Author Archives: mlwilkie

Unknown's avatar

About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

Gypsy Wife February Recap and March Details

8 Replies

We now have an amazing 100 people, that have linked up on the Gypsy Wife Quilt Along. Some wonderful blocks have been produced, so don’t forget to link those up over at Jo’s giveaway.

Ashley’s Blocks: Wasn’t quilt in a Day

photo-57

Julie’s Blocks: 627 Handworks
pinwheel-fillers-550x550

I have created a summary page, with all the important information so it is easy to find for those that still interested in joining.

I am using my True Color fabrics for the Gypsy Wife Blocks. Here is my recap of my February blocks.

Pin Wheels Blocks
GypsyWife_Feb_PinWheels
Color Wheel Block
IMG_1252

This month, the March Schedule is:

MONTH MAIN BLOCK FILLER BLOCKS TOTAL BLOCKS
March: Pershing (1) Pinwheel Blocks (1 x3″, 2×2.5″),
Square in Square with Pinwheel center (2),
Square in a Square (1×3″)		 7

Pershing BlockPershing Block

Some tips that might be useful for this months block:

  • Pressing your seams are going to be essential for the points and triangles to sit right.
  • The triangles pieces (B, C, E, F) are larger than they need to be for the block, so I fold them in half and then match the center triangle with the tip of triangle created from the previous layers.
  • Check out Jo’s Tutorial on how to sew the triangles (D & E pieces), taking into consideration the 1/4 inch seam.
  • When you get to the final E and D strips and matching the points with the layer below (here the grey and pink points), I used pins as markers of the tips and then matched the tips.
  • Once you have sewn the E and D strips to your block, I recommend trimming at this point. I had much more than 1/4 of an inch from the tip of the point for the orange triangles. I trimmed based on that 1/4 inch.

Scrappy Window Block Tutorial

6 Replies

This block tutorial comes from this quilt I designed “Through the shattered Looking-glass”. It uses a collection of scrappy improv blocks.
ThroughTheShatteredLookingGlass

A single block can be any size but is made up of scraps that are sewn together with 1/4″ sashing, like so.
IMG_8686

Tutorial:

Here are the steps I used to build a block.

  1. Depending on the size of your block, use painters tape to mark out the edges of your block on a design wall (in this picture I just used a piece of batting). This is a technique I learnt from Nicole @ Mama Love Quilts.
  2. Take scraps that are between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 inches of various sizes, and shades/values of the color you chose and start laying them out within your marked area. Overlap your edges of your scraps to take into account for the 1/4 inch seams.
  3. Take a photo of the layout to use while you sew.laypout_block_pieces
  4. When laying your pieces out try to take into consideration the construction of the block, you want areas that can act as straight lines.
    Construction_Improv_Blocks
  5. Cut some white 3/4 inch sashing strips (Kona White). Based on your smaller quadrants you, take one blue piece and sew some sashing on one side. Trim. Take the next neighboring blue piece and sew to the other side of the sashing. Add sashing along your next side. Here are 3 quadrants (A, B, C) and the numbers represent the order in which I added the piece/sashing. Please Press your seams open as you go (this helps with the bulk of the seams).
    Improv_Piecing_Steps_Example
  6. Repeat, until block is at the size you want and trim to square the block.

That’s it, the block is done. Let me know if you have any questions.

February finishes – March madness

7 Replies

I accomplished my main goal for February which was the Riley Blake Challenge quilt, so that is the first time (maybe the second) I actually made my “A lovely year of finishes” goal. Now, that is a big deal for me.

Here are how my other month goals feared. I think I had a really great month.

mosaic9588e0cdbff9bdccddaef3e1efd96c4461338437

  • Finish Riley Blake Challenge Quilt!!
    COMPLETE
  • Gypsy Wife QAL blocks
    UNDERWAY (THIS WEEK FINISH)
    GypsyWife_Feb_PinWheels
  • Scrap-bee-licious Bee Blocks
    NO BLOCKS FOR THIS MONTH, the request was just to make something you enjoy…UNDERWAY
  • Stash Bee Blocks
    COMPLETE (THIS WEEK FINISH)
  • Book Review Tuesday Project
    COMPLETE (THIS WEEK FINISH)
  • Publish Tapa Cloth Stars Paper Piecing Pattern
    PATTERN NEEDS MORE WORK, my initial testing will be completed this weekend.
  • X & + Quilt (at least 20 blocks)
    No progress
  • Pillow Pop QAL (threadbias)
    Did not do this month

For my March goals, my focus will be on the X & + Quilt top. The great news if I complete the majority of my list I will have clean design boards….I can start new projects!!
X+Blocks

OLD PLAN NEW PLAN
  • Four Seasons in One Day
    Baby Quilt (one without buttons)
    (Fabric TBD)
  • SECRET PROJECT 1
    (Fabric Purchased – Grey Kona Solids)
  • Scrap-bee-licious Bee Blocks
    (Use Stash)
  • Stash Bee Tutorial
    (Use Stash)
  • Pillow Pop QAL (threadbias)
    (Use Stash)
  • X & + Quilt (complete top)
    (Fabric Purchased,
    including backing)
  • Finish Pantone Challenge Quilt
    (Project needs quilting + Binding)
  • Gypsy Wife QAL blocks
    (Fabric Purchased)
  • Scrap-bee-licious Bee Blocks
    (Use Stash)
  • Stash Bee Blocks
    (Post Tutorial for this months blocks)
  • Pillow Pop QAL (threadbias)
    (Use Stash)
  • Book Review Tuesday Projects
    (Use Stash)
  • Finish Tapa Cloth Stars Paper Piecing Pattern testing
    (Use Stash)

Linking up with “A Lovely Year of Finishes” (see button on right) and Amanda Jean’s Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts.

I am also joining in the 30/30 Challenge, and hope I can make X & + block per day to meet my March goal. This way I might be able to cut some of the TV, I have been watching and stop “laying like broccoli” (vegg’ing).

Berry Barn Designs