Convergence

I found a fat quarter pack while I was cleaning out one of my bins.  Put it on the table for a few days and waited for inspiration to hit.

It took a few days but I settled on a  technique and style of quilting used by Ricky Timms,  called Convergence. 

As a top before any quilting it measures approximately 26.5x26.5 inches.

Since I literally just finished the top I'm going to take a day or two to think on how I want to quilt it.  Currently I'm thinking just a stitch in the ditch because the center is busy as well as the fabrics. 

Any thoughts?

For the Saints Fan in my life

My husband is a Saints (American) football fan.  Its funny that he's a Saints fan because he didn't grow up in the US.  When he moved here to the States, I gave him a year to learn the rules of American football and another year to learn the different teams. 

So the one year, he watched all the games and declared that "Whoever wins the Super Bowl will be my team." 

 2009 - Saints won. 

And that is the story behind this quilt. 

I'll be quilting it with a fleur de lis this summer.  I'm also not sure if I'll be adding another border or two. Perhaps a skinny solid black, a medium size yellow border and then a wider Saints border.  :)

 

And here's a close up of one of the blocks.  I fussy cut the helmets so they'd be the centers of the stars.  Can't wait to see my guy cuddled under this one watching football this fall and winter. 

Cracked Pots - Fabric Received

I finally decided on what fabrics I'll be using for the Cracked Pots mystery quilt. It starts September 1st.

Top Row:
Black Numerals - the dark
Grey with Black and Yellow - the blender
The Black - binding

Bottom Row:
Yellow Flowers - the medium
Grey Scroll - the light
Black and White - the border

Ohh I'm excited. I had hubby take the test too and he's also an INFJ. Maybe as a surprise I'll make one for him. (Just because you know I need another project!)

The Big Reveal: Rainbow Carpenters Star

Here's the finished Carpenters Star.

Add borders if you want, then quilt and bind.

There you go - a Carpenters Star quilt without any Y seams. :-)

All previous parts to the tutorial/sew along:

Stitching The Rows Together 

Row Stitching Instructions 

Cutting Instructions 

The Beginning: Picking Fabrics 

All that's left is for me to decide if I'm adding borders, or not and the quilting.  I've got a few ideas on how to quilt it, just need some time.

Picking the thread to quilt it.  A friend taught me to NOT lay the spools of thread on the quilt top like this:

And why not you ask?  Good question.  Thank you Jess for helping me out. :)  If the thread is all coiled up on the spool you won't get a good idea of how it would look laid out over the different colors of the quilt.  What should be done is to pull some of the thread off the spool and lay it over the quilt top more or less what it would look like if it was quilted.   Try it on the different colors and see what works for your particular quilt top.  It also depends on if you want the thread to blend in or stand out highlighting the quilting.

For me, I picked the rainbow thread.  See how pretty it looks?  Now all I have to do is decide on the quilting motifs.  If you've got any suggestions - I'm open to them! :)

Sew Along - Stitching the Rows Together

A more detailed explanation of how to sew each row together is coming along shortly. I need to get my husband to help with the computer aspect of labeling things. 

Two rows together:

Halfway point:

Using 8.5" *unfinished) squares, it currently is 32.5"x64.5" (unfinished)

 

Ok.. I really need to get a design wall. The floor thing isn't working out to well. LOL.

Previous Parts to this Sew Along:

Sewing Instructions

Cutting Instructions

Choosing Fabrics

Sew Along - Rainbow Carpenters Star - Stitching Instructions

Let's get stitching!

For this, it's a bit fiddly at first to get the pieces sewn together. My advice is to take this quilt one row at a time.  There are 8 rows.

Because of the Half Square Triangles (HSTs), I press my seams open to reduce bulk, but you can certainly press to the dark side.

Example:

Front:

 

 Back:

 

Row 1:
Step 1 - Sew:
Blue HST to Background HST
Dark Purple HST to Background HST
Light Purple HST to Background HST
Pink/Rose HST to Background HST
Background Square to Background Square
Background Square to Background Square

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 1.

Row 2:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Light Green HST to Dark Green HST
Dark Green HST to Blue HST
Dark Purple HST to Background HST
Pink/Rose HST to Dark Red HST
Dark Red HST to Red HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside. Label this section Row 2.

Row 3:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background HST  to Teal HST
Teal HST to Dark Green HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Blue HST to Background HST
Pink/Rose HST to Background HST
Black Square (don't stitch to anything)
Red HST to Orange HST
Orange HST to Background HST

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside. Label this section Row 3.

Row 4:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background HST to Yellow HST
Yellow HST to Background HST
Background HST to Dark Green HST
Dark Green HST to Blue HST
Pink/Rose HST to Orange HST
Orange HST to Background HST
Background HST to Tan HST
Tan HST to Background HST

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 4.

Row 5:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background HST to Tan HST
Tan HST to Background HST
Background HST to Orange HST
Orange HST to Pink/Rose HST
Blue HST to Dark Green HST
Dark Green to Background HST
Background HST to Yellow HST
Yellow HST to Background HST

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 5.

Row 6:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background HST to Orange HST
Orange HST to Red HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Pink/Rose HST to Background HST
Background HST to Blue HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Dark Green HST to Light Green HST
Light Green HST to Background HST

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 6. 

Row 7:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Red HST to Dark Red HST
Dark Red HST to Pink/Rose HST
Light Purple HST to Background HST
Background HST to Dark Purple HST
Blue HST to Teal HST
Teal HST to Dark Green HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 7. 

Row 8:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background Square to Background Square
Pink/Rose HST to Background HST
Background HST to Light Purple HST
Dark Purple HST to Background HST
Background HST to Blue HST
Background Square to Background Square

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 8.

Coming up next - how to sew each row together.

Previous - Cutting Instructions 

Beginning of the Sew Along - Fabrics Needed

Sew Along - Rainbow Carpenter Star - Cutting Instructions

All righty!! Ready to do some cutting?

 

From your BACKGROUND - 16 SQUARES, 32 TRIANGLES

Dark Red - 4 Triangles

Red - 4 Triangles

Pink/Rose - 8 Triangles

Light Purple - 4 Triangles

Dark Purple - 4 Triangles

Blue - 8 Triangles

Teal - 4 Triangles

Dark Green - 8 Triangles

Light Green - 4 Triangles

Yellow - 4 Triangles

Tan - 4 Triangles

Orange - 8 Triangles

When you do the cutting and trimming, make sure that you're consistent with the rulers that you use. Whatever ruler you use to cut your squares - use that one to square up your Half Square triangle blocks. Consistency is important.  Over the years I've found that each ruler is slightly different - so whichever ruler you start cutting with, keep using that ruler. It'll save you a ton of heartache.

Ready for a Sew Along?

I think I've figured out how to do this. I'm just finalizing all the math bits. Are you ready for a sew along?

Anyone else out there like rainbows or color wheels?  Have you been intimidated before by different sew alongs because they might be too complicated?  Never fear - this is only squares and half square triangles.

If you'd like a 64x64 quilt with no borders - you'll need 2 1/2 yards of your background fabric. The background fabric will have enough left over to cut your binding strips.

If you'd like a larger quilt, and want to use the background fabric as your border - you'll need 3 yards.

From the rainbow fabrics, I'm cutting 8.5" HSTs using the Easy Angle II Ruler. Personally I can't live without this ruler.

Can you cut squares and sew your HSTs that way? Of course! For me, the Easy Angle ruler takes all the guesswork out of making the HSTs - but use whatever method of making HSTs works for you.  As long as your HSTs are 8.5" unfinished you'll be fine.

Pull out some rainbow fabrics... and 2 1/2 or 3 yards of white, cream, tan, grey or black for a background fabric and we'll be doing some cutting shortly. 

 

Materials Needed:

Background Fabric - 2 1/2 yards (no borders) OR 3 yards (for borders)

Dark Red - Fat Quarter

Red - Fat Quarter

Rose/Pink - 1/3 yard

Light Purple - Fat Quarter

Dark Purple - Fat Quarter

Blue - 1/3 yard

Teal - Fat Quarter

Dark Green - 1/3 yard

Light Green - Fat Quarter

Yellow - Fat Quarter

Orange - 1/3 yard

Tan - 1 Fat Quarter

*You will have some leftover fabric when you cut out the triangles. Do not put it in the scrap bin - It makes an adorable embellishment on the backing and label for your quilt.

Fingerless Gloves - Complete!

My mother in law would be so proud. It would have taken me absolute *ages* to crochet anything before she came over, and I'm so proud of myself for making these. Stayed up all night to finish them. So nice and warm. 

Now watch, we won't have any more cold weather.

A Donating I Will Go

Made these gorgeous quilts for a raffle. All proceeds go to a scholarship for needy students.Hope they get well received.
 
It's about 50"x50".  I had such fun quilting it and making it.

 

And a close up of the quilting.  In the center points there's a ships wheel, and the stars each have an anchor. I quilted a couple other motifs in the cream squares.

 

This other quilt was so quick and easy to make. Plus, I think it shows off the fabrics pretty well.  I didn't do any fancy stitching in it, just some stippling.

**Edited - one of my students won this one!! :) ** She loves it!

A huge thank you to Mary Quilts for the free pattern for the strippie quilt. Very fun, very easy.

Quilt Goddess - A Miniature Quilt

I'm working on it. One of my friends saw my pile of WIPS and UFO's and dubbed me the Quilt Goddess. I highly doubt it, but it inspired me to make a miniature quilt of the Goddess.

I'll probably donate it to the AAQI. I'm hand quilting it. Might take a while. :)