Showing posts with label Savor Every Stitch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Savor Every Stitch. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

March DrEAMi: Dynamic Haphazard Pattern/Spunky Americana

Looking at my quilt which I started working on National Quilt Day, Saturday, 3/16, you might think that I was merrily sewing together HSTs any which way and without any plan whatsoever.  It might have saved me some time if I had but my Spunky Quilt was made with the assistance of a free quilt design software program, Dynamic Patterns, created and developed by Liz of Savor Every Stitch in 2017.  This program consists of two styles, Haphazard which is just HSTs and Mondrian which is just squares.  You can see I chose the Haphazard pattern which lives up to the name because the quilt definitely looks random, unplanned and unsystematic or just plain fun.
This is a DrEAMi project for me even though it was in the making for the past several years. I first purchased a fat quarter bundle of fabric which included prints of Jennifer Sampou's Studio Stash and some bright homespuns and then added some prints by Art Gallery's Denim Studio and other homespun prints from my stash. It took me awhile to realize that these would be the right fabric to make the Haphazard Pattern with HSTs and finally used the software for the first time last year.  Since making my Postcards from Sweden last year, I've become fond of HSTs especially when I can die-cut them myself.

I did something a little different with the Dynamic Pattern program since I wanted my quilt to be 54"x72" rather than square so rather than designing an entire quilt, I designed a series of 18" blocks, like over forty. These were fun to design; after you input your HST sizes (always 6" and 3"), the colors (dark and medium blue, red, tan and yellow-I didn't get hung up on matching the exact shades) and the proportions of the sizes and colors for each block, the software program will automatically generate blocks. I couldn't stop at just twelve, even though that's all I needed. I guess this is a testament to how well Liz designed this program because I did not crash it.
I decided that this would be the project I wanted to work on for National Quilt Day so in preparation I had to choose twelve blocks from the forty designed and the ones chosen were based on the blocks which were more dark and medium blues and had more 6" HSTs than 3" HSTs. I decided to use the neon yellow homespuns sparingly in 3" HST, orange replaced the 6" yellow HST and the apple green homespun in the bundle was eliminated. After the twelve blocks were chosen, being the anal planner I am, drew each block up on graph paper, indicating the color combo which was handy so I knew how many HSTs of each color combo was needed and also when laying out and sewing the blocks.  Since each of the HSTs would have a dark blue print, I added two additional Aged Muslin dark blues to make sure I had enough variety and being the more the merrier type of quilter, I then added more reds, tans and oranges. I spent all day preparing the fabrics and die-cutting HSTs. Once that was done, I teamed up combinations of dark blues with either light blue, red, tan, orange and yellows and these combinations were the same for the 6" and 3" HSTs. And yes, I had extras.
After all of the HSTs were sewn, the blocks were put together and sewn together one at a time.  It really helped that each HST was numbered just to make sure I didn't inadvertently sewed them in the wrong order or orientation but when I did happen to do it a few times, it didn't matter except when a yellow HST was involved and placement was important, then I did take it apart.  My little display board came in handy when sewing the blocks together.  When pressing the HSTs, I pressed towards the dark blue and once the HSTs were sewn together, I pressed the seams open.
 Here's an example of the computer design and the resulting block made.  If you're wondering why I didn't just use printouts instead of spending time drawing them out on graph paper, it's because I didn't want to use up all of the color ink on my printer.  But what is nice about the printout  is that it shows how many of each color combination is needed to make the block.
There is an element of a mystery quilt after all of the blocks were sewn and then needed to be turned into a top. The left photo are all of the blocks and the right photo is the final layout. (Another pressing tip, the row of blocks were pressed in alternating directions so they nested when the rows were sewn together). While laying out the blocks, I was regretting my decision to use the neon yellow homespuns since it looked like post-it notes but after came up with a layout with the neon yellow HSTs spread out like they're bursting from the center like fireworks. I'm glad I kept them and included the orange to give this quilt its name, Spunky Americana.
Machine quilting was a breeze with vertical straight lines, approximately l" apart using Connecting Threads Essential Thread in Bluebird. The backing was also from Connecting Threads, 104" wide denim and you can see the Bluebird thread blended very nicely. I'm happy to mention that my usual stubbornness in finding the right binding paid off this time.  I was going to settle for using one of the blue Aged Muslin since I didn't have enough of the other prints, or if I did, it wasn't right but kept thinking the perfect binding for Spunky Americana would be a Debbie Mumm print, denim blue with super skinny stripes-a favorite of mine for binding, something I thought I used up all I had.  Well, after looking through my four bins of traditional blue fabrics, I was so happy to find it in the fourth bin which I wasn't going to check but am glad I did--and I had just enough--a little over one-half yard--yep, meant to be.
Would I make another Haphazard quilt--yes, especially with all of the scraps I have like Kaffe Fassett, Patriotic, Homespuns, etc.  There are so many possibilities with just using two colors like black and white or just solids and also "disappearing" the blocks like cutting them in quarters after they are sewn.  Hopefully, I won't have to wait until the next National Quilt Day to start die-cutting another one and also if I need new block patterns, I'm going to splurge and print them out-- I'll make sure I have enough color ink.
On a side note, I'm glad to have my Spunky Americana quilt ready for the March DrEAMi link-up this Saturday, 3/30 hosted by Sandra of mmm quilts who will be hosting her third QAL starting April 3rd.  Since I've participated in her other two QAL, I'm sewing the Trifeca.  Hopefully, I should be able to find the right fabric in my stash since my fabric diet is going very well.
Also, starting this month, there's a new linky party-Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup hosted by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs and will definitely be linking up my Spunky Americana quilt because I have to admit this is my favorite finish for March.

And lastly and more importantly, I would like to thank Liz for creating and designing the Dynamic Patterns program and allowing us quilters free access to it--it's a kind and wonderful way to share your talent.  If you're not familiar with Liz's blog, please check out Savor Every Stitch and see what an amazing quilter she is and to think she has been only quilting for just a few years now.  Her machine quilting is jaw dropping beautiful and maybe one day Liz will inspire me to try a few curves and meandering with my machine quilting. Meanwhile, if that day ever happens, I'm fine with gushing over her beautiful quilts.


Tuesday, June 27, 2017

The Liebster Award--Discover New Blogs

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award by my fellow blogger Wendy of Peaceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life whom I've gotten to know this year when we both participated in the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop.  We've shared inspiration, fabric tales, stories and laughs and I am glad we still stay in touch with each other through our blogs. Participating in the Blog Hop was a wonderful way to connect with other quilters and grow your blog.

I was happy to learn about the Liebster Award which only exists on the Internet and is given to bloggers by other bloggers. It is a great way to discover and promote new bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It was started in 2011 and Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome which I have to say is what we quilt bloggers are all about. You can read more about the Liebster Award by visiting the Global Aussie's Website.

Part of the nomination process is answering the questions Wendy has prepared:

Who inspired you to quilt/sew?

My mother sewed all of my clothes when I was young and I accompanied her on many fabric shopping trips and when I started quilting, she supported my fabric stash.  What really started me quilting was when I saw a quilting magazine at the check-out counter and realized that I can make my own quilts.

If you could meet one person you have never met, who would it be?

Kaffe Fassett and my dream is coming true this October; I finally am going to be taking one of his classes.  I've been practicing how to correctly pronounce his name: Kaffe rhymes with safe.

What kind of music do you like?

I love all different types of music; it would be easier to tell you what type of music I don't like which is talking with no singing and songs using profanity.  I really like listening to the Frozen soundtrack while I'm sewing.

What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

I am too embarrassed to answer this question; let's just say I should have waited until 2018 when the Downton Abbey movie is going to be released.

What is your favorite quilt/sewn project/craft?

I love making a quilt that I can use a lot of different fabrics and the patches are either squares, rectangles or strips.  It's all about the fabrics and the easier the pattern the better.

What is your favorite candy bar?

I really like Chunky but Almond Joy is a close second.

Hand Quilt or Machine Quilt

Definitely Machine Quilt: I have way too many fabrics and quilts I want to make.

Favorite Color

Apple Green, Lime Green, Chartreuse--any yellow/green.

Favorite Quilting/Crafting Item

I was and still am afraid of my rotary cutter so my June Tailor Shape-Cut Ruler was a blessing when I first started.  It has been replaced now with my die-cutters.

Do you work on one project or many?

I could never work on just one project, I am not that disciplined plus I get distracted too easily by all the quilts I see on Blogs and Pinterest.  I have around 40 projects left on this year's project list.
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According to the 2017 requirements for the nominations, I am to include a short commentary on a blog that I follow and this is where I can give a shoutout to my blog mentor and Quilt Inspiration, Susan Snooks of PatchworknPlay.  Susan played an important part of me starting a blog last year and was very helpful and encouraging, plus it helped that she has a beautiful blog to inspire me. Her blog was one of the first ones that I left comments on and Susan reached out to me to let me know that I was a No Reply Commenter, a term I never heard before and made me realize that I really miss not having a Help Desk to help me navigate computer problems.  If you want to be inspired by beautiful handwork and fabric combinations, please check out Susan's Blog PatchworknPlay. Everytime I see her blog header, it makes me smile.  I think she is the reason why I take on the Jen Kingwell projects which sometimes I don't think it's a good thing.  I can say that Susan is my favorite Australian quilter and she has taken on a new role as my Fabric Fitness Coach. Let's just say I am to stop shopping and get back to the sewing table. Cheers, Suz!
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MY FOUR NOMINATIONS for the Liebster Award are quilters I've gotten to know through the Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop:

Andrea of Goofin' Off Around the Block is a Quilt and Disney fanatic and, like me, believes fabric just magically appears.  I travel vicariously through her.

Liz of Savor Every Stitch has only been quilting for a short time and has already made some pretty wonderful quilts plus has amazing machine quilting skills.

Laura of Slice of Pi Quilts is another amazing and talented quilter and is always up for a challenge.

Kathleen of Kathleen McMusing who I consider a Quilt Sister and gotten to know her better when we both participated in the Free Fall QAL. 

These are the questions I would like to see their responses and some are a little different than the ones I answered.
  • Who inspired you to quilt/sew?
  • If you could meet one Quilt Personality, who would it be?
  • Your preference while quilting:  Listening to Music, Watching a Movie, Listening to a Book on Tape, Whistling or Total Silence
  • Do you have a favorite snack/munch while quilting?
  • Do you look for quilts while watching a movie?
  • What comes first when you make a quilt:  buying stash then look for a pattern or buy the pattern first and then the fabric
  • What is your favorite quilt/sewn project/craft?
  • Hand Quilt or Machine Quilt?
  • Favorite Color?
  • Favorite Quilting/Crafting Item?
  • Do you work on one project or many?
I hope you check out everyones' blogs during the Liebster Award season and discover new blogs to follow.

Also, I would like to thank Wendy for the nomination and never did I think I would every have an opportunity to say this, it is an honor to be nominated.