The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Current Projects => Topic started by: Lemon Syllabub on November 25, 2021, 17:27:09 PM
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I’m in the VERY early stages of making my first ever proper quilt. :o
It’s the ’Stars and Spruces’ lap quilt from the Quilting Christmas Projects booklet that came with issue 104 of Love Patchwork and Quilting.
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I decided to make it in non Christmassy looking fabric incase it takes me til January to finish it! :laughing:
Here’s my first block ….
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It isn't perfect...it's a learning curve and I'm enjoying having a play. :love: :love: :love:
One down eight to go!!! :dance:
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That's a pretty quilt :loveit:
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Dont understand why the background colours change ????
Ohhh ... is it not fabrics but measurements??? Ok!
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A lovely way to dip your toe into the darkside. Well done. I like your first block. :thumb:
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Well done! Looks like you are well on your way...
WD
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@Lemon Syllabub welcome to the Darkside. That looks a very pretty quilt to begin with :thumb:
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I’ve finished my five tree blocks. I made the first one in its entirety so I knew what I was supposed to be doing :rolleyes: and then did the remaining four as 'a production line' which was much quicker and strangely therapeutic. :meditate:
I really like this Darkside. :love:
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I’m about to start cutting out my star blocks.
:dance:
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@Lemon Syllabub , you are a natural! That’s the way we do things in these parts - make one block first just in case.
Look forward to seeing your star blocks.
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Speaking of production lines.... I found this Youtube chanel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewdKh-rA0bA) this morning. What a speedy whizz!!! I don't think I'll ever be that proficient. :rolleyes:
So.. an update on my star blocks. I laid the tree blocks ontop of the fabric I was going to use for the star block background to get a better idea of the contrast and it just didn't work. :facepalm:
I've ordered a diiferent fabric which should arrive any day, fingers crossed.
The tree blocks are made using CSTs which means you end up with lots of 'spare' triangles. I sewed the pairs of triangles together and I now have a pile of HSTs which I thought I might use in a cushion cover to go with my quilt.
I was at the shops the other day and just happened to see the next issue of the Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine which just happened to have some beginner friendly patterns using HSTs and QSTs. Needless to say I bought it. :rolleyes:
I can't start my cushion yet until I've finished the quilt as I want to use the off cuts from the star blocks as well as from the tree blocks.
So I ended up having a play using some different fabric!!!
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This could be the beginning of a cushion or the beginning of another quilt. Who knows. :dance:
I loooove this dark side sooo much <3
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@Lemon Syllabub I like your star block and the colours work well together.
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@Diane
I was just about to press post when I was logged out! :laughing:
Thank you. I do like blue. <3
My blue block is far from perfect but I'm hoping that once it's quilted (and in use), the fact the diagonals don't quite line up won't be so noticeable!!!
:rolleyes:
Thank goodness those quilt police are under lock and key. :dance:
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My blue block is far from perfect
When something is handmade i think the imperfections makes it even more lovely, it shows how much love has gone into it. I never worry about perfecting points etc i'd be forever unpicking if i did.
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When something is handmade i think the imperfections makes it even more lovely, it shows how much love has gone into it. I never worry about perfecting points etc i'd be forever unpicking if i did.
That's so interesting you've said that. I'm finding sewing these patchworks so relaxing that I really don't mind if things don't line up... which for one of life's picture straighteners is quite an admission!
....... when it comes to sewing clothes on the other hand....if it isn't precise I have to unpick it or else I know I'll never wear it.
All I can say is I love this darkside.....
For me I'm finding it very calming, very relaxing, very Zen.
:meditate: :meditate: :meditate:
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@Lemon Syllabub I agree, if it's clothes then i would unpick it, i do unpick some of my patchwork but it depends what it is. I've spent years at work having to do things 110% correct due to the nature of the job, i'm also a picture straightener even if it's only a 'mm' but i try not to get so finicky with patch work sewing as i find it so relaxing, i don't think it would be if i was trying to perfect every point, i do just the best i can and i like it to look homemade and not shop bought.
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When I started on the Darkside I was not very accurate. I don't have a straight eye, had never sewn before and thought that it wouldn't matter if, as a beginner, things weren't matched up perfectly.
I was soon proved wrong and brought up short :embarrassed: well meaning criticism I'm sure but it set me back and for years I was never happy with what I had made ><
I'm sure you won't suffer in a similar way but just relax and enjoy the process. A lot of small flaws can be disguised with quilting... ;)
Your work is lovely :loveit:
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A lot of small flaws can be disguised with quilting... ;)
@Lowena That's what I'm hoping ;) (Small and not so small!)
I'm really looking forward to finishing my quilt.... mildly terrified of the actual quilting process but once it's done it will be lovely to cuddle up in it...and if there are any major flaws I can always sit on that bit.....I just hope by bum's big enough! :laughing:
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My new fabric for the star block background arrived the other day. It's the same pattern as the tree block background but it's pale pink instead of cream.
It's now all cut out and sewn into my four star blocks. :faints:
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Tomorrow I'll true all nine blocks and sew them together. :dance:
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I sewed my blocks together.
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....Looking at the photo it could do with a proper press!! I only pressed the seams. :rolleyes:
The next thing to think about is the backing. I'd need to sew two pieces of fabric together anyway so I was thinking of cutting out my two different fabrics and sewing either 9 large squares to replicate the 9 blocks on the front..... or use the fabrics to make 9 star blocks ..... :rolleyes:
I'm off to have a cup of tea and a bit of a think.... :drink:
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I've decided to make the backing out of 9 star blocks so if my quilting stitches don't look too horrendous on the back then I'll end up with a reversible quilt....well that's the plan. :faints:
I've done four with a navy background and blue star.
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I'll do four with a blue background and a navy star and I'm going to use my HST tester for the centre block. (I'll add a border of navy to this block to make it the same size as the others).
....... Well that's the plan..who knows it may be ready for next Christmas. :rolleyes:
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I've sewn the rest of the blocks for my 'backing'.
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I'll true them and sew them together tomorrow....or perhaps the next day. ;)
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Wow!!! Both sides are beautiful :loveit:
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@bec Thank you. I just hope I don't ruin it with poor quilting skills! :o
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OK.. all my blocks are now sewn together.... I've had a play with my walking foot which, surprising seems to be doing a grand job :thumb: so I'm about to cut of my wadding... and then I can start quilting :scream: