Diamond Block, -the way its intended

A couple of days ago I posted that I needed help with a quilt I was planning, you can read up on it here.  

HUGE FLOP..

But  when I looked closely to my original block (right), I realized it didn't look one bit like the one I intended on making in the first place.  Why would I want to complicate something that is already done, and which I liked enough to make.

Diamond HST Block

Because of silly pour planning, I started out all wrong, so after looking at the block (left) again, and comparing it with mine, I noticed that my purple block did not even 'match' the one shown in the picture.  So I drew out the block on a piece of paper, numbering the fabric, and went from there.  I should have done it in the first place, as the tutorial called for 4 different types of fabric, I wanted it like the picture, using 9.

Now the center block, is purple all round with the green around it.  Exactly the way it should have been.  At least now, the block makes sense, right?

After I was happy with the result I carried on piecing all the little half square triangles.  I've linked up the video tutorial I used to make them at the end of this post, be sure to check it out, it's very simple to do.

So after cutting, piecing and pressing the seems open, which comes to a total of 160 small half square blocks (excluding the 2 finished blocks I already made) I decided to carry on tomorrow.

Happy quilting.

I'm stuck and need help!

This morning I was looking at some videos on the web, specifically easy ways to construct pinwheels...  

So I had a look at this video on how to make fast and easy pinwheels.  Which was very easy to follow and so simple to do

But instead of ending up with your basic pinwheel, I wanted a completely different look, and searched the web again and found a tutorial for this diamond block.  

I used 3 purple, 3 green and 4 cream printed fabrics.  But once I started playing around with the placement of the blocks I came up with so many different settings that now I am completely stuck, and I don't know what to do.

I took pictures of the different block setting, and copied them next to each other to see what it will look like, and to get an idea of how they will fit and how the 'movement' of the blocks would be, but now I cant decide which looks best...

With this placement, I had to add quite a few blocks to see the effect.

I really need some input, and I realize its all about personal preference, but this time, I just don't know.........?

Happy quilting

 

So little time...

Even with a busy schedule of taking care of my 1½ year old, I get quite a bit of time for piecing and quilting.  I have quite a few projects still in progress...  Here Kayleigh is quite happy sitting next to me, 'reading' a magazine.

Here are some of the things I've been working on.

I am currently busy quilting this wall hanging. 

Back of quilt

I have decided to quilt 'feathers' in the light yellow areas.  Its a first for me, but I am so pleased with the result.

I started out by drawing a 'half heart' and then added the feathers and worked from there filling the area with pebbles, it adds beautiful texture and really makes the feathers pop out.

Back of quilt

This lap quilt is still a work in progress, as I'm not entirely sure how I want to piece the border, I want to add  bright green printed fabric around the 9 squares but I cant decide if want to make it a plain border or random pieced pieces of fabric to add to the theme of the 'crazy' blocks...

My sister-in-law asked me months ago to make her a quilted tote bag.  She bought these beautiful purple print fabric, and at last I've finished it for her.  Cant wait to give it to her.

Another UFO, is this bed quilt (left) and a baby quilt.  I've thought of adding broad borders at the top and bottom, and applique Kayleigh's name at the top and something else at the bottom.  Still undecided..

As you can see, I have quite a few project to still finish, and already I'm thinking about new ones.  I think its best to finish these off 1st.

Happy quilting

Tree wall hanging

These past few weeks I have been busy making this wall hanging quilt.  It measures 26 in x 26 in.  I got the idea in a magazine, with much less free motion quilting.

It was quite the challenge deciding on what types of free motion quilting to use, and got valuable input from Leah Day at The Free Motion Quilting Project.  I did wiggly horizontal lines on the white background fabric behind the tree, Pebble ripples in the inner white border and blowing wind, which I think I did not pull off quite exactly as Leah, but I gave it a go, and I am happy with the result.  

I echoed around the base of the tree on the grass hill, not knowing if it would even 'work', but I like how it adds texture and creates a 'shadow' effect.  I quilted tree bark on the tree trunk, and for the inside of the tree, I just followed the swirly design of the fabric.

I am super proud of this quilt.  The effects all the free motion quilting has add so much texture to the design. 

Happy quilting.