Steps

Showing off Steps, my third and final strip quilt from Strip Savvy, (affiliate link).

Simple, yet outstanding. How have I not made one of these before??? And once again, Kate does a great job on her pattern instructions, making this a quick strip quilt to put together.

                                                  Strip Savvy

As for the quilting, I liked what Kate had used on this quilt in the book - simple straight line stitching. 

Using a dark turquoise thread, the quilting is in the ditch along each side and in the middle of the vertical pieces. This makes for 1 inch spacing.

Do you realize how easy this quilting would be to accomplish on a domestic machine, especially with the help of a walking foot? Easy and effective - a win-win!

As for the backing, I chose an older, more subdued print, which works great with the front,

because it has the perfect color scheme - lucky me!

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the Strip Savvy (affiliate link) book, and wish I had more time to make another. I have a lot of projects and blog hops for September, making this a very busy time for me. But I highly suggest this book as a great resource for strip quilt patterns, deserving of a place on the shelf.

Happy Quilting!

Stitching Basics: Quilting Square Corners

Today we're going to revisit the quilting on the smaller Open Sesame quilt.

The modern, rectangular pantograph, Contempo, was stitched using a laser from the backside of the machine. No rulers, no computer. Just follow the red dot on the pattern, plain and simple.

But not so simple if the quilter hasn't learned the basic quilting skill of the hesitation or pause needed to achieve a square corner.

Let me explain, as this is an important skill for use on both domestic machines and longarms. 

When quilting, and the stitching changes direction either at a corner or a point, the quilter needs to pause or almost stop to allow the needle/machine to prepare for the change. It's the hesitation, or pause at that corner or point, that allows the needle to catch up, and slow down for the change. That little pause is the secret to having square corners and sharp points.

Here's a video of the square corners being stitched out by a longarm. There is no music so that you can hear the machine motor pausing at the corners. Be prepared to adjust the volume, as longarms can be noisy.

Stitching Basics:  Quilting Square Corners

Did you see and hear the pauses? That's the skill that a quilter needs develop in order to get square points and sharp points.

Take a look at this stitching again.

For the most part, the corners are square, not rounded as they would be if there were no pause. Now, if this was a show quilt, that needle would be coming to a full stop right at the corner to achieve a perfect right angle stitch line. That's the next level to achieve.

But for everyday quilting, working on the basic skill of pausing at corners or points will improve the looks your quilting immensely - just another helpful tip for the quilting toolbox!

Happy Quilting!

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Small Open Sesame

Showing off strip quilt #2, from the Strip Savvy (affiliate link) book today!

Open Sesame is the pattern this time, 

and once again, I made a smaller, baby size version, with no borders. It's the same fabrics as Summer Picnic, because I still had plenty of strips/fabric left. So why not use it up and make this quilt another in a series?

But wanting a change, this quilt bucks the solid white fabric trend by using Kona Green Tea instead. 

The switch adds a fun bit personality to the pattern!

Granted, these are pretty simple half log cabin blocks, but when arranged the way they are, the quilt takes on a modern feel. And the angular nature of the design warrants an modern, angular quilting pattern.

So for this quilt, I chose the Contempo pantograph, a very modern, techno looking design. Along with bright Glide Neon Green thread, 

this quilt is a knockout! If you're looking to improve your quilting skills, check out my video tutorial on how to quilt square corners.

The back is a bit more playful, 

cause I couldn't resist the dancing green frogs!

Someone told me once that the frogs represent square dancing - has anyone else heard this? The way they're dancing around, I guess it could be true!

Can you tell I'm having a good time making quilts from the Strip Savvy (affiliate link) book? Clear instructions, lots of patterns, plus pattern variations - there's so much to choose from. What to make next?

Happy Quilting!