Quilter's Academy - Volume 2 - Sophomore Year

Vol 3 - Junior Year


Sunday, February 6, 2011

Vol 2 - Project 7 - Card Trick - Windowpane

The 18 blocks for this quilt are done and now it's time to add the windowpane.  Harriet has a neat trick in the book for getting the windowpane to a straight and precise 1/4 inch, without the headaches of wavy edges to deal with.  Even so, you need to be exact with seams, and measure and trim at each step.  No, it's not quick and easy, but the extra work pays off. 

This is my first ever attempt at a windowpane - it's not perfect but even so, I'm happy with the results.  Harriet's teaching methods and piecing techniques work so well, even a beginner can do this stuff.  Now that I understand how it's done, the rest should be better (and hopefully a bit faster)!



CURRENT Non Harriet Project
Yes, I know, I wasn't going to do these this year, but ................  this will be my weekly quilt group project for a while.

I really want to level up my applique work a bit.  The previous projects were fun, using heavy thread for a cartoonish look but not very refined.  This time I've chosen a pattern from Michelle Hill's book, 'William Morris in Applique'.  Lots of curves and tiny points to deal with.  The pattern is called Birds - it's a wall hanging so not too large.

The centre panel of 'Bird'

As usual, the fabric selection was agonising - I wanted to use blues like the one pictured in the book, but lacked the right fabrics, so ended up with red/gold/green which I'm still not too sure about.  I've planned to use rayon thread, as recommended by Michelle and a tiny blanket stitch.  It wasn't until after I'd cut the applique shapes that I realised that Michelle sewed this one by hand!  Uh oh - maybe those teeny tiny points are going to be a problem!



3 comments:

  1. Wow, that is just gorgeous! The red gold green combo is stunning.

    your card trick is much much prettier than the sample, I hope Harriet and Carrie don't mind my saying so! I love what you are doing with it. What a great variation.

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  2. Hi Brenda - thanks for the confidence boost although I can't take credit for the card trick colours - hubby chose those - but I think it will look brilliant when put together.

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  3. I think the red, gold, green combination is quite elegant! Nice job choosing colors - this is going to be simply outstanding when you complete it.

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