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Monday, October 29, 2018

Island Batik Ambassador Challenge: Needle,Paper, Scissors


The Island Batik Ambassador Challenge for the October was called "Needle, Paper, Scissors.  We were tasked to come up with a Paper Piecing Project of any size.  This could beFoundation or English.



With Fall here and Halloween around the corner, I wanted to make something with that theme included. So I dug into my EQ8 and found some premade Foundation blocks. I came up with a table runner design, and since I have so much Fall colors in my Island Batik stash I decide I would use them in this table runner.



So, I began my quest to remember how to paper piece. I don't usually do a lot of paper pieced projects, so I had to watch a couple of videos and I was off again on my sewing.


It didn't take me long to get the hand of foundation piecing, It really does go quick. With all the pumpkins ready I removed the paper backing and stitched them together, and added the borders to finish it off.




Here is my finished Foundation Pieced Jack O' Lantern table runner, for this fall season.

I so looking forward to starting next months project, we are working on Log Cabin Quilts. I have mine all planned out, just need to get started.


You may want to check out the Paper Pieced projects that the other Island Batik Ambassador made this month. See you in November.


Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter and blog here, when you sign up you will get a Free Pattern.

Tina

"Designing to Inspire"

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Rainbow Serenade QAL Week 4


Welcome to week 4 of the Rainbow Serenade QAL.  This week we will be making Unit 4 for the center of our blocks. 


You can watch the video from our Facebook Live right here: 




To get started with your unit 4 blocks you will need to cut all your 5" and 3 1/4" squares that are listed in your pattern on Page 10.  


Next, you will make all your 5" squares into 3 different Half Square Triangles. Once you have all your Half Square Triangles made you will need to press them according to the pattern and go ahead and trim to 4 1/2" squares using your Tucker Trimmer® 1.


Once your Half Square Triangles are completed, you will need to take your  3 1/4" squares and cut them once on the diagonal to yield 2 triangles per square. Now that we have everything prepared for units let begin replacing all the corners with the triangles we have just completed.


First, we will be removing the top left corner of the HST, using the "Cut Away Corner" side of the Corner Pop® tool. You will need to be using the 2" mark on the tool.

Note: Please keep in mind that I will be demonstrating in the Left handed positions and please refer to your tool instructions for the right-hand positions.  


Now we have the first 2" removed we will need to replace the first corner with the Wine color.  You will position and stitch the triangle on the bottom and the Half Square Triangle on top, using your best 1/4" seam allowance.


Press the triangle away from the Half Square Triangle unit.


Now we need to trim that slightly oversized triangle.  Position your Corner Pop® Tool on top of your triangle unit. Assuring that the "Corner Trim Down" section is on top of the new triangle.  You will be lining up on the 2" diagonal line.


Now that the first corner is done, we can move on to the next corner. This time we will be removing from the blue fabric of the Half Square Triangle.  Again using your Corner Pop® tool remove 2" from the corner.


You will be replacing that corner with an Azure triangle.  Again Position, Stitch and Press.  This time when you press, you will press the unit toward the Half Square Triangle unit.  Followed up with trimming the unit, remember to use the 2" diagonal line from the Corner Trim Down Section.


Now we will replace the opposite side corner of the unit.  Removing from the Cherry fabric of the Half Square Triangle.  Removing the 2" using our Corner Pop® tool.


Replacing it with a Fushia triangle. Stitch and Press outwards away from the center.


Again, Trim the unit up using the Corner Pop tool.


Now you will replace the last corner with the Grape triangle. Pressing away from the center, and trimming the triangle to complete the full unit.


Now your first Unit 4 is complete, following the diagrams on Page 11 & 12 of your pattern, make the rest of your units. 


When you have all your Unit 4's complete, you can lay out your first couple of blocks and start stitching them together.  

The week of 11/6/18 we will be wrapping up the Rainbow Serenade QAL. We will be discussing the units and following up with any last minute questions.

Please remember if you have questions, please post them in the comment section below, you can also refer to the video above.

Please remember there are pattern corrections made to this pattern, refer to my pattern correction page HERE. Also, note once the quilt along is over I will be emailing our a new revised pattern to all the people that purchased the pattern.


If you would like to participate in the Rainbow Serenade QAL, you can purchase the pattern (also find the yardage requirements) HERE and Purchase the Studio 180 Tools HERE.  

Happy Sewing!

Tina

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Rainbow Serenade Quilt Along Week 3


Week 3 is here in the Rainbow Serenade Quilt Along.   Here is Week 3's Video:








Last time, we were preparing for Units 2 and 3, steps 1-3.  Today, we will be finishing up the final couple steps.

I want to start by saying this is a very complicated pattern to write and I had several testers on this pattern, and even the testers could get caught all the errors.  As I was making the final steps for this QAL, I notice some pressing mistakes in Step 3 that I would like to point out for the Small HST Triangles.  I have corrected them in the pattern and have uploaded the pages to my correction page, HERE.  Please fix the press before Starting the final steps.

Step 4 - Adding Corner 1



Let's get started now with the adding the first corner to our units.  So I'm working with the Black / Azure / Wine combination set.  Using your unit down on the mat, you will use your Corner Pop® tool you will be Cutting Away 2" Corner from the Wine triangle side. 



Now that all the 2" pieces have been cut away you will then replace them with the Azure / Mint Small HST Triangles from Step 3. 



Please pay close attention to which half of the small HST you are using.  Make sure the Azure matches up on the same side of the Azure on the Combination Unit as pictured above.  



You will stitch in the HST in place.  Making sure you line up the center, and please remember to not to pull and tug on the long bias of the small triangle unit as you are sewing.  Press the units toward the wine strip.  Trim using your Corner Pop® tool using the 2" Corner Trim Down Section as we did in Week 1.   

Repeat all the steps on pages 6-7 in your pattern to add the first corner, before starting adding Corner 2 units.

Step 4 - Adding Corner 2


Now we are going to change the opposite bottom corner.  Please be careful and pay close attention to the corners you are replacing.  You will  never cut away from any of the black portions of the units.  Again you will be Cutting Away 2" from the inner corners, as seen above.


You will be replacing with Wine / Dream small HST Triangle unit.  Please remember to match up the wine colors of the units.  These units will nest together if you have corrected the pressing on these units.  Stitch the units together and be careful to not pull and tug on the bias edge of the triangle.



Next, Press your units away from the new triangle unit.  Note: you units will be slightly oversized. You will trim again using your Corner Pop® tool as we did in the first corner.



You will repeat for all the colors on page 8 & 9 of your pattern to finish all your blocks for Unit 2 and 3. 

Please remember to keep everything together and organized. Now Units 2 & 3 are complete in two weeks will finish up making our units with Unit 4.

Please remember if you have questions, please post them in the comment section below, you can also refer to the video above.

Week 4 of the Rainbow Serenade QAL will be 10/23 at 2:30 pm EST for the Facebook Live and the blog will be posted on 10/25.

If you would like to participate in the Rainbow Serenade QAL, you can purchase the pattern (also find the yardage requirements) HERE and Purchase the Studio 180 Tools HERE.  


Happy Sewing!

Tina