FRAKTAL QUILT

 A Customer Quilt

A little while ago on Instagram there was a sew-a-long for this wonderful rainbowtastic quilt - Fraktal by Paula Steel Quilts run by Modern Quilt Club using the beautiful 'Phosphur' fabrics by Libs Elliot - my lovely customers joined in and have done an amazing job!

 

Measuring a healthy 72" x 72" this quilt is full of colour and modern flavour. They told me that the first few weeks of cutting and making all the units were challenging but the weekly tasks and community spirit made it all worthwhile. 

I know I am bias but I think they have done an incredible job! My customers wanted and all over quilting design that created movement across the quilt and some texture without distracting from the overall design - they chose a great design (details below) that subtly matches the quilt.

I'm very pleased to report that they absolutely loved the quilting I did and sent me another one to do - more on that later!

Pantograph:Apex 2 by Urban Elementz

Thread:

Glide 40wt Blueberry (top)

Decobob Antique White (bobbin)

DISAPPEARING ACT

Disappearing Nine Patch 

Disappearing Nine Patch Tutorial

These blocks work really well if there is a contrast in the colours and fabrics you choose, ideally you want to have light, medium and dark fabrics. It's ok if you don't though as it's perfect for scrap busting.

Cutting:

Square size can vary depending on the size of block and/or finished quilt you want - as long as all squares are the same size it doesn't matter. For the purpose of this tutorial, I used a couple of charm packs so my squares are 5 inches.

Cut 9 squares, each 5" x 5"

• (1) dark

• (4) medium

• (4) light

• 
  

Arrange the squares into three rows with three squares in each. Place the dark square in the block's centre position. Place the your feature fabric squares (medium) or those you wish to highlight in the block's four corners. Fill in the gaps with the remaining squares (light).

Assembly:

1. Sew the squares together using a quarter inch seam, I press my seams to the dark side, but you can do whatever you prefer, I also like to nest my seams so they lay flatter and line up perfectly.

2. If you are using 5" squares your block should measure 14" square when once the rows have been sewn together. You're then going to cut this in half vertically, so you have 2 units each measuring 7" x 14"

                                 

3. Cut each unit in half horizontally, so you have 4 units each measuring 7" square and then the fun begins.

Putting the block together:

1. There are a variety of different ways these blocks can go together, have fun and experiment to find a layout you like and then sew the rows together.

2. This is the one I went with, the feature fabrics will stand out more due to the borders around them, which is what I was after for this particular block.

Repeat to make as many blocks as you need for your quilt. I intend to have 4 rows of 4 so will need 16 blocks, this will give me a finished quilt of 54" square.

1. 
   

STARTS AND FINISHES

Weekend Round-Up

It seems like only last week we had our monthly quilty catch up, but in reality I haven't seen my ladies in 2 months!! I can't believe how quickly that has gone and whilst I haven't been idol they have been stitching up a storm and I am in absolute awe of their talents.

Val has been working on her gorgeous version of Beside The Sea by Lesley Brankin for a little while now and today was the big reveal of the finished piece!

It is absolutely beautiful in the flesh, the amount of thought and detail Val put into her fabric choices really has paid off as has her patience at putting the whole thing together.

Regular readers may have noticed the beach huts! 

They are the same ones that I used in the quilt I made for my dad 2 years ago and the same pattern was used by Sue in a sampler she was making out of Salt Water by Tula Pink.

Speaking of Sue her efforts this week were focused on hand sewing the back binding strips of the gorgeous shabby chic style BOM she has been working on over the last couple of months based on Stonefields by Susan Smith. You can see the start of her journey here but for now lets just soak up the loveliness of all those hours of work.

And just a few more because I really couldn't resist this darling little Owl and The Pussy Cat block

Never one for making things easy Caroline was sewing the binding on her 'simple square' quilt, unfortunately it wasn't a simple square binding and caused all manner of blue smoke to emerge from Caroline's corner. 

That being said, she drafted the pattern herself and the outcome is lovely, looking like an English country garden in purples, blues and greens. 

Which just leaves me..... 

I have made a start on something new, it is in the beginning stages and at the moment is a load of drawings, scribbles and sellotaped pieces of paper but with any luck it is going to end up being a fabulous mini quilt for 1 of the 5 swaps I've got myself into.... oooops!!!

Happy Quilting

Kerry xx

QALs and BOMs

Spoilt for Choice!!

There are so many wonderfully talented people out there, who keep making all these gorgeous quilts that I simply have to make!! If that's not enough soooooooo many of them are done as Quilt Alongs or Blocks of the Month AND they are free!! It is the perfect excuse to buy all that fabric I have seen, that I really, really need!! Here are a few that I have really caught my eye....

1. LAYER CAKE SAMPLE QUILT

First up is this little beauty courtesy of Amanda over at Material Girl Quilts the requirements are pretty much as the title suggests - Layer Cakes!! and of course fabric for backing and sashings. Each month the instructions and patterns are put up for 2 blocks with a range of alternate layout options, so you can let your creative juices flow!! i think this one is going to be a must for me!

2. BLOGGER GIRLS BOM II

Next a more traditional looking challenge set by Monique from Open Gate Quilts using mostly fat quarters and a background colour, this one comes with clear instructions and pictures to help those of you who quilt like me....nervously!

3. GLOBETROTTING

I do love a good mystery, and this one is shaping up to be just that!! Pat Sloan over on Free Quilt Patterns has put together this wonderful mystery block of the month based on various places around the world. Starting in her home town of Washington DC, stopping off in Venice, Chicago, London and finishing up who knows where??! I sure could use a round the world holiday.....

4. STAR LIGHT STAR BRIGHT

Melissa from Happy Quilting not only has this beautiful burst of starlight on offer but FIVE other quilt alongs as well!! This is my favorite of the bunch I never can turn down a shining star. All quilt patterns come with very clear step by step instructions, pictures/photos so you can see what you are aiming for and fabric requirements for a variety of block sizes.

I hope you find something here that sets your quilt soul alight, I would love to hear from you and see what has inspired you feel free to email me some photos of your achievements with a brief description and I will post it up here!!

Happy Quilting

Kerry

xx