A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
Here is my newest pattern! Fiesta Stars is in the Etsy shop now. The stars are done on paper foundations..so are easy to assemble. Just print the pattern pages...trim...sew on the line and combine the pieces to create a block.
If you love paper piecing technique...you will love working on this quilt. If you look closely at the pattern front...you will also see some hexagon shapes with the stars.
This is for "flexibility"...and is actually a second pattern, within this first star pattern. These hexagon center blocks could be mixed with the stars or done alone as in the photo above. This block is a great way to accent a favorite fabric (you know the one...it sits on the shelf because we just can't bare to cut into it!...ha, we all have at least one fabric like that). So, us it as the hexagon center shape...and then repeat for your border fabric if you like!
Or...just use the stars, repeated...and no hexagon center blocks. Versatility!
The Fiesta Flowers can be done as traditional applique or as fusible applique pieces, depending on what technique you like the best.
I have a few paper pieced blocks to get done today...and drew up this little PP Flower. Thought you might enjoy it too. Here is the block finished.
You can print...then enlarge or reduce to any size you like. Use as a single block, or put four together with the #12 piece pointing towards the center for a pretty floral four-star block.I'm working with 4-inch blocks (4 1/2" with seam allowance)...and here are the sizes for each fabric piece. I measure from top to bottom using the seam line as my top...and I add a generous 1/4 to 1/2 inch to all sides to make sure that I have a large enough piece of fabric for each section when I begin piecing. I stack cut fabric pieces by number...for each block so that when I start sewing...I don't have to stop to determine which piece is the next one. The stack is in numerical order according to the pattern...hope that makes since. For example, if I'm making six blocks...I would have six stacks of little pieces of fabric...each having the necessary twelve pieces to do the pattern...and each stack having #1 piece on top and #12 piece on bottom with the others in numerical order.GREEN#7 = 1.5 x 3.5 inches#10 = 3.0 x 1.5 inches#12 = 4.0 x 2.5 inchesWHITE#2 = 2.0 x 3.0 inches#3 = 2.75 x 3.25 inches#6 = 15 x 3.5 inches#8 - 2.75 x 1.75 inches#9 = 3.5 x 1.5 inches#11 = 3.0 x 1.25 inchesPINK# 1 = 2.0 x 3.0 inchesBLUE#4 = 3.0 x 1.5 inches#5 = 4.0 x 1.75 inchesEnjoy!
Admittedly it is not my favorite thing to do. But, sometimes...it is necessary. Here is a star block completed yesterday It is one of Carol Doak's 50 Fabulous Stars.
But, what I really wanted to share with you is the idea/fact that these stars can be used as "portions" and not just as whole blocks. They are pieced in 4 units...which can be treated as individual elements. Here is the same block...or half-block really...with alternating directions. It makes a pretty effective border treatment I think.
Some day, perhaps, I'll get around to completing the paper pieced Indian Orange Peel quilt that I bought foundation papers for...years ago!
The pattern is by Karen K. Stone...who has a new book out too...and it is on my wish list!
