99 Squircles ~ A Quilt in Progress

It was time for some serious scrap busting and this quilt block has been on my mind for some time. The block is inspired by a vintage quilt ~ The Elizabeth Chapman Coverlet dating back to 1829 ~ which features a rectangular panel in the center of the quilt surrounded by a variation of the Drunkard's Path Block. 

The block is neither a circle nor a square, hence the reason I am calling it a Squircle block, and while the original blocks (in the Chapman Coverlet) were English Paper pieced, I have also come across reproductions of this block using applique. However, I was keen to machine piece my blocks, using templates to cut out my fabric pieces.

To draw up my paper templates I turned to EQ7 (quilt design software). I am no EQ7 expert and admittedly spent much more time thinking about how I would go about drafting the block in EQ7, then the 3 minutes it took to actually draw up and print out the templates!

Once the templates were ready the fabric cutting could begin. I pieced a few test blocks to see if I could manage the short but rather tight curve by machine. Not all went well at first as every third block or so would have a small tuck in the curved seam. I tried clipping the seam after piecing and some persuasive pressing with a warm steam iron without success, and then I had a light bulb moment. What if I clipped the (concave) curved edge of the fabric before piecing? That worked! The clipped edge allowed me to easily manipulate the fabric and work it around the curve as I slowly stitched. No tucks, no pleats.

I made 100 Squircle Blocks, that's 400 Drunkard's Path variation blocks each measuring 3 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches. They are small units! At the last minute I decided to sew the the quilt together as a rectangle - 11 rows of 9 blocks - rather than a square quilt - 10 blocks x 10 blocks. The quilt top measures 54 inches x 66 inches.

QUILT STATS

99 Squircles Quilt

Quilt top measures 54 inches x 66 inches.
Each finished 4-patch Squircle Block measures 6 inches x 6 inches.

396 Drunkard's Path Variation Blocks.

Each finished Drunkard's Path Block measures 3 inches x 3 inches.

792 patchwork pieces.

250+ different quilting fabrics.

Squircle Block Templates available here.

I have used lots of different designer quilting cottons, many which I am sure you will recognise. And of course, if you've stopped by here before, you may already know that I am not a pinner, and not a single pin was used to piece this quilt top. (See here for a tutorial on how I piece curved seams without pins). I am also surprised I still have all my fingers. Using a tiny rotary cutter to trace around paper templates, especially templates with tight curves, is precarious and probably less than ideal. But I made it through unscathed! Happy, scrappy, days.

No surprises for my choice of backing fabric and binding fabric. Now ready for basting and quilting.

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Squircle Block Templates available from my Etsy Store.
99 Squircles Quilt - A Finished Quilt
Tutorial: Piecing curves without Pins

More RPQ Drunkard's Path Quilts:

• Drunkard's Patch Quilt - June 2014
• A Piece of the Pie Quilt - July 2014
• Umbrella Prints Flowers Collection Quilt - March 2016
• Confetti Drunkard's Patch Quilt - April 2016

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COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content - this specifically includes all photos - from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

A Printshop Pineapple Quilt - Work in Progress

Printshop Pineapple Quilt
Click on any image for a larger view.

The Pineapple Block is one of my favorite traditional patchwork blocks and this week I have combined the Pineapple Block with one of my preferred piecing techniques - foundation paper piecing. I really enjoy the repetitive process that is foundation paper piecing - cut, sew, press, trim, and repeat - as well as the accuracy of this technique.

Mind you it was a slow process, even with all the fabrics cut and ready to go, the cutting mat and ironing board pulled right alongside my sewing machine, it seemed to take forever. I tackled two blocks at a time, became better at managing the process, and progress was made one seam at a time.

QUILT STATS

Printshop Pineapple Quilt

Quilt top measures 48 inches x 48 inches.

64 Pineapple blocks.

8 rows of 8 blocks.

Each finished Pineapple block measures 6 inches x 6 inches.

1600 patchwork pieces.

Pineapple Block drafted in EQ7 (quilt design software).

Most of the printed fabrics used for this quilt top are from the Printshop collection by Alexia Abegg for Cotton + Steel (see more photos of this fabric collection here). I love the contrast of colors in this collection as well as the simplicity of the designs. I think this might be my favorite Cotton + Steel collection released so far. The solid background fabric is Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Ash. 

I really am very happy with how the quilt top came together despite moments of overwhelming doubt. Sewing this quilt top together with all of the foundation papers still in was not an easy task and I was left wondering if this would actually work till the very end. Removing the papers took about an hour and it kind of looked like it had been snowing in my sewing space. Fortunately this took place during the early hours of the morning when the house is all quite and no one is around to notice the chaos. Once the papers were removed I could press the quilt top with lots of steam, which made my heart happy. I like to gently gently press/steam my quilt tops!

Now ready for basting and quilting.

Thank you for stopping by,

Rita

EDITED TO ADD:  Printshop Foundation Paper now available from my Pattern Store.

RELEVANT LINKS:

The Finished Printshop Pineapple Quilt

Sunday Stash #341 Printshop by Alexia Abegg

Scrappy Pineapple Quilt - February 2014

Printshop Pineapple Block - Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern available in my Pattern Store.

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COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

Kona Color Wheel Quilt - Work in Progress

Kona Color Wheel Quilt - Work in Progress

I have had a really big sewing week. Most weeks are big sewing weeks but this one involved long days at the machine. Good sewing days. The kind that induce a sewing frenzy, but does not come with the completion of chores, nor a cooked dinner. I am not complaining, for this kind of patchwork piecing I love to do.

I drafted up this traditional Fan Block in EQ7 (quilt design software) and printed foundation patterns for the arcs. Foundation paper piecing is accurate and once I found my sewing rhythm - piecing four arcs at a time - the process was relatively quick. Cut, sew, press, trim. And again. (Color Wheel Block Pattern information here).

Click on any image for a larger view.

My original plan for a traditional Fan Block layout turned into a four-patch Wheel Block and as all fabrics used are Robert Kaufman Kona Cottons I am calling this quilt the Kona Color Wheel Quilt (I dare say naming quilts is not one of my strengths). The curve sewing for the project was easy compared to my last project - The Drunkard's Path Variation Quilt - for the blocks are bigger and the curve is gentle. Again, no pins were used to piece this quilt.

QUICK QUILT STATS

Quilt measures 62.5 inches x 62.5 inches.

16 Wheel Blocks or 64 Fan Blocks.

64 paper pieced arcs.

512 patchwork pieces.

All fabrics are Robert Kaufman Kona Cottons

(with the exception of one dark blue print from the

 Doe collection by Carolyn Friedlander)

I have already basted this quilt and plan to start quilting today. Solid fabrics are the perfect canvas for quilting, accentuating both the stitches and the texture created by the quilting lines. The plan is for lots of quilting and texture!

RELEVANT LINKS:
Kona Color Wheel Quilt - A Finished Quilt
Color Wheel Block - Pattern and Tutorial
More RPQ Kona Cotton Projects
More RPQ Paper Piecing Projects
Sewing Curves without Pins

Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton available from:


Fabric Bubb

The Fat Quarter Shop

Fabric Worm

Pink Castle Fabrics

Stash Fabrics

The Quilted Castle

GJ's Discount Fabrics - Melbourne

- more than 200 colors available in store.

COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.

Scrappy Pineapple Block and Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern

Last week and the weekend in stitches.

Scrappy Pineapple Quilt - a study in Kona Cottons

After working on the very modern Floating Squares quilt last week my new project could not be any more traditional. The Pineapple Quilt Block dates back to the 1930's and the possible design variations - in size, repeat, and color placement - are endless. The making of this quilt is inspired by Connie's Teeny Tiny Pineapple Project as featured on Bonnie Hunter's blog, simply because I admire the commitment and determination it takes to piece miniature blocks.  My blocks however are not so teeny tiny!

My Scrappy Pineapple Blocks are 7 inches x 7 inches finished and I have chosen to foundation paper piece for accuracy. I have drafted my own foundation pattern for the block using EQ7 - quilt design software - which really is easy to do once you have spent some time playing around with the program. My initial block color arrangement  ~

and then my EQ7 version of the quilt layout:

And so the paper piecing began. Cut, sew, press, trim - I found my sewing rhythm! Around and around it goes. 784 pieces. Up and down from the sewing machine to ironing board, to cutting board. Once I got the hang of it though I was able to sew up to four pieces at a time. The blocks were time consuming, taking more than an hour each to complete, and that is with fabric cut and ready to go.  (The above layout was only for general design purposes only; I did not follow the colors of this layout but instead allowed color placement to be completely random).

I have made the foundation paper piecing pattern for this block available as a PDF file - ready to download - from my Pattern Store.  The download is for a four page PDF file and includes:

• 7 inch Scrappy Pineapple Block Foundation
• A to scale size of the block in color to assist with fabric/color placement.
• A full color layout of the quilt 
• A black/white line drawing of 16 blocks which will allow you to color in and experiment with colors and color placement.

Print only page 1 of the pdf file to print multiple copies of the foundation pattern.

Scrappy Pineapple Block Foundation Pattern 

ready download from: RPQ Pattern Store.

The download pattern does NOT include any paper piecing or assembly instructions - general paper piecing knowledge is a prerequisite. These basic instructions will assist you in successfully completing this project:

• The "pineapple" effect is created by alternating colored and white fabric (I have used numerous shades of "white' fabric including Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in ivory, snow, cream, and bone). Start in the center at number 1 with a colored fabric square and work you way around in sequence, alternating the colored and white fabrics.
• Cut fabric pieces larger than required.  I cut long strips of fabric 1.5 inches wide and then cross cut the fabric strips as required. Cut a 2 inch square for the center of the block. Cut a 4.5 inch square and cut once diagonally for the corner triangles.
• Reduce the length of your stitches. This will make removal of the foundation paper a breeze and keeps your seams intact after the paper has been removed. 
• Don't remove your papers until after you have joined your blocks together.
• Print your foundation pattern ACTUAL SIZE.  Do not reduce or scale to fit. 

Please don't be intimidated by this technique or the apparent complexity of this block. If you have tried the Economy Block Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern you can do totally do this ~ the center of the Pineapple Block is the same, and as your work your way out from the center this block only gets easier.

I am ready for basting and quilting.

Happy Stitching!
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Pattern Store
More Red Pepper Quilts Patterns
The Finished Scrappy Pineapple Quilt

A Finished Hummingbirds Quilt and EQ7 Giveaway!

My Hummingbirds Quilt is finished!  As promised I have made the Hummingbird Block Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern and I have written a tutorial.  The tutorial includes step by step paper piecing instructions with clear photos and instructions for successful project completion. 

DOWNLOAD PATTERN from my Pattern Store:  

Hummingbird Quilt Block (pdf file)

You'll find the Hummingbird Quilt Block TUTORIAL:  HERE.

(I have published the tutorial in a separate blog post.

 Please ask any questions you may have regarding

 the tutorial in the comments section of the tutorial blog post).

I have used EQ7 to draft the Hummingbird Quilt Block.  EQ7 is comprehensive Quilt Design Software for beginners and advanced users and quilters. I purchased EQ7 almost 12 months ago and I have spent some time learning the basics.  The software comes with a User Guide which I have thumbed, tagged, and annotated. It is my go-to reference when I need help, although there are many learning resources available such video lessons to watch, and lessons you can print (pdf files) within the software, as well as a whole community of quilters supporting one another at the Electric Quilt Forums.

I use EQ7 to help visualize quilt layouts, to alter block designs and most often play with color combinations. The software comes with extensive block, layout, fabric, embroidery, photo and thread libraries.  My use is generally limited to the block and quilt layout libraries and really the possibilities are endless. Once you have designed your block/project you can print patterns and choose to print rotary cutting instructions, templates and/or foundation paper pattern in any size.  All the math is done for you including fabric yardage requirements for your quilt.

Projects for which I have recently used EQ7 to design and print paper piecing foundations (and both these projects are also patterns available to purchase and download from my Pattern Store):

Kaleidoscope Block 

Economy Bock

The team at The Electric Quilt Company like what I have been creating with their software and today are offering to give one lucky RPQ reader the EQ7 Quilt Design Software package!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

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All you need to do to be in the draw to win the EQ7 Quilt Design Software is leave a comment on this blog post. If you have any problems leaving a comment please email me and I am always happy to leave a comment on your behalf (redpepperquilts at gmail dot com).

The draw will take place on Tuesday 15 October 2013 at 10pm (Australia EDT) and the winner will be announced by edit to this blog post.  The winner will also be contacted by email.

Please note: The EQ7 Quilt Design Software is a PC program (although a Mac version will be released towards the end of this year).

Thank you Electric Quilt Company!!

Good luck everyone.

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:

The Electric Quilt Company

Purchase Red Pepper Quilts Patterns - Pattern Store

Hummingbird Block - Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern - TUTORIAL

The finished quilt is for sale and is listed in my Etsy Store:  Hummingbirds Quilt

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED

and ENTRY IS CLOSED

The winner of the EQ7 Quilt Design Software is:

Congratulations Candace! 

 Candace has been contacted by email.