Summer Sampler 2019 :: Circle Gets the Square

This week's Summer Sampler block is all about using color and fabric placement. Designed by Krystina Hopkins/KH Quilts, you can see the piecing is simple enough - you know - just a few little curves, all pieced the same way. But what really makes the design shine is playing with the fabric placement. It's not something I've explored much, but I love how the use of the 'white' fabric gives the illusion of a square in the center of the block. Kind of remarkable.

Week 14: Dandelion Clock [freehand foundation piecing/improvisational curves]

Week 13: Altitude [diamonds]     Week 12: Fussy Love [fussy-cutting]

Week 11: Bird's Eye Weave [stripes+curves]     Week 10: Off Kilter [partial seams]

Week 9: Oasis [inset pieced circle]     Week 8: Fierce [tiny piecing]

Week 7: Sparkler [transparency]     Week 6: Cul de Sac [curves]

Week 5: Rope Twist [paper-piecing]     Week 4: Victorian Tile [nested seams]

Week 3: Curious Crossing [improvisational piecing]

 Week 2: Pixelations [half-square triangles]     Week 1: Spring Fever [precision piecing]

#summersampler2019 #aqtsummersampler2019

Summer Sampler 2019 :: Dandelion Clock

This week's Summer Sampler block was designed by Jo Avery/My Bear Paw, and was an engaging combination of freehand(!) foundation piecing and improvisational curves. I actually struggled the most with drawing my wedges, which surprised me. It was a matter of fitting the right number in while making them in interesting and somewhat cohesive sizes and shapes. But I managed, obviously, and headed on in to the piecing.

Unfortunately, the sew-in interfacing that was suggested for the technique, and which I'd ordered a week ago, made it (briefly) within 30 miles of my mailbox, but then got lost in a state it shouldn't have gone to. So I used paper and that actually worked well enough.



Surprisingly, those curves were the easiest part! I'm so smitten with the method using the Sewline Glue Stick that Jen Carlton-Bailly/@bettycrockerass taught us on the Cul de Sac block early on. It's made all the difference.

If you'd like to have a look at Jo's freehand foundation piecing technique, she has a tutorial!

Week 13: Altitude [diamonds]     Week 12: Fussy Love [fussy-cutting]

Week 11: Bird's Eye Weave [stripes+curves]     Week 10: Off Kilter [partial seams]

Week 9: Oasis [inset pieced circle]     Week 8: Fierce [tiny piecing]

Week 7: Sparkler [transparency]     Week 6: Cul de Sac [curves]

Week 5: Rope Twist [paper-piecing]     Week 4: Victorian Tile [nested seams]

Week 3: Curious Crossing [improvisational piecing]

 Week 2: Pixelations [half-square triangles]     Week 1: Spring Fever [precision piecing]

#summersampler2019 #aqtsummersampler2019

Stripes

I do like a stripe. Make it improv and I love it even more. So my little creative heart kinda did a jump when I saw that M-R/@quiltmatters' Bee Sewcial prompt was Stripes! All sizes, maxi color with red and orange being slightly dominant, straight, wonky, diagonal or even curvy, with the last detail being a 1/2" light gray strip from one edge to another.



Yup, this was right up my alley. Though I questioned my 'make a bunch of stripe slabs then cut them up' methodology, I went with it, and had fun doing it. The finished block is 13 1/2" x 24 1/2", and my solid scrap bin is just a little less packed.

About Waxed Canvas

Early last year, I shared a guest post at Diary of a Quilter all about Sewing with Waxed Canvas. Now that some time has passed, Amy graciously ok'd me to 'bring it home' as they say, and share the post here on A Quilter's Table. 

I’d been eyeing waxed canvas for a while, admiring everything I’d seen made with it. I seriously loved the look of it. The first item I made was a travel bag for my husband. One day he started telling me about how he needed a new one, and I instinctively declared, “Wait! I’ll make you one!” You know us creative types. We think we need to make everything! Well in this case, it was the perfect chance to try my hand with waxed canvas. It was large enough not to be too fussy, which is always great when you try something new.

Boxy Pouch tutorial from Cara of Pink Stitches

What is Waxed Canvas?
Waxed canvas is cotton infused with a paraffin or natural beeswax based wax, woven into or applied to the cloth. The waxing process adds durability and a water-resistance to the fabric. It’s got a casual, rugged look and it’s easy to sew.



Specifics
I used a 10 oz. canvas for all the projects I’ve made. It’s a little stiff, but softens up with use. It has a leather-look, and I’ve found that it substitutes well for it. Working with it distresses it, and personally, I think that just adds to the appeal. It’s easier to handle than it looks. Yes, it’s stiffer than quilting cotton by a long shot, but not so much that it’s difficult to handle.

Basket pattern from Beyond Cotton by Krista Fleckenstein

Creating with It

• This is a perfect use for wonder clips rather than pins to prevent leaving pin marks.
• A standard sewing foot is fine.
• Use a denim needle – like a 100/16.
• Heavy-duty thread is recommended, though I found it worked well to use regular thread in the bobbin.
• Use a longer stitch length – 3.0.
• If you need to interface your project, interface the lining, not the canvas.
• To mark your fabric, use a Hera marker, chopstick, or even the blunt end of a crochet hook.
• Obvious or not, you can’t just use your iron to press seams open. But good news – finger pressing works great! If you really feel the need to press, use medium heat and a pressing cloth or clapper.
• If you need a sharp crease, try using a bone folder.
• Use a hair dryer to make the canvas more pliable or to remove unwanted creases or wrinkles.

“Leather” Bottom Pouch pattern from Beyond Cotton

Fabric care
Don’t wash or dry-clean waxed canvas fabric. Try spot-cleaning or a stiff brush. Mine came in a roll and that’s a good way to store it to prevent unwanted creases.



I hope this all gives you a helpful introduction to using waxed canvas in your own projects. I purchased mine from ALFrancesTextiles on Etsy, and I’d highly recommend them due to their fine product and excellent service. By the way, one yard of the canvas measures a generous 60″ x 36″, so there’s a good chance there will be plenty to make several projects.... which is why all of mine so far have been brown!

You can read a little more about the above projects here. I highly recommend giving waxed canvas a try. In fact I need to order more and see what else I can do with it!

Summer Sampler 2019 :: Altitude

Andrea Tsang Jackson/3rd Story Workshop's "Altitude" block was another one I'd had my eye on from the very beginning of this year's Summer Sampler Piecing Bootcamp. If you're new to diamonds, do check out Andrea's video on Cutting Fabric Diamonds. Easy peasy!

That said, I'm bummed I didn't use my scant quarter-inch foot for the piecing, as my block turned out a little narrow. No worries though. I'll deal with that later. Meanwhile, I'm quite fond of it, and pleased we got to incorporate like 12 of our fabrics! Couldn't resist working up a collage to see it in repeat!

Week 12: Fussy Love [fussy-cutting]

Week 11: Bird's Eye Weave [stripes+curves]     Week 10: Off Kilter [partial seams]

Week 9: Oasis [inset pieced circle]     Week 8: Fierce [tiny piecing]

Week 7: Sparkler [transparency]     Week 6: Cul de Sac [curves]

Week 5: Rope Twist [paper-piecing]     Week 4: Victorian Tile [nested seams]

Week 3: Curious Crossing [improvisational piecing]

 Week 2: Pixelations [half-square triangles]     Week 1: Spring Fever [precision piecing]

#summersampler2019 #aqtsummersampler2019

Black&White

The occasional mini quilt is the perfect remedy for a variety of woes, and for me this last weekend, I knew it would be a brief respite from the larger projects and a welcome change of pace. So of course, I took the opportunity to whip up a little something for Curated Quilts' Black & White Mini Quilt Challenge. I actually took a stack of possible fabrics to the guild sew-in thinking I'd play around with a few ideas, and then decide which to finish. Well that didn't happen. I got going on one - totally inspired by a previous bee block - and just got caught up with it.

I didn't really intend to mix prints and solids, but it added a fun dimension. And part of the challenge was to display a sense of motion, either with the piecing or quilting, and in my mind, I managed both. The general construction of the piece spirals around that smallest triangle, and I echoed that by also quilting an irregular spiral with Auriful 40wt in white.

The back was pieced simply, combining a stash find with some remnants from the quilt top, and that was especially quick and satisfying at this small size, 15 1/2" square.

So that was fun! It's been a while since I've done this kind of impromptu sewing, and as always, it was a very good thing.

Linking up with Meadow Mist Designs' Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup!

Summer Sampler 2019 :: Fussy Love

Considering the overarching theme of this year's Summer Sampler is "Piecing Bootcamp," I was a tad dubious when I saw the skill for the week was fussy cutting. Only because the fabrics I'm using aren't really that fussy-cut-able. But I wanted to go with the flow on my block, designed by Justin/Keaton Quilts.



So I took a close look at my fabrics and realized one of my background fabrics, even though not your typical feature fabric, was indeed fussy-cut-able if I focused on the darkest orange in the print. AND. I like it! Like ALOT! With the lines of the dark orange sections all running vertically, it added some interesting movement to the block. I'll take it!



One little item of note, and it was just how the pattern happened to assign my fabrics, but none of the four surrounding the background squares are typical quilting cotton, rather woven cotton, thick woven yarn dyed, and Essex Yarn Dye Homespun. I like the texture those add to the design.

Week 11: Bird's Eye Weave [stripes+curves]     Week 10: Off Kilter [partial seams]

Week 9: Oasis [inset pieced circle]     Week 8: Fierce [tiny piecing]

Week 7: Sparkler [transparency]     Week 6: Cul de Sac [curves]

Week 5: Rope Twist [paper-piecing]     Week 4: Victorian Tile [nested seams]

Week 3: Curious Crossing [improvisational piecing]

 Week 2: Pixelations [half-square triangles]     Week 1: Spring Fever [precision piecing]

#summersampler2019 #aqtsummersampler2019

Summer Scraps

Not quite sure why summer seems the perfect time to concentrate on working from the scrap basket, but it seems it's been that way for me. In Oh Scrappy Day, I focused on lots of neutrals and different substrates (love that mix!) but in the Plaid-ish quilt top I just finished, anything was fair game. In fact it was important to specifically choose low-volumes, medium values, and darks.



Erica/@kitchentablequilting's Plaid-ish Scrap Quilt is a free tutorial that uses tiny squares, skinny strips, rectangles, and charm size squares. And at 64" x 82", I does use alot of scraps!



If you're worried about the plaid effect 'working' with your scraps, don't be. Erica provides plenty of tips, and honestly, I was more interested in using scraps than I was about having the perfect values, and I think the 'plaid' still shows up pretty well on mine. At the very least, it's colorful and fun and served the purpose at hand - using those scraps!

So are you working on any scrappy projects lately? Do tell, as my scrap basket isn't empty YET!

Begonia :: August

At 54" square, my Seattle MQG Begonia quilt has outgrown my reach on the design wall. But every row gives it just a little more character, and there are just two more rows to go!

In addition to getting the latest row on, I've also finished making all the HSTs I'll need for the rest of the quilt! I love that Stefanie/@satterwhitequilts spread that making across many months. The relief is real!

At our last guild meeting, we managed a photo of several of us sharing our progress. Not a perfect photo, but it lets you see how unique - and striking - each one is.

Check out the #begoniaquilt hashtag to see more!

Burle Marx

I had never heard of Burle Marx when my bee-mate, Silvia/A Stranger View, announced July's Bee Sewcial prompt: Burle Marx, Brazialian Modernisn, and Banana Trees. He was a painter and a landscape architect, and he wore many other hats, as well as being a Brazialian like Silvia. Instantly, though, I was glad to have been introduced to his work, and found recreating some of his trademark design elements positively captivating.

Silvia had provided a pin board full of inspiration, as well as a Marx-inspired palette - white, black, oche/sienna/rust and, if desired, small pops of forest or emerald green and/or royal blue. I found myself especially drawn to the way Marx used line, and my fabric 'sketches' reflect several of those elements.

Considering I was stymied from beginning my block until nearly the end of the month, once I got started I enjoyed it SO much, and really didn't want to stop. But I'm pleased where I ended up, and I'm sending the block untrimmed, about 24" by 12-15", on its way, thinking I may need to explore with these forms again on another day.

Want to know more? Here's an interesting article about Burle Marx and his impact on tropical landscaping and more.