Monday, April 2, 2012

In Case you Missed It . . . Watercolors Tutorial

So I completely forgot to post yesterday. (Busy weekend, and I don't normally get online on Sunday)  However, I was guest posting over at Quilter in the Gap with a fun new tutorial.  So in case you missed it, I will post it again here.  And there is a bit of an announcement at the end of the tutorial that I am super excited about . . . Make sure to check it out :)

 As it is close to Easter, I thought it would be fun to do something in beautiful pastels.  So let me introduce you to Watercolors, A simple little quilt that goes together fast and would work perfect as a table topper, wall hanging, or baby blanket.


Let's get started.  To begin, you will need to get 8 fat quarters.  I choose to use 8 Fat quarters in pastels from the Dimples collection by Andover.  (I did swap out that red one though, it was just to bright.)  Now go ahead and lay out your fat quarter on your mat and cut a straight edge along the right and side and bottom of your fat quarter.  (You can also stack up your fat quarters and cut up to 4 at a time.)  From each of your 8 fat quarter cut (1) 7" x 17 1/2" rectangle, (2) 2 1/2" x 17 1/2" strips, and (2) 2 1/2" x 11" strips.

Select a 7" x 17 1/2" rectangle of one fabric and 2 2 1/2" x 17 1/2" strips in a different fabric.  Lay them out as follows.  With right sides together place the long strips onto your rectangles.  Pin along both edges.  Sew a 1/4" seam along both pinned edges, and remember to remove the pins as you go :)  Press towards the strips.   Repeat for the 7 other sets so you have 8 pieces like the last picture.

Now grab your 2 small strips that match the long strips.  Lay them out as follows.  With right sides together place the short strips onto the sides of your rectangles.  Pin along both edges.  Sew a 1/4" seam along both pinned edges.  Press towards the strips.   Repeat for the 7 other sets.  Now you have 8 framed squares.

Lay your squares out as follows.  Go ahead and play with the color arrangement until you like it.  Then either take a photo or mark your pieces so that you remember how they go back :)

Now well make sets of 2.  We'll start in the upper corner.  Place the first sashed rectangle onto the second with right sides together.  Pin along the edges, taking care to match up the seams.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Press either direction or open, it really doesn't matter.  Now you have a set of 2.  .

Repeat the last step with the other 3 sets to make 4 sets total  So your top should look a little something like this.  And now you are ready to finish up your top.

Lay your top 2 pieces onto the bottom 2 pieces with right sides together.  Once again, pin along the edges and sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Press the 2 pieces in opposite directions.  Now lay the right hand piece onto the left hand piece with right sides together.  Pin along the edge taking care to match your center seam.  (It should nest nice and snug where you have pressed in opposite directions).  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge and press whichever way you like.  And it should look a little something like the last picture :)

And you are done!!!  A beautiful little quilt top finishing up at 34" x 34" .  This top whips together in no time at all so it is just in time for Easter :) Oh, and it is perfect for some sampler quilting :)  (More on that a little farther down :)


So that is the Watercolors quilt top :)  Hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  If you make one I would love it if you added it to my Happy Quilting Tutorials Flickr page :)

A few things before I sign off.

First, I hope you liked the background to the photo's.  I did it in a new software that I reviewed on my blog Friday.  If you want to check out the review and enter for a chance to win your own free copy you can go to this post :)

Second, I am sure you noticed that this tutorial was just for the quilt top and the quilt wasn't finished.  That is for a very special reason.  Thanks so that new software I mentioned in point 1, I now have the capability to do something that I have been working on for a few months.  Videos!!!!  So, over the next month of so I will be doing a series of videos.  They will include Preparing your Quilt to be free motion quilted, several Free Motion Quilting videos, and finally ending with a binding video.  And this quilt will be the demo quilt for those videos.  I am so super excited to be announcing this!!  (Now I will have to do them for sure :)
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8 comments:

  1. What a great little project. I think we all have a go-to pattern that sews up quickly for last minute gifts. I am rather tired of mine so I will consider this one to work up after the Holiday. I have a friend who needs a gift....nothing like a new baby to rev up the sewing! Thank you so much for sharing this and I am looking forward to your video presentation. Such ambition.

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  2. nice!! I cannot wait! I am so very new and still working my way into the brave world of FMQ!! I think I have the pieceing down! Next step please! LOL

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  3. I can't wait to see your new videos. I'm sure they will be as wonderful as all of your other projects.

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  4. What a fun project..love the pastel colors! Look forward to watching your videos! :o)
    ~Terry~

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  5. Such cute quilt! What is the finished size?

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  6. I love the quilt! It's so fast, and yet so appropriate for babies or tables or most any other small quilt need. I love the fabrics you chose, too.

    You're using your program in ways I haven't even thought about yet!

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  7. I am looking forward to making this quilt top and then watching for the videos for the free motion quilting. I am a beginner and really eager to learn.

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa