Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Color Walk 007


Sometimes when I'm walking, I see something that makes me stop and take a closer look. These color palettes start with a photo I've taken, usually with my phone, and often when I'm out doing ordinary things. Each color swatch is labeled with the coordinating Kona cottons by Robert Kaufman. 

One day I looked down and saw these two little green gems next to my feet. I loved how the new green acorns glowed against their straw colored caps. Later, when I was looking at the photo, I noticed how nicely the greens played with the peachy-pink of my cupped hand. Serendipity! The light shinning off my rings elevates all of the other colors.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Color Walk 006


Sometimes when I'm walking, I see something that makes me stop and take a closer look. These color palettes start with a photo I've taken, usually with my phone, and often when I'm out doing ordinary things. Each color swatch is labeled with the coordinating Kona cottons by Robert Kaufman. 

A bonus palette this week! I was sitting working at my kitchen table when I noticed the gorgeous sunshine streaming behind the leaves in my backyard. I've learned over time, that these things don't wait and if you blink the moment disappears. So I grabbed my phone and went outside to try to capture what I saw. After I shared the photo, my friend Susan commented that it would be a nice quilt palette. I think she's onto something! : )

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Fall Forest QAL: Piecing Tips


If you are just joining in, you can read about the quilt along here and see the original quilt here. PDF patterns are available in my shop and Quilt Kits including fabric, the Tri-Recs tools, and a printed pattern are available at The Intrepid Thread. Everyone is welcome and you can join at any time.

Are you having fun sewing your forests together? It is so awesome seeing everyone working on their projects. I saw one finished quilt so far on Instagram (#fallforestqal). It was backed in aqua minky and it looked so cuddly and gorgeous!

I have a few more tips for you and some process photos of my new winter version of the Fall Forest Quilt. My kids were telling me that if we have a fall forest quilt, and a winter forest quilt, then we also need spring and summer forest quilts. I follow their logic, but oh my goodness that's a lot of trees.



FABRIC PRECAUTIONS
A friend recently had a piece of Kona Poppy bleed onto another fabric while she was ironing it for a project. I'm also using Kona Poppy in my quilt, but I've never had an issue with Kona cottons bleeding so I didn't pre-wash my fabric.

I got nervous when she told me about her experience. There is a lot of white in this quilt. I tested my piece of Kona Poppy and I looked for any sign of the dye coming off. I submerged it in warm water and let it soak, I agitated it with my fingers, let it soak some more and there was no dye in the water. I also ironed the wet red fabric against a scrap of white fabric. Nothing. Then I did it all a second time. I did not have any issues with the color coming off.


If you are concerned about dye running and staining your quilt, please take some precautions. Either pre-wash your fabric, or wash your quilts with color catchers, vinegar, synthrapol, or salt. I am not an expert on any of these methods, but I plan on washing my finished quilt with Shout color catchers just to be safe. I'll post the results here on the blog.




CHAIN PIECING
After sewing one block to make sure everything went smoothly, I set up at my machine with stacks of all my pieces. I sat down and sewed everything together one right after the other without clipping my threads in-between. This pattern is perfect for chain piecing because all the trees are the same. It goes by so quickly! You will blink and be done with all of your piecing.

LAYOUT
My favorite part about this pattern is arranging the trees and colors into pretty clusters. It is completely modular and so easy to make your quilt unique. A design wall (or floor) is really helpful in creating a layout with your blocks. It allows you to take a step back to look at your quilt with a new perspective. Taking a photo also helps your eyes see it in a different way.

Are you a planner? Do you like to sketch out your design ahead of time and choose your colors carefully? I do that too so I included a coloring page in the pattern.



ORGANIZING ROWS
When it comes time to sew my quilt top together, I carefully gather up the blocks for each row and pin a label on it. The labels don't have to be anything fancy. I usually write numbers on scrap paper and pin it to the first block in each row. I've also used pieces of painters tape with numbers written on it. They both worked fine. Use whatever you have handy.

OPTIONS
There are so many ways to sew and quilt and everyone finds what works for them. I like it when people share why they do it a certain way because then I feel like we can all learn from each other. Here are a couple of things that I do, especially when working with triangles.



Pressing: I like pressing these blocks open so I can see exactly where my triangle points are. This helps me line everything up when I piece them together and I don't cut off the tips. Can you press to the side instead? Yes, you can. : )



Trimming Dog Ears: I like to trim these extra little bits of fabric off. There is less bulk in the finished seams and the blocks have a nice straight edge when I piece them together. Do you have to? Of course not! Leave them in there if you prefer. : )



Pinning: Especially when sewing triangles together, I pay extra attention and pin at the points. I like anything that helps keeps my piecing nice and crisp. Can you do it without pins? Yes, yes you can! : )

Have fun with it and let me know if you have any questions. I will post answers in the comments.
-A

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Color Walk 005


Sometimes when I'm walking, I see something that makes me stop and take a closer look. These color palettes start with a photo I've taken, usually with my phone, and often when I'm out doing ordinary things. Each color swatch is labeled with the coordinating Kona cottons by Robert Kaufman. 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Fall Forest QAL: Quick Tip


If you find your templates/rulers are slipping around too much while you cut, add a few sandpaper dots to the back.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Color Walk 004


Sometimes when I'm walking, I see something that makes me stop and take a closer look. These color palettes start with a photo I've taken, usually with my phone, and often when I'm out doing ordinary things. Each color swatch is labeled with the coordinating Kona cottons by Robert Kaufman. 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Fall Forest Quilt Along

Welcome to an impromptu Fall Forest quilt along, where we will be making lots of cute little patchwork trees together. Everyone is welcome to participate! I will be posting a few tips here on the blog, but most of the action will be over on Instagram, using the hashtag, #fallforestqal.

These blocks are super easy to make. If you can sew a quarter-inch seam, you can make these blocks! Don't let the triangles scare you. 1) we are doing it together, so you can ask for help at any time 2) there is only a few of them in the actual quilt, so it's a perfect chance to try them out 3) they are sewn into squares, so when it's time to piece your top, you are back to straight edges again. Awesome, right?!

CUTTING TIPS


-Press and starch your fabric before cutting. This will help keep those bias edges from stretching out of shape as we work. It's not critical, but I find it really helpful.



-I highly recommend the Tri-Recs tools. They make the cutting go fast and easy.

-Figure out how many of each color you need to cut and make a list. My cutting list is below if you want to make a quilt like my samples. These are just suggestions. Have fun and experiment with the color ratios in your quilt. Small changes will make a big difference in your final quilt. 





For my fall palette, I cut more trees out of typical fall leaf colors, and then added a few others as supporting colors. They make the main colors pop.




For my winter palette, I chose bright, icy, winter colors and cut more pieces using those colors. Then I went back and added a few darker versions to help ground them and add depth.


PATTERNS AND KITS



-Kits available at The Intrepid Thread (Kits include: Tri-Recs tool option, all the fabric you need to make your quilt top and a printed pattern)

SCRAP FRIENDLY
The trees can absolutely be cut from scraps! Each scrap will need to be at least 6" x 6" for the tree tops. Here is a little plaid tree I made using a scrap. A plaid tree? Why not! Have fun with it!! : )




SHARE
We want to see what you're making! Share your process pictures over on Instagram and make some new Fall Forest friends. You can start at any time. Just share your photos and add #fallforestqal to the description. Check out the hashtag to see what everyone else is making.

QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, ask below and I will answer in the comments.

-A

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Color Walk 003


Sometimes when I'm walking, I see something that makes me stop and take a closer look. These color palettes start with a photo I've taken, usually with my phone, and often when I'm out doing ordinary things. Each color swatch is labeled with the coordinating Kona cottons by Robert Kaufman. 

Monday, November 3, 2014

Finished Fall Forest Quilt and New Pattern


Name: Fall Forest
Size: 50" x 70"
Materials: Kona Cottons by Robert Kaufman in snow, stone, honey, ice peach, lipstick, coral, curry, zucchini, peridot, bluegrass and ultra marine.
Quilting: wavy, wood grain(ish) lines in Aurifil #2311




INSPIRATION
The idea for this quilt started as soon as the seasons began to change from Summer to Fall. I pulled out my Kona color card and picked the dreamiest fall palette I could think of and then I had to decide what to make. This design came to me in my head before I could even get a pencil to sketch with. I knew I wanted simple graphic trees in all of the colors and lots and lots of negative space. My Tri-Recs tools were perfect for this. They made super quick work of cutting out the triangles and half square rectangles with my rotary cutter.


*NEW* PATTERN
When I shared what I was working on, some sweet friends asked if I would please make a pattern. Of course! : ) So over the last couple of weeks I worked on the quilt by day and the pattern by night. And I'm proud to say after a lot of work, they are both finished. It's a full color printed pattern that includes instructions to make your own quilt, diagrams, color suggestions, templates and a coloring page to customize your own design.  
-PDF Pattern now available in my etsy shop 
-Kits available at The Intrepid Thread (includes Tri-Recs tool option, fabric and pattern)


     
Kits available at The Intrepid Thread



MATERIALS
Not long after I cut out my fall colors, I started thinking how the forest would look in winter. It turns out it's a modern winter with juicy reds, sour greens, icy blues and misty greys.



I partnered with The Intrepid Thread to stock everything you need to make this quilt from the handy Tri-Rec tools, to all of the Kona cottons (in both the Fall and Winter color palettes) as well as the pattern itself. They have the kits available here and if you order before November 6th, there is a 10% everything sale with promo code: MAKEROOM.



QUILT ALONG
I'll be starting my winter version in the next couple of days and sharing over on instagram. Come and quilt along with me! Grab a button and use the hashtag #fallforestqal. I can't wait to see your projects. : )



A very special shout out Carol, Carol and Marcia. Thank you ladies for all of your kind words and support!

-A



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