quilting

Little Bits Quilting Bee | talking pre-cut fabric | Squadron

by kath_red on February 10, 2012

in Little Bits Quilting Bee, Quilting

Squadron … A single bed quilt — By Kathreen Ricketson

Throughout February I will be featuring quilts from my book Little Bits Quilting Bee (published by Chronicle late last year). Because designer fabric is often only in print for one season it can be difficult for quilt designers and authors to choose fabrics that will be still available when the book or pattern is published; so to help you out I will be offering advice and alternate fabric choices for many of the quilts in my book. 

Squadron is inspired by planes flying in formation — such fun to watch — the blocks in this quilt are made with an improv method and once the blocks are done there are endless formations you can arrange them into.

For this quilt I used a Jelly Roll of Bar Harbor by Minick and Simpson for Moda. This fabric range is no longer available, I have searched out some other bold fabric ranges to use it its place – just make sure that the range you choose is not too floral as this quilt is perfect for a boy.

Here are some ideas for alternate fabrics:

  • Pezzy Print by American Jane for Moda Fabrics – this collection is a little more colourful with the addition of green and orange and yellow to the mix. (available at cotton blossom farm - pictured below)
  • Lost and Found (My Mind’s Eye) for Riley Blake Designs  – (you’ll need 2 rolls as these have only 30 strips instead of the regular 40) this collection is a little more graphic – grey and red combination — would make a great teen girl quilt using this range)
  • Stars and Stripes (My Mind’s Eye) for Riley Blake Designs  – (again you’ll need 2 rolls here as well) this collection is the closest you’ll get to the one I used – and in fact it might even be more perfect. A great mix of red, blue and white with hardly any florals at all (available soon) and some fabulous plaid, polka dot and star prints.
To make this quilt top you’ll need:
  • 1 Jelly Roll (40 strips), you’ll also need a neutral cream fabric or an unbleached muslin fabric for the background 4 1/3 yard (3.4 m) should do it. You will also need to get some extra yardage of one of the fabrics from your charm pack for the binding 1/2 yard (46 cm) will be enough, or use leftovers from your jelly roll strips or a couple of matching fat quarters to make a scrappy binding.
  • You’ll also need a copy of my book - and they are available in all good book shops and online too.
  • I quilted this in a free-style overlapping square design and used a neutral cream coloured thread so that the quilting blended in rather than standing out.
Quilt images are copyright John Paul Urizar who did a great job on the photography in the book. And thank you also to my two kids who did a great job of pillow fighting each other and getting photographed.

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Little Bits Quilting Bee | talking pre-cut fabric | Cloud Song

by kath_red on February 8, 2012

in Little Bits Quilting Bee, Quilting

Cloud song … A cheerful wall hanging or lap quilt by Kathreen Ricketson

 

Throughout February I will be featuring quilts from my book Little Bits Quilting Bee (published by Chronicle late last year). Because designer fabric is often only in print for one season it can be difficult for quilt designers and authors to choose fabrics that will be still available when the book or pattern is published; so to help you out I will be offering advice and alternate fabric choices for many of the quilts in my book. 

Cloud song was made as a toddler quilt, it is so cheerful that it is perfect for a bedroom or playroom, the cartoon style clouds and bold rain drops were inspired by children’s drawings and give this quilt a dream like character.

I used Robert Kaufman Solids charm packs (colours pictured below) for Cloud Song, and luckily they are still available, (I also like their organic solids for this quilt too) in fact pre-cut solid fabrics have since become so popular that many other fabric manufacturers are making them too – there is so much to choose from.

Some more options for you include:

  • Silent film kona packs – this would make a moody cloudy quilt – you could mix these up with a more colourful set or have a monochrome quilt. (Try Kona Ash for the background and Pepper for the binding)
  • I quite like these 1930s Bella solids (Try Bella Solids Grass for the binding and Hometown sky for the background)
  • As well as these Bold designer solids pack from Free Spirit (although you’ll need 3 packs of these) — both great choices for this quilt. (Try Free Spirit Grey for the background and Kiwi for the binding)

To make this quilt top you’ll need:

  • 2 packs (65) charm squares, you’ll also need a pale fabric for the background 1 1/2 yard (1.4 m) should do it. You will also need to get some extra yardage of one of the fabrics from your charm pack for the binding 1/2 yard (46 cm) will be enough.
  • You’ll also need a copy of my book - and they are available in all good book shops and online too.
  • I quilted this in a whimsical free-style cloud design and used a neutral cream coloured thread so that the quilting blended in rather than standing out.
Quilt images are copyright John Paul Urizar who did a great job on the photography in the book.

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Little Bits Quilting Bee | talking pre-cut fabric

by kath_red on February 6, 2012

in Little Bits Quilting Bee, Quilting, Sewing+Fabric

Throughout February I will be featuring quilts from my book Little Bits Quilting Bee (published by Chronicle late last year). Because designer fabric is often only in print for one season it can be difficult for quilt designers and authors to choose fabrics that will be still available when the book or pattern is published; so to help you out I will be offering advice and alternate fabric choices for many of the quilts in my book. You’ll also need a copy of my book to make the quilts – and they are available in all good book shops and online too.

What is pre-cut fabric?

Pre-cut fabrics are a series of co-ordinating fabrics — usually from a single collecton — especially cut and packaged by the manufacturer. Using these pre-cuts has a few benefits:

  • 1. You get a whole bunch of different fabrics at once – making it easy to build up your stash. You can use them together in one quilt or mix them with other fabrics from your stash too.
  • 2. Coordinating fabrics and colours for a quilt is easier.
  • 3. The packs are cut into handy pieces allowing you to whip up  a quilt very easily and quickly.

Do I need to pre-wash pre-cut fabric?

Pre-cut fabrics are a little difficult to pre-wash, because the pieces are so small they get tangled up in the wash and are time consuming to iron. I usually don’t worry about pre-washing my pre-cuts – however there are a couple of exceptions:

  • 1. You should pre-wash hand dyes and batiks as the colours are likely to run.
  • 2. You should pre-wash dark colours – especially red, purple and navy as these are more likely to run.
  • 3. You should pre-wash reds especially if you are using them with lighter colours.

If you didn’t pre-wash your fabric before making the quilt and you are worried the colours might run (especially if you have a white background) — all is not lost, there are a few things you can still do to ensure the colours in your quilt do not run the first time you wash:

  • 1. Wash your quilt in cold water on a gentle cycle and throw in some colour catchers to soak up any dye that might come out.
  • 2. Wash your quilt in cold water with vinegar – the vinegar will set any colours that are likely to run.
  • 3. Use a product such as synthrapol in the wash, this special detergent is used to remove unattached excess dye.

In my book Little Bits Quilting Bee, I use four different types of pre-cuts to create the 20 unique quilts: Fat Quarters, Charm Squares, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes.

Fat quarters:

Fat Quarters are the most widely available and used pre-cut fabric. A fat quarter is literally a 1/4 of a yard of fabric, but it is not cut selvedge to selvedge it is cut by cutting half a yard of fabric in half widthways. Fat quarters are generally 18 inches by 22 inches. Most fabric companies offer Fat Quarter bundles, which contain every print in a collection.

Charm Squares:

A charm square is a 5 x 5 inch square of fabric, and are great for easy patchwork quilts. Charm packs are made up of about 40 pieces of  5 inch squares and are equal to approx 3/4 of a yard of fabric.

Jelly Rolls:

Jelly Rolls are a Moda invention, but are available under other names from different fabric manufacturers: Bali pops, Design rolls, Strip-tease buns, Sushi Rolls, and Roll-ups are just some of the names these are sometimes called. They usually contain forty strips (well 40-44 strips — but check before buying how many are included as different manufacturers offer different amounts of strips) and are a standard 2 ½ inches wide. These are perfect for binding and sashing but are also great in any strip type quilt design.

Layer Cakes:

Layer cakes are 10 inch square packs of fabrics, containing usually 40 squares. The total fabric yardage is about 3 1/2 yards. Layer cakes are fun to use because they are so versatile, you can use them as they are and they make for a quick and easy quilt, but you can also cut them into squares and triangles or use them for applique too. Various fabric companies, as well as Moda, offer these 10 inch square packs under other names, but the amount of squares in a pack may vary.

All images are copyright John Paul Urizar who did a great job on the photography in the book. 

 

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Bloggers quilt festival

by kath_red on November 10, 2011

in Quilting

… is on once again hosted by Amy - pop over to see a huge array of stunning quilts.

I like the Log Cabin Photoshoot :: This stunning star quilt hanging outside :: Great photo of this red and white double nine patch quilt taken with the cotton field :: This Fall themed quilt photographed outside is perfect :: And love this photo of the Silo quilt photographed in the fields

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Sewing books: Fresh Quilting + 123 Sew

by kath_red on November 7, 2011

in Books, Sewing+Fabric

November: Month of books at Whipup.net

1, 2, 3 Sew: Build Your Skills with 33 Simple Sewing Projects by Ellen Luckett Baker, published by Chronicle books.

When I say I love Chronicle books, it’s not because they are also the publishers of my two quilt books – its because they do quality, beautiful, practical books: pattern sleeve, spiral binding, lovely photos, pleasing design – and well edited too. Ellen Luckett Baker’s book is a Chronicle book and has all these great qualities, plus what she brings to the table – which is well made, well designed, thoughtful and lovely sewn projects.

In this book Ellen has gone back to basics to introduce the new to sewing crafter some basic skills which can then be built upon in a series of three projects gradually increasing in difficulty level – great concept and well achieved! For example – pillows – begin with a basic scrappy straight sewn design and learn about an overlapping pillow finish. Move on to blind hem applique and buttonholes and then learn about reverse applique and making a hook and loop fastener – all while making a series of three pillows. Tote bags are another great example – begin by learning about squared corners, then add in a divider and then learn about drawstring closures and French seams. Brilliant.

Project excerpt: You can make the mouse pincushion using this video tutorial.
Ps. Ellen is multi-talented and has just released a line of fabric with Moda. Congratulations Ellen!

Fresh Quilting: Fearless Color, Design, and Inspiration By Malka Dubrawsky, published by Interweave Press (December 7, 2010).

Malka Dubrawsky and Interweave books – what an amazing combination – one of my favourite improv quilters and one of my favourite book publishers all rolled up together: Malka’s stunning colourful designs, combined with Interweave’s attention to detail – love it – and the book delivers!

Malka’s quilts and patchwork designs are all about colour and pattern. She dyes and over-dyes her own fabric and combines these in eclectic and clashing and fun ways that are part gypsy and part country but the final result is completely modern! Her stitching may be a bit wonky at times and her corners may not meet up perfectly – but for me that not only adds to the charm of these improv quilts but also the accessibility of her style – she all about fearless quilting and sewing – just getting in there and doing it. Her fearless style embraces flaws but also discovers new methods, exciting colour combinations and fantastic designs.

PS. You can purchase Malka’s beautiful creations in her Etsy shop.

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