Creative Process - Prep and Sew

Time to cut and sew a "test" block before cutting and sewing the blocks for the entire quilt. I always do a test block to make sure I have my cutting correctly figured for each of the strips in the block. The test block also helps in figuring the amount of each fabric needed to make the entire quilt. Note the finger protector. I sliced off the tip of my finger last February with my rotary cutter. A trip to the ER then a visit to a hand specialist at Johns Hopkins resulted. Diagnosis: finger tip amputation. It will never grow back. Now I use protection every time I cut. I have special finger bandaids I ordered from Amazon, the finger cot you see here, and sometimes I uses my quilting gloves I ordered from Leah Day. They all work to keep my finger safe. 

Sewing prep consists of arranging strips in a silverware divider tray to keep the prints and colors organized. 

  

Test block complete! Each row stitched and trimmed with the new 10" Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo. I compare the block to my printed illustration of the quilt to make sure I sewed it according to the plan. Satisfied, I will sew the remaining 3 blocks in this color combination. Then I will repeat this process for the remaining blocks in the quilt. Test block first, then all the blocks that match before moving on to the next group.

A Quilt Design Journey

Starting today I am going to walk you through my design process for a new quilt. The first thing I do is work up my design on the computer using Adobe Illustrator. I have a MAC so I don't have the popular design program most people on a PC use. Here is the design I am getting ready to sew. The artwork has a few notations as to block size, number of blocks, all with labels to keep them in order. The blocks will be made using my new 10" Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo by Creative Grids.

The biggest decision is selecting fabrics. I decided to use some of my extensive collection of Kaffe Fassett fat quarters to make this quilt. 

Fabrics auditioned but not selected.

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Final selection...I think

I have grouped the fabrics according to color assignments for the blocks. I will be adding solid light colors in white, yellow, orange, and either beige or grey to add contrast.

Now I am off to sew some blocks. Come back on Monday to see how they turn out. Sewing a sample block in each color family will determine if I continue with these fabrics...or not. 

Log Cabin Duo YouTube Demos

There are 3 demos on YouTube showing how to use my new 10" Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo. I am really excited about this new tool. It is so versatile. Just open YouTube and type in creativegridsusa and you will go directly to the video demonstration that will show you how to make several variations on the basic 10" block using the one ruler. They are many demos for a variety of Creative Grids rulers on YouTube. You can also go to the Creative Grids USA facebook page to see more about the ruler and patterns. 

Support your local quilt shop by asking for this new ruler, the 10" Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo. If they don't have it you can order from my website: jeanannquilts.com 

NEW! LogCabin TrimTool Duo

For the past year I have been working on a new Log Cabin Trim Tool. Here it is, with the special features that advances this ruler into a new realm of log cabin possibilities. Visit my website to see ordering details: jeanannquilts.com

·      Fully illustrated step by step instructions

·       Two sets of markings - one for 1" logs and one for 1/2" logs

·       Make blocks with all same strip widths or combine the two widths

·      Cutting instructions for strip widths and center square printed on tool

·      Slides easily over fabric until pressure is applied

·       Exclusive grippers hold fabric in place while cutting

Projects and Patterns

Rick Rack Table Runner  - Size: 18” x 54” 

This Way and That Quilt - Size: 54” x 54”

Ring Around the Rosie Tote - Size: 18” x 20”

Fly Away Log Cabin - Size: 54” x 68” 

Star Gazing

Star quilts have always been a favorite. I have two star quilts I gave to my daughter to display when she worked at the Air and Space Museum. The first quilt I named Rock n Roll and it incorporates a center Log Leg Star block surrounded by a border of Four Patch blocks and a final border of paper pieced New York Beauty blocks. This quilt measures 54" x 54". 

The second quilt is 24" x 24", a mini. I named it Syzygy. This is a rare occurrence that is an opposition alignment of the moon and sun that produces abnormally high tides. I loved the way the word, syzygy sounded and was spelled so I made the quilt so I could use the name. A quilter moon and seven stars are appliquéd in th center and the corners of the first border are rays of the sun bursting out to the edges. 

Hang it all...on the wall

 I m trying to find a place for all of my quilts. There are about 100 in my collection. I have quilt stacks on top of furniture, on beds and tables. Here are two more display solutions. 

My apartment has a 1950's kitchen. The appliances have been updated including a dishwasher. New formica is on the countertops. I still have a swinging door that I will never use to close off the kitchen from the dining room.  A defunct space heater is mounted to the wall next to the door. Cabinet space is limited. What to do? I put an over-the-door hanger on the now permanently open door and displayed my aprons. I placed an old oak bookcase in front of the heater to store kitchen collectibles and other items. I put my coffee cup quilt on the boring white wall. It's slightly hidden by the door but still effective. 

                                         

When you enter my apartment there is a sort of foyer space directly in front of the door. I placed a narrow table with family photos (my grandmother and grandfather and my father, age 5, in front). Turning to the right is a 10' long hall. Another quilt finds a home! At the end of the hall is a bench with my winter boots beneath just waiting for cold weather and a peg board to hang purses, baseball caps, and coats. Behind them is a photo of my great-grandfather's house. His name was Henry Hawley and he was a country doctor in Freeland, Michigan in the mid 1800's. (Yes, the 1800's not the 1900's.) The town was named for my family.

I used a jelly roll to make the quilt for my second book, Jelly Roll Jazz.