly a scrap quilt, most of the fabrics are cut up from blouses from friends!
As is, it’s 51×67. I’m not (currently) planning more border.
This is a comfort quilt for a friend who lives in another state. Her health is deteriorating quickly (she’s in her 80s). She’s the youngest of eight children, and last month lost her last surviving sibling.
I decided to do a scripture on the reverse. I debated whether to piece the letters free style, applique them, add it as part of the quilting motif, or as part of the label, or one of the other techniques I found during an internet search. I just knew I didn’t want the letters to be big and overwhelming.
I decided to try something new for me. I used Pellon’s fusible Quilter’s Grid (video here of the basic technique). I cut the squares for the letters and background at about 7/8 of an inch, narrower than the 1 inch grid, so the fold for the seam would be free of fabric. I hoped this would make the seam less bulky. Here is the result:
(Note: it really is straight, el cheapo camera distorts flat objects.)
I don’t think I’ll use this technique again; at least with small squares. Using such small squares means I have a lot of stiffer seams close together. To me it is stiffer and the seam intersections lumpier than I’d like, even with the seams graded. If I did it again I would also be sure that the fabric for the letters is either higher contrast from the background, or not patterned.
I AM especially concerned about machine quilting this area. I’m concerned the machine will get hung up some on the seam intersections. I’m going to have to do some practice blocks to see how it will work. I may end up appliqueing it on after it’s quilted. But at 21×32 inches, that will present some construction challenges too. I’ll need to tack it down throughout to stabilize it to the quilt. I have a couple of other ideas, but would love to hear any you may come up with.
The rest of the backing will be flannel, with some really cute sheep. I thought it was fitting…
’til later, Jillian
As a reminder, I am using the blocks from Bonnie Hunter’s Orca Bay Mystery differently than her original design. One of the alternate designs is Shades of Orca Bay, last blogged about here.
I appliqued all the 2 inch squares on my alternate blocks.
The squares already had the Inklingo template printed on them, so I wanted to take advantage of that. I wanted the squarest corner I could get with machine applique, which means not a lot of fabric in the corners. I put a pin in the corner and, using my lovely Clover Mini Iron, pressed the fabric back right over it, on the diagonal. Then I took a scant 2 inch square of Wonder-Under fusible web and pressed it to the center area of the block. I tucked the corner fold under the fusible’s paper and touched it with the tip of the iron, fusing it.
Before removing the backing on the Wonder-Under, I pressed the side seams. I removed the paper backing and fused the side seams, being VERY careful not to get the iron on the fusible in the center! (Didn’t want that mess to clean up.) My corners were crudely, but effectively, mitered–pic below.
I had lightly pressed a center horizontal and vertical fold in the background square to line up the tips of the red square. I fused the square in place on the background, then edge stitched.
I didn’t need one single pin while edge stitching. It all went very smoothly.
I packed up the blocks so I could get back to my priority list of projects. It will be back in the mix within the next couple of months.
’til later, Jillian
P.S. Per Cyn’s suggestion (thank you), I added construction pics to the post about Inklingo-ing a heart block…
There is a very nice free heart block designed by Janet Wickell here at About.com. The block finishes at 6 inches. I made these according to Janet’s instructions (cut squares for the HSTs, draw diagonal lines, stitch on the lines, trim, etc.):
I prefer to print Inklingo shapes. Each block needs two different size HSTs: four 1.5 inches, and two 3 inches. (Remember with Inklingo shapes we reference the finished size.) I’ll just rotary cut the two 3.5×6.5 inch rectangles.
Both of these HSTs are available in Inklingo Collection HST00B. The 1.5 inch HST is also in two Storm at Sea collections–4.5 inches and the 9 inches; and the 3 inch HST is also in Storm at Sea 9 inches.
I’m about to make 6 more blocks (two for a project, the rest will be extras). This time I’m making a colored heart on a light background only, not the reverse.
To print the 24 1.5 inch HSTs, I need a 7.75×10.25 piece of fabric. For the 12 3 inch HSTs, I need a 8.25×12.25 piece of fabric. I’m looking forward stitching these!
Edited to add construction pics. You probably won’t be able to see the Inklingo templates printed on these ‘cuz I printed them very lightly. When I print for pics, I usually do it a bit darker so you can see everything. Also, after stitching each seam I cut off the excess triangle of background fabric.
1. Layout to add first 1.5 inch HSTs:
2. Layout to add second 1.5 inch HSTs:
3. Layout to add 3 inch HSTs:
4. Finished!
Yes, I pressed to the light with this particular block. I’ll do that for half the blocks for easier construction.
’til later, Jillian
I’ve hit my first detour from my list of priorities! I’ve made an Inklingo (School) House block to go in a ‘Heart & Home’ comfort quilt. The blocks in the quilt are 6 inches finished. The Inklingo block finishes at 9 inches. I added sky and a field of daisies to enlarge the block. It’s over sized now at 13 inches so the person who’s sewing the top together has plenty of trimming room for what she needs (12 inches or so).
Here the block is plain:
Here it is with a couple of embellishments laying on it:
Which do you prefer? If I embellish it, I’m thinking the windows look a little plain. Should I embroider window panes? I’m concerned that with the plaid any window panes may look awkward? Any suggestions?
’til later, Jillian
I’m planning on keeping up the momentum I’ve had with the Orca Bay Mystery. I needed to take stock of my unfinished projects and set priorities. This is my planned order for in-process gifts and their current status:
1. Tiny Triangle Table Toppers: Jan’s only needs binding; Bob & Patty’s partially pieced. Make 8 coordinating mug rugs.
3. Bind the Mug Rugs for Bree, Ginny, Nancy, Ruby and me.
2. Ginny’s Summer Porch throw, an Eleanor Burns pattern (has been cut for 4 years).
3. Vicky’s hearts and nine patches queen quilt (center pieced, piece borders); design and make matching shams and pillows.
4. Jason’s Flavors of Orca Bay throw (partially pieced–the Orca Bay Mystery Ohio Star blocks).
5. Justin’s Fishing in Orca Bay–No Strings Attached throw (partially pieced–the Orca Bay Mystery string blocks).
Projects that are in process but not committed to anyone: one inch hexagon Flower Basket quilt (medallion completed, all flowers pieced for first border); mini hexagon Flower Basket wall hanging (needs quilting); Amy Butler giant hexagons throw (needs quilting); Infinite Garden (wall hanging, shapes printed and cut apart); Incognito (design borders)–from this whimsical Marimekko Karkutella panel:
The list isn’t as long as I thought it would be. Guess that’s the advantage of writing it out.
But then there’s the endless list of Inklingo projects–Clamshell Pickles, Dresden Plates, Feathered Stars, etc., etc., etc. And there are a couple of Bonnie Hunter‘s quilts too. And, and, and… Sigh, I’ll decide on those later!
’til later, Jillian
If you’re reading this and would like to know why I’m adjusting Bonnie’s beautiful Orca Bay Mystery pattern, please read yesterday’s post.
As I bemoaned to fellow blogger Anneke yesterday, I really need to learn how to use my EQ software! (Check out Anneke’s blog, she’s a very competent EQer and brilliant quilt designer.) But then I’d have to stop sewing some. Nonetheless, EQ has to be so much faster than the scribbling and figuring I’ve been doing with pencil, paper and my beloved (read that as well used) eraser. The added incentive for me is the Inklingo/Electric Quilt design contest, Love the Lines, Quilt More that has awesome prizes. Sigh, I need a new brain that retains more and a more cooperative body! tee hee…
Thanks to my bestest friend Bree (Sabrina), my Ohio Stars quilt now has a name–Flavors of Orca Bay:
Without borders, this quilt will be about 56×75 inches. This is for a family member’s t.v. room so it’s a good size for cuddling under while hanging out. I’m going to use a slightly narrower seam allowance on the Ohio Star blocks so they’ll finish at 6.25 inches instead of 6 inches. Block 2 will have a full quarter inch seam allowance (cut at 6.75 inches). By making all the blocks this size I will be squeaking out a bit more width and length, and then I won’t feel the need to grade seams either as it’ll be done already!
My 9 block by 12 block setting will have 54 Ohio Star blocks (27 white, 27 black), and 54 block 2. ( I suppose block 2 has a name. Would it be considered a Square in Square? Please tell me if you know.)
I’m going to machine applique the 2 inch red squares on block 2 ‘cuz it’ll take less background fabric than piecing. I already had 44 extra red squares ‘Inklingoed‘ from the Ohio Star blocks. I printed out the rest… plus a few more. I do like to have those extras to play with.
I had 3 yards of the black swirl background fabric for block 2. I needed almost 2 yards for the block. I got 6 6.75 inch blocks per WOF (width of fabric), so I cut 10 strips and subcut them into squares. I then lightly pressed fold lines for the placement of the applique squares–pressed each block in half both directions so all I need do is line up the tips of the red square on the folds and it’ll be perfectly centered.
Today’s plan is to try different applique techniques to see which I prefer for sewing the red squares on the block 2s.
’til later, Jillian
Bonnie has revealed a stunning Orca Bay quilt. I think we should crown Bonnie the Queen of Scrappy Quilts! She has an amazing eye for color and how blocks fit together.
After laying my blocks in the final setting, I still did not like my black & white HSTs, but I also did not like the blue or purple I blogged about yesterday. I kept switching out my pieces and comparing what I was getting with Bonnie’s quilt, trying to nail down what I did and didn’t love in mine. I also was evaluating what you told me in your comments too as I did this. (Thank you all for your input, it was very helpful.)
In the end, the problem for me is that my Ohio Star blocks and the black & white HSTs are not scrappy–the black is one fabric and the white is one fabric. I love all my units individually, but for whatever reason, they just don’t play well together to my eye. For me this is a lesson well learned about what I love about scrappy quilts, that they’re scrappy!
Instead of trying to fix anything, I’m going to make a couple quilts from my pieces. I’m not disappointed in this. Actually it’s quite exciting for me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. I’ve learned a lot, and have loved being part of a big group sharing the process.
One of my quilts will be the string blocks, sashed in black with orangey-red cornerstones, kinda like this (note: the colors are not showing true, they are not this saturated/bright):
Yup, sashed with black. Can you believe it after my dilemma yesterday? tee hee…
The second quilt will most likely be this:
Looks very tame after the intricacy of Orca Bay!
I haven’t decided if I’m going to use the black & white HSTs in this quilt as the borders. I had an idea yesterday on how to use them in another quilt. BUT that’s a really nifty border Bonnie has on Orca Bay–I may need to do it with these blocks! I won’t make the border decision until this one is on the design wall.
Of course I need to get the design wall hung back up after moving earlier this year…
I hope you enjoyed the Ocra Bay Mystery as much as I have. I hope Bonnie will take the time to do another one next year. If she does, my primary lesson from this year is: do Bonnie’s color scheme exactly, or wait until all the Parts are posted to decide on a different color scheme.
’til later, Jillian
