Mystery block part 2

 In a little while the block will be revealed - and I love it - it is complex but I think worth the effort so to continue - join your rectangles together to make squares - you will make 4 of each - (remember to press the seams flat open) -

 

 

 

ant then join the squares together like this, again you will make 4 of each -



and then join together like this - so that you have 4 quarters of the block -

Lay the 4 quarters out - so that you join them together in the right arrangement -

 and then stitch them together to create your complete block -

I know this block as Carpenters Wheel - and I love the 3-D effect. As my father was a carpenter it reminds me of him. I had hoped to make a table runner by making 3 of these blocks - but I don't have enough fabric so this will become a cushion - so look out for next week to see how this cushion becomes a quilt!!! 

Angela

Mystery block - part 1

 Recently I had the privilege of demonstrating at a trade show in Lillestrom in Norway, with Global Hobby. I had a lovely time and came away with quite a few half-square triangles and squares cut - and I really liked some of the fabrics - so here we start the mystery block -
this is a 16" finished block and you will need a long quarter of each fabric for the block - and make it easier for yourself by choosing non directional fabric - believe me it will be a lot easier! and you need clear distinction between the light medium and dark fabrics to get the best effect.

 

You need to cut 32 x 2 1/2" half-square triangles from each fabric - using the Big Shot http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray
and Bigz die - 659831 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659831/sizzix-bigz-die-half-square-triangles-2-1-2-assembled-square
and 12 x 2 1/2" square in light and 4 in dark, using the Bigz die 657607 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657607/sizzix-bigz-die-square-2-finished-2-1-2-unfinished
Join the triangles together to make 16 squares in each colour combination, (and press the seams flat open because of the complexity and number of seams that join) -

 

Join 16 squares together to make 8 rectangles like this -



and then join the remaining squares into rectangles, 4 of each -



So this will give you 32 rectangles and next time you'll see how to put them together for the complete block.
Happy sewing
Angela

STAR QUILT: PART 5

Dies used: Half-Square Triangles, 4 1/2in Finished Square
                Square, 4in Finished (4 1/2in Unfinished)
                Star, Nested

One single-size boys quilt, completed!

I'm so happy with the results and more importantly so is its new owner, Aidan. It was really very straightforward to make (especially the cutting, obviously!) using just two shapes (and therefore only two dies) for the pieced quilt top - definitely an example of simple but effective! A third die was used for the small applique stars that pepper the low volume, in-between areas.
There are plenty of colours in it but it meets his specification (thankfully it passed!) of 'mainly blue' with the orange fabric really bringing out the blues and providing some depth.

The backing fabric was picked up in the sale in Ikea and although it wasn't ideal to quilt with being more of a canvas weight it looks really good, the large print contrasting nicely with all of the fine detail on the front.

Hand-sewing the binding took longer than usual as making a stitch through thick backing fabric wasn't as easy as it would have been with quilters weight cotton but it wasn't too much of a hardship.

I really enjoy hand-sewing binding but it's starting to feel a bit indulgent when deadlines are looming and other sewing projects are stacking up, it may be time to investigate machine binding techniques!

Here it is in its new home.

Now to start something new, probably not another full size quilt just yet but I do have another son wanting one for his bed.

Happy sewing!

A cute and vintage caravan kitchen cloth

Hi everyone!! Summer is one of my favorite seasons because we usually travel with our caravan.We enjoy a lot outside and  I take time to do what really I love living in touch with nature.
So when I saw the new Sizzix Die by Eileen Hull with an adorable " Travel Trailer" I knew I had to do something , and here it is my project, a kitchen cloth you can use in different ways.

First I chose my scraps and ironed some double side fusible web, cut out the pieces and press on a background fabric ( 8.5").

Then I appliqué with black thread and straight lines. Using  Bigz XL 25" Die - Squares, 2" Finished (2 1/2" Unfinished) I  cut out squares and sew in a row. You can use Bigz L Die - Squares, 2" Finished (2 1/2" Unfinished) too.
Sew around the square and you get the block finished.

I finished my kitchen cloth with a nice lace around and same stripe fabric for backing.
If you like doing camping you know the fridge is usually  small and many times  it doesn´t fill everything you want. So , frequently I put some fruit on a plate outside. Now I have got a nice cloth to protect from insect!

I hope you like this new project. I´m sure I will sew something more with this cute caravan with a vintage style I love.
Happy summer days and I see you in two weeks
Love
Mercedes

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¡Hola a todo el mundo! El verano es una de mis favoritas estaciones porque solemos salir de camping. Nos encanta disfrutar al aire libre y disfruto mucho para hacer lo que me gusta al aire libre en contacto con la naturaleza.

Cuando vi el  nuevo troquel de Eillen Hull con una adorable caravana ( " Travel Trailer" ), supe que tenía que planear algo con ella. Aquí está este tapete que puede tener distintos usos.

Primero seleccioné todas las piezas  de retales y planché entretela de doble cara por el revés de cada tela. Corté la pieza usando la Big Shot Plus y las planché sobre un fondo de tela , en este caso de rayitas.

Apliqué todas las piezas con hilo negro y un pespunte negro alrededor.Luego corté cuadrados con el troquel   Bigz XL 25" Die - Squares, 2" Finished (2 1/2" Unfinished)        los cosí en filas y los coloqué alrededor  formando mi bloque. Si no quieres usar éste tan largo tiene otro con menos cuadrados de igual medidas Bigz L Die - Squares, 2" Finished (2 1/2" Unfinished).

Para terminar sólo añadí una puntilla de algodón    con una tela trasera igual que la que  había usado para el fondo del aplicado.

Si a ti también te gusta hacer camping , sabrás que el frigorífico no es muy grande y que muchas veces debes dejar cosas fuera.  En ocasiones dejo la fruta sobre un plato. Ahora ya tengo algo para cubrirla y evitar a los insectos.

Espero que te haya gustado este proyecto y estoy segura que coseré algo más con este troquel  en un estilo vintage que tango me gusta.

Feliz días de verano y te veo en un par de semanas.

Cariños

Mercedes

My Ohio Quilt: top finished

Hi everyone! Do you remember how I started the Ohio Star Quilt I talked about it? Here it is my top finished! I sew more blocks as much I could using this beautiful fabric collection " Aesop 's Fable " I bought some months ago.

I cut out all the pieces with  4 " finished ( 4 1/2" Unfinished)    and Bigz L Die - Triangles, 2 1/2" H x 4 1/2" W Unfinished.
I wanted to tell you how incredible size has the new Big Shot Plus perfect to cut out with two dies at the same time , keeping free time for  your sewing, isn´t it great ?

I sew my last block at last ! You can see it  all the steps in the post I said before.

Here it´s  my final twelve blocks.

Now just it´s the time so sew on a row.

I had  some more fabric to use so I decided to  add  some  border.

Now I need to decide the backing . Here it´s my idea.

Same fabric for binding too. 

What´s your opinion? do you like this brown dots?

Surely I will quilt with straight lines but that will be later. Hope you like it . Now I will think in my new project for Sizzix blog and enjoy more dies!
Have a nice weekend  and I see you in two weeks!
Love
Mercedes

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¡ Hola a todo el mundo !¿ Os acordais cuando os hablé del quilt con la estrella Ohio que estaba montando ? Pues por fin tengo el top acabado. Añadí algunos bloques más , tantos como la tela , de la colección Aesop´s  Fable ; que había comprado me lo permitía.

Todas las piezas fueron cortados sólo con dos  troqueles

Bigz L Die - Triangles, 2 1/2" H x 4 1/2" W Unfinished.

4 " finished ( 4 1/2" Unfinished)

Además quería contarte que gracias al increíble tamaño de la nueva Big Shot Plus, puedes cortar de una vez con dos troqueles colocándolos juntos, así puedes ahorrar tiempo y dejarlo para la costura 

¿ no es estupendo?

Si aún tienes dudas en cómo usar esta troqueladora, no dejes  de  echar un vistazo al vídeo que hice para Sizzix con mi primer proyecto para el verano , en el artículo Mi bolsa  veraniega para libros

Como ves en la fotos , cosí las piezas ( puedes ver todoslos pasos en el primer artículo en el que te hablo del montaje )y  luego solo fue cuestión  de  coser los bloques entre sí y después una fila acabada con otra.

Mi quilt tiene doce bloques.

Como me quedó algo de tela , la reservé para hacer un borde alrededor.

Y tengo una idea de la tela para la trasera que será la misma que para  el biés , una marrón oscura con puntitos ¿ qué  os parece , os gusta la idea ?

Lo más seguro es que haga líneas rectas para el acolchado,pero eso será para contártelo más adelante. De momento voy pensando en el próximo proyecto con los troqueles de Sizzix. Espero que te  haya gustado y que tengas un estupendo fin de semana.

Nos vemos en un par de ellas.

Cariños.

Mercedes