I love making crazy quilts as you all know...but right now I am pretty intrigued by combining crazy quilting and "sane" quilting to make functional bed quilts. I am wanting to revisit my quilting roots...but a decade plus of CQ means I'll never be totally without embellishment and a wide array of fabric types.
This is a detail of a vintage quilt I saw in Houston that is fanning my current flame and has inspired my new project.
It just did me in. I had to make it. (I think it appealed to me for the same reason that the Vintage CQ did...)So I went fabric shopping....
I had plaids on the brain.All the blue thread and ribbon in the foreground will set off those warm colors nicely, is the hope.
I also knew this would be a great way to use my new Go! cutter from AccuQuilt.
I am loving this new tool!!! Have a look at the Go! in action....
The die is on the bottom, fabric to be cut in the middle, and the cutting mat is on the top. To operate you just crank the die through the rollers, it compresses the foam so that the die that is within the foam presses the fabric against the mat, and voila...
A perfect 6 1/2" square.This pic was just for demo purposes. I've cut up to 6 layers at once.
Like this.I have a die that cuts 3" strips that was perfect for the black diagonal shape on the block.
I cut a bunch of these out of different "black" fabrics.Then I use a template to cut out the shapes from the strips.
Here is how that goes....
I made this template out of freezer paper ironed to cardboard stock. I draw around it with a white chalk pencil and then cut the shape out. I have to do them one at a time for accuracy, but I find I actually enjoy the work.
Then I use a second template, the actual size of the finished shape, this time out of just freezer paper. I use it as a guide for ironing under my edges. In this picture I am clipping those curves before ironing.
Ironing in progress...
Ironing complete and the freezer paper being pulled off...
And here is how it looks from the back.
When my freezer paper template gets too fuzzy to stick anymore, I just make a new one.
The black shape gets pinned onto the background square....
...and sewn on with a narrow zig zag in a clear monofilament thread.
In keeping with the original quilt, I am just using the herringbone stitch...and instead of those fluffy white ties (which form a very important part of the design, I think), I'll be using buttons like this...
But this will be the very last step. I have a long way to go before then!
But it will be fun....What a great way to start the new year. Hope yours is off to a happy beginning too! ;-)
That is a great quilt!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you were attracted to that vintage quilt - and I love the look of the plaids!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - I like the idea of the using plaids. I think you've got a good balance of vintage and modern. You can certainly call it "functional crazy quilting"
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Allie. It looks like your busily creating another wonderful quilt! Our New Year has been blissfully uneventful unlike Christmas week; you can see the details on my blog. It was a strange few days.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get started you don't fool around!! Love your take on this quilt. That Accucut is really saving you alot of time!!! Look forward to seeing it done!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy New Year!!!!!
Those plaid flannels llok warm and snuggly next to that snowy window!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Allie. I can see why this design caught your fancy, and from the looks of your fabric haul, it looks like you sane quilting sensibilities are still firmly in place. I love the addition of buttons.
ReplyDeletewow that works up quick (I'm assuming you started this after we left?). If you hadn't bought new fabric for it, it would have been a great stash buster :-p
ReplyDeleteI agree though, the quilt looks great. I'm worried that the buttons are too strong an element. Perhaps too big or too solid (as in no visible button holes). It looks great on the design wall though.
I agree with Esther about the buttons. Maybe a little big. Over all I'd say this will be a very cuddly quilt. Nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful project!
ReplyDeleteNew adventures for Allie... lovely!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Allie! Looks like you'vce started the New Year off the same way you walked through 2010... always thinking of a new creation. I'm so looking forward to seeing what you cook up this year!
ReplyDeleteI really love the black graphic on those colors. I look forward to seeing how this turns out!
ReplyDeleteWow! Happy New Year indeed! That GO Cutter is awesome and so is your new quilt!!!
ReplyDeleteYou go Go GO Girl!!!!
I love the colour scheme and the blue and white embroidery thread
ReplyDeleteWow, what a cool tool!! And we LOVE plaids!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial - as usual. It's going to be beautiful. If I were doing more with traditional block quilting I would be definitely wanting one of those cutters.
ReplyDeleteHi Allie
ReplyDeleteLooking at the old qilt I thought each individual section was pieced to the black. Never thought of the black bisecting the square - if I am saying that right. the longest, hardest part must be in doing the black triangles.
It is an intriging quilt. Maybe smaller buttons with holes that you would tie through. Like baby size buttons. Or what is wrong with just old fashioned tying?
Hugs
FredaB
Allie, This quilt will be just as wonderful as your other quilts have been...and I love your combination of the 'old and the new.' Always love seeing what you do....and I've just ordered your Crazy Quilting book...can't wait to curl up with a nice cup of tea and read it late into the night!! Happy New Year! pat
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be spectacular! Love the plaids!
ReplyDeleteI got the AccuQuilt Go for my birthday (a complete surprise!) and I love it!