Thursday, July 9, 2009

All the Details

I am flabbergasted by your response to yesterday's Wordless Wednesday sneak peek at my new quilt. Thank you so much for all those amazing and positive comments, I can now only hope that the rest of the quilt lives up to expectations!

Finished Quilt Top 55" x 55"

I am happy to share with you some of the details of this quilt as I think this really is a very simple quilt, made from only one block, and that is the Half Square Triangle. I have mentioned before that there are many great tutorials on the internet for making Half Square Triangles including videos on YouTube. Half Square Triangles are quick and easy to make if you use one of these piecing techniques.


I made 400 Half Square Triangle Blocks, using bright and colorful designer fabrics for one side of the block and the solid fabric that I used for the other half of the block was a linen/cotton blend in Hessian colorway purchased locally. I cut 200 squares of solid fabric and 200 squares of printed patchwork fabric, each square was cut to measure 3.75 inches. With the printed fabric facing up I paired each square with a solid, drew a diagonal line, and stitched a scant 1/4 inch on either side of the line. I then cut along the already marked center line. Ah Presto! (See this tutorial if you need further clarification).


I carefully pressed each block with the seam allowance towards the solid fabric as this linen blend fabric was a little heavier in weight then the cotton fabric. Once pressed each block was trimmed back to measure 3.25 inches.


The layout possibilities are endless for Half Square Triangle Blocks. When I started this project my intentions were to make a Baby Zig Zag Quilt (that's why the blocks are so small), but the project grew and I started to envision all the layout variations. I even searched the Internet for inspiration, but found none! So I laid out 400 blocks many times, and turned them, and cleared the slate, and started again time and again until I was happy with the overall look.

It was then time to piece them together. No mean feat as I had laid out the blocks upstairs, away from the dog and the teens who might inadvertently wreak havoc amongst the blocks. I pieced the quilt together row by row, carefully stacking the blocks of each row one on top of the other, being careful not to turn the pile in my hand even before I got downstairs!


The piecing went well, however, I would not recommend you tackle this project with linen/blend fabric as it really is too heavy for small pieced blocks. Some of the seams are bulky to say the least, and my sewing machine was less then happy at times, even breaking a needle to show contempt! (I also had to re- press some of the HST blocks seam allowances in the opposite direction to make the piecing process easier and to reduce bulk).


I am very pleased with this quilt. This is such a simple quilt: - it can be made from scraps of colorful fabrics, you can adjust block size and and quilt size, as well as endless variations in layout. Hope you are inspired to make your own!


RELEVANT LINKS:
Blog post for the finished Half SquareTriangle Quilt can be found here:
http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2009/07/finished-quilt-hooray.html

73 comments:

  1. WOW - it is amazing, thank you for sharing once again, very generous and inspiring.

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  2. Wonderful job! I love your layout - certainly time well spent! And I can't even imagine trimming back 400 HST bocks. That attention to detail certainly shows. Wow!

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  3. The rest of the quilt surpasses expectations.
    Looks amazing!!!
    Andi :-)

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  4. I LOVE it!! It is absolutely gorgeous! The layout is so great.

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  5. Amazing What more can be said. I took theinfomation and as soon as I have time for my next quilt this is what I'm going to do. Can't wait to see how you are going to put it together. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. A really fantastic quilt , thanks for the details .

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  7. it's fantastic, I will have to make one with my new 6600P (here tomorrow!!!!)

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  8. This quilt has lots of WOW factor and is so eye catching. I love everything about it!!!!

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  9. What a bright and pretty quilt top. It did not disappoint!

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  10. I believe you could do a nice little business on Etsy with this pattern. I think you've made something really fresh and original here! I absolutely love this.

    Tina

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  11. I love reading the explanation- it really turned out lovely and I think the gray fabric make the colors so luminous! Really wonderful and worth all the time and hard work! Congratulations on an awesome quilt!

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  12. i can not shut my mouth...it is hanging down to my toes...this is so stunning and gorgeous and amazing. You rock quilting. I am amazed at how you took a simple block and laid it out in such a fabulous and intricate way. WOW....WOW...WOW!!!!!

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  13. Oh, I absolutely LOVE it! I'm working on a 9 patch scrap quilt right now, but this for sure is my next quilt! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

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  14. Love it!!! Adore it!! Want it!! LOL!! It sure is beautiful - maybe that will be my next type of quilt to tackle.

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  15. This is tryly one of the best quilts I have ever seen!
    Very simple, but yet so creative and outstanding!
    I sure am inspired to assemble half square triangles in a different way :)
    Gongratulations on this great work.

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  16. i want it!! thanks for all the tips you learned along the way... even with bumps in the road the quilt looks great!

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  17. Flabbergasted? How do you think 'we' feel - such gorgeous quilts and your overwhelming generosity in sharing - beyond belief, thank you, Rita!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  18. Thank you for being so sharing with all the particulars... you really should make a few patterns to sell though.

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  19. That is so cool looking, Rita! I find that there is more to see each time I look at it; that's really amazing.

    - Donna

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  20. Where to start? It's beautiful, stunning, amazing, inspiring - a true masterpiece!

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  21. This Quilt Shouts PIZAZZ.!
    TFS.
    cheers

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  22. I was waiting for you to post the final layout of the blocks - you definitely had my attention with the last post! I've never seen one quite like it, great job. :)

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  23. wow -that is beautiful! Simple, but so so effective! Well done

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  24. "Inspired"? why yes,yes I am.

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  25. Rita, this is beautiful. I love that design! I love the detail in the close up of the seams on the solid parts, it gives it a lovely effect.

    I've been looking around for a nice pattern but now I know what I'm going to make next! Amazing too how you have mixed so many colours but managed to make it look so perfect.

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  26. It is really a luminous quilt!

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  27. I've been anxiously waiting to see your progress on this one, and it's gorgeous!! You must be thrilled!

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  28. What Leslie said!

    And Sonja - luminous is the perfect word.

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  29. It is wonderful! Even more lovely than I expected!

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  30. I love this quilt! It's beyond brilliant! :D

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  31. wow Rita! this just took my breath away - utterly fabulous and destined to be copied many times. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing design sense, superb eye for fabric & colour, and impeccable sewing skills. Your blog adds such inspiration and fun to my world.

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  32. I'm with Kellie - breathtaking. this one is going on my quilting 'TO DO' list. Amazing Rita and thanks for sharing all the details.

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  33. It's beautiful! Thanks for all the tips.

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  34. Fabulous layout and thanks for generously sharing the details. It's a good stashbuster. The coloured fabrics look like sprinkles on the linen.

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  35. What a vision you had! Gorgeous. I'm not familiar with Hessian...is it washable and do you pre-wash it? I did a quilt once upon a time that was to celebrate the year 2000...over 2,000 pieces...mostly half square triangles. I swore I'd never do another but your quilt is very inspiring.

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  36. REally, really beautiful! Thanks for sharing your construction tips. I can't believe how fast you are!!

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  37. WOW 400 half square triangles. Not sure I could do that. But your diligence sure paid off. The quilt is absolutely fantastic! Thank you for sharing your techniques. Your blog is always inspirational. Thank you.

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  38. I cannot wait to see the completed quilt - it is going to be stunning! How long did it take you to make 400 half square triangle blocks? It must have been a while!

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  39. beautiful job! this is an amazing way to use leftovers?? how many blocks you need?

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  40. You are one quick piecer!! I just love the results. I have never worked with linen, but would be curious to see how it sews and quilts. I love the look and feel of it. Great job!

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  41. Wouaouh, I just discover your blog, and i am amazed...
    so beautiful things you make
    here in france (i live in south of france) we do not have that kind of quilts, they are so traditional
    but what you are doing reconcile me with patchwork,
    I really do have to do one quilt like one of yours
    I've seen that you live in melbourne
    my daughter has finished her studies and lives now in sydney since two years
    i am going to see her at the end of this month : hurray.....
    do you have a list of good shops in this town, even in melbourne because i thing we intend to go there
    thanks for all and again congratulations

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  42. Your quilt is beautiful. It just goes to show what you can do with simple triangles when you have the artistic touch such as yours!

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  43. What a glorious quilt! I think its the bright colors paired with a neutral color that makes it so stunning. So cool!

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  44. It is amazing and very inspirational! Thank you so much!

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  45. Such a stunning quilt! I am joining a quilt along spun off of Old Red Barn Co.'s with Amy at ParkCityGirl and she is doing HST! I am excited after seeing this quilt!

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  46. I love the colours and the pattern you chose for this one. Beautiful! I can't imagine matching all those corners with a linen blend. What a pain! I would say the results are definitely worth it, though.

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  47. Oh my, that is an AMAZING quilt! I love the layout and your fabrics :)

    Wow, 400 blocks... truly inspiring

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  48. this is so amazing. just gorgeous.

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  49. I just love this quilt! So beautiful.

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  50. I just love this quilt! The bright colors are so vibrant! You have inspired me to tackle one myself! Though I might make my finished blocks a bit bigger. Yours are amazing! Jenn

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  51. Your background fabric is the perfect color to set off the brights. Great quilt!

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  52. oh i love it! (i loved it yesterday too, but didn't leave a comment...haha). i particularly enjoy the grey/off white linen instead of strict white.

    i'll have to put this one on my list... : )

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  53. This is so gorgeous! Would it be okay to use linen/blend if you make the blocks larger, like 4.5" or 6.5"? I've been envisioning something along these lines (after I saw your purple quilt) in greens and a natural linen.

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  54. I am very inspired to make my own, thank you for being such a great source of inspiration.
    Rebecca

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  55. I'm way behind in blog reading .... Oh me, Oh my your quilt is lovely. I really really like it. CONGRATS

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  56. Good golly, this is pretty! I'm dazzled by it and you certainly picked a lovely layout for your fabulous blocks! It's stunning.

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  57. Stunning!
    I have to put my tops together the same way. Coming from the master bedroom (where it is on the bed so I better be done before sleepytime!) to the dining room where the machine lives.

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  58. wow. I am totally speechless!

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  59. This quilt has lots of WOW factor and is so eye catching. I love everything about it!
    And only by one block...who would think!
    Julia ♥

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  60. I want to make one of these! the bright colors are GREAT.

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  61. You are so sweet to share ALL the information on this great quilt with us. It's great to know what works and what doesn't; what you would do different; and the obstacles you run into. Your quilts are amazing. Thank you for sharing.

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  62. I'm afraid I'm just going to repeat what every one else is saying and that is, What a gorgeous design!! I love the way the plain fabric showcases the patterned ones.

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  63. Love it!

    Hey, check out my blog today, i'm having a fabric giveaway/contest and I link to both your blog and etsy shop in it!

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  64. Stunning!!! I love the grey, I love the layout. Very nice....

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  65. I keep coming back to look at this amazing work of art, I love it so! I'll chime in with everyone else and say thank you for all the information, it's awesome that you share so much with your adoring fans!

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  66. Wow, that quilt is GORGEOUS. I'm itching to try quilting again after many years - your blog is very inspiring :-)

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  67. AWESOME quilt! I ALWAYS spend time laying out my quilt on the floor,only to get things mixed up or turned as I sew. My solution: I now have a set of numbered paper squares, each with a piece of double stick tape on the back. Once I've got my arrangement,I put the numbers on each block, all oriented the same way. I can then stack my blocks up, chain sew them, and not get too mixed up. (Yes, I know about post-its- I've tried them but they just don't stick well enough for me, and pinning takes WAAAY too long!)Once I'm done with the numbers, I stick them on the inside of a cupboard door in my sewing room- I've gotten 3+ quilts from one set so far.(Thanks for all of your great quilts!)

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