Black Tie Affair!!!!!

Yippee!  It is finally released to quilt shops near you.  Black Tie Affair by BasicGrey for Moda.

I started this quilt for myself using a fat quarter pack of Black Tie and a couple of metres of an accent fabric from Zen Chic Paper.  Part way through the construction my arm was twisted just a bit, and I agreed to let it go off to a new home.  I'm hoping to make another one for myself.

I kept the quilting fairly simple, so the fabric could really shine through.

A friend asked for a tutorial on making the block, so here goes.

From the main fabric cut a 6 1/2" square, four 4 1/2" x 2 1/2", four 5 1/2" x 2 1/2" and four 7 1/2" x 2 1/2" pieces.  From the accent fabric cut four 3 1/2" x 2 1/2", four 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" and four 5 1/2" x 2 1/2" pieces.  I was using a directional fabric, so I took a little more time cutting my pieces.

Add 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" accent pieces to two 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" main fabric piece using the connector corner method.  Trim out the extra fabric.

Add  5 1/2" x 2 1/2" accent pieces to the other two 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" main fabric pieces using the same method.

Add the 5 1/2" x 2 1/2" main fabric pieces to two of the 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" accent pieces using connector corners as shown.  Add the 7 1/2" x 2 1/2" main fabric pieces to the last two 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" accent pieces.

Lay all the pieces out as show.

Piece your block together and enjoy!

Linking up with Finish it up Friday.

Just Because

On January 1st I decided I needed to make a project, just because I could.  I get so busy making projects for others, I neglect my own sewing.

This Chevron quilt was the result of a little selfish sewing.

Start with forty 2 1/2" strips of "Me + You" batik by Hoffman (or any other fabric you like.)  Set eight aside for the binding.  I found a little over two metres of background that looked like it would work. Cut the background into assorted strips ranging in size from 1 1/2" to 4" wide.  I didn't want to match seams so this was my solution.

Piece a background strip to each of the original 2 1/2" wide strips. Cut half right side up, half right side down, so that mirror image blocks are created.  Line the 60 degree line on the ruler up on the edge of the strip, cut six inch wedges.

Half leaning one way, half leaning the other.  if you don't have enough at the end of the strip for a complete wedge, save it to fit in at the top or bottom of strip segments.

Sew the wedges that are leaning the same way into long sets as shown below.  Overlap the segments at the 1/4" mark when sewing together so that you get a straight edge.

Press the seams however you want.  Remember, nothing has to match.

Fit the partial blocks in at the top of the sets, where they will be trimmed to a straight edge.

Make five pairs of sets, trimming each pair at the top. The length doesn't matter.  Just keep adding to each set till you run out of fabric.  Sew the five pairs together and trim the bottom edge.

I quilted this one with a variegated thread mimicking the chevron with a wavy line.

Linking up with Finish It up Friday!

Dog Gone Cute

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you are all off to a great start this year.

My last Christmas finish was this pillow.  The resemblance to Blanche was intentional.  Blanche tolerated a quick photo shoot.  You can see the indignation in her eyes.  There is obviously room for only one dog on her bed.

This picture shows the colours a little clearer.  The pattern is from the Free Dog Gone Cute quilt-along.  Click here to check it out.  While you are on the page, check out some of the patterns.  Amazing!  I just might have bought one recently.

I've been keeping busy quilting.  Working my way through the quilts that have been waiting a little too long.

I love Geraldine's colour choice on this one.  A chocolate brown background makes this quilt.

I'm trying something a little new for me today.  I know it looks familiar, but I'm trying to make feathers using the bump method.  I've struggled in the past with this technique.  I'm hoping by the time I finish this quilt I will have the rhythm down.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday!