Thursday, September 30, 2010

Featured Crafter - Ryan Walsh

Today, we are chatting with Ryan from 'I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts.' Ryan is a prolific quilter and incredibly generous with his time and knowledge.

Ryan's Katie Jump Rope Pillow is a real favourite of mine, which he made as part of a swap (lucky partner!) - you can find a tutorial for it here.

FQ: Tell us a little bit about your creative journey? When did it start? Where you inspired by any particular person? Quilting runs in my family.  I spent hours at my grandmother’s home when I was a young boy because my parents both worked full time.  She always had a project going and I would find myself fascinated by what she made.  I would try and figure out how she pieced the blocks and ask all sorts of questions.  She’s still my “go to” source for information if I’m at a loss for how to proceed on a project.

My artistic talents definitely come from her side of the family.  Several of my aunts and cousins also quilt.  I’m the only male quilter in the family.

I made my first quilt in 2005, right before my first son was due to be born.  My wife and I were having trouble finding curtains we liked for the nursery and we decided to pick out fabric so she could make something.  We found fabric we liked right away and set a weekend to make the curtains at her parents.  That Friday before, my wife got ill from something she ate and was down for the rest of the weekend.  I ended up taking over the project and had a lot of fun using the sewing machine with my mother in laws help.  I was hooked!  I started a baby quilt for our new arrival that next week.  My in laws bought us a sewing machine for Christmas that year and I’ve been quilting ever since!
 
FQ: Which part of the quilt making process is your favourite and why? Gosh!  That’s a really hard question to answer, going to the quilt shop and buying fabric? LOL  I think everyone likes that part, really.  Honestly, If I had to pick, I would say my favorite part of the whole process would be the design.  You know, that part where the quilt is just an idea in your head.   
I design a lot of my quilts on the computer, but they all start as an idea sketched out on paper.   The whole process of translating a block or quilt from your head to something tangible on paper really excites me.  I love working through all the challenges of design as well because what’s in your head (or on the computer) for that matter can’t always be clearly put together.  I have a few quilts I’ve only made in my head at this point because I can’t begin to figure out how to put them together in fabric.

FQ: Do you have a favourite fabric designer? If I said I have one absolute all time favorite designer I’d be lying through my teeth. There’s way too many I adore to choose from.  Have you seen my fabric stash?  It’s seriously out of control, but don’t tell my wife I admitted that to you, OK?  Ha ha …  I can say that the one designer’s fabrics I’ve been using a lot lately is Monaluna.  Her mingle line is absolutely wonderful.  The bright colors and geometric designs are super cool.  I can’t get enough of that line right now.
FQ: Where do you draw your inspiration from when making quilts? My inspiration comes from all around me.  I carry my camera and notebook everywhere I go.  If something I see inspires me, I’ll stop to jot ideas down.  It could be something as simple as the way a brick wall on the side of a building has colorful graffiti or a color combination I see in a department store window.  I seriously had my sister take a picture of a bathing suit in old navy a few weeks ago because of the neat pattern and color selection the designer used.  The camera on my phone is filled with images of sidewalks, signs, bridges, etc.

FQ: Do you have a favourite quilt or other sewn item that you have made?
The first quilt I ever created is my favorite.  I made the most mistakes on it and also learned a lot about quilting during its construction.  I didn’t have a plan when I started it.  Just cut all the fabric up and pieced it back together.  The block design came to me as I went along.  It warms my heart every time I see my son cuddle up in it on the couch.

FQ: Are there any new creative skills that you would like to try in the future? The one technique that’s always scared me in quilting has been paper piecing.  I’ve forced myself to try it for several quilting bees this year.  Instead of chickening out and returning the fabric with a little surrender note I stuck with it and finished the blocks.  All I have to say after completing a few blocks is that it still scares me.  I always chalk it up to the fact that I’m left handed.  I always try and reverse the entire process for some reason.  It’s something I’d like to work on more.

I also want to learn how to design fabric in photoshop.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Quilt Along post 4 - finishing up




Hopefully by now you should be on the home stretch with your top assembled, or almost assembled.

Judging by the photos in the flickr pool a lot of you have steamed ahead and are now at this point - basting and quilting.

As you can see by the mosaic above, there are some amazing quilts - each one totally unique. You've done such great work!

But let's not give up now - let's get these babies finished!

I quilted my quilt in super fast time. It took me just over an hour or so. Which is pretty good going, I think (I am not a fast quilter).

I love how the wavy lines look like they're free motioned...but here's the trick. It's just a lengthened stitch on my machine. Sneaky!



When washed the quilting wrinkles up beautifully and gives that snuggly look that we all love so much.

If you'd like to give it a go, here's the low down on how to do it.

You will need your walking foot and the big zig zag stitch on your machine. I've circled it in the picture below - on my machine (bernina activa) it's number 4.

You also need to increase your stitch length to 3.5 (again, see how I've circled it below?)

And that's it. Just use your walking foot as a guide and stitch in lines that will automatically wiggle. I used the walking foot to guide me, didn't mark the quilt top at all. I just followed the lines of the seams and then used the quilted lines to follow for filling in between those lines. I did approximately 7 lines of quilting per block width.



Do you need any tips on basting or binding? Or quilting in any other way? There are links galore over in our tutorials page. But if you need any extra help just start a thread in the FQ flickr group and we can help each other out.
And don't forget to keep uploading your pics to the pool - we want to see those beautiful quilts!!!

Fiona had a great idea to use up her left over scraps from the quilt along. She made a mug rug for her sister who's having a tough time at work.
Doesn't it look fantastic?

IMG_2812

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Featured Sponsor - Crafty Girls Workshop

Anna from the Crafty Girls Workshop has popped in today for a chat. Perfect timing really as Anna has some great Jelly Rolls on sale, it is not too late to join the quilt along!

FQ: Tell us a little bit about how you came to have a fabric store?  My shop is online only for now. I hope to eventually open a place where I can teach classes on a full time basis. The focus of the shop will be on learning and teaching.

Mostly the online shop started because I am a fabric-a-holic! I decided to open the shop and open some accounts with wholesale companies (such as Moda and
Michael Miller) and once I was able to buy wholesale I couldn't go back to retail, but I've always wanted to provide high quality fabrics and patterns along with some information about them.

My blog is meant to support the website, if I get something new in the shop and I see a great idea online of what do make with our new items, I'm going to create a post about it and tell my blog readers. I don't want people to just buy fabric to collect it, they should buy it to make beautiful children's clothing and cute tote bags and gorgeous quilts.
Also, since I work full time in a day job, I'm busy so I really LOVE the pre-cut fabrics that Moda offers. Now there are a wide array of patterns to go with them. I also just added a large selection of PDF patterns that will be mailed to you within 12 hours of your payment.

FQ: What does a normal day entail? Usually get up to get ready for work, check my shop e-mail, work at my day job all day, go home, check shop, e-mail and cut fabric and get it ready to ship the next day. My wonderful mom is helping with the shipping department at the moment.

FQ: What are the best parts about running the store? Interacting with new people who love to sew and teaching new people to sew has been awesome. Of course, since I'm online it's slightly difficult to reach through the screen and teach someone to sew but I've started a local group that meets once a month and I'm teaching them to make easy quilts we're going to donate to a local shelter for homeless families. I get so inspired when seeing how people choose their fabrics and put them together.

FQ: Are there any aspects of the job that you don't enjoy? Dealing with shipping problems is very difficult. Luckily we haven't had too many but it's always a debate if the post office loses something and it can't be recovered. Now I've added the option to purchase insurance on your shipping so that should help in the future.

FQ: When do you fit in time to be creative/sew? I guess a lot of my creativity is expressed when I write a blog post or an e-mail newsletter. Unfortunately there aren't enough hours right now to do all
that and sew! I get to sew at my Crafty Girls meeting occasionally. Usually I feel like I need to sew the project before the meeting to have something to show the class. I really want to work in more sewing time in the future though. Maybe when my personal life settles down a little.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Quilt Along Post 4: Top Assembly

We are on the home stretch!

Things to remember:
  • Seam allowances are 1/4" unless stated otherwise
  • Press all seams as you go along
  • Have fun!
You should have 80 blocks ready for assembly but before we head to the machine, we need to decide on block placement.

Using your design wall or floor, lay your blocks out in a 10 by 8 setting.

Step 1: Once you are happy with your layout, begin by piecing your first 8 blocks together - this is row 1.

Step 2: Repeat step 1 until all blocks are pieced. You will have 10 rows with 8 blocks in each row.

Step 3:  Press the rows in alternating directions. For example: row 1 will be pressed to the right, row 2 to the left, row 3 to the right and so on.

Step 4: The rows can now be pieced in sequential order. Attach row 1 to 2, 2 to 3 etc

Step 5: Press these seams to one side or open - whichever you prefer.

My quilt top is pictured below, we would love to see your version. Make sure you upload your photos to the Fat Quarterly flickr group.


Come join us on Twitter again tonight Monday, 20th September. Same deal as last time - use the hashtag #fatq, make sure your account is set to public, and we will hopefully chat with you.

European Berlin – 23:00
UK time 22:00
Australia / Melbourne – 07:00 (next day)
US Eastern – 17:00
US Central -16:00
US Pacific – 14:00

See you next week for tips on backing, binding and quilting!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Project Upcycle


Project Upcycle is a venture which was started by Shruti in November 2009. Shruti lives in Sangli, India and having visited the slums she knew she wanted to do something to help the women there earn a little money.

Here is her story in her own words.

"After giving birth to my son I had a whole load of clothes that did not fit any more. I did what normal Indian women would do. Selected a few and gave them away to my maids. But still I was left with three bags full of them. I gave them to a ‘boharin’ – a Maharashtrain woman, who goes from door to door collecting old clothes and giving stainless steel utensils in return - A modern version of the old barter system.

Prema – that was her name – told me then that with the dropping prices of new clothes and an awareness about looking good, people were not buying these old clothes as much as they did earlier. All that she could give me, in return for 3 bags full of clothes was a small ‘dabba’ ( a small tiffin box)

The thoughts lingered in my mind for quite a longer time than I thought it would. The next time, I had a few old clothes left – and this time there were just a couple of dresses, I decided to make something creative out of them. I ended up using the dupattas to make these lovely pillow covers.


They were just wonderful and my friends didn’t believe i had used my old clothes to do them. I was happy. But still was left with the dresses of those dupattas. My mind got racing again. What could I make out of them?

My living room was being renovated at the time. Complete with a wooden trussed roof and a warli painting on one wall, it was a complete traditional looking. I was looking for a good seating to be kept there. My husband, Rohit, and I both liked the idea of having a ‘bajla’ a woven cot mostly foundon indian ‘dhaba’s, in our living room.


Then another idea struck me.Instead of buying a woven cot, why dont I weave one out of my old clothes? I got my carpenter to make a frame using leftover wood and got to work. I cut up strips of my dresses and made them into a stool. Both of us were happy with the result. And we made 3 more. (I gave away one to my brother)


As a part of project at work, I had to visit the slums in the city. Meeting the women there really changed the way i thought. I felt i had to do something for them. But at that time, i did not know what.


It was in November 2009, when i thought of ‘up’cycling old clothes as a business venture. I started off with just a couple of women doing the sewing. But soon the idea grew to a larger scale and today i have about a 50 women who work for me.
I am happy to say that, these women earn a decent INR 200, working from home. And since I teach them to sew new things, they increase their skill also. The range of products is from doormats to bedspreads and cushion covers to mobile pouches.
We also came up with the idea of making grocery bags from old newspaper. Currently we can manufacture about 50,000 to 1,00,000 bags a month.


Shruti’s – the ‘up’cycle shop, was started as something that I could occupy myself with during the break that I took from my work, following a short illness. But soon, it has been a very successful enterprise with an ever-increasing list of clients."


Shruti is now also trying to organise a donation of 40 quilts for children in an orphanage in Sangli. You can read more about her project here and find out more about the orphanage here.

Shruti is looking for old wips you might have lying around, fabric pieces you might not want anymore etc that she can have made into quilts for the children in the winter months. If you might be able to help please contact Shruti on her blog or send us an email to customerservice@fatquarterly.com and we can forward it to Shruti.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Stitch by Stitch Blog Tour

A couple of weeks ago I received a review copy of Stitch by Stitch by Deborah Moebes. You probably have heard of her as Whipstitch. The book is aimed at beginner craft sewers or people looking to refresh their craft sewing skills.


I consider myself an intermediate quilter, but I am quick to admit that my general craft sewing skills are not as strong as my quilting skills. Ask me how to paper piece, do English paper piecing, do y seams, mitre binding corners and I have no problem. Ask me on the other hand how to insert an elastic waist band, sew a button hole, hem a skirt, insert sleeves etc and I get sweaty palms and will dive into my books looking for an answer.

Until now I had never found a book that explained these things to me in such a clear and approachable way. I have seen lots of books explain these techniques, but usually in isolation to an actual application of the technique. Or the projects themselves are so fuddy duddy that I had no interest in trying them out.
Deborah manages to clearly explain one technique at a time in the context of an actual project you will want to make. What I love is that each project is split into sections which deal with the different techniques you will need to complete that project.

For example there is a fabulous skirt for young girls made from charm packs. This pattern is split into sewing the skirt together, gathering the skirt, creating a waistband and hemming. Each section is clearly illustrated with photos for each step so there is no guessing as to what Deborah means.

stitch by stitch - urban zoology
(My daughter modelling one I made earlier!)


Not only that, each technique has handy tip boxes with additional information about the technique, or alternative methods for doing the same thing.

So we were very excited to be part of Deborah's blog tour. We caught up with her and asked her a few questions about the book.

What was your motivation to write this book?

I've been teaching sewing classes for years, and have heard the same complaints and concerns from so many of my students--there clearly was a lack of good information out there, and most of them hadn't had much luck locating a good reference. I love, love, love sewing books, but couldn't seem to find one on the shelves that had the right tone, that wasn't project-centered, and that really covered ALL the basics, like how to stitch a straight line and how to wind a bobbin. When my students would ask me to recommend a book for them, I never had a title to give them! I really wrote the book for them, as a way of creating a reference tool for new stitchers as they learn to sew.


Your book is aimed at the craft sewer. What is a craft sewer?

A lot of folks think of themselves as belonging to a particular category of sewing, like quilters or apparel sewers. Most of us, though, tend to do a variety of projects that cross lines into multiple categories. The craft sewer is someone who makes home dec, handbags, accessories, small gifts, children's items, as well as quilts and clothing. They fall into almost every age range and income bracket, and often have a wide range of sewing interests.

What is the most common mistake a newbie sewer makes?

Expecting perfection right out of the box! So many women today expect that they'll get flawless results right off the bat. Some of that is because there are so many amazing, inspiring projects out there to see on the web, and we all want to make them right away. But sewing isn't always intuitive, and no one can realistically expect to be perfect at a skill they've never tried before! Be willing to learn as you go, to make mistakes, and to take advantage of the chance to rip it out if you have to!


How did you find the book publishing experience?

Rewarding and challenging and surprising and exhilirating and exhausting and empowering, all at once. I thought it would be more straightforward, more like my blog, but there were more steps and stages, and more editing than I expected. I also had an idea that the publisher would have more input on the content, but was really given the freedom to create the text and design the patterns, and then had their crack design team lay it out and make it gorgeous. Truly, I've wanted to write a book my whole life, and it was everything I could've asked!

How do you recommend that people use your book? Start from the beginning and work your way through or dip in and out?

While it's possible to dip in and do a project here or a project there, the concept behind the book is that it ought to be done in order, beginning to end, so that as you complete each project you'll be building the foundational skills to tackle the next project and master it. I wanted to create a book that led new stitchers through the process of learning to sew but gave them instant results to keep them motivated as they went along.


(the book comes with a cd of patterns, so you can print them out in all sizes whenever you want)

The book starts with a questionnaire on sewing history, inspiration and goals. Why do you think this is important?

Sewing is really about so much more than the simple act of putting needle and thread through fabric. Each stitch connects us to past and present, both with the things we make and with the act of making them. I love that aspect of it, and feel so comforted and motivated by it. I wanted to offer that same feeling to new sewers so that they would give the value to their beginning work that it really is worth!

You mention that your mother taught you how to sew aged 7 but that it didn’t really take hold until later. Are you teaching your own children how to sew? What is your approach to teaching your own kids?

I am, mostly because they've asked! My mom did a great job, but I was so headstrong that I didn't listen when I could've. Having my older children really WANT to learn to sew is awesome. I'm finding that the other side is tough, too, though: it's hard for me to let them learn at their own pace, and really hard not to do it for them. It's made me feel closer to my mom, and she and I have bonded over the experience of offering sewing to our children. I'm growing as a parent because I have to edit myself and give them freedom and trust their instincts in ways that I don't otherwise--it's amazing that the more I sew, the more I learn about myself and my family. That might be the greatest gift I can offer someone else learning to sew.


As a quilter I usually buy fat quarters or ½ yards of the fabric prints that catch my eye. What size cuts would you recommend a craft sewer to buy?

All of it! No, but seriously: under a yard is often disappointing, because it's not enough to use for a project and I feel frustrated to have the perfect fabric for the project I want to do and not have enough of it. Over four yards is usually more than necessary, as only the fullest skirts or longest coats really need that much fabric. If you find a great deal on a great fabric, and think you might want to use it for clothing but you're not sure how, I usually suggest three yards--that'll cover most clothing patterns. If you're usually a craft sewer and focus on handbags or accessories, I'd go with a yard.

Any plans for a sequel?

Absolutely! I'd love to do a whole series of Stitch by Stitch books, each with a different sewing topic to conquer using the same format: cool, inspiring projects that teach key skills and motivate you to keep learning.

One last queston, do you sew barefoot, with socks on or with shoes?

I'm totally a barefoot stitcher! I like to really feel the control of the foot pedal with no shoes on.

Find out more about Deborah, Whipstitch, her book and more on Deborah's blog

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

More Robert Kaufman Winners!

Oooops. My bad.

A few weeks back, we announced a giveaway of 3 fabric roll-ups courtesy of Robert Kaufman. But in my haste to select a winner, I forgot about 2 of them and only announced one winner! I promise, it was not a cleverly disguised ploy to keep the fabric for myself ... though I did consider it. Briefly.

So, without further adieu, we've pulled the names of two more lucky Fat Quarterly readers!

Congratulations to:

#132, Stephanie in Michigan, who said:
If I were to do the quilt along, I would probably donate my quilt to a colleague who runs an autism center. I keep telling him I'll donate a quilt for them to raffle off and raise money for his center. Haven't settled on a pattern yet, so this would get me going.
Stephanie, I hope this does indeed get you going! What a great cause.


#230, Annette, who said:
think i'll use some Fig Tree fabrics - unless, of course, I WIN!!!! (sigh). Thinking it will make a lovely Christmas present for my brother and his family who we will see at Christmas, after 7 years :)
Sounds like another great cause!


Stephanie & Annette, please email your mailing information to us at fatquarterly@googlemail.com and we will get your fabric out to you ASAP. I hope you'll use it for our quilt-along!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Quilt Along post 3 - block assembly


By now you should have all of your strips and squares cut and set to one side.

A few of you got a little confused with how the blocks were going to be constructed as it didn't seem like you'd cut any squares for the centres of the blocks (using the jelly roll instructions). You actually cut those centre squares out of the jelly roll as you cut everything else.

Hopefully everything will become nice and clear now!

  1. take 2 squares and 2 strips for the outer ring of the block. These should all be from the same fabric.
  2. choose a different square for the centre (either from your separate pile of centre squares , if you used Kate's Fat Quarter method, or from the pile of 2.5 inch squares you cut from your jelly roll)
  3. sew the 2.5 inch outer ring squares to either side of your centre square (see mosaic above, reference picture 2). Press seams away from the centre square
  4. sew the 2 outer ring strips to either side of the centre square (see mosaic above, reference picture 3) and press away from the centre again.

Repeat until you have a pile of 80 blocks.

And that is it - you can speed through these blocks by chain piecing, or take your time and plan each one carefully so you know exactly what fabric will have which as it's outer ring and centre.
There's no right or wrong way - so just have fun!!!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Winners!

Thanks so much to all who entered the giveaways published in Issue 2, the winners are:



Winner of the Wee Wonderfuls Giveaway
Amy Rivera who said: I would use this to make dolls for friends and especially my daughter who is 4 and going to be 5 this November!!
Winner of the Lecien Pattern / Cosmo Floss Giveaway
Becky Doherty who said: Yes please, I love embroidery in quilted projects, like Follow the White Bunny's awesome patterns.
Winner of Poodle by Jennifer Pganelli Fat Quarters
Nicki Lundeen who said: It would make an adorable quilt or purses.
Winner of Prints Charming Giveaway
Rebecca Clarke who said: I have not “yet” screen printed my own fabric. I would like to try and make some custom messenger bags with it.
Winner of the Caramel Town Giveaway
Michelle Keenlyne who said: I would absolutely love to fussy cut these fabrics to make a cute baby quilt or use them in a hexagon quilt that I am going to start soon.
Winner of EQ7
Michele English who said: Thanks for such a great giveaway! I get my quilt designs from blogs, ezine (like FQ), magazines, and books. I also purchase quilt patterns sporadically. Most of my designs come from magazines. I would love to design some though - I have lots of ideas - but just don't have a great way to put on paper what is in my head, and audition fabrics. I'm a very visual person, so unless I can see an almost exact replica of what I'm thinking, I'm not likely to pursue it.

And the very lucky winner of the Saffron Craig FQ bundle is:

Jennifer said...Beautiful Saffron Craig fabric! Please pick me Mr. Random Number Generator man :-)

Could you please email us at fatquarterly@googlemail.com with you address details.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Did you know?

That you can also find us on Facebook and Twitter? We update and tweet daily, keep an eye out for information on sales and special offers from our sponsors!

www.facebook.com/fatquarterly
twitter.com/fatquarterly

If you are pushed for time, you can see our updates via our widget...just there on our sidebar. For really up to the minute information though, it is probably best to add us as a friend or follow us.

Another thing: all quiltalongers – are you signed up on twitter yet?
If not quick go and get yourself an account it is so easy. Just go to www.twitter.com and follow the instructions for registration.
We’ll wait while you do it.
OK, ready now? Great. Next visit our twitter accounts and add us as a followers.
Great. Now you are all set up to join in the fun.
On Monday 13th September we are going to hold a meet and greet for all Fat Quarterly Quiltalongers.
European Berlin – 23:00
UK time 22:00
Australia / Melbourne – 07:00 (next day)
US Eastern – 17:00
US Central -16:00
US Pacific – 14:00

Come introduce yourself, let us know what fabric you are using, where your blog is and get to know your other quiltalongers.
How it works:
To talk to each other we will use hashtags. Whenever you tweet simply add #fatq to your tweet.
To read each other’s tweets you will need to search for the #fatq hashtag.
On the right hand side of your Twitter home page there is a white search box. Enter #fatq to find all tweets containing the #fatq hashtag.
You will need to keep refreshing the search to keep up with the conversation.
It is a good idea to follow the other quiltalongers as soon as you find them. Then you can go on chatting with each other outside our meet and greet and it will make it easier for you to follow the conversation during the meet and greet.
All clear? Probably as clear as mud! The best way to understand is probably to just get stuck in.
So it’s a date right? We’ll see you there!

*************************************************************

Edited - we will use #fatq as the hash tag as #fq is already being used and it might be too confusing!

Thats Sew Shawna has we use www.tweetchat.com

If you have a twitter account you can sign into the tweet chat room and it makes it much easier to follow the conversation. Just enter #fatq and you can automatically see all tweets with that tag. It will also put the tag in your tweet for you.



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Robert Kaufman Winner and ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!

The lucky winner of the Robert Kaufman giveaway is....

#89: EmileeHope! Emilee wrote:
"I am thinking it would be a perfect baby shower gift for one of my pregnant friends. I really love to give hand-made quilts when I can, and if I can get the fabric for free that is even better!! (However, I still haven't ever made a quilt for my oldest sister, so I may have to add some blocks to it and give it to her.)"

Congrats, Emilee! Please email us at fatquarterly@googlemail.com to claim your prize.

But wait, there's more ... ... ...

You guys are in for a real treat today...can you believe it - another GIVEAWAY!

The lovely Saffron Craig has offered up a fat quarter bundle of her new fabric line - Bird Tree which is made up of five unique designs.

'The Bird Tree range is Saffron Craig's latest fabric range released in August 2010. This is another fresh collection in Saffron's signature modern, vibrant design style and introduces new colours to her existing catalog while perfectly complementing her existing fabrics.

The fun and expressive bird motives make this range suitable across all ages and ensure your next patchwork, craft or fashion project will be unique, memorable and evoke fun and happiness.

Though perfect for patchwork and quilting, this fabric range was designed with homewares, clothing and interior decoration in mind. It lends itself to make cushions, curtains, dresses, lampshades and anything else you can come up with.'


Leave a comment on this post and we will announce a winner September 12th.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Quilt Along: Post 2 - Cutting Instructions

Do you have your fabric ready? Are you eager to get going? We hope so but if not head back to our first post to find out how much fabric you will need.

To recap, we need 80 blocks for the 44" x 55" quilt.


If you are making your quilt with 20 fat quarters, each fat quarter will yield 4 blocks. It is important to note that you will use roughly 10"-11" of each fat, this will leave you with some fabric left over.

And if you are using a jelly roll, one will do the job.

Each block is comprised of 1 x 2.5" center square (pictured in grey), 2 x 2.5" outside squares (pictured in green) and 2 x 2.5 by 6.5" rectangles (pictured in green) which make up the top and bottom of the block.

These measurements INCLUDE seam allowances.

Let's get started!
  • Ensure all your fabric has been pressed, get your mat and ruler out and have your rotary blade at the ready.
Cutting instructions if you are using fat quarters are:
  •  From the 55cm or 3/4 yard piece of fabric (which will be the center square of every block) cut as many 2.5" strips as the fabric will allow and then cut these strips into 2.5" squares. You will need a total of 80 center squares. 
  • Each fat quarter will give you the borders for 4 blocks.
  • Lay one (feel free to cut more than one at a time, by placing them evenly on top of each other) fat quarter on your cutting mat, with the longest side of the fat quarter running vertically. Smooth fabric so that it is nice and flat.
  • With your ruler, cut 4 x 2.5" strips. Remove the excess fabric being careful not to disturb your strips.
  • Turn your cutting mat so the vertical strips are now horizontal.
  • With your ruler, cut 2 x 6.5" strips and then cut 2 x 2.5" strips.
  • You should now have 8 x 2.5" squares and 8 x 2.5" by 6.5" rectangles.

    Cutting instructions if you are using a jelly roll are:

    each strip will yield 2 blocks. (You will need to use 40 strips for the basic size and 78 for the larger size)

    Sub-cut each strip into the following strips -
    • 6 x 2.5 inch squares
    • 4 x 6.5 inch strips

    And that's it.

    Simple, right?

    Please email us at fatquarterly@googlemail.com if you have any questions. See you in a week for piecing.

    Friday, September 3, 2010

    Designer Challenge & Facebook!

    Would you like to take part in the Issue 3 Fat Quarterly Designer Challenge?

    We would love to have you contibute so please lave a comment on this post and we will pick out two lucky readers.

    Also, do you have a interest in all things Facebook?

    We are looking for a someone who can manage our Facebook page. If this is something that you may be interested in or would like more details on then drop us an email.

    fatquarterly@googlemail.com

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010

    Robert Kaufman giveaway!

    We have to send out BIG THANKS to the fine folks at Robert Kaufman fabrics. When they heard about our quilt along, they offered to give away 3 of their fantastic fabric roll-ups to our readers for their quilt along projects. Were you wanting to join along but didn't know what fabrics to use? Needing an extra nudge to get started? Well, now you have no more excuses!

    The fabric line is "Groove" by Caleb Gray (which is drool-worthy and we absolutely LOVE), and you can see all of the prints from the line here.

    Want to be one of our 3 lucky winners? Simply leave a comment on this post and tell us who your final quilt along quilt will be for. Will you be gifting it to a loved one, or keeping it all for yourself? And what fabrics will you be using (if you don't win the groovy "Groove", that is)?

    Of course, we'd love it if you spread the word about our giveaway (blogs, Twitter, Facebook ... you know the drill).

    We'll be selecting our winners next Wednesday, September 8th. Good luck, and happy quilting!