Tag Archives: quilting

Brave World Quilt Block

It has been quite awhile since I shared a post with quilt designs (not including revisiting a block recently).  Last week, I picked up my Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar 365 Quilt Blocks A Year, and I randomly chose a block.

Right away, I disliked the block.  It became a challenge (I will not be defeated by this block!).  I persevered, and warmed up to it.

Here is Brave World:

Brave World Quilt Block

It can be drawn with a  2 x 2 grid.

Here is how it looks in a basic straight set:

Brave World Straight Set

Sashing strips make it easy to see the block, and make it easy to change the size of a quilt, as well as add another design aspect.

Brave World Straight Set

I this case, I don’t care for the sashing strips, so the next few straight set designs are playing with alternate blocks.

Brave World Straight Set

Brave World Straight Set

How do you know if you like your block paired with other blocks unless you play?

Brave World Straight Set

I’m not a big fan of this next design, but it happens to be the Hubby’s choice.  He says to make it black, white and grey, since he can imagine Tie fighters with all the movement that the blocks create.  Gotta love that imagination!

Brave World Straight Set

He does bring up a good point, however.  Color and value can make a big difference.  I am showing one colorway of an endless array of possibilities!

Brave World Straight Set

Perhaps the above designs are too busy for you.  After all, different strokes for different folks!  Deleting lines can be just as important as adding lines to design.

Brave World Straight Set

Deleting lines, and/or, adding plain blocks can open up lots of opportunities for the addition of applique, or quilting, if that is your thing!

Brave World Straight Set

Go get creative with your designing and have fun!

Anvil Quilt Block Part 3

A recent comment on an older blog post showing the Anvil Quilt Block inspired me to revisit the Electric Quilt project file.

Anvil Quilt Block

 

I tried one of my variation blocks in a straight set design.

Anvil Straight Set

What if I set plain blocks in the corners?

Anvil Straight Set

What if I moved the color around just a bit?

Anvil Straight Set

How about I try the block on point?

Anvil On Point Set

And move the color just a bit.

Anvil On Point Set

Of course, one could try lots more by switching up the color/value altogether.  That’s what makes design so much fun!

Anvil Quilt Block Part 1

Anvil Quilt Block Part 2

Initial Pillow No. 5

For this month’s pillow, I have taken my inspiration from Diane Gaudynski’s Guide to Machine Quilting.  I have owned this excellent, comprehensive book for many a year.

Diane is a very talented award winning quilter and I admire her work very much! 

You can find lots of eye candy and free motion quilting tips on Diane’s blog!

Diane is an elegant, traditional quilter and uses lots of feathers and echo quilting.  I saw this feather on page 69:

Diane Gaudynski

And on page 31 of Diane’s book:

Diane Gaudynski

I drew a version of it with a blue marker on a white tone-on-tone cotton fabric (I would have used silk, or sateen, if I had any, but couldn’t find any in my stash of fabrics.) 

Initial J Pillow

The ‘J’ is the initial of the name of a good friend to whom I will be giving this pillow.

A layer of batting is stitched with water soluble thread, and then carefully trimmed.

Initial J Pillow

I wish I were better at taking photos, especially of white on white!

Initial J Pillow

Since my friend likes pink, I am using a 40 weight pink variegated Aurifil thread for the feathers and the letter.  The rest of the wholecloth quilting is done with 50 weight white Aurifil thread.

Initial J Pillow

You can begin to see the texture forming!

Initial J Pillow

Finished and washed:

Initial J Pillow

Detail:

Initial J Pillow

Initial J Pillow

Like the other pillows that I have been making, this one is simple with a covered zipper.

Initial J Pillow

Initial J Pillow

Last look:

Initial J Pillow

I participated in QuiltShopGal’s 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge, so it would’ve been fun for me to repeat Diane’s lesson and compare the ‘then and now’.  I may do that yet.  However, I am doing Option 2 from this year’s Free Motion Quilting Challenge, and I will be linking up over there.

Previous pillows/challenges:

Joy Pillow

Initial Pillow No. 1

Initial Pillow No. 2

Initial Pillow No. 3

Initial Pillow No. 4