April Pantographs

Isn't it wonderful to see Spring has finally arrived, along with some much needed rain?!! I have been out doing some planting and tending to the needs of my perennial garden. It seems all my bulbs were in need of dividing, and fortunately, I have friends who need some! Well, onto those quilts.....

First, a couple of quilts with feather edge to edge patterns. The first one is a black floral pinwheel, that works really well with an overall feather design.
















Next is a log cabin variety, which always seems to look good with feathers.



























































Then an applique with an all over pattern stitched into it. I have not done this before, typically doing custom work for applique, but edge to edge seems to work on this one. I think it's because the applique patterns are fairly large. Since it has Hawaiian floral applique, a simple floral pattern was used.

This last one is also a type of log cabin, but with a musical theme, so a musical note pattern was chosen.

















































The back of the quilt was also pieced, and the notes stitched in may be better seen here.








That's it for now. I currently am working on a cowboy theme quilt, so I hope to let you see that one soon! Until then, happy quilting!
Cathy

Verse for the day: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." (Psalm 119:18)

Blackford's Beauty & a Red/ Black Bandana Quilt

Crunch Time!

With the Christmas holiday quickly approaching, I am becoming more and more aware of the many quilts there are still hanging in my closet awaiting their completion!

Some quilts just seem to take me a lot longer than I anticipate once I get going on them, and that certainly did apply to this quilt, called Blackford's Beauty in Plaids, but I love the way it came out.

This was one of those with a lot of white space, so I had to use the "divide and conquer" method, quilting a diamond pattern to separate different quilting spaces. Since feathers were used in the  border, the plaid stars, and the pinwheels, they were also put into the diamond area for continuity. A flame fill pattern was used in the center, and a more dense clam-shell fill used in the remainder of the space.

That's it for now - have to get back to quilting! Hope you all enjoyed a very blessed Thanksgiving - we have so much to be thankful for.

Until next time, Happy Quilting!

Cathy

Verse for the day: "Daniel said, "Let the Name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to h\Him." (Daniel 2:20)

Getting Bulk Out of Those Pinwheels

A Piecing Tip for my Lovable Quilting Friends:

One of the things that I deal with often is bulky seams (to the point where I sometimes break a needle during the quilting!), and one of the culprits are pinwheels. The reason for this is the centers all come together at the middle of the wheel, and this can create a very bulky center. This is the technique I use to eliminate that bulk so that the completed block will look more professional, and definitely less lumpy! I use this technique on other blocks also, like stack and whack, where the centers come together in such a way that there is a big clump of fabric on the back, which can show up as a pucker on the front.

Press the seams  towards
the dark.

For a pinwheel block, the first thing we usually make is 4 half square triangle blocks - make sure that you press your seams in the same direction on all four - I usually press towards the dark fabric.

Lay out the 4 triangle blocks in
a pinwheel pattern.

Once we have four of these, we arrange them in a pinwheel shape and then sew two sets of the squares together.

Again, press the seams towards
to dark.

Once the two sets are sewn, it is important to press the seams again. I continue to press them towards the dark. This will allow me to "nitch" the seams together when they are sewn, with the seams pressed opposite each other. ("Nitch" is basically is placing the two sets right sides together such that the seams fit together perfectly when the seams are pressed opposite each other. You can feel with your fingers when there is a gap, or if there is overlapping of the seams. If either of these is the case, you are not properly "nitched", and your seams will not line up after sewing.)

Snipping seam at center.

The next step is to sew these two pieces together, making sure the seams nitch together. This will ensure that the seams of your completed block will line up perfectly in a pinwheel shape. Once these are sewn, flip your block to the back side. You will need to snip right along the center seams, close to the sewn line. Flip your block to the other side and repeat for the seam on that side.

Press one side up, and
the other side down.

Now press one side of the seam up and the other side down, ignoring the center area.


You're almost done! Open up the center area, fanning it out so it looks like a checkerboard, and press it open.

Center of block pressed into
a checkerboard pattern.

Finished pinwheel.

Now flip it over and iron it - you should have a nice pinwheel without that huge lump in the center. It's time to admire your beautiful workmanship!




I hope you found this technique helpful. One of my goals is to help you be as professional looking as possible, and always proud of your finished work!

This week's verse:
"Remember the former things long past, for I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying 'My purpose will be established and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.' " (Is. 46: 9-10)

May your Easter be blessed from above, and may you recognize all He has done in His love for you!

Until next time, happy quilting!
Cathy