Quilted Circles

One of the items I bought at the Road 2 CA quilt show was a set of Quilter's Rule nestled circled templates to use on my HQ Sweet 16 machine. Using plastic templates are new to me, but I used masking tape and felt shapes as guides when I quilt on my Viking, so I decided to give the templates a try. I LOVE circles, so I bought the whole set and hoped for the best.

Here's the wholes set nestled together. The little rectangles are like sticky backed sand paper that I added to each circle to prevent them from slipping. The fabric it's sitting on was my first practice piece.

I've taken some of the circles taken away so you can see how the increments break apart. I placed one template on the marked guideline, held on tight and stitched around it. Apparently, an easier way is to tape several rings together (say 5) with an X of blue painters tape, place on the fabric and stitch. I didn't find this out until after I did all this stitching! I have since tried the tape version and found that it is easier than trying to hold one of these skinny rings still. So, don't do what I did.

 Here's the result of my circle play time. It's not too bad as long as you don't look too close! I'm not used to quilting between the lines like this and adjusting the size of your pattern as you go around in a circle. It sort of reminds me of a spirograph . . . which I loved as a kid. I think these templates will help make my circles a lot more accurate.

Exhibit at Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center

Fibervision is having an exhibit at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center in Santa Barbara from May 28- June 22, 2014. The opening reception will be on Wednesday, June 4th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. If you're in town, please stop in for a visit. See the flyer below for all the details.

Here's a couple of close up shots of the quilting on one of my new pieces. It showcases the same "skylight" fabric that is used in the piece on the flyer above. Photos were manipulated, then printed on fabric. I also have a third design in progress that uses the same fabric.

I used plastic circle templates to help me quilt five sets of gradated circles, then I stippled around the outside to flatten the background.

Once the CPAC exhibit opens, I'll show you the entire quilt.

Curve Piecing

Last week, I took a one day workshop with Jean Wells on curve piecing. Jean's technique is a little different than what I've done before, a little more liberated. She has some good tips for beginning art quilters on inspiration and color choices. It wasn't information that I really needed, because I find cracks in the sidewalk inspirational, but I like to hear how other people work. It's good information and a good technique to have in my toolbox.

Here's the little piece (8-1/2 x 11") I completed in the workshop. After this, I went on to experiment even more, testing how far you could push this method. I found the limit pretty quick.

The first seam/curve went smoothly (no pun intended). Even though I matched little dots along the curve, I still fell short 1/4" at the bottom (purple/black seam). The second curve completely pushed the limit of this method. I lost about 1-1/4" at the bottom of the piece (purple/green seam. Solution: cut the piece that is being added extra long and fake it, or make templates and add 1/4" seam allowances. Good information to know.

This book was written in 1988 by Marilyn Stothers, and is where I first learned about curved piecing. I used this technique in one of my quilts back in 2005.

All that 1/4" seam sewing made me realize that I don't piece much anymore. The majority of my recent work is either raw edge applique or painted or a combination of both. It's funny how major changes can happen gradually, and you don't fully realize how much has really changed until you take a good look back.