1.22.2013

10 blocks!


This quilt is quickly turning into my favorite quilt...EVER!  I received 6 blocks today and this has really allowed the quilt to take form.  

Pam of Quilting Square One sent 4 blocks!!!  I really can not thank her enough for doing this.  





I love that she dedicated these blocks to her Mom.

Then, tonight I had a pleasant knock at the door to find Elizabeth of Inspire Me Grey with two more blocks in hand.  She said they look a bit like candy.  Elizabeth, I love candy, so they are perfect!  Thanks you!



Ahhh....this quilt is so fun to admire!!!



xoxoxo
~Val

1.20.2013

I've received my first two blocks for the Heroes Quilt!


Yeah!!!!  Look what came in the mail yesterday....


 and this...



Thank you so much, Jenny of Cut.Sew.Iron.Repeat!!!  You are the first one to send in your blocks for The Heroes Helping Heroes {take 2} Quilt and they are awesome!   This is so exciting!

~Val

1.14.2013

wonky improv circle block tutorial

Let's make improv wonky circles, shall we???  
(Acutally, 4 of these blocks together make the circle)


You will need:

  • Solid, 100% cotton fabric (4-7 colors per block).  If you have left over scrap fabric, that is even better!  Kona cotton is my favorite.
  • A cutting mat
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • A ruler
Please read Tutorial in it's entirety before starting.
Seam Allowance = 1/4"
Completed block will be 14.5" x 14.5".

1.  Start by cutting your first piece in a 1/4 circle with one corner at a perfect right angle.  There is no exact measurement for these pieces, but just make sure this piece is not too small to start out with. If the straight edges measure somewhere between 7-10", minimum, that should be a good starting point.  It tends to get smaller the more layers you add and the more trimming you do.


2.  Set the first 1/4 circle piece of fabric on top of the next color of your choice.  In the picture below, I have drawn dotted lines so that you can imagine where you will be trimming after you sew these two pieces together.  Make sure your 2nd color extends a few inches past your first piece of fabric (where these dotted lines are drawn).


3.  Pin the two pieces together if you'd like so that they don't move.  I'm not much of a pinner, so I don't have a pin in the picture, but it wouldn't hurt to throw one in there.  Cut the 2nd piece of fabric (pink) mimicking the curved line of the 1st piece of fabric.  



3.  Remove the fabric that is under the first 1/4 circle and put it in your scrap bin.  You will no longer need this.


4.  Choose a spot where the two pieces of fabric line up together near the center.  Mark these two spots with a pin on each piece.


5.  Fold the 2nd color fabric (pink) directly on top of the 1st piece of fabric (green).  The two pins should now be kissing.


6.  Remove the two {lovebird} pins that are now on the inside of the two fabric pieces and replace them with one pin on the outside that is in the exact same spot.  


7.  Pin and pin and pin along the edge of the two pieces of fabric.  


8.  Sew the two pieces together using 1/4" seam allowance. Hint:  It helps if you start with the 2nd color fabric along the bottom so that the machine has something to start sewing into at the beginning.  When I started with the 1st color (green) on the bottom, the thread jammed up a bit and I had to start over.


9.  Press seams towards the 2nd color.


10.  Trim up along the right angle.  


11.  Set the block on your next color fabric of choice.  Remember to imagine those dotted lines like in step 2 so that you have plenty of fabric to use.


12.  Trim away the corners about an inch from where your imaginary dotted lines are.

13.  Pin the block to the 3rd color (yellow) and trim both pieces together creating a new curve.


14.  Just like in step 4, choose a point in the middle where the two pieces meet and mark both with a pin.


15.  Fold the 3rd color (yellow) on top of the 2nd color (pink) and smooch the pins again.  


16.  Remove the pins from the inside sandwich and replace them with one on the outside marking the exact same spot.  Then continue along that edge pinning and pinning and pinning.  


17.  Sew the seams together and then press toward the third color (yellow).


18.  Trim up the right angle.


19.  Choose another color and repeat the process again.

Lay out on new color of fabric.

Cut.

Pin.
Kiss pins, then move pin to outside.
Pin, pin, pin.

Sew, then press open.


Trim to a 90 degree angle.

20.  Add another color or two and then trim it up to 14.5" x 14.5".  And wallah!



Now for a little tip:

When you cut the curves, it may be a good idea to use a chalk pencil to see where you want you line to be.  It is very easy for the lines to become more diagonal than curved.  Try really hard to make them 1/4 circles.  (I feel like my yellow lines above are too diagonal rather than circular.)


Two blocks together....two more on the bottom and you've got your improv wonky circle.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  If you are helping out with the Heroes Helping Heroes quilt, don't feel like you need to make an entire circle (4 blocks).  One block is perfect!

Thanks!

~Val






































1.13.2013

Heroes Helping Heroes #2 Block Info

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have volunteered to help with this year's Heroes Helping Heroes Quilt to support The Heroes Foundation.



I have made the first block of the quilt and have taken pictures for a tutorial.  However, time has run out before my eyeballs close on me, so this is going to have to wait until tomorrow.  Check back and I will have it up for anyone who needs it.  Let me just say, this block is so fun to make.  It is exhilarating to create without a pattern and to just be free to cut the circles a bit wonky!

Now for a few details:


First things first.  I have set up a Flickr group for everyone to post their pictures as you finish your blocks.  I thought this would be fun for us to see what is in the works and everyone can comment on the blocks.
The group is called Heroes Helping Heroes Quilt.  If you need an invite to the group, just let me know.

The block(s) will need 14.5" x 14.5" square.  Also, please send a card with your block (s) that says who your block is in honor of.

Please use Kona solids or anything comparable for your fabric (designer grade fabric)  This is easy to find a Joann's and is very good quality.  Each block will need approx. 4-6 colors.  Let's stick with bright, vibrant solids.  No pastels, por favor.  Here are a few pictures of color inspiration:



Our very own, Charlotte's gorgeous quilt!


Friday Night Brights - finished!
Another cool cat from our group, Lindsay's Friday Night Brights quilt.


So far, here are My Heroes who have agreed to help:
Katie
Lindsay @ Elle-Square
Deborah @ Little Ms. Sew-Unsew
Julie
Charlotte @ Charlotte Newland
Jess @ MsBsFabricFun
Wendi @ Prsd4tim2
Jessica @ Quilty Habit
Pam @ Quilting Square One
Kristy @ St.Louis Folk Victorian
Terri @ The Quilted Fox
Tisha @ The Indianapolis Modern Quilt Guild
Julie @ Distant Pickles
Betsy
Elizabeth Rea @ Inspire Me Grey
Heather Givens @ Crimson Tate
Tammy Lawson
Lindsay Conner @ Lindsay Sews
Lynn Hodge
Lynne @ Miss Stash Would
Shaylynn
Maria @ Beezus Complex
Chrissy
Sally
Amy @ The Skinny Bee
Jenny @ Cut.Sew.Iron.Repeat
Chelsie @ Chelsie Creates
Lindsay @ Linz Sews
Caroll @ Attic Window Quilt Shop

If I'm missing anyone or you know of anyone else who would like to pitch in, please let me know.  The more helpers, the merrier!

I am hoping to have the block by the end of the month.  If not by the first week of February.  Let me know if you need a little more time.

Thanks again and I'll be back here tomorrow with that tutorial.

xoxox

~Val






1.11.2013

Heroes Helping Heroes Quilt Take Two!


Calling all charitable quilters....

Last year, over 40 women from all over the world pitched in to help create this BEAUTIFUL quilt for a silent auction that supported The Heroes Foundation, a cancer philanthropy in Indianapolis, IN.  Each sent me a block or two along with a card stating who their block was in honor of.  One woman was battling cancer herself, many had beat it, and everyone involved had been touched by someone with cancer.  The blocks came together to make this beauty that raised $1000!



I've been asked to make another quilt for the silent auction at The Evening with Heroes celebration on February 23, 2013.  However, I can't pull this off without a little help from my friends.  

Would anyone like to pitch in to help me make another quilt?

I'd like to use Erica of {Kitchen Table Quilting}'s Improv Circles Wall Quilt that she recently posted as my inspiration for this year's quilt.



It reminds me of Kandinsky's circle painting with a modern twist.

Tammy Lawson, an amazing longarm quilter in Indy, has already graciously agreed to quilt it!  

I can't wait to show the progress of the quilt like I did last year.

I will post more details on block size & a quick tutorial this Sunday.  Let me know if you are interested!!!  

Thanks!
xoxo

~Val