Flying Dutchman – wip Wednesday

Posted in Quilt patterns, WIP Wednesday by wombatquilts

This week I have been playing with another old, traditional quilt block called the Flying Dutchman or Dutchman’s puzzle. The block is really a version of Flying Geese. My first variation on the pattern was inspired, I am embarrassed to say, by our local Shell Petrol/Gas station.

I love the red and yellow combination and had such fun mixing the placement of the blocks up. The scrap, the random layout and the occasional reversed pattern will make for an interesting quilt I think.

The pattern I used was a free paper piecing block from Quilt.com. This is a really simple way to do triangles.

For the other block I did with this pattern, I went a much more traditional route. First, I used a selection of fabrics from Aneela Hoey’s new Posy fabric line for Moda. It is such a pretty collection of fabrics I could not resist.

Then I used the standard Flying Dutchman block layout.

I love the fact these are going to be two very different quilts using the same simple pattern. There are more layout ideas for this pattern at the Connecting Threads here.

I definitely have to start finishing more quilts. I have so many in varying stages of the process that my work space is getting over run. I have too many ideas for quilts and not enough time. Any suggestion for how to get around this problem? My husband suggests we invest in a Tardis!

29Apr2013

Paper Piecing Monday Boston Edition

Posted in Paper Piecing Monday, Quilt patterns, Scrap quilts by wombatquilts

This week’s paper piecing blocks are in destined for the Quilts for Boston project. Last week the Boston Modern Quilt Guild put out a call for blocks, in the Boston Marathon colours, that will be made into quilts that will be “distributed those who would benefit from a show of support”.

So I grabbed some fabric…..

And went in search of some paper piecing patterns. I eventually decided to use two of the fabulous Lucky Star Block of the Month (BOM) patterns from Elizabeth at Don’t Call me Betsy. I signed up at the beginning of the year for the monthly paper piecing fix and I have been thoroughly enjoying making the patterns each month. I picked two of my favorite stars so far to make this week.

Block 1 is test block that we got in January, when the program started.

The block is made up of 8 triangle sections which give you a lot of options for playing with fabric and colour.

The second block I did was a simpler pattern from the series, but still lots of fun.

This blocks is made up of four sections and was really quick and easy to pull together.

I am hoping to get some more blocks done this week, and I will post as I finish them.

26Apr2013

A Trip around

Posted in Finished Quilts, Quilts, Scrap quilts by wombatquilts

Like a lot of quilters out there, I have been seeing Trip Around quilts and blocks on-line for ages and ages. I had seen some amazing versions but I had never really thought about making one myself… then the Portland Modern Quilting Guild set it as one of their charity blocks. That is when the trouble started.

First I checked out the pattern instructions from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltsville. Looked easy enough. My initial intention was to make just on block for the charity quilt so I cut 6 strips of fabric and made this.

What was not included in the instructions was how addictive this process was. My one block very quickly and easily grew to be this.

Lots of black & whites mixed with loud obnoxious colours makes for a fun quilt.

I backed the quilt with some Ikea fabric, did some diagonal quilting and machine bound it. I had never bound anything with solid black before but I think it works well with this quilt.

I am digitally adding my Trip to the growing collection out there on the web and then sending the real thing off to Project Linus for some one to snuggle under.

And in the spirit of Trip Around… here is visual trip around my quilting space (also known as our Living Room) as it looks this morning.

That is… wip on the floor… fabric on the table waiting to be cut…. batting waiting to be used…. and my hexies work station on the couch/sofa arm. Yes I am a messy quilter.

23Apr2013

Cheese & crackers – wip Wednesday

Posted in Quilt patterns, Scrap quilts, WIP Wednesday by wombatquilts

This week I have been playing with a traditional quilt pattern called “crackers”. My first variation is a bright scrappy block, which I think will make a great boys quilt.

The cracker pattern is a simple quilt block made up of patchwork bars with triangles at their ends. I used a paper piecing pattern, but there is some great tutorials on how to piece this block online including at Moda Bake Shop and at Cut to Pieces.

While putting the “cheese” blocks together (this yellow = cheese in my brain for some reason) I had the urge to use the block a little differently. My next approach was again scrappy but not based on colour combinations. The second variation was based on a collection of multicoloured floral fabrics sitting in my stash for ages. I used a some of my collection in the quilt in my blog header and I have been itching to use more. So I made these blocks.

I was not sure at first if this idea would work at all. Tuesday afternoon I tentatively grabbed a fabric, cut it and made a block. Block after block I kept wondering if it would come together. I often make quilt blocks to test out ideas – I do not sketch or play in Photoshop, which would probably be the sensible way to go. It was a relief to finally lay out some of the blocks Tuesday evening and see this.

I think this is going to be a fun quilt when it is finished. I am now looking forward to pulling some more fabrics out of my stash and seeing where it all goes. Wish me luck.

22Apr2013

Paper Piecing Monday

Posted in Paper Piecing Monday by wombatquilts

We are back to paper piecing stars for the next couple of Mondays. I am only a few stars away from finishing the blocks for my quilt and with that in mind I present to you block 18 of my quilt.

A gentler star than some in the previous weeks, the pattern is again from Carol Doak’s “50 Fabulous Paper Piecing Stars“. The Nebraska star is a simple 48 piece block. It would make a fun scrappy star as well, though with this one I went more uniformed.

Now only two more to go. I am excited to get these quilt blocks finished so I can start playing with quilt layout. Do not fear that paper piecing Monday is going anywhere – I already have a couple of ideas for the next round.