Sunday, January 29, 2012

Creating

FLQS - so far

This is my latest creation, so far. It is made from an assortment of yellow, orange and red cotton prints and Kona Charcoal.

Maybe some pointy points?

I started by making some pointy points. I had been making paper pieced points, and was not done with them yet. I am in the the Fab Little Quilt Swap and I am hopeful that my secret partner will like this.

A circle of pointy points

I made the pointy points into a circle. I used the paper pieced template for this circle of points from a pattern called Bubble Gum Burst by Barbara Barber from a book I have called The Expert's Guide to Foundation Piecing.

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Then my friend Linda from Linda Rotz Miller Quilts and Quilt Tops mentioned that she wondered what would go in the centre of such pointy points. Well, that got me thinking that I should put something pretty interesting in the centre.

My secret partner likes tiny patchwork and you will recall my Modern Christmas Tree Ornaments - tiny patchwork is my friend. So I cut up 49 one inch squares, each one from a different fabric.

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I sewed them together, they finish at 1/2" so this little piece is about 3.5"square. Then I cut them in a circle.

Oh, in the interests of being real, I have to mention that the first time I cut the circle too small. Yup, I hauled out all 49 fabrics again (only a few came from my scrap box), cut another set of 1" squares and did it again.

I had thought I would just inset that circle with my sewing machine, no problem. Ha, that was not to be - I was brought back to the real world pretty quickly on that.

So this is my very first ever hand appliqued piece. I used the tiniest stitches I could manage.

FLQS - with papers in

Although it fit nicely, it puffed up like a fried egg. Or worse, a flower. I was going for edgy, artsy, modern and cool. Not cute.

FLQS - with papers in

See, fried egg. Not edgy, artsy or modern. Not cool.

FLQS - papers in

But remember, it was paper pieced. I had left the paper in place so that all those bias seams would not stretch while I sewed in the middle. When you take the paper off, there is just the tiniest bit of ease as the seams relax.

FLQS - now it is flat

The pointy points have 40 seams. Just enough ease to flatten it out, with just the steam from my iron (I am not a starcher, I don't even have any).

FLQS - so far

So here it is again, so far. It will be set into a square of the same Kona Charcoal and then I will quilt it, likely in grey like my Shattered quilt. I expect this mini quilt to finish somewhere near to a 15" square. I am having so much fun, inspiration has struck again.

I will update you soon.

PS. I am linking this to Fabric Tuesday over at Quilt Story, where you will find many other lovely projects too.

Fresh Poppy Design
Best,

Leanne

30 comments:

Heather D. said...

Wow, you've been at it again. This is fabulous. The patchwork center is awesome, and soooo tiny!

Susan said...

Oh Leanne, you already know how much I love this! Fingers crossed you are my partner! I think I would have torn my hair out when I saw that bubble, but I am so glad you persevered! Fabulous!

**nicke... said...

i had to use my hand to close my mouth! it is BEAUTIFUL!!! love love love it leanne! those points are so perfect and i love the pieced center! i can't believe you did it twice! it was definitely worth the work!

Shocking Hocking said...

wow - gobsmacked by the artistry and the execution

Sarah said...

Is it just me or are your points gettin even pointier?! Looks great and the centre circle is fab :-)

Nicky said...

Awesome - thanks for bringing that sunshine into my dark morning! Love your ROYGBIV logcabin quilt on Quilt Story too!

MariQuilts said...

Wow...I'm speechless!!!

Dianne Neale said...

Oh you are soooo clever! And everything looks so neat even on the back. Mine would look like a, well, not like this!

Judith, Belfast said...

Wow! You are the paper piecing queen L! This is stunning! And you'd never know the centre was hand appliqued. Beautiful! Jxo

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

That is completely and utterly brilliant - you are a superstar!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Gorgeous! So glad it turned sunny :)

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi! Wow - this is just amazing! I love everything in this unique art patchwork! x Teje

Fiona @ Poppy Makes said...

Wow! That is just fantastic!

Marg said...

It's fantastic Leanne. Look how pointy your points are, and those teeny tiny squares. (I've just cut a whole lot of "scraps" out of my fabric because I didn't have enough scraps either!)
Your designs are amazing!!!!!
Well done on ROYGBIV quilt on Quiltstory.
I'll want your autograph soon!!!!

Fiona said...

very striking and inspirattional...
Hugz

beth said...

leanne, simply amazing! i love it! your work is really stunning!

Karen said...

Really gorgeous Leanne! I don't know how you do those tiny patchwork squares...fabulous for the center :)

beaquilter said...

wow, his is great! what will it turn into?

Unknown said...

WOW. Just wow.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katie said...

This is amazing!

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

So cool! I would have freaked and ripped out stitches, not even thinking about the paper. :)
I Love your tiny patchwork.

Richard Healey said...

That looks totally amazing great block

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com

Poppyprint said...

Absolutely beautiful job on this!!

Katy Cameron said...

Oh wow, I love this! So much fun

Rhonda the Rambler said...

You know our talk about exchanging "this and that"? Well, if you don't mind could you please just send me some your talent and creativity! I realize that isn't part of our deal but I really need some!!!

Debbie said...

wowsers! You are on a roll, girl! What a beautiful piece!!

Carla said...

Just too cool! Love the colors and design. Thanks for the details of your process.

Anonymous said...

*happysigh* This little quilt is delightful to see.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Wow, I LOVE this! Great job with all those seams!