What I have to show today is a summery quilt made with Lucy's Crabshack fabric. When I first saw this line of fabric I really liked it. It was the orange that attracted me.....a few pops of orange and I'm sold.
I followed the "Sunny Skies" tutorial by Missouri Star Company. I love the 16 patches, and because the fabrics are beachy I decided to add some "sand" color in the Chevron blocks.
I tried out a new method of quilting -- new for me, that is. I followed Maureen Cracknell's QAYG (Quilt As You Go) method. (For this method you actually quilt the quilt top blocks on individual batting blocks -- without the backing. Then you sew those quilt blocks together, press, and finally add the backing -- sewing along the edges of the blocks. So the back is not quilted as the front, but instead has a square grid. Check out Maureen's tutorial. It's cool.) I love the idea of this method because the couple of quilts I've done on my home machine drove me crazy because I couldn't handle the bulk of the quilt and doing all that quilting at once (well, in a few sessions) seemed so long! Breaking it into small quilting sessions sounds much more appealing. Here is what I learned while doing this quilt:
1. Quilt as you go....learn as you go. I read the directions, which are really clear and detailed. It's a great tutorial. However, I decided not to just do straight line quilting.....instead I wanted to do a checkerboard pattern on each 16-patch and just a few lines on the Chevron blocks. What I didn't foresee was that doing these simple patterns rather than straight lines....I was going to lose some stitches (and part of the pattern) in the inseam. So I readjusted and started quilting to 1/4" from the edge, so the edges of the diamonds wouldn't be cut off. Then....I realized that in Maureen's tutorial I was supposed to use a 1/2" seem to join the blocks. Aaahhh! Instead I used a generous 1/4" seem, which cut off the diamond corners, but hopefully it'll wash up fine. I realize these lost stitches aren't going to be noticed by most, but it was something I realized I need to think about when doing this QAYG method.
2. Better basting. Also in the tutorial Maureen basted her blocks before quilting. I decided my blocks were so small this wasn't going to be necessary. The outcome is just okay. It would probably look better if I had basted. And if I could baste the backing on better it would help too! I ran out of Basting Spray and tried to just straighten it as I went. The result is some puckering. But it's not horrible.
3. I'll try this again. I really do love this QAYG method -- this time with the straight line stitching. I like to change tasks often, so being able to stop piecing blocks and start quilting at any time was fun for me.
4. Not my Style. I am lukewarm on the finished product. I gave a lot of thought to "my style" as I was putting together this quilt. "Sunny Beach" -- not so much my style; "Overcast beach" would be more my style. :) I've decided I need to try and zone in on what I really love -- instead of just doing lots of cute projects. But I'm happy with what I learned and still enjoyed making the quilt. And I do think it would look very cute in someone's small beach house by the sea. Anyone have one of those? Maybe I can trade you this quilt for a weekend vacation! ;)
I am linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it up Friday.
I am also linking up to Sew Can She's Show off Saturday.
I followed the "Sunny Skies" tutorial by Missouri Star Company. I love the 16 patches, and because the fabrics are beachy I decided to add some "sand" color in the Chevron blocks.
I tried out a new method of quilting -- new for me, that is. I followed Maureen Cracknell's QAYG (Quilt As You Go) method. (For this method you actually quilt the quilt top blocks on individual batting blocks -- without the backing. Then you sew those quilt blocks together, press, and finally add the backing -- sewing along the edges of the blocks. So the back is not quilted as the front, but instead has a square grid. Check out Maureen's tutorial. It's cool.) I love the idea of this method because the couple of quilts I've done on my home machine drove me crazy because I couldn't handle the bulk of the quilt and doing all that quilting at once (well, in a few sessions) seemed so long! Breaking it into small quilting sessions sounds much more appealing. Here is what I learned while doing this quilt:
1. Quilt as you go....learn as you go. I read the directions, which are really clear and detailed. It's a great tutorial. However, I decided not to just do straight line quilting.....instead I wanted to do a checkerboard pattern on each 16-patch and just a few lines on the Chevron blocks. What I didn't foresee was that doing these simple patterns rather than straight lines....I was going to lose some stitches (and part of the pattern) in the inseam. So I readjusted and started quilting to 1/4" from the edge, so the edges of the diamonds wouldn't be cut off. Then....I realized that in Maureen's tutorial I was supposed to use a 1/2" seem to join the blocks. Aaahhh! Instead I used a generous 1/4" seem, which cut off the diamond corners, but hopefully it'll wash up fine. I realize these lost stitches aren't going to be noticed by most, but it was something I realized I need to think about when doing this QAYG method.
2. Better basting. Also in the tutorial Maureen basted her blocks before quilting. I decided my blocks were so small this wasn't going to be necessary. The outcome is just okay. It would probably look better if I had basted. And if I could baste the backing on better it would help too! I ran out of Basting Spray and tried to just straighten it as I went. The result is some puckering. But it's not horrible.
3. I'll try this again. I really do love this QAYG method -- this time with the straight line stitching. I like to change tasks often, so being able to stop piecing blocks and start quilting at any time was fun for me.
4. Not my Style. I am lukewarm on the finished product. I gave a lot of thought to "my style" as I was putting together this quilt. "Sunny Beach" -- not so much my style; "Overcast beach" would be more my style. :) I've decided I need to try and zone in on what I really love -- instead of just doing lots of cute projects. But I'm happy with what I learned and still enjoyed making the quilt. And I do think it would look very cute in someone's small beach house by the sea. Anyone have one of those? Maybe I can trade you this quilt for a weekend vacation! ;)
I am linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it up Friday.
I am also linking up to Sew Can She's Show off Saturday.
Thanks so much for your post. I really enjoyed it. I'm embarking on a different method of QAYG - check out Little Island Quilting and Alison's awesome Soy Amado project. I made and donated 81 blocks for her huge effort, and it was gratifying.
ReplyDeleteNow I plan to use her method of joining QAYG blocks to make my next donation quilt.
This turned out very pretty! Even with the minor issues the quilting looks good to me. I think there's always a learning curve when trying something new, but think how great this method will work the third time you do it--you'll be a total pro!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link to the tutorial - I have been meaning to look up how to quilt as you go - great tutorial! Well done with your quilt - looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try QAYG too, so this is really helpful. I like your quilt a lot but I know what you mean about wanting to focus on what you really love.
ReplyDeleteLukewarm? But it's so stylish! I love the huge white diamonds, and the contrast with the colour and detail of the 16 patches.
ReplyDelete