A Scrappy Bear Paw Quilt

A finished quilt.

The Scrappy Bear Paw Quilt is finished! Like I said in my previous blog post, I have loved making this quilt. Everything seemed to flow seamlessly - I won't say effortlessly - from fabric selection to process piecing, to basting (not so fun), to finally quilting and binding.

QUILT STATS: 

90 Bear Paw Blocks

90 plain squares

12 rows each of 15 blocks

360 Half Square Triangles

990 Patchwork Pieces

Quilt top measures 54 inches x 67.5 inches.

It seemed obvious (to me) to quilt this quilt with an all over grid of straight lines (1.5 inches apart) using the seam lines of the Bear Paw blocks as a sewing guide. The quilting adds texture and interest without affecting the quilt design, nor the use of fabrics. The quilting is simple and effective, functional rather than decorative.

For the back of the quilt I have chosen one of my current favorite backing fabrics ~ Newsprint from the Paint Collection by Carrie Bloomston. I think I have the equivalent of a bolt of this fabric on hand as such be prepared to see it used as backing fabric for several more quilts. This print just works so well to balance busy quilt tops ... and I do continue to love all text fabrics!

And again for binding fabric I have used a black/white stripe fabric by Timeless Treasures; my go-to fabric for binding.

The Scrappy Bear Paw Quilt is for sale and is listed in my Etsy Store.

See the listing details here: Scrappy Bear Paw Quilt. (sold)

Don't forget - all the cutting/sewing details and a tutorial for the Bear Paw block is available here:

http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2015/01/scrap-quilt-and-bear-paw-block-tutorial.html

I have also added cutting instructions for two further Bear Paw blocks (a 7 1/2 inch finished block and a 9 inch finished block).

More scrap quilts are planned for 2015.

Thank you for stopping by,

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:

Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store

Scrappy Bear Paw Quilt - work in progress and tutorial

More Red Pepper Quilts Tutorials

COPYRIGHT: Do no copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.

A Scrap Quilt and Bear Paw Block Tutorial

Scrap quilts. My quilting heart belongs with scrap quilts! There is no denying that I have a lot of fabric scraps (and fabric) and I love every single scrappy piece, no matter how small. My scraps are unfortunately not well organized; they are not sorted, not pressed, nor neatly folded. Instead they are stored in two large plastic tubs which I scrounge through regularly in search of "that one piece ..." which has to be in there. In other words, my scraps are out of control.

And so it began. Time to tame the scrap bins.This quilt design is a traditional Bear Paw block alternated with a patchwork square; squares and half square triangles, that's all. Working with small half square triangles was fiddly but once I found my sewing rhythm, working in batches of 10 Bear Paw blocks at a time, it seemed to come together quickly. Let me also say that I did turn to my fabric stash to add a balance of color and prints to this quilt top.

QUILT STATS:

180 blocks 

90 plain squares

90 Bear Paw Blocks
12 rows each of 15 blocks

360 Half Square Triangles

990 Patchwork Pieces

Quilt top measures 54 inches x 67.5 inches.

QUICK BEAR PAW BLOCK TUTORIAL:

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS for a 4.5 inch finished Bear Paw block:
(Cutting instructions)
1 square 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches
1 square background (low volume fabric) 2 inches x 2 inches
AND for Half Square Triangles:
2 squares background (low volume fabric) 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches
2 squares contrast fabric 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches

Piecing Half Square Triangles (HSTs):

Take one square of low volume fabric and one square of contrast fabric.

With a pencil and ruler, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the light color square. With right sides together, layer the lighter square on the darker square and stitch a 1/4" seam on BOTH SIDES of the drawn line. Cut apart on the drawn line (you  now have two HST units) and press seam allowances toward the darker fabric.

Repeat with the remaining 2 squares. Trim all four HST's to measure 2 inches x 2 inches.

Piecing the Bear Paw Block:

(1/4" seam allowances used throughout)

Sew the Half Square Triangles (and the 2" square of low volume background fabric) together in the following sequence and unit orientation:

2 block unit.
3.5 inches x 2 inches.

3 block unit.
5 inches x 2 inches.

Press seams either to the dark or to the light fabric. I have pressed my seams towards the lighter fabric in this instance as it resulted in less bulk and allowed for nesting of the final seam.

Sew the 2 block unit to the 3.5 square (press seam towards the square), then sew the 3 block unit again pressing the seam towards the square.

Block measures 5 inches x 5 inches (including seam allowances).

Make 90 Bear Paw blocks - or however many you require for the size quilt you would like to make. Alternate the Bear Paw block with a 5 inch square of fabric.

Lots of photos! 

Any questions?  Please feel free to ask by leaving a comment, and I will explain/clarify by reply comment.

Edited to add: Cutting instructions for 2 more Bear Paw Block sizes:

7.5 Inch FINISHED Bear Paw Block:

For each Bear Paw Block cut:
1 square 5.5" x 5.5"
1 square background (low volume) fabric 3" x 3"
For the Half Square Triangles:
2 squares background (low volume) fabric 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches
2 squares contrast fabric 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches
(Trim the HST's to measure 3 inches x 3 inches)
Block measures 8 inches x 8 inches - including seam allowances.

9 Inch FINISHED Bear Paw Block:
For each Bear Paw Block cut:
1 square 6.5" x 6.5"
1 square background (low volume) fabric 3.5" x 3.5"
For the Half Square Triangles:
2 squares background (low volume fabric) 4 inches x 4 inches
2 squares contrast fabric 4 inches x 4 inches
(Trim the HST's to measure 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches)
Block measures 9.5 inches x 9.5 inches - including seam allowances.

Happy Sewing,

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:

Scrappy Bear Paw Quilt - A Finished Quilt

More Red Pepper Quilts Tutorials

COPYRIGHT: Do no copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.

A Year End Knitting Update and 2015 Quilt Favorites

On this the last day of 2015 I thought it might be a good idea to update my knitting projects for the year. I have been knitting although it comes spurts and starts - frenetic knitting sometimes followed by frogging and long bouts of inactivity. Eventually a project comes off the needles and I wonder what took so long ...

The Pattern:  Loden Shawl by Irina Dmitrieva

My most recent finished knit is  Loden Shawl, a pattern by Irina Dmitrieva.  This shawl is a relatively easy project although it looks deceptively difficult! This shawl is worked from the edge up with botanical motifs and openwork. The pattern is charted which I prefer and involves active knitting that requires attention to the pattern detail; there’s always something happening on right-side rows, while wrong-side rows let you catch your breath.

The Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal in Snowdrift

This tweed yarn is perfect for this shawl. It is soft with subtle and complementary tweed flecks which adds a rustic feel to an otherwise delicate looking lace pattern. As always, blocking my knitted project is the secret to the amazing stitch/lace definition! I use blocking wires and blocking pins to block my knitted projects.

Click on any image for a larger view.

Also off the needles and freshly blocked is my Peak Color Shawl which I made over a two month period of stop / start knitting from October to December:

The Pattern: Peak Color Shawl by Plucky Knitter

This eye catching asymmetrical triangle is worked from side to side in Plucky Bello yarn. I purchased this project as a kit with set colors but I have substituted a skein of bright pink yarn for orange ~ a color I am more likely to wear. The orange yarn is Malabrigo Sock Yarn in Terracotta. Each section brings in a new color and a new stitch pattern.

The Yarn: Plucky Bello by The Plucky Knitter

This was a great easy knitting pattern - perfect for a confident beginner knitter wanting to try different stitch patterns. The pattern includes written and charted instructions and once you have established the pattern for each new stitch  quickly becomes intuitive although I did count rows and tick off charts as I progressed.

For more photos and all the details including links to the patterns and yarn please check my Ravelry page:

Loden Shawl

Peak Color Shawl

Goodbye 2015!

I have made 38 quilts this year - it has been a huge year! And considering that I spent at least 7 weeks away from my sewing machine/traveling overseas that makes it almost one quilt a week. Choosing my 2015 quilt favorites is hard for a little piece of my heart and soul are stitched into each and every quilt. These "favorites" have been chosen not only for their color, the fabric, and the design, but also for the process, the season, and the memories associated with that time... 

Click on any image for a larger view.

From left to right and top to bottom:
1.   Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt
2.   Memories Quilt (pattern available)
3.   An Autumn Quilt 
4.   Irish Chain Scrap Buster Quilt (tutorial available)
5.   Fields and Furrows Log Cabin Quilt
6.   Kona Color Wheel Quilt (tutorial and templates available)
7.   Pickle Dish Variation Quilt (tutorial and templates available)
8.  The Fall Quilt - A Checker Board Quilt (tutorial available)
9.   Single Irish Chain Scrap Quilt 
10. Scrappy Quarter Log Cabin Quilt (tutorial available)
11. Worn and Washed Strip Quilt
12. Scrappy Bear Paw Quilt (tutorial available)
See all 2015 Finished Quilts HERE.

As always I am grateful for your support and encouragement, and for stopping by!

With warmest wishes for all things bright and wonderful for 2016.
Rita

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

Memories Quilt in Aruba ~ Oakshott Fabrics

Part 1 - Work in Progress.

It has been a busy few days spent pressing and cutting fabric, trimming units, and mostly sewing. I totally underestimated how many hours would need to go into making this quilt top, and I have had some late nights for it is during those quiet small hours that I am most productive. 

For this quilt top I have used a Fat Quarter Bundle of Oakshott Colourshott fabric. This particular bundle is the Aruba collection - a rainbow of 12 vibrant hues. The cotton weave is shot - with a warp and weft of different tones - which creates a beautiful luminous and iridescent hue - difficult to capture in the photographs of this quilt top but more easily seen in the fabric bundle pictured above.

The pattern is based on a traditional quilt block which as suggested by my trusty quilt block bible ~ 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone ~ is known as Memories. I love this simple star block and enjoy looking for the secondary patterns that are created by joining the blocks together without sashing.

QUILT STATS

Quilt top measures 60 inches x 60 inches.

All fabrics used are Colourshott Cottons by Oakshott Fabrics:
A FQ Bundle of Colourshott - Aruba
and the background fabric is Colourshott in White Sand.

25 traditional patchwork blocks.

A total of 1225 patchwork pieces.
Pattern available in my Etsy Store and Pattern store.

I am keen to get get started on the quilting and see how the quilting adds to the quilt but first ... basting.

More soon,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Memories Quilt - The Finished Quilt - Pattern also available.
More RPQ ~ Oakshott Colourshott Projects:
~ Oakshott Scandinavia Half Square Triangle Quilt
~ Oakshott Kaleidoscope Quilt
~ Oakshott Bear Paw Pillow and Pattern
~ Be Squared Quilt & Quilt Pattern



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