Halo Star Medallion--Month 10

This is the Block of the Month 2017 from The Quilt Show. It is available free to members of TheQuiltShow.com until December 31, 2017. After that you can buy it from www.comequilt.com.

It's time for that final border: Delectable Mountains. Here I will show you tips for making them. BUT I chose to do a different outer border.  See the blog HERE for my choices.

The blocks are made in pairs, reverse mirror image. Using the printed patterns and paper piecing them makes this process very easy--just follow the words on each paper pattern to know if you are making a left or right facing block. I recommend you make ALL 6 of the RIGHT blocks then ALL 6 of the LEFT blocks, taking a break between then. It's less confusing than switching back and forth, to me.

The blocks finish at 6"--check your printed pattern to be sure yours do. If you are not paper piecing, you need to know those half square triangles are an odd size, just about 1 3/8" finished. You still need to make 6" finished blocks, however you make them.

Cut all the fabrics as listed in the cutting instructions. NOTE: There are two size small triangles for the Half Square Triangle strips in the middle of each block. If you don't mind wasting a little fabric, all of those can be cut from 2.75" squares, instead of cutting some squares 2.75" and some 2.25". You decide. I find it easier to just use the larger size so I don't have to keep track of small/large triangles--when they are cut in half  they look pretty similar.

Here are some step-by-step photos with suggestions. NOTE: I prefer to add the two outside smaller background triangles AFTER I have the 5 pairs of HST sewn in place--I find the beginning much less confusing so I start with pieces 2 and 3, a background and a color triangle.

1. So you could see it, I drew a pencil line on the back of the pattern where the Half Square Triangle (HST) appears. Line up the outside point of the triangles centered on that line. To be sure you are getting started correctly, remember--put the Butt side of the background fabric (labeled W) on the Butt side of the paper. If you start off with the color triangle first, you'll be mixed up:

After sewing the first pair of triangles, finger press them open, use the Add-A-Quarter ruler to trim the edge, ready to add the next background triangle:

Triangles 2 and 3 are sewn, the edge is trimmed, and triangle 4 is ready to be placed and sewn:

Triangle 4 ready to be sewn. TIP: when you turn the paper over, CHECK CAREFULLY by looking under the paper, to be sure the fabrics have not slipped or become folded back before you sew those tiny stitches:

 I begin and end my tiny stitches outside of the seam allowance and I trim all the threads close, on both sides. You don't want a bunch of threads on your work:

 Moving right along, here you can see there is a pin out of the way of where I will sew--the pin helps keep the pieces from shifting when you turn it all over:

The 5 HST sewn and the 2 outside background triangles in place:

Use a long postcard to fold the edge of the paper over so you can trim the seam, ready to add the big triangles:

 This is a LEFT side of the block, ready to sew the 2 big triangles. Always double check to be sure you are putting each on the correct side:

If you have trouble lining up the triangle so it fits properly, use a pencil to draw a line on the BACK side of the paper, from corner to corner. Now you an place the outer point of the triangle on the seam. Or you could fold the triangle in half and match it to the center of the block; since the block doesn't have a real center, I prefer to draw this line:

Both triangles sewn:

 Now for the important part,trimming the block so it is square. I use a 6.5" square ruler, so helpful to be sure it's square. I found that the paper had "shrunk" just a bit from the sewing since the pattern was exactly 6.5" when printed. I carefully place the ruler so all 4 corners have the diagonal line crossing the corners:

All trimmed:

 Left and Right Sides trimmed, ready to have paper removed so they can be joined together:

There are 6 fabrics coming together where the rows of HST meet. TIP: any time I have 6 or more fabrics coming together at one point, I machine baste that spot first with a LONG stitch--I use 4.5 on my machine. I stitch about a half inch before and after that point:

Take it out of the machine and check it. If you are happy, turn your stitch length BACK TO NORMAL,  then sew the entire seam, stitching right on top of those basting stitches. If you are not happy, it's a snap to pull out the basting stitches, fiddle with the join again and re-baste. After sewing the seam, if I can easily remove the basting stitches, I do. If they are really sewn in there, I simply trim the thread ends and leave the thread. I was able to easily remove these:

The "block" now consists of a Left and Right block, with the center seam pressed OPEN. It should now measure 6.5" x 12.5" unfinished size:

You will make two borders this month. Each has twelve 6" finished blocks, 6.5" unfinished. Alternate left and right facing blocks so your borders look like the diagram on page 3. When sewn together the borders should measure 6.5" x 72.5".

That's it for this month. Next month we make the other two Delectable Mountains borders, exactly the same as this month. So for those of you ready and eager to move ahead, just print another set of this month's patterns and keep  making blocks and borders.

Let's Quilt.

Barbara

Halo Star Medallion--Month 10 My Alternative Border

We all  have favorite blocks, borders and quilt designs. I am not a fan of Delectable Mountains, it's just not my favorite. I also wanted to get my focus fabric back on the outside of the quilt, more than the Delectable Mountains would allow.

As I thought about what alternative block I would use, I looked at border books, block books, and "quilts I like" photos I've saved over the years. I spent a lot of time thinking about this. Each time I thought I had decided, I made a block or two to see how they looked next to the quilt:

I was sure this was it until I put two of them side by side, no focus fabric. NO...

Love this block, lots of focus fabric--looks awful!

How about half focus/half focus background--still NO...

This might be it--NO...

More scrappy, better, but still NO...

I was running out of ideas and losing sleep--this was what I thought about each night when trying to fall asleep. I wanted the decision made--I was just tired of thinking about it.

One night I was teaching a class that used 3.75" finished Nine-Patch blocks. Set on point they would be 5.30" across finished, a wacky number. But I didn't want big Nine-patches--the next size up would be 4.5" blocks, almost 6.375" set on point. That would make the floaters needed larger than I wanted.

Ultimately, I decided to go with the 3.75" finished Nine-patches--those squares are 1.25" finished, small enough to be in keeping with the rest of the quilt. Some I made from 9 individual 1.75" cut squares, some I made by strip piecing, using 5.5" x 1.75" strips for maximum scrappiness.

Yes, this will work. Time to move forward...

If anyone else wants to make this border, be my guest. The rest of this blog provides the information to make it.

Each border starts with half square triangles on the outer edge, then quarter square triangles for the perimeter sides. This keeps straight of grain on the outside edges, no bias wanted here:

By the numbers:

Side borders contain 14 Nine-patch blocks, 4.25" unfinished
Top and Bottom borders contain 16 Nine-patch blocks, 4.25" unfinished
If you want to cut individual squares, that's 300 colored squares, cut 1.75" and 240 background squares

Perimeter Side Triangles cut from Focus Fabrics:  Cut 6.75" squares, in quarters, diagonally--this puts the straight of grain on the outside edge. You do not want bias here. You need a total of 28 squares, 6.75" for all the borders.

Corner Squares cut from Focus Fabric: Cut 4" squares, in half, diagonally. You need a total of four 4" squares for all the borders.

Steps to Create:

1. Make Nine-patches, a total of 60, 14 for each of the side borders, 16 for the top and bottom borders

2. Lay out the Nine-patches for desired color placement:

Top border laid out, ready to sew. Enough focus triangles to keep me on track. Start and end with half square triangles

3. Sew a perimeter quarter square triangle to one side and a corner half square triangle to the first block:

4. Press toward the focus fabric triangles, use a ruler to remove the excess "dog ears", then add the other corner triangle.

5. Continue to add perimeter quarter square triangles to each side of the blocks, being sure to keep them going in the correct orientation. Finish the other end with two half square triangles:

Laid out, ready to sew

The first two blocks with their Focus fabric triangles in place, ready to join together

6. I trimmed all the edges with a 3/8" seam allowance. This will allow the 9 patches to appear to "float" on the background. Also, I use a 3.8" seam allowance when sewing on the binding--if I don't add another border beyond this, the 3/8" trim is what I need for the binding.

7. Measure the side borders and the top and bottom borders to be sure they are all the correct sizes. My sides were 75.5" x 6" unfinished, and the top/bottom borders were 86.125" x 6". I fold them in half and use a metal tape measure them--here is the top border, in half the border is 43 1/16":

These measurements are more than would be expected mathematically--with all these bias seams, that is what can happen. Fortunately for me, the space  I needed to fill with floaters/borders was 2" finished--perfect! I repeated the 1/2" blue finished "border" around the quilt center, then added a 1.5" purple finished "floater" that I used previously.

After looking at this quilt on the wall for a week or so, I knew I wanted to add one final border from the purple woven fabric used 5 other times for floaters. I cut it 2.5" wide by the required side and top/bottom measurements and added this last final touch. My quilt is 90" square unfinished:

And, before anyone says I was "wrong" to change Sue's border design, let me say this:

Sue would be the first person to tell you to make your quilt your own. She loved it when students or customers took her design and changed it. She celebrated those choices, often saying she wouldn't have thought to do that, but she loved the variation. It's your quilt, you decide.

I was inspired by Sue's earlier quilt designs I have made. We both love blocks set on point with triangles to offset them:

Joyful Journey from Sue Garman's pattern Washington Medallion

Old Stars, New Day from Sue Garman's pattern Old Stars for a New Day

Joyful Journey Too, also Washington Medallion

Both of these patterns are available from Sue's website: ComeQuilt.

Feel free to create your own border--I would love to see what you come up with.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Taking My Show On the Road

Tine to travel to teach. Since we drove, this was possible:

It is so nice to sleep under one of my quilts away from home.

The plans for me to teach at Panama City, FL for the St. Andrew Bay Quilters Guild began to come together almost a year ago. Originally, it was scheduled for March 2017 but a conflict in their schedule caused it to be pushed back to now. When I realized March is at the height of "Spring Break" I was happy with this change. The weather was lovely and crowds were non-existent.

First up was my Trunk show, kind of a history of my 35 years of  quiltmaking. I included the first quilt I ever made, a baby size Double Irish Chain from a mail-order house, all pre-cut. In those days, pre-rotary cutter, this was an amazing thing. I hand quilted it and finished it in December 1986. SO glad I put labels on all my quilts, starting back then. The most recent finish, Long Time Gone, was included as well. I took about 2 dozen quilts--as many as I could squeeze into two big suitcases:

About 60 people came to see the "show", including an old friend who used to live in Huntsville--I hadn't seen her in 12 years. A few others came because a student of mine here at home told them to be sure and come--they were warmly welcomed by the guild as guests.

Some on the left:

Some on the right:

What you don't see yet is all the fans that were waving during the show--the AC wasn't working and it was a warm, humid Florida night. I began by telling the crowd perspiration was good for our skin and we would lose a few pounds that evening. Let's just say my lovely linen tunic was drenched when I returned to the hotel.

The following day 16 students came armed with sewing machines, irons, and electric FANS! The room had cooled off a bit overnight but warmed back up as we all got going.

If you are making a quilt from "strata"--strips of fabrics sewn into panels, it is often important to have light/dark placement correct. This was on of those projects. Here is a tip I shared: take a photo then view it in black and white--you will be able to see which fabric reads "darker" than it's neighbor:

We had a great time and the first day flew by. I began with instructions to the entire group, then those who had pre-cut strips were ready to sew and those who wanted fabric selection assistance, got that. At regular intervals, I gathered everyone together to give instruction on the next step so those who were ready could move along. My favorite Elly-ism from Elly Sienkiewicz is "We advance for the swift and repeat for the deliberate." I watch each student to see who needs more assistance and who is ready to move on. And I keep the pace pretty fast--there is a lot to accomplish before I leave town. At the end of that first day most students are tired but impressed with what they got done.

First thing the morning of the second day, I got a photo of the class showing off what they had done the day before. We only had 3 hours that day and I know someone always leaves early so photos get forgotten at the end of class:

A few of my closest quilt friends recently asked me "Why are you working this hard, traveling to teach? Aren't you retired?" Yes, this second "career" has become much more involved than I expected  three years ago but I've been teaching for 30 years. Here is why:

1. Before class started day 2, the Workshop Chair and Treasurer both said to me, separately "We want you to come back, how does your schedule look for next year?" Thank you, Sarah and Betty.

2.Three students said to me, separately, "I almost didn't take this class, I thought it would be too hard for me, you made it easy. I'm so glad I came." Thank you, ladies.

3. One student told me the first day she was a stroke survivor and had difficulty with spatial instructions: up/down/left/right--there is a lot of that in this quilt. At the end of the workshop she proudly showed me her two blocks, light and dark, completely finished and said "It's a MIRACLE!" Thank you, Lee, and thanks for the gift of Cranberry Red Pepper Jelly--it is yummy!

4. One student said "You are the best teacher I've ever had. You don't just teach the project, you teach us to quilt.". Yes, it is my goal, wish and desire in each class that each student will learn more than expected and will pick up tips and tricks to improve their quiltmaking going forward. Thank you, Loretta.

5. Students often want to work "outside the box", in this case using 2.5" strips instead of 2" strips. These two friends made that decision the night before class, after my lecture, when they realized they had signed up for class the next day but had not yet prepared.  Jelly rolls at the ready, they were good to go:

They also decided to combine their blocks, which are 7" larger than the standard size, into one small quilt which they will now border and donate to the guild boutique at their next show. I love when the whole class can see an alternative option that students have come up with:  Thank you, Carol and Bonnie.

6. Every good teacher will tell you we learn from our students too. I always ask for constructive criticism on my handout or verbal instruction. One student showed me privately how she found it helpful to pin each pair each time, rather than just stack them and then pin only once. I introduced the "Loretta method" to those who were getting confused and they found it very helpful. An update to my handout is in order. Thank you, Loretta.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea--I teach because I can't live forever and being able to share my knowledge and inspire others to keep creating the work of their heart and hands makes me feel good. I tell all my students: "Making a quilt is an expensive way to get bedding. We are making gifts for generations yet unborn." That is why you really must add a label to all your quilts--see more on that here. When I'm gone, I want to be remembered.

One more big Thank You! My husband did all the driving, we both prefer it that way and he didn't even complain about having to fill his day and a half alone. After class ended at noon the second day we headed 4.5 hours west to Ocean Springs, MS to visit his sister and her kids and grandson. All in all, we drove 1100 miles and both thought it was a good trip. Perhaps we'll be going back in the next year or two.

I am teaching this class at Road to California January 2018. I don't know how a two-day, all day class will be received at a big show like this, but as long as some show up, we'll have a great time. Did I mention we laugh a lot in my classes?

Oh, one more thing, if I had taken food photos, it would have been seafood on Thursday, seafood on Friday, seafood on Saturday, etc. But we did stop here for lunch headed out of town:

And I got a brief stop at Quilting by the Bay, a legendary quilt shop I've always wanted to visit:

You should stop in if you get to that area--easy to find and full of fabulous stuff!

Now it's time to focus on Houston preparation--all is ready at the George R. Brown Convention Center so all we have to do is show up. It's the highlight of my year.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

On The Road Again

Just can't wait to get on the road again! Soon I'll be heading to Panama City, FL to give a trunk show and teach a two-day workshop. It will be wonderful to BE there, doing what I dearly love, but the GETTING there, ah, there is the rub.

First, since my lecture is a trunk show, I had to decide which quilts to take, which have good stories, or make a strong visual statement about me and my work. Having decided that, I make written Notes so I have the correct information: dates made, pattern if not my original design, who quilted it if not me, etc. Fortunately, I am diligent in putting printed labels on all my quilts to provide that information. You may think you won't forget, but I'm  here to tell you, you will.

Now, how many suitcases do I need and will they all fit? As I'm driving that's not quite as big a deal as it is when flying. A really BIG suitcase and a smaller one will do it if I squish them down flat. I'm sorry quilts, to have to squish you so, I'll make it up to you by laying you out flat when I get you back home. And one of you will get the honor of going on my hotel bed:

See, they all made it, about a dozen bed size quilts and a couple smaller ones:

Just when I think I'm done, I look around a see a few more--surely, it won't hurt to throw these small ones in too, they're little, they'll fit:

Then there is the paperwork, invoice, receipts, handouts, and my personal handwork I never leave home without:

In prepping for every class I teach, I review in detail my handout and all the various steps to the process so I sound like I know what I'm talking about. This always gets me excited and eager to get in front the students and get them going. We DO have fun in my classes. I've been teaching for 30 years so I'm not an overnight success.

Now, what am I forgetting? Oh, yes, my clothes and personal items. They go in another suitcase, after I figure out exactly what I'm wearing and make sure every outfit is clean and ready to go.

Sorry to say I forgot to take any photos at the first session of Long Time Gone that started this past Saturday. There are 13 happy students on this 6-month adventure. In class, I do the demo sewing and explain how to make that month's assigned blocks, they bring fabric to cut and prep in class and sew at home. It worked very well and I kept to the exact 3 hour schedule, getting in everything I wanted to explain. Sometimes you find you need more time so things get a bit rushed, but this seemed to be just enough time. Next month I'll be sure to take photos of their "homework".  Here's my finished sample:

Long Time Gone, a pattern by Jen Kingwell Designs

And I am making a second one of these as part  of this 6 month class:

I hope you are making something that makes you happy--let's quilt!

Barbara