Tamarinis

A Quilter's Alphabet: H

Hera Marker

I know, I know - a hera marker?  If you are a paper crafter, you may be familiar with a bone folder.  A hera marker is the fabric version.  It is a hard molded plastic hand tool with a rounded edge.  

Use the hera marker for making creases in fabric to mark, for example, when making half square triangles, or when stitching strips together for binding or borders.

Draw straight or gentle curves on a sandwiched quilt top to mark your quilting lines.  It really is a very useful tool that doesn't look like much, but performs its task wonderfully!

Hourglass

An hourglass block is another name for the quarter square triangle (QST) block (we explored that a few weeks ago in the Exploring the Basics series - see it here).  It is made up of four equal quarter triangles - and mimics the shape of an hourglass, especially when the opposing quarter triangles are the same color or a similar color, as shown above.  (This picture is from my Monkey Bread quilt, and serves as the center medallion of the quilt!)

Visit Kate's blog to get her definition of half square triangle and hanging sleeve, our other "H" term.

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!

Exploring the Basics: The V Block

Some call it Peaky and Spike.  Some call it V Block.  Some call it difficult to piece.  No matter what you CALL it, I want to show you how very easy it can be to piece this versatile unit that creates beautiful star points and interesting blocks.

I have two different tools in my arsenal to approach making this unit - an oldie but a goodie template set from Darlene Zimmerman, and a VBlock tool from Studio 180.  

Let's talk templates first.  Templates designed for use with rotary cutters are awesome.  They simplify cutting with your rotary cutter, which definitely speeds up the process.  Many of the template sets (several folks produce templates similar to the set by Darlene pictured above) offer you a variety of sizes, which is great.  But one drawback, from my perspective, is that I have to be very accurate in my placement of pieces when sewing to ensure I get an accurate block in the end.  Doable - but somewhat stressful.

Enter the VBlock tool from Studio 180.  In many ways, it mirrors the template set.  I can cut my pieces to shape and size using my rotary cutter very quickly.  But....as with many of the Studio 180 tools, the units are oversized and trimmed to the correct dimensions at the end - which is awesome!   Let's look at the steps to make this happen!

VBlock - Step One

As with many of the Studio 180 tools, you will begin with strips - one for the center of the V Block, and one for the side triangles.  

What size strips do you cut?  The size of the final unit will determine the width of the strips, and the sizes are indicated on the right (angled) side of the tool.

VBlock - Step Two

To cut the center triangle, the center unit strip is folded slightly larger than needed for the cut, and the fold is placed on the "Fold" line.  The first cut is made along the angled right edge.

To cut additional center triangles (not shown), flip the strip set top to bottom (for right handers - opposite for lefties) and then use the triangle shape to line up and cut the additional center triangles.  If you look closely at the picture above, you can see part of the triangle shape I'm referring to at the top of the tool.

V Block Step Three

Using the side unit strip, line the trimmed edge of the strip set with the bold line marked "Cut Line for Side Triangles" and again cut along the angled right edge.  The biggest differences - no folding the fabric, and the line is a bit further to the left.

V Block Step Four

If you cut your side units with your fabric doubled (right sides together or wrong sides together), you'll end up with mirror image side units, which is perfect.  Lay out your pieces as shown so you can be clear on how the pieces will fit together.  Trust me - this step IS a step and will help you get your most accurate blocks possible!

V Block Step Five

With right sides together, line up one side unit (it doesn't matter if you begin with the left side or the right side) with one side of the center triangle.  Nope - you don't have to center or adjust.  If you match up raw edge to raw edge, you'll be just fine!

Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Be careful not to stretch or pull as you are sewing, as these edges are bias!  Press to the outside unit.

V Block Step Six

Repeat the process on the opposite side, and again press to the outside unit.

V Block Step Seven

Your unit is ALMOST done - almost.  While it looks pretty good, we now have to trim.  So if it's wonky - no worries!

Use the left side of the tool and line up the seam lines with the marked lines on the tool.  You'll trim the right and top (or left and top for lefties).

Then rotate the unit and again line up the peak seam lines with the appropriate hatch marks at the top of the tool and again trim right and top sides.  Notice that it is giving you the PERFECT 1/4" seam allowance on all four sides.  How amazing is that?!

The VBlock tool allows you to make 11 different sizes of V Block - all using the same step by step process I outlined for you above.  And yes, it really is THAT easy!  If you want your own VBlock tool, you can grab one here!

Head over to Kate's blog to get some additional ideas on the Peaky and Spike block as well.

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!

A Quilter's Alphabet: G

Grid:

I know what you're thinking...no, really, I do.  Grid?  Yup - grid.  As in one traditional layout for quilts is a grid layout.  Take a look at many of your favorite patterns.  I'll bet several of them are set in a grid format, such as five rows of four blocks across.

I explored this in great detail in my Exploring the Basics: Quilt Layout post.  Check out the quilt layout post here for more details on a Grid Layout.

Visit Kate's blog to get her definition of grain/grainline, our other "G" term.

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!

I Spy Block Hop

When Kimie and Missy invited folks to participate in the I Spy Blog Hop to celebrate their new book, I JUMPED at the chance!  I just have to say I absolutely adore this book and the concept behind it.  There are sooooo many cute blocks and so many options as to how to use them!

Here's the quilt - if you want to make every block in the book.  What a fun time that would be to play "I Spy" with your little ones and find all of the different motifs!

While I ADORE each and every block, I chose to make four blocks.  And if you've followed any of my other posts, you probably won't be surprised with what I did with them!

The first step was selecting WHICH blocks I wanted to make, and then selecting colors.  Another "no big surprise" - I decided to do each of my blocks in Island Batiks basics.  I love the bright boldness of the fabrics, and think batiks are PERFECTION on a stick for these small (4") blocks, allowing for crisp seams.

Side note: An awesome aspect of the book is that you don't have to futz with trying to make copies from the bound book.  Instead, you can go to the website and print off your patterns.  How cool is that?  I know!  LOVE it!

I am gifting my project to my nature loving, outdoor focused daughter and her family - so I selected the tent, the campfire, the tree and the mountains.  Full disclosure - there isn't a mountain block.  But I felt the group needed mountains, so I used the Crown pattern and just eliminated the "jewel" portion of the pattern.

Here is the tent block before quilting.  I love the dimensional effect of the tent flaps folded back!  

My next step for each of the blocks was to layer them with batting and do some simple straight line quilting to accent the seam lines.

Then I added a solid border around each block (yes, only the tent has the border in the above picture).  Stick with me - you'll see why I added the large border next.  But already the little grouping is looking amazing.  Aren't they just too stinkin' cute?

Each of my little blocks will become wall art, wrapped around blank canvases.  Ah.....now you see why I quilted them first, then added borders.  

Note: if you want to do something similar, add a generous border that will allow you to wrap around the sides of the canvas and onto the back of the canvas.

I used a staple gun to secure my edges.  If you are doing the same, take your time.  Make sure your block stays centered on the canvas, and pull your edges smooth and tight.  I worked with the left and right sides first, then folded the corners (much like wrapping a present) and then stapled the top and bottom.  I even use a hammer once I'm done to pound the staples in just a bit more so the back is as smooth as possible.

But wait - there's more!  My daughter wants to use these as holiday decorations, so I added some ornaments designed for miniature Christmas trees.  Yes, it is a bit tricky to add these on AFTER they are stapled, but you really can't do it before you staple the backs because then the canvas can't lay flat.

Each block got a bit of embellishment.  The tree has - of course - a string of lights, the mountains have some fun snowflakes (buttons), and I added some fused felt to the center of the campfire flame.  I used quick drying clear craft glue to secure all but the lights.  I had to carefully stitch the light string down.  Use a long sharp needle if you choose to do any stitching after stapling!

Here's the finished results!  I'm super thrilled with the way they look!  So my question to you is - which block are you making first?

Want your very own copy?  The link to purchase the book is:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/877774105

There is a 10% off coupon for the I Spy book, good from Nov 30-Dec 16. Just use the code: ISPYBLOGHOP

Check out all of the other designers' blocks from the book:

November 30: http://www.onwilliamsstreet.com/blog

December 1: http://www.theclothparcel.com/blog

December 2: https://faithandfabricdesign.com/2020/11/blog-hop-i-spy-quilt.html

December 3: http://www.beaquilter.com

December 4: http://www.sarahgoerquilts.com

December 5: http://www.quiltsbyjoanne.blogspot.com

December 6: http://www.stitchedbysusan.com/stitchedbysusan.html

December 7: http://www.simonequilts.com

December 8: http://www.lovinglylissa.com

December 9: http://www.amararcreacions.com/en/blog/

December 10: http://www.orangeblossomquilt.com/blog

December 11: http://www.sliceofpiquilts.com

December 12: http://www.AlwaysExpectMoore.com

December 13: tamarinis.typepad.com

December 14: http://www.gogokim.com

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!

 

 

Exploring the Basics: The Split Rects Block

The versatile Half Square Triangle (HST) is a basic in quilting units - and I explored my love affair with HSTs here.  But what is a fun variation on this amazing unit?  The split rectangle!

As I've done with several other units, I'm going to walk you through making this unit using a Studio 180 tool, the Split Rect tool.

Split Rectangle Step One

Like the rest of the Studio 180 tools, the Split Rect tool will enable you to make multiple sizes of the the Split Rectangle unit.  The tool comes with detailed instructions on cutting and trimming, and like many of the tools, has you begin with strips.  One strip will be the left side of the unit, while the other strip will be the right side of the unit.  So Step One is to cut and layer your strip sets, either right sides together or wrong sides together, so you will be able to cut mirror image units.

Split Rectangle Step Two

Using the right side of the tool, you'll line up the trimmed raw edges of the strips with the line marked (conveniently) Cut Edge of Strip, and the bottom of the strip with the appropriate size unit line.  You'll then cut along the angled right side.  You'll then continue along the strip sets, rotating the strip set as you go.

Split Rectangle Step Three

To make the split rectangle units, pair the left and right side cuts.  Notice that you can create a unit that angles from top right to bottom left or a unit that angles from top left to bottom right.  Depending upon your design, you might want all left angling or all right angling units, or you might want a mix of both.

Split Rectangle Step Four

Your next step is standard for most piecing.  Match up the angled cut sides, right sides together, and center the edges.  Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Split Rectangle Step Five

Press the seams open - trust me, press them open.  Your units will be nice and flat and easy to trim down.  Right now they are oversized, which is intentional.  This removes the stress of lining up the pieces when sewing and allows for practically perfect blocks every time!

Split Rectangle Step Six

Using the opposite side of the Split Rects took, line up the angled line with the seam line and the appropriate size unit and trim the top and right (for right handed folks - lefties will trim left and top).  As with HST units, you'll rotate the block and line up again to trim the remaining two sides.

When trimmed, your Split Rects units will look like this.  No, the seam does NOT go corner to corner.  Because of the angle, it needs to come in approximately 1/4" to allow for the seam allowance.  Looks easy, right?  It is!  So how can this unit be used?  

The split rects unit is the main unit in my quilt Spark.  Some simple sashing and partial seams, plus unique color placement, create a faux border and two color diamonds.  And yes, you can find this pattern, plus a whole lot more, on my website if you are super excited to try making some split rects units!

Head over to Kate's blog to get some additional ideas on the split rects block as well.

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!

 

Just My Type Blog Hop

My newest fabric line, Just My Type, is shipping to stores now (hey if you are a quilt shop, it's not too late - you can still order!!!).  And some of my quilty pals loved the line sooooo much they stitched up some stunning quilts using the fabrics.  Wanna see?

Here's the fabric.  Fun, right?!  I know.  I'm having a hard time picking my favorite (ok, they are ALL my favorites!).  Which is YOUR favorite?  Hard to choose!

Ok enough of that - let's move on to the REAL eye candy - the amazing quilts! I stitched up two different quilts using Just My Type - Boundaries and Luminous.

Boundaries is a fun, stress free quilt.  Why is it called Boundaries.  Well, you may THINK you know where the boundary between one block and another lies, but you might be surprised!  Fabric placement helps blur the line between block and background!  You can find Boundaries here on my website, if you want to stitch up your own version.

And then there's Luminous.  This is the latest Block of The Month design from the collaboration with the fabulous Kate Colleran of Seams Like A Dream.  Yes, she made one too - in a different fabric line.

I love how the fun prints of Just My Type (typewriter keys, coffee cups, letters) all still work to create a dynamic galaxy of stars.  Kate and I had a blast playing around with different star blocks, and switching up value placement to give different effects with each version.  The original layout is engaging, and keeps the eye moving around the quilt.

Several shops are running a BOM program, so check with your local shop to see if they are offering it.  If not, you can grab a copy of Luminous in my Pattern shop (of course!).

So enough about me - what about the other designers/

You are going to want to visit each of their blogs and websites to see not only the amazing Just My Type projects, but also all of their other amazing work.

 

December 7 Tammy Silvers, Tamarinis https://tamainis.typepad.com

December 8 Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations https://curlicuecreations.blogspot.com/

December 9 Shayla & Kristy Wolf, Sassafras Lane https://sassafras-lane.com/blogs/news

December 10 Kris Poor, Poorhouse Quilt Designs https://www.poorhousequiltdesigns.com/blog

December 10 Swan Sheridan, Swan Amity  www.swanamity.com/blog

December 11 Kate Colleran, Seams Like a Dream seamslikeadream.com/blog

December 11 Annie, ByAnnie  https://www.byannie.com/byannie-blog

December 11 Tammy Silvers, Tamarinis (roundup post)

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!

 

Hope Quilts Blog Hop: To the Right

What a year.  Every year has its challenges, but this year.....well, I think most of us are feeling more than just a bit challenged.  It is this sense of overwhelm that inspired Sarah Marcina of Quilted Diary to not only host the Quilts of Hope Blog Hop, but also an inspirational quilt along in the new year (more on that below).

My quilt of hope is a personal favorite. And it comes, of course, with a personal story.  Like most parents, my children are the center of my world (and now my grandchildren too!).  When my youngest, my daughter, left for college, I told myself I was ready.  I had prepared myself.  I had done the usual "Mom things".  We shopped for dorm supplies and fun new bedding.  We packed and we packed.  We planned.  Sure - I was ready.  It was time for the fledgling to leave the nest.

Those of you that have already been through this probably know what happened next.  I was NOT ready.  When my older son left, my daughter was still at home.  The house wasn't empty.  She still had friends dropping by.  We still had dinner around the table, fights over homework, and laughing over silly games.  And then....she was gone.  Not far - but not close.

 

When my son left, my world shifted to focus on my daughter.  When my daughter left, I had to find a new center, a new focus.  To the Right is the result of that shift, of that process of working through a change in my life.  All of this sounds very dramatic.  I know - she was just going to college.  She didn't move to Mars.  But there was still a shift in my universe, and my focus, my center shifted - to the right.  

I love looking at this quilt, hanging over the hutch in the dining room.  It is a lovely reminder that centered is relative, and it's completely ok to live life a little to one side.

And yes, if you want to make your own version, you can find To the Right in my pattern shop!

Take a look at my fellow quilt designers' hope quilts. As with mine, each one has a special story.

As to the quilt along, you can purchase the pattern at www.quilted-diary.com/shop-1. Only when purchased in December you receive special offers exceeding a total of $150. Fabric Kits are available by Christa Quilts.

Visit the other designers' quilts of hope here:

December 1- Sarah Marcina (The Quilted Diary)

December 2 - Charisma Horton (Charisma's Corner)

December 3 - Jen Frost (Faith & Fabric)

December 4 - Terri Vanden Bosch (Lizard Creek Quilting)

December 5 - Tammy Silvers (Tamarinis)

December 7 - Carolyn Burgess (Applique Quilts and More)

December 8 - Jo Westfoot (The Crafty Nomad)

December 9 - Lisa Ruble (Love to Color My World)

December 11- Laura Strickland (Orange Blossom Quilt)

December 15- Kris Driessen (Phoebe Moon Designs)

December 17- Teresa Weaver (Sewing Friend News)

December 18- Kate Colleran (Dreaming in Color)

December 21- Alyce Blyth (Blossom Heart Quilts)

December 22- Jen Frost (Faith & Fabric)

December 24- Sarah Marcina (The Quilted Diary)

December 26- Becca Fenstermaker (Pretty Piney Quilts)

December 30- Kathryn LeBlanc (Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio)

December 31- Sarah Marcina (The Quilted Diary)

 

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!

A Quilter's Alphabet: F

 

Feed Dogs

You hear the term, but you might be asking "what do dogs and feeding have to do with sewing?"  Feed dogs are those little teeth under your presser foot on your sewing machine.  They act to pull the fabric forward away from you, and the rate they move back and forth is what sets your stitch length.

Lower your feed dogs, and tada - no stitch length control.  No pulling the fabric forward - which means YOU have complete control over how much your fabric moves and in which direction.  Most often, feed dogs are lower when doing free motion quilting.

 

Finished Block Size

The finished block size is the size of the block minus seam allowances, or the size the block is once sewn into a quilt.  For example, an unfinished block that measures 6 1/2" from raw edge to raw edge will be 6" finished (assuming a 1/4" seam allowance).  6 1/2" - 1/4" on each side (left side, right side, top bottom) = 6".

 

Flip and Stitch

What?  Ok - it's me - this should actually be "stitch and flip".  But my brain apparently thinks of it backward, and I often refer to it as flip and stitch (which technically makes NO sense!). This technique refers to the process of stitching a unit to another unit, and then flipping (or folding back) the unit.  This is most commonly done in blocks such as flying geese and snowball blocks.  To get a more in depth look at making flying geese, visit my earlier Exploring the Basics post on Flying Geese.

The flowers in Mary's Contrary Garden (above) are done using stitch and flip (or as I like to call it, flip and stitch).  See more on the stitch and flip method in my earlier blog post here, as part of the Exploring the Basics series.

 

Foundation Piecing

Ok, pretty much like it sounds - you are piecing on a foundation.  This could be paper piecing - stitching on a paper foundation that is marked with the sewing lines.  This allows the quilter to piece intricate shapes and odd angles with minimal fuss.  With paper piecing, the paper is removed after the block is pieced.  Take a look at Solstice, above.  All of those intricate blocks are made possible by paper piecing (piecing on a paper foundation).

Foundation piecing can also be done with another fabric as your foundation.  Often, crazy quilts are pieced on a muslin foundation to help secure and stabilize the variety of fabrics used.  Traditional crazy quilts often used silks, satins, velvets and brocades, and were then embellished.  The muslin foundation helped stabilize the variety of fabrics and made the blocks easier to work with.

 

Fussy Cutting

Fussy cutting is the process of cutting a specific motif or element of a fabric for a specific effect.  In the picture above from Lovely Woods, a repeating row print is fussy cut for the alternate rows in the quilt as well as for the mitered borders.  Fussy cutting can add additional interest or give a simple quilt a more complex look.

 

Visit Kate's blog to get definitions of other "F" terms: fat eights, fat quarters, finger pressing, flying geese, and freezer paper.

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!