Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Spools - Piecing and Quilting with Precuts Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Piece and Quilt with Precuts Blog Hop! I’m so excited to finally share the quilt I chose to make. Take a look at “Spools.”




Yeah, she’s gorgeous isn’t she? Christa Watson opened up a chance to make a quilt in her new book, Piece and Quilt with Precuts and I jumped at the chance. I chose to make Spools as a challenge to myself. I am very much a straight and narrow type of person/quilter. To do any kind of improvisational piecing takes me way out of my comfort zone, but sometimes that’s a good thing. So how does a perfectionist at heart embrace improv piecing without hiding in the corner and crying? I would love to show you how!

Christa has her patterns precut and/or scrap friendly (hence the name) however I rarely buy precuts and I’m not a big scrap person. I know, I know, I broke two of the biggest quilting loves. What can I say…it’s just the way I am.





I chose to make my own scraps however, because I felt that would give me the most success with the improv piecing. To do this I gathered the colors I would be using (following Christa’s choices, because lets face it, I was already in over my traditional, straight-lined, black and white little head) and began cutting.






Here is where you take a breath and let go, but don’t close your eyes. Cutting with your eyes closed is a bad idea. I cut into strips, then rectangles, squares and triangles. Don’t worry about the size, though you don’t want to cut less than 3/4” wide, because of the seam allowance. 









I didn’t really count how many pieces I cut from each fabric, I just made a sure I had a variety of sizes from each one and a good pile, because once you start sewing and trimming the pieces seam to shrink. It’s weird. So make sure you start with a bunch.





After the first seam, I start trimming for straight edges. This made my perfectionistic heart much happier. Using the seam as my straight edge I trimmed each side.





(PS I did press all the seams open. You know I’m not the press seams open type, but it makes complete sense when you see the amount of seams you are dealing with. Trust Christa, press open.)





I loved making the pieces with angles.





Trimmed nicely I've got a piece with a little "extra."




 As you go along and the seams build up, you can still use your regular foot to piece.




When it's time to put blocks together, I put a pin on either side of the seams to make sure my corners came together nicely.




I would suggest making each block separately. I ended up making all of the background pieces at one time, and while I still enjoyed the process, working with white on white on white forever and ever wasn’t as fun as adding that  color. Plus, it’s fun to see the progress. I made the blue spool block to share a picture with Christa, and it definitely revitalized my excitement in the quilt.





I used two quilting patterns in Christa’s book to quilt the Spools quilt, neither of the ones she used, because frankly there wasn’t time and there was no patience within me. Patience is important when free motion quilting.
In the background of the blocks I used her Arrowhead Design, or rather a variation of it.  That time constraint things really wreaked havoc with my plans, but such is life.





In the sashing I used the Quilting Modern Zig Zags quilting pattern. 
I left the spools open. Confession: I’m a lazy quilter. If it doesn’t NEED to be quilted, I don’t quilt it. Shhhhhh….





I bound in a scrappy fashion that started out awesome and then I realized as I started on the pink that I hadn’t calculated the binding correctly. Pink was the 3rd color in the binding strip, so I could have ripped, but that’s just silly and scrappy is scrappy right? Don’t tell the perfectionist half that the lazy half won.





Then I had this awesome idea to make a spool for the label. White, because it’s empty, because the quilt is done. Get it? Yep, awww-some!! Yep, I'm a little corny.




Have you ever had an idea that you had to just  make? I kept thinking about this quilt and those who might be like me and a little reluctant to step out of the tried and true. Would this quilt look just as awesome if it was made with tradition pieces, not improv? I knew there was no way I could get another quilt made, as easily as this went together, but I was dying to try a simplified block.





Spool pillow anyone? I think every sewing room should have one. I. Love. This. Pillow. I took one block, used fusible fleece on the back and quilted just a little bit using squiggle lines quilting pattern from Christa’s book.  I couldn’t picture it without piping, so that happened, too.




Ready to make your Spools quilt? You could win a digital copy of Piece and Quilt with Precuts just by leaving a comment. Comments open until midnight, August 31st CST. Need a comment idea? What color will you make your Spool pillow?

Giveaway is closed! Congratulations Hyde!!




If you want a hold in your hand book, pick yours up fromChrista HERE and she will autograph it for you. It is well worth it! The instructions are easy to follow, and you get multiple quilting designs that mix match for all the quilts.

I’m so glad you stopped by on the Piece and Quilt with Precuts Blog Hop! Please stick around and check out some of the happenings going on here at PBJ. There is a Beginners Unite Quilt Along starting September 5th and on the 1st of every month there is a new mug rug pattern released as part of the Muggamo series.
Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily updates and sneak peeks.


Happy Stitching!
Jen 

After you’ve had a look around check out the earlier stops on the blog hop.


BLOG HOP SCHEDULE

Here’s the schedule of bloggers to follow with their names, links to their blogs, plus their Instagram handles so you can follow them there. After all, this is a talented bunch who you will want to get to know better!

FRIDAY AUGUST 18 – SQUIGGLES

Kathy Bruckman Blog: Kathy’s Kwilts and More IG: @kathyskwiltsandmore

Kate Colleran Blog: Seams Like a Dream IG: @seamslikeadreamquilts
Sharon Parcel Blog: Yellow Cat Quilt Designs IG: @punkydoodle53

SATURDAY AUGUST 19 – GRIDWORK

Sandy Maxfield Blog: Sandy Star Designs IG: @sandystardesigns

Joanne Harris Blog: Quilts by Joanne IG: @turtlequilterjo
Teresa Mairal-Barreu Blog Sewn Up: IG: @teresadownunder

MONDAY AUGUST 21 – FREQUENCY

Nancy Scott Blog: Masterpiece Quilting IG: @masterpiecequilting

Martingale’s Blog: Stitch This! IG: @martingaletpp
Lorinda Davis Blog: Laurel Poppy & Pine IG: @laurelpoppyandpine

TUESDAY AUGUST 22 – S.W.A.K.

Sherry Shish Blog: Powered by Quilting IG: @poweredbyquilting

Michelle Bartholomew Blog: Michelle Bartholomew IG: @michellebartholomew
Allison Dutton Blog: Allison Sews IG: @allisonsews

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23 – STARSTRUCK

Lissa LaGreca Blog: Lovingly Lissa IG: @lovinglylissa

Sherri Noel Blog: Rebecca Mae Designs  IG: @rebeccamaedesigns
Sandra Healy Blog: Sandra Healy Designs IG: @sandrahealydesigns

THURSDAY AUGUST 24 – DOT’N’DASH

Laura Piland Blog: Slice of Pi Quilts IG: @sliceofpiquilts

Cheryl Brickey Blog: Meadow Mist Designs IG: @meadowmistdesigns
Jen Frost Blog: Faith and Fabric IG: @faithandfabric

FRIDAY AUGUST 25 – TWINKLING DIAMONDS

Jessee Maloney Blog: Art School Dropout IG: @jessee_artschooldropout

Jessica Caldwell Blog: Desert Bloom Quilting IG: @desertbloomquilting
Anjeanette Klinder Blog: Anjeanette Klinder IG: @anjeanetteklinder

SATURDAY AUGUST 26 – WINDOWS

Terri Vanden Bosch Blog: Meanderings Along Lizard Creek IG: @lizardcreekquilter

Suzy Webster Blog: Webster Quilt IG: @websterquilt
Katie Joy Church Blog: Wild Prairie Studio IG: @katie_joyquilts

MONDAY AUGUST 28 – KITES

Pam Cobb Blog: The Stitch TV Show IG: @thestitchtvshow

Jen Rosin Blog: A Dream and a Stitch: IG: @adreamandastitch
Rashida Khanbhai Blog:  No. 3 Quilt Studio IG: @no3quiltstudio

TUESDAY AUGUST 29 – ARROWS

Lynn Kline Blog: Monkey Needle IG: @monkeyneedle

Kathy Bruckman Blog: Kathy’s Kwilts and More IG: @kathyskwiltsandmore

WEDNESDAY AUG 30 – SPOOLS


Jen Shaffer Blog: Patterns by Jen IG: @patternsbyjen

Sandra Starley Blog: Textile Time Travels IG: @textiletimetravels


78 comments:

  1. I love the end result. This is my kind of quilt. I just love it!

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  2. Thank you for such great details on how you did your quilt. It looks wonderful, and so does the pillow.

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  3. I struggle with creating improve pieces too. You've done a wonderful job making this beautiful mini quilt scrap-o-licious!

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    1. Thank you, Tish! I love how bright it turned out.

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  4. Really cool spools! I'd make mine Blue! Have a great day!! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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    1. I really liked my blue spool in the quilt, it would make a very pretty pillow.

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  5. Love the way these spools look! I think I would make so,e in orange....maybe hoping for fall.

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  6. Your quilt turned out great! I love the bright colors.

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  7. Love your spools! I would make a green scrappy spool for my pillow.

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  8. My spool would be a tan/brown version and your colored spools are perfect for stash creations. rozz01 at cox dot net

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    1. Oh, I like that! I didn't think of a tan/brown combo.

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  9. I love the spool label. I go in for corny too. And I identify with you as a "lazy quilter."

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  10. Thanks for sharing your closeup photos. I'm sure I'd make a multicolour spool pillow for my sewing area.

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  11. Love this blog hop! Thank you for sharing all the beautiful quilts and techniques for quilting them!

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    1. Thanks for following the blog hop! Christa's book is awesome and the quilts were all amazing. :)

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  12. Love the pillow! I'd make mine blue.

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  13. I love how it turned out. Great colors.

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  14. I ordered the book so won't need a copy, just wanted to say that I love this! Also, your spool label just became my favorite label! Thanks for sharing! My pillow will have a yellow spool :)

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    1. Thank you! I giggled to myself while making the label. I love it, too! Enjoy the book!!

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  15. Perfect for a gift for a quilting friend.

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  16. i press my seams open too!!! Thanks for the great inspiration!

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  17. Love your Spool pillow-so cute! Green is a color I would use on mine! Thank you for sharing, Susan

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  18. Very creative! I know where I could use up some scraps...

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  19. I love it. Okay, this one is going on my list of quilts to make. I need to quit my job, I have too many quilts to make. Turned out so cute.

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  20. Red - I love a deep barn red! Thanks for sharing - you're purple pillow is awesome; and I love that you press your seams open as it really does reduce bulk.

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  21. Blue is my color, thanks for sharing how you made your blocks. So nice to be able to press seams open.
    Thanks for giveaway.
    djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. HI,your quilt is so neat! I'd make a Rainbow colored quilt! Thanks for sharing!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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    1. Rainbow is beautiful and my nieces favorite color. ;)

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  23. Thanks for sharing your quilt andbpillow. I would make mine hot pink!

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  24. I SO enjoyed reading about your process!
    (And, sewing adventures in improv!... That is all very encouraging to others just venturing out into that scary realm!)
    Your quilt and pillow are wonderful!
    (I'd have to make a blue spool!)
    *Thank you*, Jen, for sharing!!
    Pat T.

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    1. Thank you, Pat! I hope you venture in and enjoy! :)

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  25. I'd have to put purple in mine!

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  26. Your colors are beautiful!! I would do mine in purple!

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  27. Improv piecing is something out of my comfort zone also but I love the way it looks. You did a super job and now I'm inspired to give it a try! The pillow was a great idea!
    cathylouwilson@gmail.com

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    1. I hope you do try! It wasn't as bad as I thought, and keeping those edges straight, really made a difference.

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  28. I would make my spool pillow in orange, definitely orange.

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  29. I am definitely a "neat and tidy" kind of crafter but this improv piecing is intriguing! I think I would make a teal or blue striped spool -- not a white background but maybe a grey or natural nubby fabric. Tamara :) tamaraferguson(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. It was easier and more enjoyable than I thought. I think I'm going to use them as leader enders for awhile. Just because I liked doing it so much. Love the idea of a different background color.

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  30. Oh that pillow! That is insanely fun. My pillow would be in dark blue batiks! Thanks for the inspiration. lutzcats (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. That pillow just had to be. Truly. Blue batiks would be fabulous!!

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  31. I think I would make mine blue, too.
    Ohioholman(at) aol(dot) com

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  32. Love the pillow! I would make mine turquoise!!
    This blog hop has been awesome!!

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    1. Thank you for following the blog hop! It's been an awesome show of beautiful quilts, hasn't it? Your the first turquoise, and it would be lovely!!!

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  33. Lovely colors! I especially love the pillow -- the simplicity, the colors, and the quilting! I would make mine purple, maybe with a grey background.

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    1. Grey background would really make it stunning!!

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  34. You have given me courage that some future day I can handle doing improv piecing. Like you, I am a follow-the-rules, perfectionist, squared away kinda gal. The very idea of me actually doing improv piecing makes my blood pressure rise, ha ha! Anyway, love your quilt and this post sharing your improv journey. I will start with a pillow, traditionally pieced, and it will be pink.

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    1. OMGosh, I know exactly what you mean!! That's why I had to take the chance and I discovered I truly enjoyed the process. Someday, I hope you try it!

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  35. Wow, your pieces turned out great. I think I would make my pillow blue, as it will go well with my living room decor. Thanks for sharing the great giveaway!

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    1. Thank you! Blue truly is the color of the day, LOL!

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  36. Really cute. I need a purple spool pillow.

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    1. Truly, I think everyone should have a purple spool pillow.

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  37. Your quilt came out great! Thanks for sharing your process.

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    1. Thank you, Diane! I appreciate that you stopped by and commented, too! :)

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  38. You have wonderful sense of humor. I chuckled when reading your blog. At least you gave everything a try: improv, free motion quilting. The spools are cool. I am not the biggest pillow making person but my pillow would be in ethnic fabrics of some sort. I just received some fabrics from Mali. I love them.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. I think that would made a great pillow!! It was great to push myself a bit, I like to learn, but it's easy to "get too busy" to take the time. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Laughter is good for the soul and I'm glad you got a chuckle!

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  39. Giveaway is closed. Thank you so much!

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I love to get your comments and hear your ideas. I always respond to comments (though it may take me a few days), if you haven't heard from me it might mean you are a no reply commenter. If you haven't heard back from me, check back here, because I will reply to the comment.