Tuesday, April 10, 2012

beginning of a new quilt

I finally started working on my son's quilt.  The original plan was to use this pattern by Denyse Schmidt.


It's such a great modern and graphic quilt, just perfect for a boy (not an easy thing to find, I think). But, as much as I loved this quilt, I kept procrastinating. You see, this pattern has two giant sheets of paper full of templates needed to cut out each block. Templates? Really? Not my thing at all.

I decided to use the picture of Denyse's quilt as my reference point and cut out twenty 16"x 16" blocks.


I stacked 5 of the blocks (some patterned, some solid) on top of each other and used stack and slash method to cut the first 5 blocks. I mixed my fabric pieces around to make sure that each block has all the fabrics in it and got to sew. Here they are, ready to be trimmed.


I was working on all 5 blocks simultaneously - less time spent getting up to iron all the seams. I was really surprised at how quickly they came together. And, no templates!!! Yay!

I can't wait to sit at the machine and sew more of these blocks, maybe tonight, after everyone goes to bed.

Have a great evening. Svetlana

21 comments:

  1. You are so right in doing this! And making it your own in the process! Lucky son...

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  2. It's lookin' good.
    Makes me want to get cracking.
    hugs

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  3. Templates? For what is -- for all intents and purposes -- an improv quilt? Yours looks perfect.

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  4. yours came out much better. i love a good pattern, but that one seems to be missing the point a bit, you know?

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  5. I didn't know McCalls had quilt patterns with templates. Your idea is much better.

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  6. I very nearly purchased the exact pattern when I was in Canada a few visits ago but thought that I wouldn't like to use the paper inside!! Too funny you felt the same way! Looks great.

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  7. Wonderful fabrics, and your blocks look great!
    I can't imagine using paper templates to make a quilt - crazy!

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  8. I definitely think you captured the flavor of the pattern with much less work and much more common sense! Can't wait to see the rest :)

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  9. I love what you are doing with the pattern. I too looked at it but was not willing to follow all its rules for wonky piecing.

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  10. Lovely!! I think you made a great decision and obviously are enjoying the process, which is great!

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  11. Hi! Looks so great! I don't think I could either follow the pattern. I would like to hear more how you cut those pieces and mixed them (and how not to mix them totally and never find again the matching pieces). Happy sewing! x Teje

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  12. That is going to be gorgeous, Svetlana. Go with your instincts. Patterns are just guidelines anyway, not rules. :-)

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  13. Templates for an improv quilt? Good grief! Your interpretation is looking fab though :o)

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  14. Love the stack and slash method! Reminds me to get mine out of the UFO pile and finish it!
    Your fabric is great.

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  15. very nice! I love that you did it on your own,makes it more personal.

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  16. It looks great! I wouldn't have wanted to cut all of those templates out either.

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  17. I also didn't know about these patterns! No templates! Yay! Deborah :o)

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  18. Great pattern for a boy! I've never seen it before. I love how you devised your own way of making it. Those metro circles are one of my favorite fabrics right now. I bought them in green, yellow, and blue when I ordered those Washi prints I saw on your blog. I am going to try to resist fabric temptation for at least a few days:)

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  19. I'm with you on fussing with templates...not my favorite thing to do. Love the way your blocks are coming out!

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  20. I didn't know that McCalls sells Denyse Schmidt Patterns! Your quilt will be beautiful!

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  21. I bought this pattern for my son also! couldn't bring myself to deal with that ridiculous pattern paper!! Keep posting please! I am going to do it your way, since I really wanted my son to help.

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