Storing Prepped Block Pieces for Hand Piecing

Following on from the post on how I prepare for hand piecing quilt blocks like the  Glitter blocks with acrylic templates, once the pieces are cut out, this is how I organise them. I use a mix of the plastic pockets from old spiral bound Paperchase notebooks and zip pockets.  The smallest notebook plastic pockets are perfect for storing the fussy cut centres before they are assigned to a block.  They're also good for keeping the acrylic templates together. 

These are A5 pockets recycled from old notebooks and are divided in the centre.  Each pocket stores all the pieced for a single block. I stack up the pockets and hold them together with Clover binding clips.  This also stops the pieces sliding out.  

I then use a mini zippa bag to store the clipped pockets and another to store completed blocks. These fit into a larger zippa bag with a mini sewing kit (needle book, needles, a few tiny pins, bobbin of thread and snips) and everything will lie relatively flat at the back of a rucksack ready for travel.

This is a travel project for me, for train journeys, holidays and weekends away so progress is slow but now I have an effective preparation method, I always have a few ready to go!

Preparing for Hand Piecing Using Acrylic Templates

I've found using acrylic templates has sped up my Glitter Block making no end so I thought I'd share how I use them.  It is a simple process but I know everyone does things a little differently so this is how I do it, if you have any further tips, comment and share!  The Glitter block is designed by Jen Kingwell and can be found in her Quilt Lovely book. The templates are available from Pretty Little Fabrics and Trims (currently sold out) and also from Jen's Amitie shop in Australia. 

Starting with the small square as it is the easiest shape to work with, I place the template on the reverse of the fabric and use a Sewline ceramic pencil to place a dot through each of the corner holes- these are ¼" in from the outside edge.  These dots act as an anchor if the template slips around at all.  I then use a small rotary cutter, 28mm or even 18mm if you find that easier, and cut along the straight edges of the template until the square is cut out. 

Next, I then use the template to add the seamlines to the reverse of the fabric piece just cut out. In hand piecing, the pencil lines are added for accuracy so you don;t need to constantly check your ¼" seam allowance.  You could just join the dots but as there's a little room in the holes, the dots can be a little out of line. Instead, I use the acrylic template and line up the edge of the shapen so it almost touches with the ¼" line on the template.  This allows for the space your pencil line will take up.  Drawn the line extending beyond the dots.  Repeat for each side until all the lines are drawn.

For the shapes with angles under 90 degrees which which are shaped on the templates to avoid dog ears and bulk, I draw around these points, rotary cut the longer straight edges and then use small scissors to trim around the points.

The templates are flipped over to provide the mirror image shapes on this block.  I am using a fussy cut centre for each of my blocks and I've found it much quicker to spend a bit of time with suitable fabrics and cut multiple centre squares; I match up the coordinating fabrics with each centre another time. 

As with all quilt blocks. I think about contrast, scale and variety when I choose the fabrics and a little story telling too around the fussy cut centre.  Here's the block, prepped and ready to be pieced.  I'll share how I organise the pre-cut blocks for travel tomorrow!   

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Small Piecing Steadies The Mind

When things are all getting a bit much, I'll often turn to something contained to escape from it and regain a feeling of control.  Sometimes this manifests itself in a keen desire to clean the bathroom. The smallest room in the house, the least amount of clutter and it's quickly restored to a satisfying level of cleanliness with the feeling of a job well done.  For crafting, I've found myself making less clothes recently, despite a need for some items, and more attracted to small patchwork piecing.  I started making Glitter quilt blocks after I interviewed Jen Kingwell's for the release of her beautiful Quilt Lovely book and my aim was to hand sew the blocks sporadically on train journeys and weekends away.  The downside to this was it did take me quite a well to prep each block.  I traced the shapes on to template plastic but despite my best efforts, I would lose one of them from time to time, plus seam allowances needed to be added so I would procrastinate the prep task for another day.  Sarah and Penny at Pretty Fabric and Trims posted a picture of Jen Kingwell acrylic templates including a set for Glitter and I thought this would be encouragement to nudge my progress with this project.

They are pricey- maybe it's the cost of importing them from Australia?  The Glitter set is the cheapest  but I do think you have to feel motivated to splash out.  I have found them very useful though and they have sped up my prep.  I draw around the edge on the reverse of the fabric using a Sewline pencil and add the dots at the corners. I then join the dots to create the stitching line and cut out either with scissors or a rotary cutter and ruler.   I'm not sure if this would work for me so well for the curved sets, I think I'd prefer a window style option for that.   I tried rotary cutting with these templates and that worked too.    The edges feel rough, they do not look laser cut and I'll confess this concerned me at first glance but actually made no difference when using them.  They were worth it for me.  I wanted something to hand sew- this project is the equivalent to a Liberty hexagon quilt that just keeps on growing - and I've made more progress this week than I have in ages!  I just love the canvas that each block provides for me: a fussy cut for the centre, two contrasting prints to surround it and a low volume or a dark background to finish.  It rests my mind and there's that satisfaction of completion when another block is cut out or sewn together.  Ahhh. That's better...

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My Small World Quilt Along: Conclusion

 As the My Small World quilt along posts come to an end, I've basted my version and started quilting.

I'm not a planner when it comes to quilting.  I had thought that I would just grid quilt it to make it robust for family use- it will go on our sofa.  I am grid quilting the sky but have other plans for the other sections.

As you can see in this pic, I am added hand quilting.  I don't know how much, but I did know that I didn't want to machine quilt the curves so I started with a few hand stitches and kept going. 

Hand quilting does not come easy to me.  I find it a strain on the hands so I'll be doing little and often rather than long stretches.  I am using Coats Cotton 20wt hand quilting thread bought from Amazon which is similar to Gutterman hand quilted thread- Chase recommended this and I greatly enjoy using it.  It has a coating like the Gutterman but is a little thicker.  Lovely to sew with.  Wynn sent me the Fujix Quilt Farm which is very similar and although it's polyester it feels just like cotton.   I have a pretty basic rocking technique and I don't use a hoop as I find they annoy me!  I do use leather thimbles, one to push the needle through and the other to meet the needle on the reverse side.  Here's hoping that more practice will improve my skill.

For those still looking for the My Small World quilt pattern, Jen Kingwell is releasing it as a pattern soon, I believe it is currently at the printers. Thank you Jen for a design that has inspired so many quilters to make their own small world.  It is definitely a quilt for learning!  I know I've certainly improved my small piecing skills and accuracy along with appliqué and hand piecing.  I'd like to say a big thank you to my co-hosts and their tips and tricks, John, Megan,  Lisa, Danielle and Cindy.    Cindy has finished quilt to show you which is stunning!  And another big thank you to all of you who have taken part and shared your work, it has been a pleasure to see so many! All the quilt-along posts will stay up if you are still working on earlier sections.  I'd love to see and finished tops and quilts, you can tag my on any pics on Instagram, I am @verykerryberry.  It has been a wonderful experience quilting along with so many people.

My Small World Quilt-Along: Constructing Part Two

Welcome to part two on the construction of the My Small World quilt-along and if you've been busy working away you should now have a good idea of the challenges that you will come up against making this quilt.  You can read John's post for part one and he mentions a few cheat ideas that may appeal to some of you.  From what I've read from magazine stockists, the Spring Special edition of Quiltmania was the last of these kind of Spring Specials, it is sold out at Quiltmania and this magazine is being replaced by other specials like Simply Moderne which comes out at the end of June.  It is still available at some UK stockists, including Contented Cat.  Quiltmania have removed the errata section from their website but the PDF link is still live and another here and you can refer to Katy's extensive list here. 

So far, I am loving it but I like small piecing, templates and scrappiness so it is all happy happy in my quilty world!  I have been using my vintage Bernina with a generic Bernina quarter inch foot to piece and it really helps with accuracy.  I am going to work through some of the features of part two in the order they appear in the instructions.   I made all my sky sections in advance so I am working below that point.

Applique

For the appliqué circles I like to use Karen Buckely's perfect circles.  The largest circle from her small circle pack was the right size for the template.   Her method can be seen here.  I used the brass 'Wonder Wheel' guide to create the seam allowance.  For the background fabric on any of the appliqué blocks and sections, I like to cut larger and trim down afterwards.   You can see in the picture bottom left, I traced the actual size of the finished square on the reverse and which helped me position the circle.  I also like Clover appliqué pins and Jeanna Kimball's Foxglove cottage straw needles are my favourites for appliqué. 

Alternatives Methods

• Use raw edge appliqué and fusible web
• Silver foil and card (good for other curved shapes
• Freezer paper can be used for the perfect circle method.  Freezer paper can be used as a double layer if you want it thicker.  Place two layers together, the second layer goes waxy side against paper side of the first layer so there a paper side remains on top and a waxy side underneath when they are joined together.
• Interfaced applique

Sewing Applique
Matching your thread to the fabric you are appliquéing on to the background.    With a knotted thread, I push my needle from the back so the needle point comes out in the folded edge of the circle.  Then, the needle point is positioned immediately just outside the place it has come through and into the background fabric so the stitch is tiny.  The needle travels underneath by just over ⅛" and less than ¼" before it comes up again in the circle's folded edge.  The needle goes down as before and the stitching continues.  The front has tiny stitches that you pull tight as you go and the back has long stitches where the needle travels on the back.  Once the circle has finished, trim the square to the required size keeping the circle central.

Triangles

I used the templates for the triangles.  The pencil line provides precise points to pin when you join the pieces.  I pin using this method.  You could also foundation paper piece if you prefer by using the templates to draw a foundation.  Sarah of Pixelsandstitches has done this and is offering a free template which could easily be traced and adapted to create the strip of triangles in one template.  With all the blocks, I check the size as I sew and trim down if needed.  Some of the pinwheels from part one came out slightly big so I trimmed down to size.

The Arched Shape

Back Basting

I thought I'd try a couple of methods for this shape to see how they worked.  I tried back basting which I haven't done before so this is a beginner's explanation of the method.  I drew the actual size of the squares on the reverse as a guide and then around the template where I wanted the final arch to be but again on the reverse. 

Then, the fabric to be appliqués is pinned on so that the wrong side is lying against the right side of the background.  Stitch a line of running stitches on the pencil line.  Mine are in lime green.  On the right side, trim the appliqué fabric ¼" away from the stitches to provide the seam allowance.  It helps to run chalk over the top of the stitches and stitch line too, use something that will easily brush out.  Then the tricky bit!   Undo a few stitches at the bottom right corner- around an inch, and using the needle tip, push the fabric underneath.  With your appliqué thread matching the fabric, sew the beginning of the arch shape to the background stitching as with the circles. 

That is the basics of the method.  The curve is tight so it does help to snip into the seam allowance to allow the fabric to turn in more easily- the clip just stops short of where the fabric will fold.  I found this method a little fiddly and it made my hands ache.  The reverse side will have long stitches on as with the circle.

 

I also tried the freezer paper method.  I iron the freezer paper replica of the template on to the reverse of the fabric and using my fingers to press the fabric around the edges of the shape.  Then I squirt some non aerosol starch into a container and paint this onto the seam allowance and use the tip of an iron the fold it over being very careful of my finger tops.  I then press from the front and allow to cool before removing the freezer paper and pressing again.  Then I pin in place and sew on as before.  I prefer this method.

Orange Peel Shapes

I use the freezer paper method for the orange peel shapes but you could use the alternatives suggested for the circle.  Other tips:

• Trim the corners to a slightly smaller seam allowance.  These are hard to turn neatly and without bulk.
• Use a larger square for the background and mark the actual square size on the reverse, as with the circle.

• Press the diagonal lines on the square to help alignment- see diagram.

• It seems to work better in the centre if there is a light gap between the orange peel pieces rather than actually touching.   
• I sew starting near the start of the centre point, sewing up to the point, tucking the excess fabric under the point and stitching round.  More stitches are needed at the tip of the points.

I haven't included the churn dash, triangle and arrow blocks as they are more basic quilt blocks and piecing methods are easy to find via Google.   It is worth noting that the centre square in the churn dash blocks is a B square not an A and this is not mentioned in the cutting instructions.   The only other thing I took care on was getting each block to the desired size.  I haven't stitched my first two sections together yet but you can see how they look.  It is a bit of a scrappy mish-mash but a very happy one!

Before I start part three which looks pretty straightforward, I am prepping the various hand sewing sections from parts four, five and six for some forthcoming trips away.  How is progress for you?  You can post your pics on Instagram using the hashtag #mysmallworldqal or add to the Flickr group.

Interview with Jen Kingwell, author of 'Quilt Lovely'

I was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to interview Jen Kingswell, author of ‘Quilt Lovely’ as part of the book's release and promotion. As regular readers here know, I have been a fan of Jen’s since her Amitié shop block of the month patterns, ‘Green Tea and Sweet Beans’ and ‘Gypsy Wife’, started to pop up on quilting blogs a few years back so you can imagine how quickly I replied to the request and started drafting my interview questions. 

I met Jen at her hand piecing and appliqué master class during last years Fat Quarterly Retreat and she was a generous and inspirational teacher so to review her book is an utter pleasure.  From her previous work I just knew it would be jam packed full of scrappy goodness and inspiring creations and of course, it absolutely is!   There are 15 projects: 9 quilts and 6 pillows, and a huge variety of designs and techniques I cannot wait to try, but first let’s find out a little more about Jen and her quilting style.

Congratulations on your ‘Quilt Lovely’ book Jen!  I love the mix of designs and techniques from repeated block quilts like ‘Flea Market Dash’ to the medallion style ‘Simply Red Centre’ quilt and the hand pieced ‘Daisy Do’ quilt.  Where do you find your ideas and inspiration and how you go about designing a project?

"Most of my quilts are made using traditional block. I love vintage quilts. I'm an "organic" designer. Not sure how else to describe it. I rarely start with a complete or set idea. I quite often change my mind as I progress. Sometimes things I start take a little vacation in the bottom of the wardrobe, then I'll get an idea, dig it out and it will head off in a different direction. A design wall is a great tool. Projects take on a different perspective when you can stand."

It’s hard to pick a favourite out of 15 stunning projects but, in the face of fierce competition, I would pick the Glitter Quilt.  It’s beautifully photographed and I know it would make the perfect long-term project, as although it’s made of 152 blocks I would only ever have to think about cutting out, preparing and sewing one block at a time!  What are your favourite projects in the book?

"Glitter is my favourite as well. I think you have hit the nail right smack on the head Kerry. It's a great way for anyone to start if they are not confident with scrappy quilts and mixing fabric genres or colour. As you said, you only need to think of one block at a time and three fabrics. Easy!  Once you've made all those blocks, and you will be happy with each individually, play with the placement of them. You will find they all play together beautifully.  Daisy do is probably my second fav."

Hand sewing is an integral part of your work from the piecing through to the appliqué and even the quilting.  What are your top tips or gadgets for hand sewing?

"The beaut thing about hand sewing is you don't need a lot, which makes it quite affordable for beginners. It's all about personal preference for me. Most of the girls who work at my store all like slightly different things eg the thread and needles they stitch with etc. My advice is listen to what different people like, try some and see what works for you. I love a fine long needle to stitch with, both piecing and appliqué so I use a straw needle no 11.  I stitch with a 50wt thread which is finer. The best tip is slow down and enjoy the process.  Or at least give it a go!"

Your projects have an amazing sense of colour combined with traditional quilting blocks and an eclectic and unexpected mix of prints that always gel together.  I love the contrast between the vibrant ‘Clam Bake’ pillow and the calm taupe tones of the ‘Home Run’ pillow.  Lots of quilters panic over colours and combining fabric.  What advice would you give to those who want to add more colours and a scrappier look to their projects but don’t know where to start?

"This is a really interesting question as I don't use any formula or templates such as colour wheels. I know what I like and that's what I run with.  Start one block at a time. Use some favourite fabrics then add an unexpected print or colour and stretch the boundaries. I think if you like all the fabrics and colours you should like the blocks and therefore the quilt. Take a risk, be brave and you never know where this may lead you. I guess the only rule I follow is it's my quilt so I make it the way I like it and you should do the same."

After many years in Australia working and developing your Amitié shop and quilt design business, you’ve been living in the United Arab Emirates for the last few years.  Has this experience of living in a different country and culture brought new influences into your work?

"Everywhere feeds my interest and influences my being. I think living in a completely different culture has opened my eyes and mind to many things. The one thing I noticed often was the different light. Colours were different. I found it fascinating."

You travel extensively with your teaching work as well as promoting ‘Quilt Lovely’, your new fabric line ‘Gardendale’ for Moda and your patterns.  How does quilting fit into your life when you are you travelling?  What sort of projects do you pack to sew on the move?

"The beauty of hand piecing! I prep work to travel and on long haul flights I stitch and stitch. I've never been stopped with a needle and 3-4 pins. I just declare them in a zip lock bag. I can get quite a few blocks sewn between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne or Australia to the US. It's also a very welcome distraction when flights are delayed or cancelled. A small portable light is handy in hotel rooms if you can fit it in your luggage - hotel lighting is never quilter friendly!"

Thankyou Jen.  Such helpful  advice and I love the idea of taking a portable light, what a top tip!  I couldn't resist starting a Glitter quilt of my own, just one hand pieced block but this is going to be a long term project.

In the interests of disclosure, I was kindly sent a free copy of the Quilt Lovely for the purposes of this interview.  I only chose to review books that I think I will like and are relevant to my sewing style.  I like this one so much that I don't think anyone can prise it out of my hot little hands, but if you are really lucky and live locally, I might let you have a look inside ;)

Block Appreciation

Another successful meet up on Saturday for Southwest Stitchers, the informal local sewing group that meets up every 4 months or so.  We hire a large, warm, well lit space with a kettle and tea cups so a bunch of stitchers can talk fabric, patterns, clothing is so great and the more we do it the more it is like meeting up with old friends.  Helen and I got out our blocks and compared quilts-to-be:

I am four blocks off the total for my Bring Me Flowers quilt.  This was the block of the month and I mixed in a few of my own too.  Mostly hand sewn although I'll join the blocks on the machine.  I've enjoyed it so much, part of me doesn't want it to end- although I am pretty keen to see it in quilt form.

These are Helen's from her Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt.   Again, her's is mainly hand pieced and many of these blocks were made as a travelling projects whilst Helen is on the road in her camper van.  A beautiful range of colours, lots of fabrics from friends and a clever use of cheater prints which are perfect for projects like this where more is more.  Like me, Helen is a fan of the intricate and also slow sewing.  These Jen Kingwell quilt designs are perfect if that is your preference.  You are only ever working on one block at a time- no need to cut fabric far in advance.  Perfect for a long term project on the go.

Whilst I was at the meet up, this arrived,  Jen Kingwell's book, Quilt Lovely.  I collected it from the sorting office yesterday and every spare moment has been spent reading and planning.  It was sent from USA as I am reviewing this book in a couple of weeks time and it isn't due to arrive in the UK until late April, but I am sure you won't mind me saying that is you plan on ordering Quilt Lovely, it won't disappoint.  It mixes hand sewn projects with machine sewn, long term slow sewing with some quicker quilts and pillows.  I already have my project planned for a life post Bring Me Flowers.