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.)
(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.
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!!
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.
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
Kate Colleran Blog: Seams Like a Dream IG: @seamslikeadreamquilts
Sharon Parcel Blog: Yellow Cat Quilt Designs IG: @punkydoodle53
SATURDAY AUGUST 19 – GRIDWORK
Joanne Harris Blog: Quilts by Joanne IG: @turtlequilterjo
Teresa Mairal-Barreu Blog Sewn Up: IG: @teresadownunder
MONDAY AUGUST 21 – FREQUENCY
Martingale’s Blog: Stitch This! IG: @martingaletpp
Lorinda Davis Blog: Laurel Poppy & Pine IG: @laurelpoppyandpine
TUESDAY AUGUST 22 – S.W.A.K.
Michelle Bartholomew Blog: Michelle Bartholomew IG: @michellebartholomew
Allison Dutton Blog: Allison Sews IG: @allisonsews
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23 – STARSTRUCK
Sherri Noel Blog: Rebecca Mae Designs IG: @rebeccamaedesigns
Sandra Healy Blog: Sandra Healy Designs IG: @sandrahealydesigns
THURSDAY AUGUST 24 – DOT’N’DASH
Cheryl Brickey Blog: Meadow Mist Designs IG: @meadowmistdesigns
Jen Frost Blog: Faith and Fabric IG: @faithandfabric
FRIDAY AUGUST 25 – TWINKLING DIAMONDS
Jessica Caldwell Blog: Desert Bloom Quilting IG: @desertbloomquilting
Anjeanette Klinder Blog: Anjeanette Klinder IG: @anjeanetteklinder
SATURDAY AUGUST 26 – WINDOWS
Suzy Webster Blog: Webster Quilt IG: @websterquilt
Katie Joy Church Blog: Wild Prairie Studio IG: @katie_joyquilts
MONDAY AUGUST 28 – KITES
Jen Rosin Blog: A Dream and a Stitch: IG: @adreamandastitch
Rashida Khanbhai Blog: No. 3 Quilt Studio IG: @no3quiltstudio
TUESDAY AUGUST 29 – ARROWS
Kathy Bruckman Blog: Kathy’s Kwilts and More IG: @kathyskwiltsandmore
WEDNESDAY AUG 30 – SPOOLS
Sandra Starley Blog: Textile Time Travels IG: @textiletimetravels
I love the end result. This is my kind of quilt. I just love it!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Hyde! You're the winner!
DeleteThank you for such great details on how you did your quilt. It looks wonderful, and so does the pillow.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was fun to make.
DeleteI struggle with creating improve pieces too. You've done a wonderful job making this beautiful mini quilt scrap-o-licious!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tish! I love how bright it turned out.
DeleteReally cool spools! I'd make mine Blue! Have a great day!! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
ReplyDeleteI really liked my blue spool in the quilt, it would make a very pretty pillow.
DeleteLove the way these spools look! I think I would make so,e in orange....maybe hoping for fall.
ReplyDeleteI loved Sandra's Halloween version!
DeleteYour quilt turned out great! I love the bright colors.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteLove your spools! I would make a green scrappy spool for my pillow.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of green.
DeleteMy spool would be a tan/brown version and your colored spools are perfect for stash creations. rozz01 at cox dot net
ReplyDeleteOh, I like that! I didn't think of a tan/brown combo.
DeleteI love the spool label. I go in for corny too. And I identify with you as a "lazy quilter."
ReplyDeleteCorny and Lazy go together well. hahaha
DeleteThanks for sharing your closeup photos. I'm sure I'd make a multicolour spool pillow for my sewing area.
ReplyDeleteOh, a multicolored spool would be fun!
DeleteLove this blog hop! Thank you for sharing all the beautiful quilts and techniques for quilting them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for following the blog hop! Christa's book is awesome and the quilts were all amazing. :)
DeleteLove the pillow! I'd make mine blue.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Blue would be so pretty.
DeleteI love how it turned out. Great colors.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI 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 :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I giggled to myself while making the label. I love it, too! Enjoy the book!!
DeleteI love what you have done!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!
DeletePerfect for a gift for a quilting friend.
ReplyDeletei press my seams open too!!! Thanks for the great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for stopping by!
DeleteLove your Spool pillow-so cute! Green is a color I would use on mine! Thank you for sharing, Susan
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm, green would be pretty!
DeleteVery creative! I know where I could use up some scraps...
ReplyDeleteThis would be great for scraps!!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteRight??!! Jobs get in the way of so much!!
DeleteRed - 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.
ReplyDeleteLove a deep barn red!
DeleteBlue is my color, thanks for sharing how you made your blocks. So nice to be able to press seams open.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giveaway.
djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com
Blue would be beautiful!!
DeleteHI,your quilt is so neat! I'd make a Rainbow colored quilt! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletemsstitcher1214@gmail.com
Rainbow is beautiful and my nieces favorite color. ;)
DeleteThanks for sharing your quilt andbpillow. I would make mine hot pink!
ReplyDeleteNice! Hot pink would be awesome!
DeleteI SO enjoyed reading about your process!
ReplyDelete(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.
Thank you, Pat! I hope you venture in and enjoy! :)
DeleteI'd have to put purple in mine!
ReplyDeleteGotta love purple!
DeleteYour colors are beautiful!! I would do mine in purple!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteImprov 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!
ReplyDeletecathylouwilson@gmail.com
I hope you do try! It wasn't as bad as I thought, and keeping those edges straight, really made a difference.
DeleteI would make my spool pillow in orange, definitely orange.
ReplyDeleteI love a good orange!
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
DeleteOh that pillow! That is insanely fun. My pillow would be in dark blue batiks! Thanks for the inspiration. lutzcats (at) yahoo (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThat pillow just had to be. Truly. Blue batiks would be fabulous!!
DeleteI think I would make mine blue, too.
ReplyDeleteOhioholman(at) aol(dot) com
Blue seems to be the winner today. ;)
DeleteLove the pillow! I would make mine turquoise!!
ReplyDeleteThis blog hop has been awesome!!
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!!!
DeleteLovely colors! I especially love the pillow -- the simplicity, the colors, and the quilting! I would make mine purple, maybe with a grey background.
ReplyDeleteGrey background would really make it stunning!!
DeleteYou 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.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh, 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!
DeleteWow, 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!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Blue truly is the color of the day, LOL!
DeleteReally cute. I need a purple spool pillow.
ReplyDeleteTruly, I think everyone should have a purple spool pillow.
DeleteYour quilt came out great! Thanks for sharing your process.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane! I appreciate that you stopped by and commented, too! :)
DeleteYou 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.
ReplyDeletetushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
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!
DeleteGiveaway is closed. Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete