RPQ Low Volume Quilt ~ A Picture Post

It's been a week of late nights behind the sewing machine, but I just couldn't wait to see the finished quilt.

I've thoroughly enjoyed making this quilt!  I've worked from stash with a focus on using low volume fabrics to balance the much "louder" fabrics and create a simple patchwork quilt with a quiet and delicate color palette. 

I have used many of my all time favorite fabrics in this quilt including some unique hand screen printed cotton/linen blend fabrics, several Liberty prints, Katie Jump Rope, as well a lots of graphic dots and gorgeous Japanese imports.  Too many to name them all ....

The back of the quilt features a patchwork panel through the horizontal center of the quilt and nicely shows the grid created by the quilting lines (quilting time estimate:  6 hours).  The solid fabric is Robert Kaufman Kona in Ash.

A standard RPQ binding.  You can't go wrong with a black and white stripe.

RPQ Style Low Volume Quilt - finished quilt size 60 inches x 72 inches.

I have updated my Etsy Store.  The listing for this quilt can be found here:  Modern Patchwork Quilt SOLD

Gah!  Working from stash is so rewarding and using many of my favorite fabrics to make a quilt is a joy.  I am not at all concerned when using that last piece of much loved fabric.  There will always be another new favorite fabric to stash.

Thank you for stopping by,

Rita

[workinprogress]

Three weeks of school holidays have started at RPQ House, it couldn't have come soon enough.  The lack of scheduled activities is a blessing, and the teens take to it like ducks to water.  In keeping with the relaxed atmosphere I've uncluttered my mind by keeping my next quilt project uber simple.  

Just squares.  I still love creating simple patchwork quilts with a focus on the fabric.  Choosing the right fabrics was rather time consuming, but I absolutely LOVE this part.  My fabric stash was turned upside down and inside out in search of the right fabrics.  A giant fabric mountain .....

A catalog of some of my favorite fabrics - including cotton, cotton/linen blends, hand screen printed, many Japanese imports, text fabrics, dots (lots of dots), Orla Kiely reclaimed fabric, as well as many standard quilting cottons  that are no longer available.

Rita

Sunday Stash #145

 
A Sneak Peek & Snippets of:

Cherry Christmas by Aneela Hoey for Moda

Cherry Christmas is another adorable fabric collection by Aneela Hoey for Moda.  Not generally a fan of Christmas fabric - and I can't say I have ever used Christmas fabric - this collection is one that immediately struck a chord.  I love the color palette - especially the greys - and the dainty drawings brought back childhood memories of snow, snow globes, candles, warm fireplaces   ....  it hasn't always been a Summer - hot - Christmas for me.

In fact, I think it might even be Christmas in July this year!

Cherry Christmas is expected to arrive in stores in July 2012.

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita

Aglaea - A Finished Knit

Aglaea ~ Greek: Ἀγλαΐα "shining one"

The Greek goddess of beauty, splendor,

glory, magnificence and adornment.

The Pattern:

Aglaea by Kirsten Kapur

Through the Loops Designs

Part 2 in The Three Graces series

(see Part 1 - Thalia - here)

The Yarn:

Madelinetosh Merino Light in Butter

1.2 skeins or 520 yards

Aglaea is another relaxing lace shawl design by Kirsten Kapur (Through the Loops Designs).  The pattern is well written and includes both written instructions and charts.  I am a chart reader and tick off each row as I progress.  Charts look awfully complicated at first glance, but rest assured that once you get started and understand some of the chart reading basics you'll find it's not as difficult as it looks.

For more pictures and all the details check out my Ravelry page:

As you can see, it has been cold, grey and wet in Melbourne this week.   Propped on the couch under a quilt with the knitting needles and a coffee close at hand is where you will find me as I hibernate.

Have a great weekend, stay warm - or cool - wherever you may be.
Rita

Red & White Slice 'n Dice Pillow

A Weekend in Stitches

Red & White Slice 'n Dice Pillow Cover 21 inches x 21 inches

It was a dark and grey wintry weekend perfect for sewing and creating.  And sew so I did:

Making a patchwork pillow cover is not only a relatively quick (and satisfying) project but also an opportunity to try out or expand on a recently learned skills:  this time another version of the  slice and dice technique.  Albeit a very restrained and structured slicing and dicing with the rotary cutter.

It was also the perfect opportunity to use this stashed canvas text fabric (from the Authentic range by Sweetwater for Moda) for the back of the pillow cover!  The pillow cover has a zippered seam for easy insert removal and cleaning.  Thankfully this zipper business is finally becoming less daunting.

I have listed this pillow cover in my Etsy Store.  You can see the listing here: Modern Patchwork Pillow Cover.

Pattern:  Improvised ~ I started with a red/white strip set (half the width of the fabric) which I sliced and pieced back together again by inserting a strip of white fabric - the trickiest part is ensuring continuity of the stripes.  Careful piecing and pressing, and the use of the seam ripper was required.
Fabrics:  Robert Kaufman Pure Organic Solids in Red and White
Batting:   Hobbs Heirloom 100% Cotton
Quilted:  A varied grid of lines - some intersecting - with either red or white cotton top thread to match the fabric.

Way too much fun!  Don't be surprised if you see more of these pillows here.

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Winner ~ Kona Fabric Bundle and We Love Color Book!

Thank you for all of your - in excess of 800 - wonderful entries! 

Without further ado, the lucky winner of the We Love Color book as well as the Kona fabric bundle is:

Congratulations Tiffany!  Tiffany has been contacted by email.  

All prizes sponsored by Robert Kaufman and the team at Swatch & Stitch.

Follow along with the blog tour by visiting the Swatch & Stitch blog for links to all the contributor's blogs, and information on the grand prize.

I have listed some of my own - brand new - copies of the We Love Color book in my Store - unfortunately shipping within Australia only.  See listing here:  We Love Color compiled by Susanne Woods.

Rita

We Love Color! A Blog Tour and Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the We Love Color blog tour!

We Love Color: 16 Iconic Quilt Designers Create with Kona Solids

We Love Color is a collaborative quilt book with contributions from 16 designers, compiled by Susanne Woods. Our set assignment was to work with Robert Kaufman Kona Cottons.  A task I relished:

The journey for my contribution to this book started back in March 2011 (see blog post); a bowl of small Kona squares and streamers of chain pieced Half Square Triangles.

Lady of the Lake ~ Kona Quilt

Quilted by Long Arm Quilter:  Karen Terrens ~ Quilts on Bastings

SCAVENGER HUNT:

This blog tour - see all participating bloggers here -  is a scavenger hunt (the grand prize a Bounty Box of 50 Kona Fat Quarters)!  Visit every stop on the tour and name every contributor's favorite Kona color to be in the running for the grand prize.  For the purposes of the scavenger hunt my assigned "favorite" color is Sprout.   

Kona ~ Sprout:  just one of the 28 new Kona colors due for release soon.

Check out my Rainbow Ripple Quilt to see all 

28 new Kona colors used in a quilt!

The grand prize giveaway will be hosted by Swatch and Stitch

  on July 9th 2012.

GIVEAWAY:

And that is not all!  Today I am giving away - courtesy of Robert Kaufman - one copy of We Love Color and a fabric bundle of the new Kona colors.

Image by Robert Kaufman

To be in the draw all you have to do is leave a comment on this post (please ensure that an email address is available on your profile or is included in your comment - NO EMAIL ADDRESS = NO VALID ENTRY). International visitors are very welcome to enter! One comment per person/email address will be eligible to enter the draw.

The draw will take place at 11am (Australia - EST) on Monday 18 June 2012, at which time comments to this post will be closed. The winner will be announced here the same day, and will also be contacted by email.

 ENTRY HAS NOW CLOSED

 AND A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

Good luck!

Rita

The Rainbow Ripple Quilt and Pattern

 A Ripple of Color!

I have finished my Kona Jelly Roll Quilt using all 28 new Kona Colors arranged in a rainbow of colors.  Revisiting the humble Half Square Triangle was revitalizing and a reminder that creativity isn't limited by working with traditional quilting blocks and basic techniques.

My verdict on the new 28 new Robert Kaufman Kona colors?  Gorgeous!  Glorious color; the new colors supplement the existing range of Kona colors perfectly and as a set of colors on their own they play very nicely alongside one another.  I am looking forward to getting my hands on a little yardage when available.

As much as I love the grey sketch background fabric (Alexander Henry - Heath in Metal) I can also imagine this rainbow of colors sparkle against a more traditional RPQ solid white background. 

But I did go for a standard Black/White binding fabric (this one by Timeless Treasures - the stripes are just a fraction wider than the black/white Lecien stripe). I am still rather obsessed taken by this binding ...

I have updated my Etsy Store and listed the Rainbow Ripple Quilt.  You can find the listing for this quilt here:  Rainbow Ripple Quilt SOLD

It also happens that I have written a pattern for this design.  The Rainbow Ripple Quilt Pattern is very Jelly Roll friendly and includes step by step tutorials, including photographic images for piecing and pressing seam allowances for all of the patchwork units and sashings that make up this quilt.

The Rainbow Ripple Quilt Pattern is available here:

• Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store 

• The RPQ Pattern Store. 

Oh! Two new patterns in two days - too much math and computer time.  It's back to the sewing machine for me.

Happy Stitching! 
Rita

Relevant Links:

28 New Kona Colors
A Kona Jelly Roll in Progress

The Oakshott Bear Paw Pillow Pattern

A small detour today.   Another version of a previously made design  :

After multiple emails from readers requesting a pattern  for the Oakshott Bear Paw Pillow Cover - and in conjuction with Oakshott Fabrics - I have decided to get my act together and spend some time re-making and writing the instructions for this pillow/cushion cover.

I really do enjoy working with these shot cottons. There is something magical about the way these hand loomed fabrics sparkle from the use of different shades and hues in warp and weft. It is an absolute pleasure playing with the colors and layout for this design!

The Oakshott Bear Paw Cushion/Pillow Cover Pattern & Fabrics are available from Oakshott Fabrics : see all pre-packed fabric bundles.  Be sure to inquire with Michael if you have any questions or require a custom bundle of colors.

The Oakshott Bear Paw Pillow/Cushion Cover Pattern 

 is also available from my Etsy Store.

Please be sure to read the listing for Skill Level required.

 All Red Pepper Quilts Patterns (pdf files - sent by email) 

are also available here - no Etsy Account required!

<< be sure to check coupon codes for multi buy discounts >>

Happy Stitching and thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Sunday Stash #144

Sew Stitchy by Aneela Hoey for Moda

 

Another wonderful fabric collection by the very clever Aneela Hoey for Moda Fabrics inspired by all things stitchy from hexagons to bobbins and pins.  I especially LOVE the pins ....

Due for release in August 2012! 

Sew Stitchy by Aneela Hoey available from:
Fabric collection no longer available.  

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita

A Kona Jelly Roll in Progress

Just like I said in my previous blog post, breaking into my Kona Jelly Roll wasn't easy, but once it was unfurled it was obvious that I had to take action.  Take the tape off a Jelly Roll and it can quickly become a hot mess unless you start cutting and stitching ...

I don't often work with fabric limited by quantity or pre-cut, particularly long narrow strips.  Revisiting my old favorite - the Half Square Triangle - quickly became part of the design equation to  make a quilt with a RPQ touch. I was a little surprised to look back and see that I haven't worked with Half Square Triangles all this year!

384 Half Square Triangles!

Hours of trimming HST's to just their teeny right size.

28 New Kona Colors 

Background fabric:  Alexander Henry - Heath -  Metal

A battle of bulky seams tamed to lie flat
 with gentle pressure from a hot steam iron.

An adaptation of my Flock of Flying Geese Quilt made in June 2011.

I can't wait to start quilting.  The pressure is on not to overdo (and over think) the quilting design.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Rita

Related Posts:

New Quilt Pattern:  Rainbow Ripple Quilt 

Kona Jelly Roll :: New Kona Colors

A Flock of Flying Geese Quilt June 2011

Alexander Henry - Heath - Metal ::  Sunday Stash #112