Friday, April 13, 2012

Finish it up Friday - Quilt #23 for 2012

I recently had the fun of testing a new quilt pattern for Holly of Bijoux Lovely.  Holly wrote a really nice post featuring my sample quilt.

Holly's Colorblock Quilt  will make a great baby quilt or comfort quilt.


I used fabric from Valori Well's "Wrenly" collection.  It took me less than two hours to make -- would have been faster except I had to wash the center panel fabric!  Holly's directions are extremely well-written and illustrated.  I heartily recommend her pattern.

Keep an eye on Holly's blog, the pattern should be published soon.

Linking to Finish it up Friday on crazy mom quilts.



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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

WIP Wednesday - Road Trip!

I'm leaving too early today to link up with Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday, but I do have a couple of works in progress.


First, my pyramid blocks for Anna Lena's pyramid block-a-day:

 

I'm using a portion of my extensive collection of 1930s reproduction fabrics.  Conveniently, this quilt is also one of my April UFOs.


By the first day of summer, I'll have enough blocks to make this quilt:


Really, my border fabric is that great bubble-gum pink called "Double Pink" from the 1930s, even though it looks kind of apricot in this photo:



And for my best WIP. today I'm off on my roadtrip to Ohio to the Cincinnati International Quilt Festival



To celebrate, I installed this fun license plate frame, a gift from my friend Tracy in Boise.  Do you have any idea how many quilt shops there are between Colorado and Cincinnati?  I do -- and I promise photos and shop reviews!


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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Tuesday Tutorial - Fast Stripping!

Are you a stripper?  I mean, do you like to make quilts using 2 1/2" strips?

Sometimes, do you need lots of strips from the same fabric?

And you're not ready to spend more than $300 for a fancy shape-cutting machine?

Do I have a tool for you!

The Shape Cut Pro lets you cut 9 strips in less than a minute.  This nifty ruler cuts across the full width of the fabric, at 2 1/2" intervals. 



I got  mine from Nancy's Notions on sale for only $59.  Nancy writes:  "Fast and efficient—two words you never think of when cutting strips."


Manufactured by June Tailor, this ruler is made from very heavy plastic, heavy enough that it won't shift or slide while you are cutting.  It has a convenient cut-out handle on one side for easy lifting.

Here's how to use it:

Spread your fabric out on the cutting surface just as it comes off the bolt.  Line up one of the horizontal dark lines with the fold and the line marked "0" almost to the cut edge of the fabric.

Spread the fingers of your left hand along the left edge of the ruler and insert the blade of your rotary cutter into the first slot.


Cut all the way across the fabric and lift the rotary cutter away from the ruler when it hits the opposite end of the slot.


Continue cutting across each slot until you reach the last one.  You may want to "spider" your hand along the left side as you cut across, but I usually don't need to.


Lift away the ruler and -- voila! -- nine perfect 2 1/2" strips!


If you're left-handed, you can cut just as easily from right to left.

Nancy's Notions shipped the Shape Cut in a heavy cardboard that I saved to store the ruler flat.  I haven't seen this particular tool anywhere else, although my local JoAnn's carries June Tailor tools -- just not this one!




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Monday, April 9, 2012

New Features - Guest Blogger

Hello Everyone!

I'm 'The Younger Son' (or 'My Little Sailor') your Aunt Marti references in some of her posts, (usually to the effect of, 'Wow, he actually called for a change!) and I'm here to tell you about some exciting changes we've been working on for the 52 Quilts in 52 Weeks blog.

Sakura Blossoms in Mitsuikekoen (Mitsui Park, Kanazawa-Hakkei)

Number 1!

52 Quilts in 52 Weeks now has a registered domain


  • You can access the blog just by typing '52quilts.com' into your browser, or update your bookmarks to http://www.52quilts.com/


Number 2!

Aunt Marti has a new email


  •   Reach her for comments or questions about the blog at AuntMarti@52quilts.com
  •   (Or, if you have problems with the site, reach me at JacobAllison@52quilts.com)


Number 3!

You've probably already noticed this one -- the website now has a new layout


  • In addition to the new design, you can find 'Share on Facebook' and Google+ buttons on the blog posts, as well as for the blog in general over there on the sidebar.


As you may have guessed, these changes came about because the blog is getting rather serious! When my mom (finally) started to blog, we all encouraged her, but now that she's up to almost 100 followers, it's a pretty big deal and she asked for some help in sprucing up the blog. A couple (sleepless, for me) days later and here it is.


Well, that's it for today. Thank you for reading and greetings from Japan.

Festival of Half Square Triangles

I'm going to Ohio this week to attend the Cincinnati International Quilt Festival.  And, yes, I am hoping to attend the modern meet-up hosted by the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild:


So I had to finish my half square triangles quilt today.


I based my layout on the cover quilt of this book by Tricia Cribbs:


Tricia has lots of ideas for quilts using fat quarters.  The 2004 edition is a classic, and it was updated in 2007 with five new designs.  If you can't find it at your LQS, check here.

I used Robert Kaufman's "Treasures & Tidbits by Piece o' Cake" 10 inch squares.  I only used the bright-colored squares, as I didn't think the ones with a white background would provide enough contrast.  The background is "Surf Circle Dots" from the same collection, which I purchased at Cotton Blossom Farm.  


The blocks finish at 8 1/2", the quilt is 52" X 90", an extra-long twin size.  I really would like to add another row, but I won't have time to order more fabric before the deadline for Festival of HSTs.  I like the wonky layout, the fabrics are so much fun, I thought the layout should be fun also.


Watch this spot, because I will be shopping for something fabulous at the quilt festival.  And when I find it, it will be the giveaway prize when I celebrate my 100th blog post!


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