Doll Quilt Swap 10, the thrid

 

I had this fun idea for a Doll Quilt Swap Quilt.  Its little, its hexagons, and its bright blue + Art Gallery Fabrics + USAF uniform. It was just a matter of time before I got those fun USAF hexagons into a modern design.

I think making these small quilted items are just so fast and quick.  (Once those crazy hexagons are prepared.) They use up fabric scraps, let you try different quilting methods and finish up quickly.  This doll quilt is very jen-centric.  It has Art Gallery Fabrics + USAF hexies + pale blue.  I might keep this one, too.

Man, I'm not a very good swapper if I want to keep everything!  HA!  Ok, but honestly, the blue background in this doll quilt is broadcloth (50% poly/50% cotton) so that means I'm not allowed to swap it since it's not 100% cotton.  Shame.... 

Get your own 1 1/2" hexagon paper for English Paper Piecing, here.

Doll Quilt Swap 10, the thrid

Quilt Guild Challenge

The local traditional guild hosted a challenge.
We picked up fabrics in November.
Well, they are due this week.

• The challenge had to incorporate the orange or green (highlighted below).  A piece of brown and a piece of beige.  When you purchased your challenge bundle, you received either a green or orange- I sat next to a lady who received the color opposite myself, so we half'd our pieces and incorporated both.  
• The challenge also had a to have 4" diameter (or larger) circle in the design.
• We had to make our finished quilt under a certain size so that the collection of quilts could be considered for the AQS Knoxville Guild Challenge.
• You aren't supposed to show anyone your quilt 'til its actually due.

I was able to use only fabrics from my own stash to complete the top.  Isn't it just wonderful that I have all sorts of funky colored stuff hoarded away?  hahaha.

I think there will be a fair amount of entrants.  Once all the designs are collected, there's some kind of vote or committe to see who will make it to the Knoxville round.  Though I love love my quilt, I know the ladies in our guild are crazy-talented.  We'll see if it makes the cut.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  =)

I free motion quilted the quilt (which I guess I didn't snap a photo of that) and the binding is brown and beige, with each color lining up with the opposite one around the edge.  (yep, no pic.)

I'll keep you posted.

Quilt Guild Challenge

Fractured Background Quilt Block Tutorial

With the popularity of my Modern Hexagon Quilt over on flickr, I thought it might be a fun tutorial to show you how I made that fractured background.  This tutorial will give you the how-to basics.  We'll make one block, using the same ideas as the larger fractured background.

For the larger quilt background, I used strips of varying cut widths all cut from selvage to selvage. So my strip set was 42" wide x about 55" or so.

This tutorial will use shorter strips cut between 2" - 3" wide. These are old "binding scraps" that I had in my scrap bin.

Step 1.  Stitch your strips together and press them with starch.  

Step2.  Fold one end over, matching right sides. This fold is about 4" or so.  Make sure this fold is NOT square or neat or tidy.  Just fold it.  You can see in the photo (above) how the cutting mat grid lines are un-even along the top folded edge.

Step 3.  Use a rotary cutter + ruler to cut off the actual fold.  Trim it very narrowly, removing just the folded edge.  If you are making a much larger background, just use scissors to cut along the fold line.

 Step 4.  Keeping everything in place, pull the newly cut piece slightly towards the right of left.  This will "off set" the stripes for the fractured look.

Step 5.Use a 1/4" seam allowance to stitch the two pieces back together.

Step 6.  Open the seam and press.  Its totally ok that everything is turning out uneven.

Step 7.  Fold the strips onto themselves again. This time, try to angle your fold in the opposite direction as your first fold.  -Though really, it doesn't matter, this method is intended to yield a haphazard looking fracture.

 Step 8.  Cut off the new fold again, give it a gentle pull to either the right or left sides to off-set the strips, and stitch the pieces together.  Once its stitched, open and press.

You can repeat these steps for as many folds/fractures as you like.

Step 9.  You will now have a very jagged mess.  AWESOME!  The next step is to simply square it up.  If you are making a block, you'll want to decided on some size that fits into your design.  If you are making a large quilt background, in my case with the Modern Hexagon Quilt, I tried to make the background as large as I possibly could.

Finishing up:  For this tutorial, the quilt block ended up being cut to 9 1/2" square. I then took the 9 1/2" square to good 'old photoshop to generate a fractured quilt block quilt.  Of course, if you really use this technique to make a series of blocks, each of the blocks would be different because the folds are done randomly.  But here's an idea of how it might look:

*Fabric used in this tutorial are Black-Ikea Sheet, Pink- Nicey Jane by Free Spirit, Red- South African Schwe Schwe.

This block is listed/entered in the Quilt Story Block Party! 

 

Fractured Background Quilt Block Tutorial

Doll Quilt Swap 10

 

Ok, this is my first brain storm for the Doll Quilt Swap 10 going on over on flickr.  I have a grand plan for the quilting, which will make the white space, not soooooooo white.  I'm not sure that this is the quilt that will make it to my partner.  My secret partner has some very specific requests, so I think if I post the final design- she'll totally figure out its hers.  But for now, lets just take a look at this little one.

Unfortunately, this quilt busts the size requirements by 1".  Its 18" x 25".  ((Hey Partner, is that a deal breaker???))  The color blocks are from a Kona Solids Charm pack.  Well, they are some scant leftovers from a charm pack- which I used for something else.  Each square is 2" square.  The white fabric is linen.

 With a little help from some of the ladies in the Wichita Modern Quilt Guild, I ended up machine quilting straight lines onto the design, and adding matching color DMC floss for additional hand quilting.  It has a neat effect.

 Last step is the binding- which I think will be white linen.  Stay tuned.

Doll Quilt Swap 10

Mug Rug- English Paper Piecing

At our Modern Quilt Guild meeting for January we had one of our members, Sheri, demonstrated English Paper Piecing.  With Hexagons being all the rage, it went over very well.  I love that "what's old is new again." 

 

One thing I never considered was all the many shapes you can use English Paper Piecing techniques on.  Its not just for hexies any more!  Sheri was kind enough to make up a hands-on kit for everyone to give the method a try at the meeting.  She provided all of us with a 6 pointed star, based on a diamond shape.

I went home and blasted out my diamond block.  The points were a bit tricky, but not unmanageable.  I then brainstormed a bit for what my small star should become.  In the end... I went with MUG RUG!  Its quite masculine, for what it is.  I have to say, though, I have yet to see my husband ever grab a biscotti to snack on with this morning coffee.  Even though it seems a little more man-ish, this might be my gift for the Wichita Modern Quilt Guild's next Secret Sister Swap.

Mug Rug- English Paper Piecing

Doll Swap 10

I can't tell you how excited I am about getting into the Doll Swap 10.  I know, that is probably a crazy thing to be excited about.... but who cares!  I'll show the progress and share the stories as I go.  Stay tuned!

Doll Swap 10

Wichita Modern Quilt Guild Secret Sister Swap

Whooo, that title is quite a mouthful!  Thank goodness I'm only typing it and not actually saying it, right?

Our Wichita chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild is going strong.  We are adding fun elements to the guild it seems, every meeting.  I'm LOVING it.  Back in November we did a name draw to get a "secret sister".  Then we each filled out a likes/dislikes sheet.  The information was shared with the group and we are to make something quilt-y/fabric-y based on the our sister's likes and dislikes.  As it turns out my secret sister and myself have very different likes and complete opposite dislikes.

In the end I went with a quilted word banner loosely based on the Word Play Quilts by Tonya Ricucci.  I followed her blog for about 3 years now, off and on.  She used to have the letters on her blog as tutorials.  I don't quite remember how to make them all and I'm pining away for the actual book.  My birthday is right around the corner (cough cough).  In fact, you only have 7 months and 2 days of shopping 'til the big day is here. (cough cough cough).

The fabric in my QuiLT banner is Art Gallery Fabrics + some white from a discount chain.  Whenever I'm fortunate enough to work with a fabric company, I find myself hoarding all the small pieces of fabric that didn't make into their projects.  Smaller scraps like this totally worked out for Tonya's letter technique.

The free motion flowers, quilted in this design, were made using this tutorial on the ReannaLily Designs Tutorial page.

Hopefully my secret sister likes the quilted banner for her studio.  I am also giving her a little pin cushion. 

Wichita Modern Quilt Guild Secret Sister Swap

Modern Hexagon Quilt

 (click image to enlarge)

Drum roll please....  This is the most hexagons I've ever made!!!  Yes, I realize its not all that many in the grand scheme of things, but who doesn't love a good drum roll?

I took a little lap table on a road trip over Thanksgiving and was able to do the English Paper Piecing prep work in the car.  All the hexies are Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey.

Of course, when I saw my (cough cough) amazing stack of hexagons I then had to start planning my quilt.  Would it be huge?  Would it take long to hand piece?  Would it look as unreal as the Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts I had seen before?  So many question, so few hexagons.  Um.  28 to be exact.  Dangit.

I decided to bail out on all that jazz and make my quilt way more modern.  I used 6 long strips of fabric for the background, then I did this cool "fractured" technique to them.  Once I had the background ready, I was able to place my hexagons.

I lined them up 1" apart.  I tried to be as consistent as I possibly could, but you know total perfectionism is a bit over-rated.

So the top was finished.  I had scattered hexies and a fun background.  Once I had it all squared up, I needed a quilting plan.  I wanted to quilt something modern to match the modern feel of the top... but most of the modern quilts I've seen are meandered or straight line quilted.  This quilt was WAY too angular for meandering.  Straight lines were not going to work since the background had no straight line to follow...er...wait... then it hit me- I'll follow the HEXAGON lines to get a cool argyle-esque straight line design.  I marked the whole top with water soluble pen and busted out the walking foot.  I used variegated grey/smoke/white quilting thread.

I've already washed the quilt and it does have a bit of shrinkle going on.  Shrinkle?  You know, when the quilt SHRINKS and CRINKLES.  Mmmm.... shrinkle.

After I take this to our Traditional Quilt Guild next Tuesday, I'm dropping it in the mail to my favorite friend who LOVES pink + red together.  It will look great on those stroller walks.

Modern Hexagon Quilt

McCall's Quick Quilts Feb/Mar

Guess who is going to be in McCall's Quick Quilts Feb/Mar 2011?

ME!

I have a great little snuggle quilt pattern in there. In fact, its called Home Front Snuggler. Its a fast pattern, fat quarter compatible, and finishes at 60" square. Its the perfect size for the couch- specifically, for the kids cuddling up to you this winter on the couch. Kids don't necessarily understand deployment, but hopefully this will bring them a little closer to their loved one while they are apart. Thank you for serving!

"This soft lap quilt provides a bit of comfort while a parent's deployed." McCall's Quick Quilts Feb/Mar 2011.


I'm so thrilled that its also a recycled military uniform pattern. One lovely BDU has a new life in this family pass-down quilt.

(Image above from McCall's Quick Quilting website)

You'll see this in the article- The quilt is quilted with the free motion flowers. Its really an easy technique and great alternative to meandering. Give it a try.

*Fabrics in the quilt are Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey + US Gov't

And that's not all...

McCall's Quick Quilts is the first publication to break the biggest business related secret I've ever kept. Are you sitting down? In fact, we've only scratched the surface of the secret but check out this Designer Information section (from the magazine)

"Jen Eskridge is a quilt designer, author, and teacher. Look for her upcoming book from C&T Publishing at your local quilt store or visit her website, reannalilydesigns.com."

Yep- you read that right!!! That's all I can tell you for now. And yes, I'm so happy I might explode. More details will emerge as we get closer to the release date. You totally have to subscribe to the blog or sign up for the newsletter (on the right side bar over there) so you don't miss a bit of the journey.

McCall's Quick Quilts Feb/Mar

New Projects

I'm working on a new project set to appear in a magazine next summer. ~hence the blog neglect~ I can't tell you too much in advance, but just know with a pallet like this, (Dreaming in French by Art Gallery Fabrics) its going to be just lovely!

Stay tuned, or subscribe, to find out the whats and whens of this new project.

New Projects

City Blooms Charm Quilt

I finally dipped into another charm pack. This charm pack is called City Blooms by Benartex and is a bit older. I bought it a couple markets ago. The quilt went together really quickly with the help of the Seamingly Accurate Seam Guide for my half square triangles and the AccuQuilt GO! cutting system for the additional 5" white/off-white squares.

I framed the quilt with a tiny 1/2" wide pink frame then a 2 1/2" wide black frame. Its a pretty small quilt, but I like it just the same.

Now I'm off to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday thinking up a way to quilt this little guy. Happy Thanksgiving to y'all!

City Blooms Charm Quilt

T-Shirt Quilt

My friend wanted to make a t-shirt quilt from her decade of Old Navy Flag Tee's. What a great idea right?! She has 1999 all the way to 2009. There are a total of 12 blocks, with one blank one for her to write/embroider names of her family members. She and I got together every Wednesday with the help of her cute little 14 mos old daughter to make this little beauty. We interfaced all the logo areas with lightweight fusible interfacing. The blocks are all cut to 12 1/2" with a 2" (finished) sashing. We'll be building the back very soon from extra border + sashing fabrics. This is the second quilt she's ever made and I think its turning out awesome.

T-Shirt Quilt

Wonky Hex Quilt ala Log Cabin Style

And we're officially back to the regular sewing and quilting posts. I hope you enjoyed the market/festival {Houston 2010} recaps.
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I was dreaming up this HEX-based quilt block using the Wonky Log Cabin construction method on Tall Grass Prairie's blog. I suppose it only loosely follows the Wonky Log Cabin tutorial, but in my mind it totally works.
And as you know, I sew a bit with military uniforms. This USAF block/design goes out to my sweet hubbs, who recently washed his uniforms with a PEN in the shirt pocket. This particular block isn't made from his, but its only a matter of time.

I made the small quilt out of blue + white fabric scraps, United States Air Force military uniform (ABU) and an IKEA white cotton sheet. The whole thing, as its pictured, measures about 24" square. The military fabric center hexagon is 3" on one side. I then improvise-pieced the fabric around the center hex so that they'd measure 3 1/2" from the first hex seam. {{see the picture below}} The large pieced hexagon is about 12" tall from one parallel side to the other. And about 7" long on each side.

It follows the tutorial in that you add a piece or two of fabric, then trim. Then add some more and trim. The main thing that, I think, keeps this looking like a Wonky Log Cabin style Hexagon, rather than a traditional crazy quilt is (1) color (2) setting and (3) keeping the outer edges parallel to the original starting hex.

Once the hex block was "big enough" (read: running out of blue scraps) I pressed all the edges 1/4" folded towards the wrong side. Then I machine appliqued the hex to a 15 1/2" plain white block.
Sure, I still need to quilt it, but I was so excited to share it with you, I just couldn't wait.

As the wheels are turning, I'm thinking it'd be super fun to do a whole rainbow block quilt where each Wonky Hex was from one color family... but I'm already low on blue scraps, so who knows how this will shake down. =)

Thank goodness for Photoshop (or EQ7) to test the ideas, right.

If you like little hexies projects, stay tuned because after Thanksgiving, I've got a fun QUICK 3-pack of tutorials for you.

If you make it, feel free to share it in the ReannaLily Designs Flickr pool.

Wonky Hex Quilt ala Log Cabin Style

Blogger's Quilt Festival- Nod to the Amish

My bff moved to Pittsburgh! I assembled a couch quilt for her. Its just the right size for her and her hubbs to watch tv on the couch, snuggled- of course. The Amish themed quilt blocks were made by the super great ladies of the Southwest (Altus) Oklahoma Quilt Guild for a block of the month. That month, I totally won!!! And yeh, it was a WHILE ago. But if you save something long enough... you'll find the perfect end use for it. Hum... I think that would fit really well on the Hoarders show.

Anywhoo- I did get around to adding 12 blocks into an nice on-point design and I've sent it off to my mom to be quilted. The quilt should be completely finished by her birthday in mid-December.

So its a little cliche- send an Amish style quilt block to a girl that moved to Pennsylvania- but who cares. I'm not one to get all caught up in "proper" gift giving themes and all.

This is also my entry for the Blogger's Quilt Festival hosted over on Amy's Creative Side.

Updated to add- I'm actually at quilt market, so if you want to see some of the latest goings-on, check out the ReannaLily Designs Facebook Page.

Blogger's Quilt Festival- Nod to the Amish

WMQG Swap

We had about 50% of the group participate in the small quilt swap. Man, that was fun! I can show you my finished mini quilt now.


Its Amy Butler and Michael Miller (I think the green is Michael Miller) And the requirement was to applique a circle. So I added 3 circles, sort-of. The one is cut in half. My favorite part of my design is the quilting though. I made pebbles in the green section and lines through the blue section.

Now let me show you the awesome little beauty that I got to take home!

LOVE the colors. Its about 15" square. Echo quilting and everything. Its just perfect! Thanks KERRI!!!!

WMQG Swap