Auditioning Blocks & Chopping "Un-charming" Charms

What would happen if....

I'd purchased a charm pack from a local quilt shop on a whim a few months ago. Each time I've pulled it out since then, I've found it to be less and less "charming." Oops! I don't want to offend anyone else who bought this line of fabric and still loves it. Perhaps you even made something out of it already.

For me, Bluebird Park by Kate and Birdie Paper Co. for Moda Fabrics, lost some of its charm by being cut into 5" squares. Some of the motifs needed a larger space, a bigger cut. Having bought the charm squares, I had a dilemna: what can I do with them to make up for what is no longer appealing?

I realized that these charms needed partners, and that perhaps Bluebird Park would become the support actors rather than the leads I thought they'd be in a future project. I chopped them into half square triangles, all of them. I didn't let any of them convince me to "spare" them. I combined each half square triangle with other fabrics, as well as allowing some to "play" and partner with some within their own line. Guess what happened? I fell in love with the resulting combinations and I purchased more of a few of the motifs in order to make more! What a surprise!! Have you ever had this happen??

Let the auditions begin!

I began with conventional pinwheels, which can be attractive, but in this case it left me feeling "Blah!":

Next I used a reference book of blocks and referred to any of them that used half square triangles. Now look what happened:

"Peace & Plenty block"

"Pieced Star block"

"Colorado block"

"Hourglass block"

"Mosaic #9 block"

"Yankee Puzzle block"

"Balkan Puzzle block"

"Dutchman's Puzzle block"

"Annie's Choice block"

There's more, but you get the idea. Each is different, with some subtle changes of arrangement. None of the combos are committed yet since I decided to purchase more of some of the fabrics and make more.

What I learned after playing with my stash

I discovered the following through this process:

1. Take the plunge and cut them up!
2. Combine the lackluster yardage/charm packs/mini charms/layer cakes/fat quarters (ones that have fallen "out of favor") with other fabrics to see what happens.
3. I am lured by and purchase too many prints!! I don't have enough solids! BUY MORE SOLIDS!!
4. I love the Painters Canvas fabrics by Laura Gunn for Michael Miller Fabrics, especially the interplay of the Teal and Lipstick colors. BUY MORE SOLIDS!!
5. Play!!!

Dying to Dye Fabrics!

This Saturday I will be attending the fabulous Sisters Quilt Show in Oregon (for at least the 5th year in a row)! I'll travel with my husband, who enjoys looking at quilts for a little while (as compared to me, who doesn't tire of looking, photographing, dissecting quilts, etc.), and meet up with my sister (SewCraftyChick) and nieces (and one niece's husband). We'll stay at a resort in the area for 3 nights.

Prior to the Show, I decided to take a class on Friday taught by Lynn Koolish called "Direct Application Dyeing". I've been wanting to dye for a long time, so this will allow me to sample the process and consider whether I truly want to invest time, money, and effort into this aspect of creativity.

More later! :)

Linking up with creative others like YOU!

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Be Liberated! Go Wonky with a Star

A Wonky Star Block: note the uneven/unequal rays of the star points.

I began attending my local "chapter" of a Modern Quilt Guild in January this year. If you have an opportunity to be part of a guild, club, class, you'll be inspired like I am! I love seeing what people produce! Each month some members of the guild are participating in a "quilting bee exchange" in which we make blocks for one another according to the designated "queen bee's" instructions. For the Queen Bee of March, I made this star block yesterday which I'll be returning to her at tonight's meeting. Each of her blocks will be different color themes. She asked us to select fabrics from our stash according to the particular colorway of the fabric swatch she'd attached to each individual bag, in which she also included fabric bits for the wonky star's parts and 2 yummy pieces of chocolate. Great idea!

Notice how the seams are ironed on the back to interlock & reduce bulk.

Wonky stars, and other wonky patterns, are simple to make. They liberate the quilter, regardless of his/her level of experience, from the worry of matching points, being exact, and all the other "rules" that can intimidate us. My goal is to have fun and be creative by sewing something to enjoy as art; to inspire, soothe or create passion in a room; to grace a table as a runner or place-mat; to "garnish" my life and the lives of others in any number of ways: potholders, mug rugs, apron, jacket, handbag, and so much more! Let's not let the details get in our way. :-)


For tutorials on how to construct this block:

1. See Kat's instructions: http://flutterkat.com/2012/01/reverse-rainbow-starburst-block/
2. If you haven't discovered Jenny (specializing in fast, easy, and fun quilting) of the Missouri Star Quilt Company, you need to! See lots of incredible tutorials on their website, and her goal is usually. Here's her: Wonky Star Charm Pack Quilt

The block I constructed used 3.5" squares and finishes at 15.25". It wouldn't take long to produce and enjoy a quilt made with these delightful, liberating stars!

Linking up with friends at:

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Newly listed on Etsy: Handmade Black & White Quilted "Picket Fence" Table Runner

I like this design because the stars really shine in the 3 sections, especially when using fabrics with high contrast. It's difficult to photograph so that it doesn't look washed out (or like blah black & white photos). In person, it's bright!

I chose a charm pack from a quilt shop featuring black and white fabrics with bits of yellow/gold here and there (see posting on Nov. 15, though those fabrics are the leftovers). I had to augmented the group with a few others. Then I needed fabric for the back and binding (an excuse to go to the quilt shop, yeah!). I machine quilted with a 1/4" outline in white cotton thread.

back view

I look forward to making more of this pattern in the future, and like I said, I hope to publish the pattern, too! Let me know if you're interested. I'll notify you when its done :)

Sneak Peak of the components of a new project that's almost done...

Look at these luscious charm fabrics (5" pre-cuts) assembled: 

What will they be?? Stay tuned for the big reveal!