Commentary about works in progress, design & creativity
Use when discussing any kind of specialty ruler including Pineapple rulers, Cutting Corners ruler, Folded Corners Ruler and many others.
This is the second of the blocks for the Country Revival/The Sad Quilt. I was able to lay it out much easier than the first block.
I added some solids I had in my pile of Tula fabrics and I think they look really good.
I am really in love with how this looks. I can’t wait to see how it looks sewn together.
I have started block 3, but I have only 4 pieces on the design wall, so not really much to show.
I had the Flower motif from the Country Revival pattern** on my design wall for a long time without sewing it together. It wasn’t quite right and looking at it was the only way to figure out how to improve it. I knew I couldn’t use white in the place I had put it originally-leaf area around the outside. I wanted to use white as a background and the white as shown would be lost and change the shape of the flower motif completely. I also didn’t know what to do.
I often find that if I just do something, then I can get started improving a piece.
The first thing I did was decide the white ‘petals’ needed to be replaced with green and become leaves. It was a good start.
I liked the addition of the green, but decided I needed more and different greens. In this photo there are two different Tilda fabrics. One reason is that I used some of the green on the tips of the flowers for a pillowcase for my friend. I didn’t have much left, but I wanted to include some so it would kind of match the pillowcase. I had just enough to make four leaves.
I wasn’t 100% happy with the look and feel. I really wanted an emerald green solid. I didn’t have that so I tried some dots. They were close to an emerald green and looks like a great addition to the overall look.
I still felt like there was nowhere for the eye to rest, so I moved some of the tall, skinny pieces with the slightly curved tops around. Better, but not perfect.
I added in some of the Dovetail by Ghazal Razavi background I bought at Bay Quilts with Julie a few weeks ago. It is a bright white, which I like and the many colors go well. I know it is hard to see in the photo. You can enlarge the photo to see it better.
I can’t get away from symmetry, so I cut more pieces and changed the fabrics around so there was more symmetry, e.g. the piece looked more symmetrical.
I know the changes are slight and hard to see. I changed the corner fabrics and moved some of the other greens around.
My eye was honing in on the pink dots. I wasn’t liking them, but I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t want to add more of the pink solid as I thought it would overwhelm the piece in general. For the moment, this is the final version of block 1. I may make some more changes, but I decided to work on a second block and give myself a rest from the pink.
I love that pink and blue Tilda fabric and it is now much less prominent. I’ll have to use it in another block.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
The way this piecing is going is I cut a lot wrong, then I figure it out, cut it right and piece cool units together. This is the case with Blocks 4 & 5.
However, I like this quilt, am pleased with the fabrics I chose and am learning a lot.
Except for a couple of background strips, these blocks are done and I have the patterns for blocks 6 & 7. I plan to work on this weekend.
After out Triumphant week off, I am back to cutting out pieces. Well, I am back to trying to cut out the pieces. There are very few this week as we are on the borders, but I am struggling with those #@%^ HRT Bs again.
I watched the video, which is very clear, and cut several pieces wrong. I am now watching the video again,but stopping it, doing the step and then watching more. I just can’t seem to wrap my head around this ruler. I am glad she came up with the mystery quilt as it is a good way to try out the tools.
Now I have the Color 3 (turquoise) pieces cut and am about to add some Color 6 (red-violet) pieces. Fingers crossed I can trim these to the correct size.
I cut like a demon at Sew Day, so the pieces were ready to go when I was. Having the pieces cut, having fewer pieces and being more familiar with the process meant I was able to finish Triumphant block 3 in record time.
I am all caught up and have a break for a week until the border instructions are posted.
Yes. This top is in sight of being done. Hooray!
There are some pieces I would have cut differently, though I am sure Latifah had her reasons. I prefer large pieces for the background – as large as possible. I’ll have Colleen quilt over the intersections of the background, however, and I am sure by the time I get it back I won’t care. LOL!
These are large blocks: 20 inches finished. Right now this is a large Nine Patch that is 60 inches wide.
I find the shapes that I can make with the HuRTy rulers are really different from other shapes. I looked at Latifah’s other patterns and didn’t see anything appealing. I hope she has a “Design with HuRTy rulers” course.
I finished the rest of the block 2 blocks. my design wall is full of Sidewalk, so I used the design floor (LOL!) to lay it out.
What stands out to me is that turquoise border around block 1 (center). It doesn’t stand out to me in a bad way. It definitely highlights the center block.
I kind of wish I had used the purple from the center for the purple tips of block 2, but c’est la vie. I am not ripping out more seams.
I am trying to keep up with the Triumphant Mystery quilt. I don’t want that lingering. Since the cutting is the hardest part, I spend as much time as I can on that when I have time.
I cut all the pieces for block 2, but started out just sewing one (of four) together. It has a really different look than ‘regular’ blocks.
Now to make the other three.
After cutting a lot of pieceswrong and having to re-cut I finally finished block 1. What I figured out is that I am struggling to cut the HRT B pieces.
For the next block, I will label much better. I had a hard time figuring out which ruler to use for trimming.
I am pleased with the fabrics I chose.
The last meeting was a bonanza of quilts. There was a lot of show and tell plus 3, yes THREE, mini-trunk shows. It was so interesting to see the different styles and designs of the members.
One of the quilts at show and tell was SueS’ HRT quilt. I didn’t even know she was working on an HRT quilt. I am on high alert for HRTs since I am working on the Triumphant quilt with the HuRTy rulers**.
SueS sent me the text I used for this post. I have edited it and tried not to change the meaning.
For this quilt she wanted to see how a single block could be used to create a sense of movement. Sue said that the half rectangle block reminded her of a bird in the distant sky, so she tried to create the idea of a flock of birds.
When I first saw this quilt, I was intrigued by the way it looked like the quilt was sideways. Knowing that she was working to create the sense of a flock of birds make the orientation make more sense.
Sue found that of all the techniques she has used for making HRTs, Latifah Saafir’s HuRTy ruler is her favorite. She used the HuRTy 1**, which is for making 1:2 and 1:6 ratio triangles. The 1:2 triangles range from 1 x 2 to 6 x 12 inches while the 1:6 triangles are 1 x 6, 1.5 x 9, and 2 x 12 inches. All of these sizes, shapes and angles can be made using 1 ruler.
Sue found the instructions to be clear. She also found the ruler to be well marked for right (HRT A) and left facing (HRT B) blocks of each size. She found the markings limited the mistakes that are really easy to make when cutting HRTs.
The HuRTy 1** has a QR code printed on it which links to YouTube tutorials. The tutorials provide help for using the ruler. Sue found the videos to be very helpful for getting started, along with general tips for making HRTs. One tip is to press the seams open. You know me! I prefer to press the way the quilt needs. I have also found that HRTs work well when seams are pressed open. The bulk ads up quickly, and pressing seams open helps reduce the bulk.
Other Resources and Previous Posts
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
I started Latifah Saafir’s Triumphant Mystery quilt. It is a lot of cutting and I have to re-learn how to use the HuRTy ruler. Well, there are three of them in use for this quilt, so HuRTys!
I cut a bunch of pieces wrong, because of my misunderstanding of the instructions. Fortunately, I have enough fabric to make a few mistakes. I am struggling to get the flip of the ruler(s) from A pieces to B pieces correct. I am trying to be more careful as I don’t have infinite fabric.
The Orange Peel circles are back!
Why? I don’t know. I have had a desire to make a few more recently. I bought a fat quarter of fabric specifically for this project and decided that this week was the week to make them. I was able to cut four circles out of a fat quarter and will have a few scraps left to make some donation blocks.
I also used some of the fabric I bought after Sara’s February or March live show. It’s been sitting out taunting me and this was a good way to test the waters.
I started out with the 8 inch Clammy**. I will also work on some with the 6 inch Clammy** next. I am just playing now. I don’t yet have a design or know what my background fabric will be. I have been thinking about it and will probably select a solid. Stay tuned.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
Sue said she made this while we were having our Sew Day. Sue was away for some of the Fall, but she misses us (and we miss her) when she is away. At least I do. 😉
Some weeks ago, Gerre demoed the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese ruler. Sue had that ruler and a random FQ bundle she had on vacation, she went to work.
I don’t know how many of the rulers she had along, but using one can make more than one size.
Sue said she thought the ruler was good. She made FGs in sizes that didn’t match up easily, so she had to add pieces. She wasn’t sure she liked the colors, but found it to be a fun challenge.
Sue said that the piece ended up about 30×27.
I like the different sizes of the Flying Geese. I think that adds interest to a piece. The colors have an old fashioned sort of look – not 1930s, but maybe 40s? There is a flat, e.g. not shiny or textured, look to them, but the pink is definitely bubblegum.
The other thing I like is that she just went and played.
Go play! There is always more fabric.
After my recent post, I thought more about this quilt and decided that the Jacob’s Ladder pattern wasn’t going to work at all. I tried different ideas, different colors, but it just isn’t the right idea for my friend.
First, I really shouldn’t call it the Sad Quilt. Not a great start. I can’t help how sad I am, though.
Second, as an interim solution, I sent off Frolic! to her. I am glad I have some quilts around I can just send off to people in need.
I love this quilt and had a good time making it, so there is a lot of good karma/energy associated with it. My friend lives in Hawaii, so it wasn’t cheap to send. It was totally worth it since I can’t be there to hug her in person.
In the meantime I am still working on a design made specifically in memory of my friend’s daughter. I am thinking that I will repurpose the Tilde fabrics I bought on vacation into this quilt.
A pattern occurred to me that I bought awhile ago, but haven’t yet tried, Country Revival. I don’t know why it is called Country Revival, because it doesn’t look ‘country’ at all to me.
The QCR (etc) patterns I have made, Metro Twist and Metroscape, have come out well, so I think the end result would be successful. At least is has a chance of being successful.
Obviously the Tilde fabrics would give it a different look than the quilt on the cover. I think I need to find a common fabric I could use in the center to bring the whole quilt together. I think pink would work, even different pinks. I also have that weird blue, which might work.
Also, the example quilt is small. I would want to make it larger, maybe 9 blocks. Still work to do to bring it together, but I feel I am on the right track now.
This is the second tutorial for the Orange Peel circle.
I don’t know how this shape came into my mind, but I was driven to learn to make it when I took the Latifah Saafir class in 2021. I have the start of an idea for a quilt using this shape, though I am still finalizing the details. The closest I have come to drawing it out or designing it is the Bubble (circle) donation quilt I made with Gerre a few years ago.
Ever since I learned to make these Orange Peel Circles, I have wanted to write a tutorial. I wanted to remember how to make these shapes whenever the desire arose and the best way is to post something here. I also wanted to share the knowledge with you so YOU would have another use for your Clammy** rulers. In a lull in the class, Latifah showed me two ways to make this shape. I broke up the tutorials so you could focus on one method at a time.
Supply List: (same as for the first method)
Notes:
For this tutorial, I am using the 6 inch** Clammy. Adjust if you use other sizes.
The directions for cutting the Orange Peel shape are on the front of the Clammy ruler. The directions are in a different context, but you can extrapolate.
Steps:
Gather your two pieces of fabric.
Cut a 1/4 circle out of the square. I cut my square slightly larger than the square indicated on the Clammy.
Cut the inside circle to make a quarter circle. This is one step where I use the 28mm rotary cutter**.
You will have a quarter circle. Throw the extra background into your scrap bin.
Do the same again with a different fabric. This will be the whole circle in which you will insert the Orange Peel piece.
Cut a square-ish shaped piece.
Align your ruler and cut a quarter circle.
Note: For most of the cutting in this tutorial, I used my regular 45 mm rotary cutter**. For this step, however, I switched to a 28mm rotary cutter**. It is easier for me to cut the inside circle with a smaller rotary cutter. If you are using the larger Clammy, then the 45mm will work. Use the tools that feel best to you.
Cut a quarter circle out of the larger piece of fabric.
Fold the circle and the Orange Peel in half to create registration marks. I do this to allow me to line up the two pieces more precisely.
Tip: If you fold one piece RST and one piece WST, you will be able to nest them in the next step.
Line up the registration marks. The fabrics should be right sides together.
Pin at the registration marks to keep the pieces in place.
I anchor the ends of the Orange Peel with pins.
Pin the rest of the Orange Peel to the circle using 2-3 pins between each end and the center. You may not be able to line the piece up exactly end to end. The ends may extend beyond the ends of the circle fabric.
Piece the quarter circle into the square with the quarter circle cut out. I put the piece that will be the Orange Peel on top to sew.
The piece looks odd and not circular at all when you are finished sewing.
Press the seam towards the piece that will be the Orange Peel. In this case, that piece is the green.
Now, follow the directions for cutting out a circle using the Clammy. Review the directions on the packaging.
Fold the sewn piece in half with the fold towards you.
Line up the ruler as shown in the photo. Remember: the fold needs to be closest to your body.
Cut out your circle. Again, the directions on the packaging will help you.
Troubleshooting: If your circle is not whole (cut in half) when you open it, then you need to realign your fabric and make sure the fold of your folded square is close to your body before you cut. If this is the case, you will need to start over, because your circle is ruined.
If you have cut the circle with the fold towards you, then you have done it correctly and have a fabulous Orange Peel circle.
Toss the background excess into your scrap pile. Cut the background for a circle and piece your Orange Peel Circle into the background. Stay tuned for that tutorial or check Latifah’s site.
–>Alternatively –> applique your Orange Peel Circle onto the background using hand or machine applique’
See the other method for making these Orange Peel circles.
If you make one of these circles, send me a photo and I will post your work here! I’d love to see your efforts.
Notes:
*I prefer the smaller versions. The Orange Peel circle I made with the 12 inch** (first photo above ) just looks too big to me. If I made a bunch of them, it might be fine.
*If you have tossed the packaging or can’t find it, download the information from Latifah’s site. I downloaded one and the information is laid out very well. You can also check Latifah’s videos on YouTube. One video shows how to cut different shapes, though it focuses on the half circle. You can get some good tips even if you don’t get the full instructions. Take a look at all of her videos.
**N.B. I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.
I don’t know how this shape came into my mind, but I was driven to learn to make this combination of shapes when I took the Latifah Saafir class in 2021. I have a sort of idea for a quilt using this shape, but it hasn’t come to fruition yet. The closest I have come to drawing it out or designing it is the Bubble (circle) donation quilt I made with Gerre a few years ago.
Ever since I learned to make these Orange Peel Circles, I have wanted to write a tutorial. I wanted to remember how to make them whenever I wanted. I also wanted to share the knowledge with you so YOU would have another use for your Clammy rulers.
Supply List:
Notes:
For this tutorial, I am using the 8 inch** Clammy. Adjust if you use other sizes.
Steps:
The directions for cutting an Orange Peel are on the front of the Clammy ruler.
Start with a square. If necessary, give yourself some wiggle room by cutting the square a bit larger than called for in the directions.
My Orange Peel Circle came out perfectly using the sizes on the ruler packaging. Try out some test circles to gauge whether you need to start larger or not.
Cut your Orange Peel from this square. Line up your ruler as shown. You can see the lines of the Orange Peel shape clearly on the ruler. You want the straight dividing lines to be on the edge of the fabric and the Orange Peel shape to be completely in the square. Review the directions on the front of the Clammy packaging* to line everything up.
If you have cut a larger square, you will trim more.
Cut the first part of the Orange Peel. This will yield a shape like you would use for Drunkard’s Path.
This is where your rotating cutting mat** comes in handy.
Turn your fabric and re-align the ruler. You can see how your Orange Peel piece will look through the ruler.
Cut the second side of your Orange Peel. Set this part aside. Toss the leftover background fabric into your scrap bin.
Now you are ready to cut your full circle
Based on the 8 inch Clammy, cut a 8.5 inch square of fabric. Adjust if you are using a different Clammy.
This will be the main part of the circle.
Fold your square in half and place the fold closest to you.
Place your ruler on the fabric. This is a good time to review the instructions or one of Latifah’s videos.
Cut the full circle.
Open the full circle and admire your work! I always feel excited when I see that circle opened up.
Troubleshooting: If your circle is not whole (cut in half) when you open it, then you need to realign your fabric and make sure the fold of your folded square is close to your body before you cut.
Line up your ruler to prepare to cut the Orange Peel out of the full circle.
Note: For most of the cutting in this tutorial, I used my regular 45 mm rotary cutter**. For this step, however, I switched to a 28mm rotary cutter**. It is easier to cut the inside circle with a smaller rotary cutter.
The photo above shows the Clammy lined up and the Orange Peel cut out.
Cut an Orange Peel out of the full circle. Turn the circle if you want to avoid cutting into certain fabric motifs. In this case, I wanted to leave the full crescent moon on the fabric, so I avoided cutting the Orange Peel out of that part of the circle.
Throw the Orange Peel from the full circle into your scrap bin
Fold the circle and the Orange Peel in half to create registration marks. I do this to allow me to line up the two pieces more precisely.
Tip: If you fold one piece RST and one piece WST, you will be able to nest them in the next step.
Line up the two pieces using the registration marks. The fabrics should be right sides together.
Pin at the registration marks to keep the pieces in place.
I anchor the ends of the Orange Peel with pins as well.
Pin the rest of the Orange Peel to the circle using 2-3 pins between each end and the center.
Sew the Orange Peel to the circle. I sew with the Orange Peel on top. Take out pins before your needle gets to them.
I keep the two pieces of fabric as flat as possible while sewing the curve. If necessary, make little clips in the curve.
Your Orange Peel is now sewn to your circle.
Press the seam allowance towards the Orange Peel.
Your finished circle is ready to be pieced into a background. Stay tuned for that tutorial or check Latifah’s site.
If you make one of these circles, send me a photo and I will post your work here! I’d love to see your efforts.
Notes: I prefer the smaller versions. The Orange Peel circle I made with the 12 inch** (above photo) just looks too big to me. If I made a bunch of them, it might be fine.
*If you have tossed the packaging or can’t find it, download the information from Latifah’s site. I downloaded one and the information is laid out very well. You can also check Latifah’s videos on YouTube. One video shows how to cut different shapes, though it focuses on the half circle. You can get some good tips even if you don’t get the full instructions. Take a look at all of her videos.
**I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.