Kaffe Fassett
Showing posts with label Kaffe Fassett. Show all posts
spring steps
I do love surprises... and happy mail... and quilt making (especially for a good cause)!
For this months Aurifil Artisan challenge we were sent five fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett fabric to use in a project.
I knew I was going to make a quilt. I don't use red prints very often and spent a while auditioning fabrics to go with the bundle. Initially I pulled pinks and oranges, other warm tones because that's my vibe. It all looked too samey though and the Kaffe prints didn't stand out enough. So then I pulled a whole rainbow of solid fabrics, mixing them up with the prints to see what worked well.
Ultimately I went with a pale grey for the background and deep yellow, bright purple, olive and cerulean - sorry I don't have the exact shades, these fabrics were left over from other projects and I've failed to have any system for keeping track of the names/brands of solids. If you have a good system please let me know!
Traditional blocks are always a favourite and, as I haven't used any of my special quilting rulers for a while, I looked through them and decided to make Courthouse Steps blocks.
The olive was a considered choice, as it's the colour for the centre of the blocks. Inspired by the blooms on the prints, I wanted the blocks to look like large flowers and the green would be the stems.
that time I forgot to photograph a quilt
It was bound to happen at some point. I completely forgot to photograph a quilt, therefore failing as a blogger. Thanks to the magic of screen grabs and YouTube though, I can at least show you the finished quilt (not quite in all its glory).
First let me share a pretty pincushion I made for Sewing Quarter. This is the Voodoo Feather Pincushion from the book Adventures in Paper Piecing by Sarah Elizabeth Sharp. I made it using fabric from a Tilda Bird Pond charm pack.
The book is excellent. It takes you through everything about foundation paper piecing, including how to make your own designs. The patterns are all fabulous, some of them with lots of small pieces but the results are totally worth it. I plan on making a pufferfish from the book for my daughter!
So the quilt (*sigh*) - I did manage to get one in progress shot as I was quilting it, so there's that!
This is probably one of the most traditional quilt blocks I've not made until now! That sentence is terrible, sorry. I love traditional quilt blocks but, quite honestly, flower baskets never really appealed to me. In this pattern though, on point with the lattice sashing, it looks more striking and modern.
The design is from the book Kaffe Fasset's Quilts in America, which is full of stunning photographs and could really be a coffee table book. The pattern is fairly simple, I made a smaller version of the quilt (without the border, which I did cut out but only realised I hadn't sewn on as I was quilting it!)
Here you can almost see the whole quilt...
This week has been so crazy, I'm madly trying to finish some handmade gifts. I have successfully made three quilts this week (one for work, two for gifts) - I was hoping to finish another but it's not going to happen because I have other work to do and not enough time! I'm proud of myself for accomplishing that though. There's still lots to do before Christmas and since I'm working on Christmas Eve it's probably all going to be totally last minute. Good job I work well with deadlines!
I will leave you with a funny still of me and John.
Pineapples and Paris Star quilt
It's been sew sew sew at my house! These projects each have a lot of seams and used up a lot of thread. Completely worth it though because they turned out really nicely.
My first project used the new Bird Pond collection in Blue and Teal by Tilda. I made two sizes of pineapple blocks for a 20" cushion front (which I did make into a cushion but I don't have a picture of the finish!). I chose to fussy cut the gorgeous Anemone print for the centre of the largest block and for the corner squares.
Surrounded by smaller blocks like this, it looks like ripples on a pond. The blocks were made using the Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool, both the larger (for the 10" centre block) and mini version (for the eight 5" blocks). It makes it so easy to create really accurate, straight seams for what is otherwise a fiddly block. Someone messaged the show to ask if you could foundation paper piece these blocks, of course you can and a quick google search showed up plenty of free patterns you can use. Personally I prefer using the tools, it really is so simple once you get in the swing of it - just be sure to follow the instructions! I have made errors myself though those blocks still turned out nicely, they just weren't pineapples! I also think this is a brilliant way to use up scraps and like that you can create so many different layouts playing with fabric placement. You can see my 'mistake' blocks and another version of the block I made during the demo, video at the end of this post.
My other project is a quilt top made using the fabulous Paris Star pattern by Lynne Goldsworthy. This is such a stunning design and Lynne's instructions are excellent as always. I really like those half stars and the way they disappear into the border. It's a fairly big quilt finishing at 70" but the piecing isn't complicated.
Here is lovely Vicki (and her beautiful princess hair) with a ta da moment after director Tim did a great job of hanging the quilt top in the studio. Not as easy when it's a flimsy that's larger than the angled wall!
There are lots of points to match while making these stars but I showed a couple of tips during the demo that should help. The four blocks that make up the quilt come together fairly quickly and the borders are simple, perfect for some fancy quilting if you wanted to. This is definitely one of those designs that looks slightly terrifying but once you've made it you want to make another!
If you'd like to see the demos click below - the Pineapple cushion starts at 1:05:00 and the Paris Star starts at 3:04:00 - you could watch the whole show and see Becky Alexander Frost demo bag making!
☀ pineapple, honey bloom & sun spell quilts ☀
Three is the magic number! Here are 3 recent quilt finishes, quite different in style, and a little needle book for the cuteness. These were all made for Sewing Quarter, you can catch up with the shows on YouTube and if you keep reading you'll reach the clip I've included that shows how I bind (I'm making the needle case but I sew binding on quilts the same way!).
This quilt is my Mai Tai Pineapple quilt, so named because the bright colours reminded me of tropical cocktails as I was making it!
This quilt is my Mai Tai Pineapple quilt, so named because the bright colours reminded me of tropical cocktails as I was making it!
The Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool allowed me create blocks from strips and then accurately trim so each 'round' of the pineapple is perfect. I did make a couple of errors trimming a couple of the final rounds but after all that piecing I just made them work as best as I could. Overall I still love this quilt so much. The colours are fabulous, all Makower solids and the darker greens in the centres and outer corners of the blocks makes a nice contrast.
There is so much movement in the quilt, all those lines are quite mesmerising. This style of quilt as been on my 'to sew' list for a long time and I imagine I will make more in the future because the effect is so impressive.
It was tricky to come up with a quilting pattern that wouldn't compete with the pattern of the piecing and that wasn't overly time consuming. In the end I remembered someone mentioning that decorative stitches could be used in place of stitches to 'tie' the quilt. I kept it very simple and did a stitch in the centre of the squares and at the corners. If it was being used at my house I would have added in a few more! The overall effect is soft and the piecing keeps the stability of the front, while the back is slightly tufted.
hanging basket tote bag
One of the joys of appliqué is creating anything you want from fabric shapes. I drew some simple flowers, petals and leave templates to make up this hanging basket design. The initial idea was a bowl of flowers, a modern take on the traditional basket quilt block design. It evolved into two pattern shapes, the bowl and the basket. The Kaffe Fassett prints were also perfect for some fussy cutting - in the same style as Bari J's beautiful fabric collage style - so it became a mix of appliqué shapes and collage. I like the organic look that creates.
I used Bondweb to position the flowers - as I was making up the design I attached the handles first to give me an idea of placement but would recommend sewing them on later as it was a faff to keep them out of the way!
I did sketch style stitching with black thread, using the free motion foot and just echoing inside the shapes. Black isn't often my colour of choice as it's so harsh but that's what makes it work so well here. I think of it as doodling and the thread is my pen.
If you haven't tried this technique it really is a lot of fun and it's a great way to get used to using your free motion foot. Also it is really easy to cover any mistakes by going over the stitches, I usually go round the shapes at least twice. You can watch the video below to see my Sewing Quarter demo and get more tips as I create a bowl of flowers.
The straps on the tote are a little different because they aren't completely sewn down. The ends are attached with a square of stitching and a large zig zag, then I tucked the straps in while sewing the lining to the bag and turning the bag through. I them pinned them in place and did three lines of top stitching around the top of the bag for decoration and to hold the straps in place.
This means on a warm summer's day I could tuck a cardigan or shawl in through those straps ready for evening (dreaming of those warm days already!). Or extra space for all the kids jackets I end up carrying.
I have to say I'm quite fond of the minimal back side too! I'm planning more totes with straps like this because I really like the look.
Click play to watch the demo and let me know if you have a go at this technique!
linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
four projects: it's all in the details
It's my birthday today! I have lovely plans, lunch with my mum and step-dad, a relaxed afternoon, a film with the kids and then a meal with my husband. Chilled out and spending time with people I love, a perfect day.
This is a little catch up on makes for Sewing Quarter from last weeks shows. Cute cushions perfect for a nursery or just for fun and a mini quilt with Liberty rose appliqué.
First is this adorable bear cushion, pattern from Sweetly Stitched Handmades by Amy Sinibaldi. The book is full of such sweet makes!
This was simple to make and I really like the way the ears are pieced into the half square triangles. Clever and cute detail.
I embellished the cushion with ric rac and used felt for the eyes and nose. The padded face gives the bear personality and someone suggested adding a squeaker in there which I think would be brilliant! There are lot of ways you could add details to the bear and make really unique cushions.
I made a sailboat cushion, pattern from the book Lovely Little Patchwork by Kerri Horsley. The cute fish prints worked so well in this project and the red, white and blue combination is classic. Pom poms are a great way to finish off a cushion, they just add a special something!
I enjoyed stitching the bunting detail. I used a dab of glue on the fabric scraps to hold them in place and then stitched straight lines to create a drawn effect.
Using these pastel Kaffe Fassett fabrics was a lovely way to recreate my Four Patch of Charm cushion design.
And now I realise I never blogged my original finished cushion. I do remember hand quilting this one on a trip to visit my sister.
I love how the choice of fabric can make a patchwork pattern look so different!
Finally this is the Liberty Rose mini quilt, pattern from Quilt Petite by Sedef Imer.
I rather wish I hadn't used the darker thread to outline the rose. At the time it seemed like it needed more definition but I would unpick that. Anyway it's a sweet design and I enjoyed this method of reverse appliqué, cutting the shapes out of the top fabric before stitching. It was like a maze outlining each of the shapes! The Liberty print of a rose looks so subtle and pretty peeking out.
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
a week of sewing
It's been a busy week for lots of reasons and of course there is always plenty of sewing involved. I have been working on projects for the Sewing Quarter, including classic designs and techniques, creating my own pattern and a felt hand sewn make!
On Thursday 7/12 I was demonstrating the Creative Grids Diamond Wedding Ring templates. I adore this traditional pattern and the templates make it far easier to prepare the pieces and the accuracy of cutting makes piecing spot on!
On Thursday 7/12 I was demonstrating the Creative Grids Diamond Wedding Ring templates. I adore this traditional pattern and the templates make it far easier to prepare the pieces and the accuracy of cutting makes piecing spot on!
For a bold look I chose a rainbow of solid colours with a dark background and enjoyed doing some simple curved echo quilting in navy. I decided to use a decorative machine stitch on the binding, it adds a bit of fun and I found one that worked well with the diamond theme. It's actually a utility stitch but it looks great!
it was a good day
Life has been a whirlwind recently, with such a busy schedule and not much time to play. Then a funny thing happened, in the way that sometimes things just come together and everything works out to give you just what you need. First up though I'm going to show you the quilt I made for the Sewing Quarter last week, using fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett and a simple HST layout from Modern Baby Quilts by Fons & Porter. The dark background fabric allows the prints to shine and gives it a bold, modern feel.
I really like this action shot of the quilt blowing in the wind. Wouldn't a wonky chevron quilt look cool?!
So a couple of days earlier I received an email invitation to a beauty event, not something I would usually have time to attend but I realised that I would be travelling back into Manchester on Saturday afternoon anyway, and decided that it would be so good to do something just for me! That's a rarity and I was intrigued.
quilt round-up
This is a round-up of quilts I have made for Sewing Quarter - including a couple that I failed to blog about and made some time ago. It's nice to have a document here of the quilts I have finished. The quilt above was made using a jelly roll of Kaffe Fassett fabric and some solid white squares. I had made Bright Hopes blocks before but never a whole quilt of them, I think it makes a beautiful random pattern and I would like to make another quilt using this block, it's a great stash buster too!
I also made this random curves quilt using a Tula Pink layer cake. This was a fun and simple quilt to sew.
Laying out the blocks took me a while because they are so many different patterns you can create. Curves are possibly my favourite thing to sew. If you haven't tried it you should! I learnt how to sew without pins using this video, though I prefer to use my quarter inch foot. I know people have different methods so it might be worth taking a class or just experimenting to see what way you prefer.
Earlier this month I made this sweet baby Stunning Stars quilt using a pattern from Annie's Quick & Easy Quilts. It was an unusually bright day in Manchester so the colours look a bit washed out here. I enjoyed adding a scrappy solid binding to this one:
Today was Christmas at Sewing Quarter (because it's four month away!!) and so I used adorable Makower prints to make this simple baby quilt with cute fussy cutting.
The pattern is in Modern Baby Quilts by Fons & Porter. Thanks to Producer Paul for the arty shot below!
We are due to have some hot weather in the UK this weekend and I'm looking forward to some family time outdoors. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and if you're making on Saturday night come and join me on instagram from around 6pm GMT for the Saturday Night Craft Along!
running and sailing
It seems runners are my new make of choice. It's a fun way to showcase blocks without making a whole quilt and I think it's lovely to be able to cover all the surfaces in fabric! I also have a finished quilt to share and all these projects were demonstrated on Sewing Quarter.
This beautiful flower explosion was made with Free Spirit pre cut hexagons, the centre is Denyse Schmidt solid and the rest are by Kaffe Fassett.
This beautiful flower explosion was made with Free Spirit pre cut hexagons, the centre is Denyse Schmidt solid and the rest are by Kaffe Fassett.
I took inspiration from the book Happy Hexies by Boutique-Sha to make this oval table runner.
The 4" free printable hexagon templates from Love Patchwork & Quilting (it includes other sizes!) worked perfectly with the pre cuts and it was enjoyable stitching. The runner was made by simply layering the plain top right sides together with backing and wadding, sewing around the edges leaving a gap for turning. After turning through and top stitching, I glue basted the hexies to the background, then quilted a top stitch around the edges and echo quilted the flower and centre. I love that it's bright but has a nice retro feel at the same time.
I also made a more modern and bright runner, made of eight blocks from the Woven Links quilt pattern in Annie's Lap & Throw Quilts.
I did some straight line quilting and mimicked squares within the diamond space. Given more time I think this would be incredible with a lot of dense quilting or some detailed free motion quilting.
Finally the Sailing Sailing Quilt from Beginner-Friendly Baby Quilts by Linda Causee, a simple and cute make!
I chose to make half squares triangles, using both the traditional and four in one method, as it was quicker than cutting lots of triangles using the templates in the book.
The quilting suits the theme perfectly, I used blue and white thread to quilt 'waves' using my Elna (mode 2, #19).
I am hoping to have a productive week and get some of my own projects finished, my wip list is out of control! Wishing you all a happy Monday :)
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