Bargello plan and sewing the strata

   I spent some time with EQ7 and developed a plan for the bargello.  The first row is  "half-drop" pattern and the second row is "pieced block  pattern", and the third returns to "half-drop" pattern.  So working from left to right, each row drops 1/2 from the previous row. 

   Then I played with the width sizes of each row.  One thing I discovered was to step away from the computer screen about 6 feet.  It made a big  difference in seeing the pattern.  I colored it in a couple of different ways---time consuming! One colorway has the wave coming from the top left, and the other has the wave moving up from the bottom.  I am still deciding which I will use.
  Sewing the strata:
 First make a swatch card, or some type of guide that shows your color plan layout.  I  can't stress this enough.  If you can't get to the linked card, email me and I will send you the pdf.  It is that important.
  Because some of my fabrics were from fat quarters, I go ahead and cut the full width of fabric cuts in half.  It is really easier to work with the shorter lengths, but you will have some waste.    I leave my palette pinned to the design wall and only remove 3 at a time.  It is over whelming to me to have 18 different fabrics on the table and keep them in the correct order.  Three at a time works for my old brain.  And if I am interrupted or take a break, three is not too confusing. 

  Sew the group of 3 together in order. ( I chain piece like I would when I make 9 patch units.)  Then set them aside, and remove the next 3 fabrics  and sew in order.  Repeat until you have all fabrics joined in groups.  Your table will look like this---that's why you need the swatch card as your guide.

Then join the groups of three together in order according to the swatch card.  And you will get a strata that is in order.  Press all seams away from the #1 fabric.  I press on the back first and then flip the strata over and press from the front, too.  I am notorious for tucks at the seam line, but I try to avoid them.
    At this point, most of my time has been spent picking fabrics and  planning the color placement.  Cutting takes maybe 30 minutes so far, and the sewing time is probably about an hour to make 3 sets of strips sewn into the strata.  Pretty quick, huh?  The second part goes quickly too, just more pressing that tends to slow you down.    

   One other tip or hint in deciding the color placement.  The fabrics placed  in  #1 through  about #5 will flow across the center the quilt only, while the other places will show up at the bottom and the top creating multiple waves.  That's why I wanted the very dark fabrics spread out and not together. 

I'll sew the rest of the stratas and be done for today.  Off for a couple of days, but next week I'll have something more to show.  Happy stitching.

Strip Pieced Watercolor--Part 2

   WOW!  The response  yesterday was over whelming....thanks for commenting and  the emails.  This is a long post for part 2...hang in there.

Sewing the strips can be confusing.  You need to keep them in order, so please follow closely.  (Note:  For this section of the tutorial, I am working with very short strips.  I will end up with 3 blocks.)  With this technique you are not limited to a certain  size.  I am using 4 x 4 in this tutorial, but you can use whatever number of fabrics that you want.  25 fabrics = 5x5  36 fabrics = 6x6, and so on.

  Before you begin, create a swatch card   (found on the Pattern Page at the bottom)  or take a photo and print it out as a guide for fabric placement.  What's a swatch card?  It's like a road map, only for fabric.  You can use an index card and number 1 thru 16 for this project.  Beside each number tape a sliver or scrap of the fabric  that is being used in this layout.  This is the visual reminder when you are sewing of the correct order and placement. 

   You have 4 rows across and 4 down.  We will sew the first row down together, the second row down, then the third and fourth. 

Create a stack of row 1 down by removing the bottom fabric first--# 10.  Then place the fabric above it --# 6--on top, then the next --#3--on top of the stack, and finally the upper corner--#1-- on top.  This stack is now row1....label it with a sticky note or tape marked 1. 

Repeat for the other 3 rows down.  Label each and set aside.   These stacks will become your strip set for this group of blocks.    I have created stacks for the 4 rows and I am ready to begin the sewing.  Set your machine for straight stitch and for 1/4" seam.  Either move your needle over, use 1/4" foot, or what ever works for you.  The need here is for consistency!

  Sew:  Follow this order for each stack.  The first strip is face up and the second strip is placed face down and sew together with 1/4" seam.  The third strip is added---the 2 sewn strips are face up and the third strip to be added is on top.

  Remember:  To maintain the correct order, always sew with the next strip to be added on the top.   You will always be adding to the right of the group you are sewing.  If you flip it over (and add to the left) the fabrics will not blend as they are out of order.   Refer to your swatch card.   Sew careully and do not stretch your fabric.  A bow in your strip set wastes time and fabric. 

  Sew all 4 stacks together.  You will have strip set units ready to press and sub-cut.

Press:

On the row tags I added an arrow for the pressing direction of the seams for each row.  Odd rows get pressed to the left, and even rows to the right.  That way the seams will nest together when sewn.  I press from the back first and then also from the front to make sure I do not have any "tucks" and that everything is smooth and straight. 

  Now you need to sub-cut each strip set  unit into 2" strips.  I prefer to use the shape cut mat with slots in it....that way I can make  several cuts with out having to move the ruler.  Or use a regular ruler.

 Sub-cut into 2" strips.

 Stack the sub-cut strips into rows.  Lay them out in the correct order.  For this grouping the lightest fabrics are at the top.   Again...lay them out in the correct order. 

Or you might just end up with something like this........Wrong layout....the last 2 rows are placed upside down.

A gal brought a strip pieced watercolor quilt to guild last month and asked what she had done wrong. It was at this point that she had reversed 2 of the rows and she lost the blended effect.   Her darks were all in the middle and lights on the edges. 

Another reminder to refer to your swatch card or original photo layout. 

 Now sew the blocks together, keeping the order correct. 

Always sew with the new piece on the top.  These blocks will be 6" when you  finish stitching. 

  Press each block.

   Sew...after about 3 hours of sewing, pressing and cutting, you will have about 20 blocks from full width of fabric cuts, or about 10 blocks from fat quarter cuts.   Now what? 

  I am going to finish up my second layout and prepare a couple of variations to share in the next part.  And we will look at layout options.   

 Did you visit Wanda yet?  Or go to her other blog for fabric?  She has lots!  Keep stitching....you will be happy you did.

Graduation quilt

This is going to be a variation of a quilt I made several years ago.   It is more of a technique rather than a pattern.....the stars form by using sashing.   I rarely use a sashing  between blocks in my quilts.  I much more enjoy all over patterns or overall designs.  There are great instructions on this block/technique at quilterscashe.com ---so I'm not going to even try to duplicate it.  The block is Morning Star.    Basically, the cornerstone in the sashing forms the center of the star, and by adding flip and sew corners to the sashing strips, you create a star. 

 For Justin's version I am using a large block....a very large block of 18 inches.  Instead of a single square framed by the star sashing, this one will have a nine patch of 6 inch squares with a 4 inch sashing.
    The original photo that he gave me to work from was a quilt of just large squares with a prairie point edge.  I planned it out in EQ7 but was having a hard time getting started on it.   I think I found it boring and just wanted to add some kind of design to it. 
   Here's the EQ7  layout for this variation with only 9 stars.  I set up a swatch card for the stars and planned the layout of the sashing too. Because the stars are not all the same color,  I needed a guide to follow as I add the points to the sashing strips.  I have the 9 patch sections done and 2 stars completed so far.  I should have it together in a couple of days.   I think I have it figured out how to finish it off like he wants with the zig-zag points loose!  More on that later.
Happy stitching.   Yea!  Preview is now working on blogger!

Playing with EQ7

I've been trying to find my way around EQ7 that I got for my birthday.  There are so many tutorials included....a lot to learn/re-learn.  Anyway, I worked on a bargello style and came up with this design.  I used half drop blocks on every other row, like the Eleanor Burns technique for a Trip Around the World.  That way the bulk of intersecting seams would be less and a whole lot less matching.  I am not sure of the color combo, so I will play around some more with that, too.  The fabric swap tool makes that easy. 
  No mater what color way  I choose, I will have to have a swatch card and cutting guide for something like this.  So I created a swatch card and cutting guide  (click for the pdf version) to have for this and future projects.  The swatch card works great as "an paper brain" for any project with lots of different fabrics that need to be organized or identified.  The first time I used one was doing a TAW and then in a paper piecing class.  Now I use them all the time.    Must be showing my age to admit this!
  Tip:  From Jill at the quilt rat  a great tip on washing fabric. She had yards--meters-- to wash and wanted to avoid a tangled mess, so she accordian folded the yardage and basted across each end before washing.  Ta-da, no tangles.

  Ugh---more snow moving in.  Remember my threat:   I should be packing and heading to Florida---except I have Doctor's appointments this week---if I can get there.   Guess I will stick it out and see what happens.
Happy stitching,