Friday, November 29, 2013

Steps To Tranquility - A Tutorial and Giveaway

Today I am excited to share another collaboration tutorial with Art Gallery Fabrics using the ever so beautiful Legacy by Angela Walters.  And I was  thrilled when they asked if I would be willing to do a giveaway  along with the tutorial. Well, of course!!!!  Stay tuned for the Giveaway, it's at the end and it is fabulous!!!  

So Let's get to it!!!  I am happy to introduce to you my newest tutorial . . . Steps To Tranquility!!!!


Here's what you are going to need:
20 Fat Quarters - As mentioned, I am using the Legacy Collection by Angela Walters.
5 1/2 Yards of White Background Fabric
7/8 Yard of Binding Fabric - I used Square Elements


STEP 1 - CUTTING
Press each of your 20 fat quarters.
From each of the 20 fat quarters cut (1) 2 3/4" x 22" strip and (3) 3" x 22" strips.  Set the remaining fat quarter scrap aside for the moment.   Sub-cut the strips as follows:
The 2 3/4" strip - (2) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares, (2) 2 3/4" x 7 1/4" rectangles
First 3" strip - (1) 3" x 3" square, (2) 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" rectangles
Second 3" strip - (1) 3" x 8 rectangle,  (1) 3" x 13" rectangle
Third 3" strip - (1) 3" x 8 rectangle,  (1) 3" x 13" rectangle


Choose 1 of the fat quarter remnants set aside and from it cut (2) 2 3/4" strips.  Sub-cut the strips as follows:
First 2 3/4"  strip - (2) 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" rectangles
Second 2 3/4" strip - (1) 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" rectangle.
     Scrap the remaining large pieces.


Choose 1 of the fat quarter remnants set aside and from it cut (1) 2 3/4" strips.  Sub-cut the strip as follows:
The 2 3/4"  strip - (2) 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" rectangles
     Scrap the remaining large pieces.


Choose 5 of the fat quarter remnants set aside and from each cut (1) 3" strip and (1) 2 3/4" strips.  Sub-cut the strips as follows:
The 3"  strip - (1) 3" x 3" square, (2) 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" rectangles
The 2 3/4" strip - (1) 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" rectangle.
     Scrap the remaining large pieces.


Choose 5 of the fat quarter remnants set aside and from each cut (2) 3" strips.  Sub-cut the strips as follows:
First 3"  strip - (1) 3" x 8" rectangle, (1) 3" x 13" rectangles
Second 3" strip - (1) 3" x 8" rectangle, (1) 3" x 13" rectangles
   

Choose 8 of the fat quarter remnants set aside and from each cut (2) 2 3/4" strips.  Sub-cut the strips as follows:
First 3" strip - (2) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" square, (2) 2 3/4" x 7 1/4" rectangles
Second 3" strip - (2) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" square, (2) 2 3/4" x 7 1/4" rectangles


And you are done cutting prints.  You should have the quality of each piece listed below.    Place the 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares and 2 3/4" x 7 1/4" rectangles together with similar fabrics grouped (as shown) to be used for the Corner Blocks.  Place the 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" rectangles in a pile to be used for the Sashing Blocks.  And place the 3" x 8" rectangles and the 3" x 13" rectangles together with similar fabrics grouped (as shown) and then add the 3" x 3" squares to the group to be used for the Center Blocks.


And now, some yardage cutting.  Press your background yardage.  From your background fabric cut the following:
(36) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares - Place with the Corner Blocks print pile.
(120) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares - Place with the Sashing Blocks print pile.
(120) 2 3/4" x 13" rectangles - Place with the Sashing Blocks print pile.
(50) 3" x 3" squares - Place with the Center Blocks print pile.
(50) 3" x 8" rectangles - Place with the Center Blocks print pile.


STEP 2 - CORNER BLOCKS

We'll start with building the Corner Blocks.  So grab the print and background fabrics in the Corner Blocks pile.  Note - while the instructions will be shown making one block at a time, I recommend chain stitching and assembly line piecing all 36 units at a time, if you are comfortable with that type of piecing.

To start the Corner Blocks gather a 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" background square and (2) similar 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" print squares.  Lay out as follows.  Place the right hand side print square onto the background square with right sides together.  Aligning as you go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finger press.  Now place the left hand print square onto the background square with right sides together.  Aligning as you go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press both seams outward.



Now gather the (2) similar 2 3/4" x 7 1/4" print rectangles.  Lay out as follows.  Place the top print rectangle onto the pieced unit with right sides together.  You can align as you go or pin and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finger press.  Now place the bottom print rectangle onto the pieced unit with right sides together.  Align as you go or pin and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press both seams outward.  Repeat this step to make a total of 36 Corner Blocks.


STEP 3 - SASHING BLOCKS

Next, we move onto building the Sashing Blocks.  So grab the print and background fabrics in the Sashing Blocks pile.  Note - once again, while the instructions will be shown making one block at a time, I recommend chain stitching and assembly line piecing all 60 units at a time, if you are comfortable with that type of piecing.

To start the Sashing Blocks gather a (2) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" background squares and (1) 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" print rectangle.  Lay out as follows.  Place the right hand side background square onto the print rectangle with right sides together.  Aligning as you go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finger press.  Now place the left hand  background square onto the print rectangle with right sides together.  Aligning as you go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press both seams outward.


Now gather (2)  2 3/4" x 13" background rectangles.  Lay out as follows.  Place the top background rectangle onto the pieced unit with right sides together.  You can align as you go or pin and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finger press.  Now place the bottom background rectangle onto the pieced unit with right sides together.  Align as you go or pin and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press both seams outward.  Repeat this step to make a total of 60 Sashing Blocks.


STEP 4 - CENTER BLOCKS

And finally, we will build the Center Blocks.  So grab the print and background fabrics in the Center Blocks pile.  Note - And one last time, while the instructions will be shown making one block at a time, I recommend chain stitching and assembly line piecing all 25 units at a time, if you are comfortable.

To start the Center Blocks gather a (2) 3" x 3" background squares and (1)  3" x 3" print square.  Lay out as follows.  Place the right hand side background square onto the print square with right sides together.  Aligning as you go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finger press.  Now place the left hand background square onto the print square with right sides together.  Aligning as you go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press both seams outward.



Now gather (2) 3" x 8" background rectangles.  Lay out as follows.  Place the top background rectangle onto the pieced unit with right sides together.  You can align as you go or pin and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finger press.  Now place the bottom background rectangle onto the pieced unit with right sides together.  Align as you go or pin and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press both seams outward.


Now gather (2)  3" x 8" print rectangles and (2) 3" x 13" rectangles all of the similar print.  Lay out as follows.  Place the right hand side print square onto the background square with right sides together.  Aligning as you go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finger press.  Now place the left hand print square onto the background square with right sides together.  Aligning as you go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press both seams outward.


Place the side print rectangles onto the pieced center unit with right sides together.  Aligning as you go or pin in place and then stitch a 1/4" seam along each of the 2 edges.   Press both seams outward.


Place the top and bottom  print rectangles onto the pieced center unit with right sides together.  Aligning as you go or pin in place and then stitch a 1/4" seam along each of the 2 edges.   Press both seams outward.


Repeat this step to make a total of 25 Center Blocks.



STEP 5 - ASSEMBLING QUILT TOP

And now all that is left is assembling the quilt top.  I have to apologize that the remaining steps will use graphics and not pictures.  I tried and tried but just could not get a whole row into my camera view.  This is a big quilt ;)

Gather 6 Corner Blocks and 5 Sashing Blocks.  Lay them out in a row as shown below, playing with the placement of prints until it is pleasing to the eye.  Using 1/4" seams, sew the blocks into a row.  (I like to do this by first sewing all of the corner blocks to the sashing block next to it, and then sewing those pieced units together :)  Press the seams towards the Sashing Blocks.  Repeat to make a total of 6 rows.



Now gather 6 Sashing Blocks and 5 Center Blocks.  Lay them out in a row as shown below, playing with the placement of prints until it is please to the eye.  Using 1/4" seams, sew the blocks into a row.  (Once again, I like to do this by first sewing the sashing blocks to the center block next to it, and then sewing those pieced units together)  Press the seams towards the Sashing blocks.  Repeat to make a total of 5 rows.


And finally, layout all your rows as shown below, starting and ending with the corner rows and alternating rows.  Using a 1/4" seam, sew the rows together into the quilt top.  And yes, just like making the rows, I like to first sew each corner row to the center row next to it, and then sew those pieced row units into the quilt top.

STEP 6 - FINISHING UP

And now that your quilt top is compete, you are ready to finish you quilt.  You just have to Baste it, Quilt it, and Bind it. (You will need 11 2 1/2" x wof binding strips).   I know that's a lot of work to put into one sentence.  If you are new to quilting and need some pointers on how to finish your quilt you can see my video tutorials going over basting, quilting, and binding in detail.  


I really pushed myself in the quilting of this one in an attempt to get more comfortable with the Long Arm.  I spent 20 hours quilting Steps to Tranquility and by the end, we were good friends.  We had a few rough patches along the way but it all worked out.  Oh,  and there are over 500,000 stitches.  (I love that the machine counts them, so fun :)  I think this is by far, the most custom quilt quilting I have ever done on a quilt and I am so excited to share it ;)

For the Center Blocks I quilted a back and forth rounded edge design and then used my ruler in the corners to create some outward rays.  I love how the two designs work together.  And on all the background of the entire quilt I quilted my favorite little spirals.  These are a lot smaller than I normally quilt and it was good to get more comfortable with smaller (although it sure takes a lot longer ;)


For the Corner Blocks I did echoed Arches of the piecing.  I just love how this quilting design creates  the secondary circle designs.  So fun!!  This stitch was a little nerve racking at first to try and get my arches similar, but by the end I was loving how fast and easy it was.


And finally, in the sashing blocks I did an S design that I learned from Angela Walters craftsy video's.  Once again, nervous to get started on this one as I was having a hard time keeping my shape and distance apart the same, but by the end of the quilt, feeling pretty good about it :)


All in all, I am just ecstatic with how the quilting turned out and it has oh so much yummy texture!!

STEP  - ENJOY

Once you baste it, quilt it, and bind it, you can then sit back and enjoy it!!  This 103"x 103" King Size Bedspread is sure to be an added piece of tranquility in your house :)


I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and if you make your own Steps To Tranquility Quilt I would love to see it.  You can add a picture of it in my Happy Quilting Flickr group here, or if you don't do flickr just email me a picture :)

BONUS SIZE!!!!   Several of you have asked how to make this quilt, but in a smaller size, so I have added the fabric requirements and cutting directions for a bonus size option and here it is ;)  You can make this as a Picnic Size finishing at 84" x 84" by just taking out two rows of the bottom and side in the following layout that uses 16 Center Blocks, 25 Corner Blocks, and 40 Sashing Blocks.


Here's what you are going to need:
15 - 20 Fat Quarters - The more fat quarters, the more variety in the quilt.
4 Yards of White Background Fabric
2/3 Yard of Binding Fabric - Cut into (9) 2 1/2 X WOF Strips

And here is what you need to cut:  

From each of 16 Print Fabrics cut:
(2) 3" x 13" rectangles and (2) 3" x 8" rectangles for the Center Blocks
             You will have a  total of (32) 3" x 13" rectangles and (32) 3" x 8" rectangles

 From each of 25 Print Fabrics (You can use each print more than once) cut:
(2) 2 3/4" x 7 1/4" rectangles and (2) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares for the Corner Blocks
              You will have a total of (50) 2 3/4" x 7 1/4" rectangles and (50) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares

From the remaining Fat Quarter Pieces cut:
(40) 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" rectangles for the Sashing Blocks
(16) 3"x 3" squares for the Center Blocks


From the Background Fabric cut:
(32) 3" x 8" rectangles for the Center Blocks
(32) 3" x 3" squares for the Center Blocks
(80) 2 3/4" x 13" rectangles for the Sashing Blocks
(80) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares for the Sashing Blocks
(25) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares for the Corner Blocks


And that does it for the cutting.  Now you can just use the Block Piecing Instructions from above to make the 16 Center Blocks, 25 Corner Blocks, and 40 Sashing Blocks and from there use the Quilt Piecing Instructions from above and the Picnic Size Layout picture to finish your quilt :)
Pin It!

75 comments:

  1. Awesome, awesome, awesome! :-). Thank you so much Melissa. The size is a bit big for me - I quilt on a smallish domestic machine, but i might try to figure out the measurements and quantities for a smaller version.

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  2. Thank you so much for the inspiration this morning. I also have a Handi Quilter and my free motion quilting leaves a lot to be desired!! I know I need a lot more practise. After reading you tutorial, Steps To Tranquility, I have decided to use this pattern, make this king sized top and load onto my machine and practise my quilting just as you have done. I wont have time to start until January but will send you a picture when I complete it!! Thanks again. Cheers to a great Thanksgiving. Melissa

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  3. Great job!Thanks for sharing your tutorial. What is the finished size? The way I figure it, it's 137" x 137". Is that right? And how on earth did you get it on your frame? LOL I have a HQ Fusion with the big studio table and am not sure if I can get a size that large on it.

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  4. Both color stories are great, but the Jade really popped. I think this would make a great January project, but I think I will work a smaller version Thank you for sharing with us.

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  6. Well done and thanks for sharing your tuto,fabulous.Have a great weekend!!

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  7. Um, I am actually speechless, so thank goodness I can type.....that quilt is absolutely stunning and the work you put into it is amazing. Thanks so much for the tutorial and the opportunity to see this beautiful quilt. Now running off to Art Gallery Fabrics for my chance to win that prize!

    Hope you don't mind, but I posted a link on my blog.

    The Cosmic Quilter

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  8. I've been eyeing up that fabric! The Topaz is winning by a nose!
    And thank you for a fantastic tutorial!

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  9. It's beautiful Melissa! Thanks for posting so many quilting "eye candy" pics to drool over! I like how you stated how much time it took to quilt, too. I think people get the wrong idea that detailed machine quilting is super quick - so thanks for keeping it real :-)

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  10. Yay! Another fantastic tutorial from one of my favorite bloggers! I actually really like both of the color ways...they are both very soothing! Thanks so much for the tutorial and giveaway!

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  11. beautiful ...and thanks so much for the tutorial!!

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  12. Congratulations on your finish.
    There is a TED-talk available on you tube where an author talks about and demonstrates that rather than the 10,000 hours we're often told is necessary to be come good at a new thing, the critical time is 20 hours to become adequately proficient. Looks like you are there!

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  13. Beautiful--and thanks for such a detailed tutorial!

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  14. thanks for the tutorial, plans are to show to daughters and make.
    Linked over for the give away too.

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  15. Hi!!!! Thanks for the tutorial!!!! Very pretty quilt!!!!

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  16. Beautiful quilt! I was just looking for a pattern to make a quilt for my youngest daughter and her husband, and I know she would love this! Love all your tutorials, I've made 3 quilts so far from your tutorials.

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  17. Gorgeous quilt and I love the turorial!

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  18. Lovely and soothing. I must say: your pics at the Cutting stage are always fab. I am a visual learner and it really helps. Thank you!

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  19. I like the Jade. Thanks for the tutorial. This will go on my to do list.

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  20. Another excellent tutorial, Melissa. Yours are the tops. Congrats on the quilting - looks great! The quilt is lovely.

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  21. Your quilt turned out lovely. You did a nice job on your quilting too. I love Angela's fabric so I am going to go on over and enter the giveaway. Thanks for sharing your tutorial with us.

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  22. Fabulous tutorial in stunning fabrics - they are perfect for each other!!! Thank you so much for sharing your pattern tutorial with us!! Bookmarking this one for a quilt real soon :)

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  23. I love this tutorial. Watch out 2014 when I make it.

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  24. Looks like a great collaboration there!

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  25. Gorgeous quilt and gorgeous quilting!! The pattern works perfectly for Angela's Legacy! Thank you very much for this excellent tutorial!!!

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  26. Great job with the quilting! All designs I want to try, but am a little afraid of. Thank you for the encouragement.

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  27. The quilt is beautiful! I love your quilting too. I'm working on my FMQ, though it's all on my domestic machine. Not quite as professional as yours, but it's coming along.

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  28. Beautiful quilt, cutie pie, and great quilting!!! What alot of work, but practice makes perfect, so you did a great job in making sure you got plenty of practice in!!! :-) And as a group, I love the jade inheritance, but I own a few of the fabrics from the other line!! Have a great weekend!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg

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  29. This pattern is awesome and I really think that I could follow it without messing up!! Hehehe thanks for the chance to win this bundle... My favorite colourway is Jade!!

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  30. The fabric is lovely and perfect in your pattern. Would love to win Tranquility. maryjotruax@gmail.com

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  31. The quilt and quilting is beautiful. You did an excellent job. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  32. Beautiful quilt, Melissa. Thanks for the tutorial and giveaway!

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  33. Fantastic tutorial as always and beautiful quilt

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  34. I commented on Art Gallery Fabrics. This is such a pretty quilt. Thanks for sharing and for the great tutorial.

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  35. I have just been staring at 20 fat quarters trying to decide what to do with them. Thanks for the tutorial, I think i now know what to do. It seems like there are a lot of pieces to cut, but the construction looks easy. Is it easy? I like easy. Most days I am tired after a long work day and just can't really think, so I need EASY! I love the quilt, beautiful.

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  36. Melissa, your quilt is STUNNING! love it! :) --Jodie

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  37. Love your quilt! I've been waiting for a patter/color that both my husband and I could agree on for our bed, I think I've found it.

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  38. This is an excellent tutorial and the quilt looks fantastic. So much work has gone into writing up this pattern, thank you so much for sharing it with us.

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  39. Que precioso quil lo has explicado de una manera que se ve super fácil Y los colores muy bien combinados Un besazo

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  40. Thank you, so much! Great tute, awesome quilting!! Methinks this would be a perfect way to use up some batiks I've been hoarding -- I mean, saving ;-)

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  41. What a beautiful quilt and a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing it!

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  42. Your quilt is just stunning and congrats on a quilting job very nicely done.

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  43. Such a great quilt! It would def be a FQ buster! I have bookmarked it. Fab quilting by the way.

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  44. Beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing the tutorial, and for the awesome giveaway!

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  45. I love this quilt! The colors are so pretty!

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  46. Great tutorial. My favorite pick at Art Gallery would be Topaz. My Birthstone for November

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  47. Topaz, for sure! It's so hard to find really good blues, and these look great.

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  48. Very nice quilt and great job on the tutorial!

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  49. Traditional Topaz is the one I love
    Happy quilting

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  50. Awesome tutorial! It is so easy to follow. I love the jade. That is my favorite color.

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  51. Gear tutorial, thanks! Am amazed at how great your quilting has gotten, very impressed :)

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  52. Wonderful tutorial Melissa! Thank you very much for this great idea! I was looking for something on a wedding gift for the daughter of my friend! I always learn a lot from you!
    Greetings from Poland :)

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  53. Thank you for taking the time to create a tutorial for us.

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  54. Thank you for a great tutorial! I love the quilting designs you used andi appreciate the up close photos of your quilting. Your quilt is very pretty with the straight lines and clean look.

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  55. You are such a creative person and the quilting you did is really fantastic. How do you think of the designs to do in each section? That always stumps me.

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  56. Beautiful quilt - fabulous pattern!

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  57. This is a beautiful quilt. Thank you for the tutorial. This is a perfect quilt pattern for my daughter in college! Thanks for sharing

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  58. Wow, this is absolutely stunning quit. I am not surprised you are ecstatic with the quilting - it really is just magnificent. Fabulous work. Thanks so much for the great tutorial. Love it.

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  59. This is gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial. Your quilting is getting so good, too!

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  60. Beautiful quilt and pattern. Thanks for the great tutorial as well! The Topaz is my favorite colorway.
    dragonfly9716(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  61. Very easy to follow tutorial and a gorgeous quilt.

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  62. What a great tutorial! Now it's on the ever growing list to do. Keep up the great work!

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  63. This quilt is beautiful! I've already pinned it. Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win.

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  64. Lovely quilt. Think I'll try it in grays, yellows, black and white.

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  65. Love the. Quilt and really enjoyed you showing your different quilting ideas. I've just started experimenting with my fmq. I've mastered pebbles, now onto swirls and paisley!

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  66. What a beautiful job! Oh I'm trying to get that brave! I love the pattern and what a great tutorial!

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  67. I just love those colors and the fact that there are no triangles.

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  68. Excited to start a few quilts with your pattern. One with batiks, one with MODA Grunge, and one will be my annual Christmas quilt. Your patterns are always a delight to sew. Also, the detailed information and pictures on your quilting is so helpful and great for inspiration. Thanks again. D. Weeks (aka Momma Llama)

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

Melissa