#La Passacaglia Quilt Along Begins

Willyne Hammerstein has created some breathtaking quilts in her book Millefiori Quilts. I thought it might be fun to do a Quilt Along of her La Passacaglia quilt. This post will contain links to obtain the book and materials so you can play along.  

Lilabelle Lane

Paper Pieces.com has the book in stock, as well as pre-cut paper pieces for you to use. You can cut your own, there is a pattern in the book, but it can be time consuming and personally, I would rather spend that time sewing.

To get the book: http://www.paperpieces.com/shop/c/p/Millefiori-Quilts-x4861341.htm

paperpieces.com

To get the pre-cut paper pieces: http://www.paperpieces.com/module/search_content.htm?form_version=2&showSearchResults=1&search_keyword=la+pass+pack&btnSearchSubmit=Search

Note: there are several packs available, you can get a small pack for as little as $25. and as you create your rosettes, you can remove the papers carefully and reuse them. Or, you can get a starter pack for $56. or get the complete piece pack for $116.

photo by Flossie Tea Cakes

They also have acrylic templates available for you to fussy cut your fabric pieces. Now, before you go out an purchase those I want you to look at this alternative by Flossie Tea Cakes that will show you how to fussy cut your fabric bits. Check out her post here: http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/how-to-fussy-cut-fabric-for-english.html

Photo by Flossie Tea Cakes

Okay, we have the book, we have the papers...what else do we need? This is where you can vere off, some people like to stitch their English Paper Pieces (EPP) some people like the glue method. 

I will include tutorial links for both methods and you can decide for yourself which you prefer.  

Julie Zaichuk-Ryan from Button Button

EPP hand basting method will require a needle, thread and some small scissors. It is portable, you can put it all in a little plastic baggie and take it in your purse with you anywhere. Here is a link to a tutorial for EPP basting method: http://www.sewmamasew.com/2014/01/star-hexies-tutorial-english-paper-piecing/

Julie Zaichuk-Ryan from Button Button

With this method, you will need to remove the basting stitches to retrieve your paper pieces after you have stitched all your pieces together.

Hexie Tutorial by Sister of The Divide

Here is a link for the way I do my EPP: http://sisterofthedivide.blogspot.com/2015/07/giveaway-quick-tutorial-on-epp-hexagons.html

Hexies by Sister of The Divide

Here is a link for the glue method: http://www.thehomemakery.co.uk/blog/sewline-glue-pen/

Homemakery

Check with your local quilt store, they should have the Sewline glue stick in stock, if they do not, they you can google it online and there are about a gazillion places that sell them. They run somewhere around $7.00 Fons and Porter also makes one. I will be using an Elmer's Glue Stick, you can buy them at the grocery store or most office supply stores and they run about $2.00 for three sticks. They work just fine. 

I'm going to try the glue method this go around and I'll let you know what my thoughts are.  

Here is another fabulous link for ideas and inspiration on Fussy Cutting for your La Passacaglia: http://www.lovepatchworkandquilting.com/downloads/la-passacaglia-quilt  They have a great free download with lots of ideas.

lovepatchworkandquilting.com

Okay, I have my book and I can't wait to get my paper pieces in the mail so I can get started! I hope you'll join in the fun!

Next month I will put up a link on the blog so you can link up and share your progress as well.  Let's spur each other to the finish line!

Giveaway and A Quilt-Along !

Yes, hexagons!  They are so much fun!!!  This month we are giving away Katja Marek's book The New Hexagon published by Martingale/That Patchwork Place. 

To Enter the giveaway:

#1.  LIKE our Facebook page.  Click here it will take you right to it! https://www.facebook.com/SisterOfTheDivide?ref=bookmarks

#2.  COMMENT on our Facebook post.  

#3.  SHARE our Facebook post on your Facebook page.

That's all.  Nothing ever to purchase.  Random drawing will be held August 31, 2015.  Winner will be notified via Facebook messenger and will be announced on our Facebook page by September 1, 2015.

If you haven't seen the amazing creations that are being made with the instructions in this book...check out... http://www.katjasquiltshoppe.com/the-new-hexagon-millefiore-quilt-along.htm

Join Katja's Quilt Along.  Each month a new block.  Her requirements are simple.  Buy her book and register on her site to receive your updates. Here is a link to purchase her book: http://www.katjasquiltshoppe.com/shop/Books/p/The-New-Hexagon-x4601955.htm

You can also find it at Martingale Publishing here: http://www.shopmartingale.com/the-new-hexagon.html

Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/New-Hexagon-Blocks-English-Paper/dp/1604683848/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440167446&sr=8-1&keywords=the+new+hexagon

Your local quilt shop may have a copy as well, check with them first if you need it right away.  (I know, sometimes I don't like to wait for the mail, especially when I get excited, I want it now!)

Block Kits are available from PaperPieces.com for each block. Precut paper pieces if you don't want to cut your own.  Go to: http://www.paperpieces.com/katja-mareks-the-new-hexagon-quilt-along.htm

AND...there is a Facebook page where you can share your progress and look at other's blocks for inspiration!  Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1481806698762201/?fref=nf

Okay, I am off to have some quilting fun today. Be sure to take a minute and enter the giveaway...the drawing will be soon!!!

Mid Century Color Block Table Runner - Update

My son Andrew, loves mid century style. I created this table runner for his dining table. Here's how to make this easy runner.

The fabrics I used were Michael Miller Pin Dot for the yellow

Michael Miller Painter's Canvas for the slate and Artisan Spirit by Northcott Fabrics for the turquoise.

The finished size of this table runner is 33.5" x 11.5"

I purchased 1 yard of the Slate fabric, 1/2 yard of each of the others.That is way more than you will need.  

You need some scraps of the yellow and some scraps of the turquoise. A 2.5" x 12 " strip of each will be plenty. Dig through your stash, I'm sure you have something you can use. Your runner doesn't have to be these exact colors, you can make it any way you wish.

You will need a piece of the slate fabric cut 12.5" wide by the width of the fabric.

You will need a piece for your backing that is just a bit bigger.  I like a couple inches wider and longer all the way around to allow for quilting.

You will need a piece of thin batting that is just a bit bigger than your finished runner but a tiny bit smaller than your backing.

Other items needed, cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler, sewing machine, pins, thread...the normal stuff.

Let's get started:

Open out your slate colored fabric and measure about 12 inches in on each end.  Make a cut straight across with your rotary cutter and ruler. Set these two end pieces aside, we will reattach them later. 

Using that middle piece of fabric, cut it into random strips no smaller in width than 1 1/2". Differing widths will add interest. Lay them out and decide where you want your color blocks, make a crossways cut in your strip and insert your color block.  You can slide them a little one way or the other but there is not a lot of wiggle room, so try to get your color block where you want it before cutting your strip crossways.  

Stitch all your color blocks in place, they can be any width you want, again, mixing up the sizes adds interest.  Lay them out on your cutting mat and make sure you like the layout before you stitch the completed strips together.  Also, I would suggest that you keep your blocks away from the edge of the strips, you will be trimming this area and you don't want to lose your effect.

Stitch your strips back together to create your center panel. Once you have your center portion stitched and pressed, trim it to measure the same width as your reserve pieces.  Stitch your reserve pieces onto the center panel,  one on each end.  Layer your batting and backing and pin in place.  

Starting in the center of your center panel, stitch straight lines across through all layers, using a longer stitch to quilt it together. Roll your runner up and it will be easier to get through your machine. Stitch straight across at varying widths to create a quilted effect that you like. Move from the center to the end and then turn it around and do the same to complete your quilting. This will help to keep things smooth as you quilt.

To bind I cut 3 strips 2.5" x WOF (Width of Fabric), pieced them together and folded it in half.  I chose to bind with the slate fabric to keep the interest on the color blocks.

And there you have it! You can make one in an afternoon and have it on your table for dinner!  

Update:  They love it!  Here it is on their table.