Thursday, July 30, 2015

Double Flying Geese Quilt - A Finished Quilt

And a picture post.

I so love how this quilt has turned out! Considering the number of bulky seams that are almost inevitable when working with Flying Geese units I was pretty happy with how flat and even the quilt top turned out, and now that it is quilted it looks (and feels) amazing. 


The quilting has added the texture that I was looking for, and the closely spaced lines don't go unnoticed on the solid background fabrics. Quilting designs can sometimes hide when using printed fabrics alone, but that is not the case for this quilt. The lines are closely spaced - about 5/8 eighths of an inch apart - and create a visual interest that now only draws in the eye but also the hand.


I really love the effect of grid quilting but I know it can be tricky to get a neat result without the shifting of the layers of fabric, batting and backing fabric. The first task is to baste the quilt well. The next step is to stabilize the whole quilt. I usually like to start by ditch stitching the horizontal and vertical seam lines, in this instance creating an all over 5" grid of lines; first the horizontal lines, then the vertical lines. I start at the edge of the quilt and work my way to the center, then turn the quilt upside down and repeat. And repeat for the vertical lines. Once the quilt sandwich has been stabilized (and most of the basting pins are removed) I start by stitching lines right in between the already existing lines, and I use a quilting guide attached to the walking foot to assist with keeping the lines straight (by running the guide along the seam lines). For this particular quilt the second set of lines created an allover 2.5" quilting grid. I then repeated the whole process two more times to end up with a quilting grid of just 5/8 eighths of an inch.


I very rarely mark the quilt ~ only when the spacing in between lines is too wide for the quilting guide to reach, in which case I use a Clover Hera Markerto mark lines. You also want to ensure that whilst quilting your quilt is well supported. Any drag on the quilt will affect the way your sewing machine feeds the quilt layers and can not only result in puckering and shifting of the layers but also affect the quality of your stitches. I am fortunate to have a large sewing table into which my sewing machine is lowered to create a level working space. The sewing table has a large folding "flap" at the back of it and when fully extended it measures almost 50 inches x 50 inches, supporting the quilt well. I hope that answers some of the questions that I receive from time to time regarding my quilting process.


For the back of the quilt I have used my favorite backing fabric ~ Newsprint from the Paint Collection by Carrie Bloomston ~ and I have mixed up my usual binding routine by using Squared Elements in Honeycomb by Art Gallery Fabrics for binding fabric. I think it complements the neutral undertones of this quilt well.


QUILT STATS
200 Flying Geese Units
Flying Geese unit measure 3" x 5.5" (including seam allowances).
Approximately 100 different printed fabrics including a
number of beautiful Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabrics.
Up to 10 different neutral solid fabrics.
The finished quilt measures 50 inches x 50 inches.


This quilt is listed for sale in my Etsy Store.

The listing details:  Modern Double Flying Geese Quilt


Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:

Pin It!
Follow on Bloglovin
COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Double Flying Geese Quilt - Work in Progress

Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

It has been just over a year since I have made a quilt with only Flying Geese units so I thought it might be fun to revisit and play with this traditional patchwork block. And it is of course a good excuse to play with fabric, color, and layouts.

Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

As previously mentioned, piecing Flying Geese units has not always been my strong point, but I have had more success by over-sizing my units and trimming with a Bloc-Loc Flying Geese ruler. The process is still the same with each flying geese unit being made from 1 rectangle and 2 squares (as shown in this tutorial), but over-sizing and trimming means greater accuracy which in turn makes sewing together the units into a quilt top much easier.  The finished Flying Geese units for this quilt each measure 2.5 inches x 5 inches.

Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

The fabrics used include recently released designer quilting cottons, stash fabrics, as well as beautiful Liberty of London Tana Lawn floral prints. These have been contrasted with a range of neutral solid fabrics (Kona Cottons). In this instance I have used the Not That White Kona Kona Bundle - 12 different neutral fabrics - perfect for adding interest to the background of this quilt.

Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
QUILT STATS
200 Flying Geese Units
Flying Geese unit measure 3" x 5.5" (including seam allowances)
approximately 100 different printed fabrics
up to 10 different neutral solid fabrics
quilt top measures 50 inches x 50 inches
Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Double Flying Geese Quilt | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

Next up - basting, quilting and binding. I am looking forward to seeing (and feeling) the texture that the quilting will add to this quilt top.

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Bloc Loc Rulers available from The Fat Quarter Shop
A Flock of Flying Geese Quilt I
A Flock of Flying Geese Quilt II
Dreamin' Vintage Flying Geese Quilt

Pin It!
Follow on Bloglovin
COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Sunday Stash #291 Tinsel by Cotton + Steel

Tinsel by Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts
Tinsel by Cotton + Steel 

Tinsel is a collaborative holiday collection by the Cotton + Steel team. Admittedly, I am not usually a big fan of Christmas and holiday fabric collections but this one I could not resist. This collection was released several weeks ago - early June - and after weeks of avoiding temptation it was added to my cart and promptly added to stash. 

Tinsel by Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts

With vintage ornaments, postcards, snow globes, and highball glasses, Tinsel has all the charm of a 1950's holiday party; Christmas cheer wrapped up in a fabric collection in festive colors and with a hint of glitter (metallic gold). I have never made a Christmas quilt with festive fabrics, but I am anxious to sew with these!

Tinsel by Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts
Tinsel by Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts
Tinsel by Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts

TINSEL BY COTTON + STEEL  is now available from:
The Fat Quarter Shop
Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory
Stash Fabrics
GJ's Discount Fabrics
Fabric Bubb

Tinsel by Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts
Pin It!
Follow on Bloglovin
COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt ~ A Finished Quilt

Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
QUILT STATS
Quilt measures 46 inches x 60 inches.
100% cotton fabrics all from stash.
111 Quarter Log Cabin blocks alternated with 110 squares.
Each finished unit measures 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches.

Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

I do love my scrappy quilts! The fabrics used for this quilt range from small scale 30's prints to modern large scale designs, Japanese imports, designer quilting cottons and stash basics (dots, checks, stripes etc), in all the colors of the rainbow and more. Some of the feature fabrics, like the boots, the deer, the larger scale text fabric, really draw in your eye, and on closer inspection there is still more to see. 

Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

I have quilted this quilt by ditch-stitching the seam lines that join the blocks, as well as a single diagonal line of stitching through all of the units. Very simple, functional rather than decorative quilting adding a lovely soft texture to the quilt and allowing the fabrics and the quilt design to be the main feature of the quilt.

Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

For the back of the quilt I have used my current favorite backing fabric ~ Newsprint from the Paint Collection by Carrie Bloomston; a fabric that complements many of quilts, especially the scrappy ones, and I have matched it with my signature black/white stripe fabric by Timeless Treasures.

Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  ~ binding  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
This quilt is listed for sale in my Etsy Store.
You can find the listing details here:

Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Thank you for stopping by,
Rita
Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt  | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
RELEVANT LINKS:
Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt ~ Work in Progress
Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store
More RPQ Quarter Log Cabin Quilts

Pin It!
Follow on Bloglovin
COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Sunday Stash #290 Zephyr by Rashida Coleman-Hale

Zephyr by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts
Zephyr by Rashida Coleman-Hale
for Cotton + Steel 

Sunday Stash this week features the fifth and last collection ~ Zephyr by Rashida coleman-Hale ~ that makes up the most recent release of fabric lines for Cotton + Steel.
Zephyr by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts

The Zephyr collection was inspired by the wind and all of its forms, from gentle breezes to blustery gales. These new prints are as varied as the wind, featuring quirky motifs that capture the wind in its natural motion. The selvage reads: Sometimes the wind will take you.
Zephyr by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts
Zephyr by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts

And of course the colors! Unmistakeably Cotton + Steel; bold, bright and always with interesting color combinations  ~ grey and yellow, navy and pink. I am ever so pleased with the increasing number of "low volume" or tone on tone prints that this new release includes, as well as the prints on natural base cloth.

Spring 2015 Cotton + Steel is now available from:
Pink Castle Fabrics
The Fat Quarter Shop
Stash Fabrics 
Fabric Bubb
Fabric Worm  *Spend $50+ and save $5 with code redpepper. Every day.*
GJ's Discount Fabrics  (Melbourne)
Lady Belle Fabric
The Quilted Castle
Zephyr by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton + Steel | Red Pepper Quilts

SPONSOR NEWS

Expired codes and sales information has been deleted. 


RELEVANT LINKS:
Also by Cotton + Steel:
Sunday Stash #288 Picnic and Lucky Strikes
Sunday Stash #289 Paper Bandana and Honeymoon

Pin It!
Follow on Bloglovin
COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.