Showing posts with label triangle die. Show all posts
Showing posts with label triangle die. Show all posts

Saturday, 18 April 2015

My Ohio Quilt : the beginning




Hi everyone!! I´m a  star quilt lover and I was wishing to do a new one with the  traditional Ohio Star , very familiar between quilters. Well, when I saw  the new collection by Erin Turner  "Aesop's Fable" I could´t resist  and I bought some fabrics ( just some 1/2 and 1/4  yards ) Here it´s my selection. Love these red prints.
So this was a good opportunity to try the ohio star block!






I used the big square  die  4 " finished ( 4 1/2" Unfinished)   and  a die with four triangles  ( Triangles, 2 1/2 " H x 4 1/2" W unfinished ). Both match together  perfectly when  you sew the triangles to make a square. You can cut out until six layers!








I cut out squares and triangles in cream and print fabric.This is  the block before you sew all the pieces.  I love how quick you can get them  with the  Big Shot , now with the new model in white, much bigger!



Then I sew a pair of cream and red  triangle.



Now all the squares together.




And finally in a row.



I  have got  six blocks right now and ready more to sew.





I don´t know how much will be the  quilt size.I will spend all the fabrics and I hope I can get a nice quilt .


I love my free time sewing this block  and I´m sure I will show you more later.
Enjoy these spring days! See you in two weeks.
Love
Mercedes

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¡Hola a todo el mundo!Soy una apasionada de los quilts con estrellas y estaba deseando hacer uno con  el tradicional Ohio Star , muy familiar entre las quilters.Bien, pues cuando vi la nueva colección de Erin Turner “ Aesop’s Fable” , no lo pude resistir y quedé prendada. Así que compré algunas telas. En las fotos veis la selección que hice. Suficiente para hacer un quilt, algunos medios y cuartos de tela.Me encantan estos estampados en rojo , de modo que fue una oportunidad estupenda para probar este bloque.

Utilicé el troquel de cuadrado grande    ( 4 " finished ( 4 1/2" Unfinished)   y  otro con cuatro triángulos   four triangles  ( Triangles, 2 1/2 " H x 4 1/2" W unfinished ) .Ambos combinan fenomenal entre sí cuando coses los triángulos  y los conviertes en cuadrado.

Corté los cuadrados y los triángulos en tela crema y en los estampados de la colección.En la foto grande podéis ver cómo quedan dispuestos antes de coserlos. Me gusta mucho lo rápido que puedes tenerlos cortados con la troqueladora Big Shot ( hasta seis capas de tela de una vez ) ,  ahora con el nuevo modelo en blanco ¡ mucho más grande!

Cosí primero las parejas de triángulos hasta hacer un cuadrado y luego todos los cuadrados juntos.Finalmente en filas hasta dejar el bloque acabado.
De momento tengo seis acabados y más preparados para seguir cosiendo.

Realmente no sé cómo será el quilt de grande pero gastaré todas las telas y espero que quede un buen tamaño.
Disfruto mucho en mi tiempo libre  cosiendo este bloque así que espero no tardar mucho en mostrados más avances.
Disfrutad de estos días primaverales. Te veo dentro de un par de semanas.
Cariños
Mercedes



Thursday, 16 April 2015

New quilt started


I hope you've all been enjoying our lovely spring weather.
I am pleased to report that the baby quilts are not only finished but have been sent and received by at least one of the families - the one to America will obviously take a little longer!
I've also managed to find the quilt I had started for my granddaughter, Abi, it has eluded me for several weeks, and that is now well on the way to completion - so have been feeling quite pleased with myself.
The fabrics I showed you last week are coming together nicely -
I really like this die - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660183/sizzix-bigz-l-die-triangles-isosceles-right-3-1-2-h-assembled - because it makes these stars easy to make.
I partnered it with the 3"finished square - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657608/sizzix-bigz-die-square-3-finished-3-1-2-unfinished  and this makes a 9" finished block.
My dilemma now is that I'm not sure how to complete this - I think a trip to my local patchwork store is called for - I think maybe a plain fabric sashing, or maybe a few more blocks with plain fabrics - I'll have to let you know next week.
I'm also hoping to create a few more blocks using this die so that you can see how versatile it is, or there maybe another new die featured I'm not sure yet.
In the meantime have a lovely week, and keep sewing.
Angela


Thursday, 9 April 2015

New fabrics and a new die!


I you all enjoyed the Easter weekend.
It was lovely to have a long weekend and to have time to relax and enjoy the sunshine. We also started to decorate our dining room - it's almost finished - but unfortunately the baby quilts still  need to be quilted - maybe this weekend!!
Recently I was given some lovely fabrics from the Fenton House collection by Guetermann, and have been thinking about what to use them for - and now I have a new die to use - so it may be a marriage made in heaven.
I am so excited about using these lovely fabrics.
I'm using the 3" finished square Bigz die - 657608, and die 660183 - 3" finished Isosceles triangle ( and half triangle), also a Bigz die
When these shapes are stitched together they will make a star, but as I'm running very late this week I can only show the pieces laid out -

 to give you the idea of what this will look like.
I'm not sure at the moment how big this will be - or quite how I'm going to join the blocks together when they're made - but that's part of the fun.
So that's all for now - I'll be hard at work this weekend - creating this quilt and also finishing the baby quilts - update next week.
Have a great weekend.
Angela
 

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Scandi Star Christmas quilt


Hello there - I'm happy to share that the Christmas quilt is coming along very nicely - and here's the photo to prove it -
 

and here is the complete top -

As each block is 16 1/2" this quilt only needed 12 blocks! and so the quilt can be cut and pieced in a day -add another day or a couple of evenings and this quilt will be complete - there is still time before Christmas!!
I used 12 different fabrics from Scandi Christmas fabrics and needed 40cms of each, and there is some left to create a pieced binding.
Cut the following pieces from each fabric using
 1 x 8" square die, http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657265/sizzix-bigz-pro-die-square-8-finished-8-1-2-unfinished , and the Big Shot Pro http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/656250/sizzix-big-shot-pro-machine-only-periwinkle-w-standard-accessories ,

With the Big Shot and die 657520 - 8 x half square triangles - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657520/sizzix-bigz-l-die-half-square-triangles-5-finished-square ,

 4 quarter square triangles http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657639/sizzix-bigz-xl-die-triangles-4-5-8-h-x-8-1-2-w-unfinished ,

and 4 squares - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659838/sizzix-bigz-die-square-4-finished-4-1-2-unfinished .

Mix and match the fabrics - I used dark reds with light greys, light reds with dark greys - so that each square is different.
The piecing instructions are on my blog for 13th November.
When the 12 blocks are completed, and pressed, lay them out in 4 rows of 3 blocks each. 
Join the blocks together to complete the 4 rows and then join the rows together.
I will probably machine quilt for speed and then make a pieced binding to complete - I hope to have it ready to show you completed next week - and maybe some little girls snuggled up under it.
 Well that will be another first for me - a Christmas quilt - hope you like it.
Angela
 
 


Thursday, 10 July 2014

Adopted blocks - the final chapter



 It's with a slight sigh of relief, that I'm at the point of completing the instructions for this quilt - so without more ado here are the final 4 blocks -
The following Bigz dies are used throughout this quilt, with the Big Shot machine -
657606 Square - 2 1/2" finished http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657606/sizzix-bigz-die-square-2-1-2-finished-3-unfinished
657620 - Quarter square triangle 2 1/2" x 5" finished  http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657620/sizzix-bigz-l-die-triangle-3-1-8-h-x-5-1-2-w-unfinished
657610 - Half-square Triangles 2 1/2" finished http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657610/sizzix-bigz-die-half-square-triangles-3-finished-square
657624 - Rectangle 2 1/2" x 5" finished http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657624/sizzix-bigz-l-die-rectangle-2-1-2-x-5-finished-3-x-5-1-2-unfinished
657627 - Trapezoid 2 1/2" x 5" finished http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657627/sizzix-bigz-l-die-trapezoid-3-x-5-1-2-unfinished
I am trying to keep the instructions simple - so use the photo of each block as a guide throughout.

Block 17 Geese and Squares
White fabric - 18" x 4" - cut 4 x 1/4 square triangles
Assorted prints - to cut 8 squares and 8 half square triangles.
Lay all the pieces out to create a mix of the prints.
Join the 8 half square triangles to the diagonal sides of the 1/4 square triangles to create the 'geese'.
Join the squares in pairs to make rectangles.
Join the rectangles to the 'geese' to create squares.
Join the 4 squares together.

Block 18 Kings Crown
White fabric - 16" x 8" - cut 8 triangles
Aqua fabric 7" square - cut 4 squares
Green print, and pink print - 7" x 3 1/2" of each - cut 2 squares of each.
Bright pink print - 18" x 4" - cut 4 x 1/4 square triangles
Join the white triangles to the bright pink triangles, to make a flying geese,and then join aqua squares to each end of 2 of these.
Join the pink and green squares together to create a square.
Join the 2 remaining flying geese to each  opposite sides of the flying geese.
Join together to finish the block.

Block 19 Endless Stairs


White fabric - 14" x 6"- cut 4 rectangles
Blue print -  fabric - 14" x 6" - cut 4 rectangles
Join the blue and white rectangles to make squares.
Join the squares to create the stairs as in the photo.

Block 20 Simply Squares
White fabric - 14" x 6"- cut 4 rectangles
Pink/black print 14" x 4" - cut 4 squares
Bright pink print and blue print - 7" x 4" cut 2 squares from each.
Join the pink/black squares to each end of 2 white rectangles.
Join the bright pink and blue squares together to make a square, and add rectangles to opposite sides. Join the pieces together to complete the square.

HOORAH - all the blocks are now complete.

To finish the quilt I cut 3" wide strips for the sashing.
Lay the blocks out on the floor,  4 blocks across and 5 down. Arrange as you like to create a balance of pattern and colour.
I created 4 rows by 5 blocks with sashing in between, and then joined the 4 rows together with the sashing.
I then added a 5 1/2" border to all 4 sides of the quilt top - 58 1/2" x 70 1/2".
I used the same fabric for the back, piecing it to create the right width.
Finally I added the binding to complete the quilt.




I t feels like it has been a bit of a marathon - but I wanted to finish  it, so that we can move onto preparations for Festival of Quilts - and to give you little glimpses of what I'm making to prepare for all the workshops! and the stand display.
It's only 4 weeks away - still too early to count sleeps - which is what I do with my grandchildren as a countdown to any important events! but there is still so much to do!!!
However it is only 1 sleep until I go to stay with my grand-daughters - and I have plans to be creative with them - so watch out for something new next week -  as well as a sneak preview of some things for Festival of Quilts.
Keep sewing.
Angela














 

Thursday, 19 September 2013

Watch out for this really useful die.

f 

Hello. As Katy said on Monday - Autumn is definitely here!
I do love the Autumn, not all the extra layers we need to wear, but the colours of the trees, the rustle of the leaves as you walk through them ( or skip and kick through them - I still enjoy that!)
It's also the time for lovely homemade soup and curling up on the sofa with a quilt - you see I got there in the end!!
Today I thought I'd show you a different shape - the chevron, Bigz Die 658664 - which makes lovely patterns and is very easy to put together.
 


This die also partners with the half-square triangle - 657611 which completes the end of each row.
You can either cut the chevrons in pairs -
by laying the fabric on the die with fabric layered with right sides together, or lay all  right side up -
These pieces have been cut from a 'Jelly Roll' - each strip yields 7 chevrons.
The cushion I have shown used 28 chevrons and 14 triangles -  it measures 20" x 14" - and you could make 8 cushion fronts from 1 x 40 strip Jelly Roll,
or  a lap quilt - approx. 56" x 40", which could be a quilt for a young child -
or a lap quilt.
Or you could use it as a decorative border on a larger quilt.
As I say I'm just starting to play with this die - and I'm sure over the coming months you'll be seeing more projects featuring it.
I have to admit that the quilt for little Oona is not finished - she doesn't seem to mind - but I hope to show some progress on it by next week, and maybe even a photo of the little girls.
Now I'm of to have a cup of tea and decide just what to tackle next!!
Enjoy your sewing week.
Angela




Thursday, 12 September 2013

Oodles of Triangles



Before I begin on triangles - I am happy to announce the arrival of my grand daughter, Oona Rose, on Monday evening at 10.50pm. Of course I think she's beautiful, not wrinkled and sleeps peacefully in Grandma's arms - now I really must complete that quilt for her!
So back to Triangles - I never thought they would become such a favourite of mine - but then I never used to have a Big Shot machine and the Bigz dies to cut them!
At the weekend I was in Helsinki teaching workshops for Sinelli

 - a really lovely shop, a little outside Helsinki, full of almost everything you could wish for as a crafter! It was a good job I was working most of the time, otherwise I'm sure my suitcase would have been overweight and I would be starting several new hobbies ( I did  manage to buy some lovely Christmas fabrics and a few other fabrics).
So back to the point - there was an exhibition of quilts by Ritva Ljungquist - a lovely Finnish lady, who allowed me to photograph some of her quilts to share on this blog.
 I just love the variety of patterns that she has created from using just triangles
 
 
I've added a close up so that you can clearly see that the blocks are made just usings triangles - so get out your Big Shot machine and Bigz dies - 657613 and 657611 ( 4" and 2" finished 1/2 square triangles)
and start cutting - you can use some of those delicious small bits from your scrap bag - selecting a mixture of light and dark, or you can splash out on new fabric for a colour themed quilt.
I suggest you cut a selection of different fabrics and then lay them out to make sure that you have a balance of dark and light and then start sewing.
I'll just add another few photos to whet your appetite -

I hope that inspires you to start cutting and sewing lots of lovely triangles.
I loved my brief visit to Finland, meeting quilters, working for Sinelli and the beautiful views I saw of Helsinki. I think it may have to be a holiday destination soon!
Now I'm off to sew some of those Cuddly Creatures onto the quilt for my grand daughter.
Enjoy your week.
Angela
 

Monday, 15 July 2013

triangles triangles everywhere!




Last week I mentioned I had recently got the new quilting dies and was hoping to have a play with the new chevron die this week. Well, as is quite usual for me, I got distracted by plans for a quilt using the chevron die and I've ordered fabrics to make that quilt so I haven't had a chance to play with it just yet as I'm waiting for the fabrics to arrive.

While I'm waiting I thought I'd pull out my Big Shot Pro (literally - it lives under my work table) and start playing with one of the other new dies, the isosceles triangle that finishes at 6 1/2" square (there is a smaller version that fits the big shot too - it ends up at 4 1/2" square)


I've never made a quilt using this block before, the thought of cutting out all of the triangles and then all of the background pieces using templates has put me off, but with the die it's fast and easy - and the 'dog ears' are already cut off so you can match up your points nice and easily too (which is a huge bonus!)

In no time at all I had cut and pieced 30 triangle blocks - literally in about an hour, so all I need to do now is have a think about layout and how big I want to go.  I think it's going to be a really pretty quilt and  so easy to piece together. I've had to set the blocks aside until I have finished some other bits and pieces, but I have the next batch cut and ready to piece next to my sewing machine so I can work on them in between other things. They'd make a really good scrap project too.

I cut from 2 fabrics at a time - one fabric for the triangle's sides (I cut 4 layers - folded so I would have the mirror images needed for the 2 sides of the triangle), and 2 layers of a second for the triangles to give me 2 identical blocks at a time. If you've ever been tempted by triangles like this but, like me, the templates idea put you off - then give this die a whirl. I bet you'd love it too!

finally cut into my Anna Maria Horner Bohemian