One Piece at a Time

How I get stuff done...

Many of you have written to me over the last few years and asked how I get so much stuff done. Actually I don’t get as much done as you think but I do have a little trick...it’s the name of my blog, One Piece at a Time. When I was trying to come up with a name for my pattern company my friend Amy M. said “If I was ever going to try one of your quilts I would have to remind myself, just one piece at a time”. It’s actually a very good mantra for quilting. Well, I’ve started to share some pictures lately of my newest quilt in progress, so I though I would give you a glimpse of my current work space.

(this little ironing surface is always set up, which helps)

I know that completing a big applique project seems really intimidating to most people. It’s a little intimidating for me too, i.e. that’s why I like BOMS’s so much. But a big project is just a bunch of smaller projects is how I think about it. So, now I tell myself, ten minutes a day. After I get home from work and get settled I just give myself ten minutes to make applique pieces. Before too long, all the elements start taking shape. So, if you want to make something big, just tell yourself, ten minutes a day is all you need!

Big Print Fabric Challenge

I have a fair amount of 20 something people in my life right now so I decided to try to make a “quick-ish” quilt for one of them. I have been seeing all these really cool, larger print fabrics lately so I thought I would try one or two out....kinda like letting the fabric do all the work for you. These here are from Zen Chic.

When I was shopping I found that Quilt-in-a-Day now makes my favorite ruler in a bigger size. Perfect, since I am going to need to use BIG pieces.

Here’s what I came up with. Kinda fun for only a few hours.

Later....After looking at this for a while I ended up not liking it very much, I can't really figure out why except that "It just doesn't feel like me" Does this ever happen to anyone?

I did have fun making it though, guess I just needed to piece something.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Well, today is my birthday. I’m forty twelve. So to celebrate I decided to buy myself a new iron to use for piecing. The only iron I have right now is a 19 year old Rowenta. Now that will be only for applique prep work so I won’t need to put water in it for steam and accidentally burn my fingers.

We have one of these babies at work and boy is it great. I think I am just going to have to go piece something!

Design Wall Monday

Happy Monday everyone! I am slowly recovering from being away last week. It’s amazing how behind you can get by taking a 3 day vacation! Luckily for me we have had a couple of snow storms so there has been nothing to do but stay home and sew. 

This picture is a little sneaky peaky of Applique Block 2 ...coming next week. Except for the embroidery not one stitch has been taken on it...but’s it’s designed. For all you cardinal fans out there, don’t worry, more cardinal blocks are coming. This quilt will have 4 cardinal blocks and 4 flower blocks in the applique.

Head on over to Judy’s blog for some really fun Monday inspiration!

Duh...

I just now noticed that my picture should say "shoes AN engineer" , yeesh, and I'm an EDITOR

Still glad I am not AN engineer anymore

Find of the YEAR...I think, since it's only February

I had a little instance of my former life/present life mind warp the other day. For those of you who don't know, I used to be an engineer. I used to use phrases like "signal to noise ratio" and "adjust the pH"on a regular basis. I also have to wear serious clothes to work...and serious shoes.

BUT, not anymore. So, when I found these super cute shoes, ON SALE no less, I just had to buy them. HAD. TO.

I even bought some funky socks to coordinate!

Introducing Miss February !

Miss February is here and is the lovely and talented, Marie-Claude Picon-Iperti. You can see her wonderful blog at:

lessecretsdemarie.com

And here it is folks, the February block for the Aurifil Designer of the month series!

Be sure to head on over to Aurifil's blog to get your pattern for this month and learn a little more about Marie. Be sure to join the FLICKR group for inspiration and a chance at some prizes too!

www.flickr.com/groups/2013aurifildom

Piecing Tips and Tricks: Quilt-In-A-Day Rulers

I don’t know if it is the former engineer in me or what but I am a sucker for specialty rulers. These two are some of my favorites. Maybe it’s because I started quilting because of Quilt in a Day and I actually got to meet Eleanor Burns.

Anyway, here are some tips you can use to make the parts to Jingle Pieced Block #1 using the Triangle Square Up ruler and the Flying Geese ruler.

For Half-Square Triangles, cut 2 squares 5” x 5”. Place them right sides together and draw 2 diagonal lines.

Sew 1/4” from each line.

Cut apart on drawn lines and 2 1/2” from each side.

Before you do any pressing use the Triangle Square-Up ruler and aligninf the 2” mark with your seam, trim your HST unit.

Flip over and trim your corners.

Now, press to the dark fabric for a perfect little HST unit.

For Flying Geese, cut a 6” x 6” square of the fabric that will be your triangles and a 4 1/2” x 41/2” square of the fabric that will be your rectangle. Line them up so the are centered and the right sides are together.

Draw a diagonal line.

Sew 1/4” on both sides of the diagonal line.

Cut apart.

Press toward the larger triangle.

Now, line these 2 squares up so that the smaller triangles are on opposite corners and the right sides are together.

Draw a diagonal line and stitch 1/4” on both sides of the line.

Cut apart.

Clip seam right in between both the previous seams.

Press so that the rectangle (goose) is flat like this:

You will have two of these. Now you can use the ruler to line up the goose and trim away.

You will make 4 each time with this method so it is handy when making blocks like Jingle Pieced Block #1.

Piecing Tips and Tricks

Before we get started here I just want to point you to two really great videos that will really help with your pieced blocks.

THIS lovely lady is Beth Hayes, Editor-In-Chief of McCall’s Quilting (i.e. my boss, the best boss ever). She has done this really great video on pressing for our website that you can have a look at here:

mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/pressing

And THIS lovely lady is Kathy Patterson, Senior Editor of McCall’s Quilting. She has done another super video talking about using an accurate 1/4” seam allowance that you can see here:

mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/An_Accurate____Seam_Allowance

Be sure to check these out, they really help with piecing!

Now for some Half-Square Triangles (HST)

The sizes here are what you will need for Jingle Pieced Block #1, but the technique is a good way to make these units all the time using a variety of sizes. I will have a download with general techniques at the end of this post.

Start with two squares.

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lightest of the 2 fabrics.

Place on other square, right sides together.

Sew 1/4” from the drawn line, this is where a 1/4” patchwork foot is really handy.

Sew 1/4” on other side of line.

Cut along the drawn line.

Press toward the darker fabric.

You will have 2 half-square triangles (HST) when you are done.

I like to clip my little corners off.

Now for some Flying Geese

Start with 2 squares and one rectangle.

Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of both squares.

Place square on one end of the rectangle, right sides together.

Stitch ON THE DRAWN LINE.

Cut 1/4” away from stitching and discard those little corners.

Press toward the corner triangle.

Repeat on opposite side to make 1 flying goose.

OK, those are the standard ways of making these units. Check back tomorrow for a little tutorial on how to make them using a couple of my favorite rulers from Quilt In A Day.

I've made a little cheat sheet for these techniques that you can download:

Download Half-square Triangles and Flying geese

Cruise with McCall's and Me....Save the date

February 9-16, 2014

Save the date everyone. I'm going on a cruise with my McCall's worker bees. This is going to be AWESOME!

There will be quilting classes(piecing and applique and fun projects galore) and sight seeing and lots of fun in the sun, I can hardly wait. I am already planning my projects!

More details to come! Check out the website:

sewmanyplaces.com