The HSTs have been sewn and sorted. Each pile of fabric is a block for Shimmer – less the background fabric. I did cut enough to finish a second block. I can’t wait for my Simple Folded Corners Mini ruler to come in. I’m a convert to pre-trimming the corners. My units were so much better than when I stitched on the line. I think I’m going to add a dab of glue to hold the square in place on my next block until it’s sewn.
Easy Breezy = 56
I am making Shimmer using the same main fabrics I used in Atomic Starburst and Baubles ‘n Beads. It started with a FQ Bundle of Radiance by Dan Morris for QT Fabrics. Here they are laid out with background I used in those two quilts.
I only used a 5 1/2″ strip from the width of the FQs, so I had a 12 1/2 x 21 piece left. Each block uses 3 fabrics plus the background. To get the scrappy look, all of pieces of a block are cut from each FQ. The pieces are separated by where they are used in the block.
The large square and rectangle are “A”, the small rectangle and squares are “B”. Not pictured here is “C” the medium squares for the HSTs. Since I didn’t have a true FQ, I opted to use the “solid” FQs (or what was left of them) for “C”. I still didn’t have enough fabric, so each of the “starburst” fabrics I used in Atomic Starburst will also be used as “C” in one block. The colors are not true in the picture below.
Needless to say, I simply cannot make any cutting mistakes. There is no more fabric. Each fabric was cut individually, as if I did make a mistake I wanted to limit it to a single fabric. Sure enough I did make mistakes – most of which I was able to recover from with no issues. But one of the fabrics I had to find another solution. I’m guessing when this unit is in the block and the top is quilted no one will notice.
I finished cutting and sorting A & B last night.
After I make the HSTs, I’ll add them to each of the block sets. But of course before I do that I need to cut the background fabric. This is what I’m using. I had 3 yards in my recent stash. I bought it for Frolic but didn’t use it.
I crossed one more thing off The List and decided I didn’t need to wait to get ALL of the items done before starting Shimmer, a Cluck Cluck Sew pattern.
This will be the 3rd quilt from the Radiance bundle of FQs. After triple checking my cutting diagram, I counted my FQs and realized that I could get a twin size quilt from the remaining fabrics if I cut a pair of squares from each of the fabrics I used for the Starbursts in Atomic Starburst. So, that’s the plan.
This is going to be slow going unless I get up the gumption to cut more than one FQ at a time. The block uses chevrons, reverse chevrons, snowball corners and seam which are pressed open. All of which slow me down. But I’m confident it will be worth it in the end.
After struggling last night with the chevrons, I ordered the Simple Folded Corners Mini from the Quiltville Store. I’ve resisted ordering this, but last night I ended up trimming one of the chevron units then stitching it with a 1/4″ seam. I really liked the results and it means I don’t have to keep fiddling with my needle position going back and forth between a 1/4″ seam and stitch on the line.
Easy Breezy = 55
Progress was made this past weekend on The List. Two pillowcases, 2 Flying Dutchmen blocks, and I finished Cascade with binding, a hanging sleeve and a label.
Easy Breezy = 54
In between taking calls for work, I completed my Baubles ‘n Beads top. I then made the binding for Cascade, and I make the August block for Star Studded.
I thought that meant I could cross 2 things off my list, but the line says “Finish Baubles ‘n Beads”, not complete Baubles ‘n Beads top.
Easy Breezy = 53
Yes, I’ve written out another list. This is just the stuff I see sitting around the sewing room. I’ve decided I need to get a few things done to clear the deck so to speak before I start Shimmer. Well, that and I have started 2 new quilts and figured I needed to work on my UFOs again. I suspect this is more of an attempt to keep myself from starting a new quilt that I can throw on the long arm and have the computer quilt.
I’ve always said I wanted to work my way into custom quilting and with Cascade I have confirmed that is what I want to do. Which is good, since I have a stack of quilt tops that I want to do some sort of custom quilting on. The only issue is that if I’m standing at the quilting machine, I can’t be piecing. I haven’t worked that one out yet. I guess I need to work on a few quilts which won’t benefit from custom quilting. But not today.
This is the 2nd weekend in a row I’ve had to work. At the moment, it looks like I’ll be up early for a couple of hours, then will sit back and wait for a conference call at 4. I wouldn’t be surprised if at least one more gets thrown in. So, my plan is to finish up Baubles ‘n Beads. Then bind Cascade and make a hanging sleeve for it.
Easy Breezy = 51
Bauble ‘n Beads is moving right along. After paper piecing the starbursts for Atomic Starburst, these “baubles” were simple to knock out in no time.
Applique is another technique I’m not real fond of either, but it’s moving right along. Everything slowed down once I started the satin stitching. Note to self – middle satin stitch, reduced to 3.0 wide, reduce pressure foot pressure to 5.0.
Easy Breezy = 49
Yes, this is the start of a new quilt. Bauble ‘n Beads by Cat Nix Designs. The fabric is Radiance by Dan Morris for QT Fabrics. If you think you have seen this before, you have. It’s the same fabric that I used for Atomic Starbust, designed by Violet Craft.
Yes, I’ve finished piecing the top. I now need to trim the top to size and get it quilted.
Easy Breezy = 48
Yesterday I added the sashing to all of the blocks. I started sewing them together, but discovered quickly these diamonds have no nesting seams so it’s tough to get the intersections to match. My seam ripper is going to get a work out as I put this top together.
But first, I need to prep more Easy Breezy blocks.
Easy Breezy = 43
My FQ bundle, Radiance by Dan Morris for QT Fabrics has 7 different patterns in 5 different colorways – turquoise, pink, yellow/orange, green, and purple. I also purchase 2 tone-on-tone FQ in each of the colors with the intention of making 4 stars in each colorway, 2 from each fabric. When I made the first purple block I realized immediately there wasn’t enough contrast with the blue background. I made a star from the 2nd FQ and decided that the contrast works, but it is not vibrant enough to complete with the other stars.
I trundled off to the LQS where it was suggested that I use orange instead of purple. I picked 2 orange FQs, but when I got home the thought of 4 yellow stars and 4 orange stars was too much. Since I am only using 30 of the FQs from my bundle in the quilt, I pulled the tone-on-tone FQs from the bundle to make one star each – except for the purple.
There is at least one star from each fabric in the picture. I think I’ve made at least one more star since this picture was taken.
Easy Breezy = 41
