Disappearing Pinwheel

So, this is my third zip loc baggie project, as part of my New Year's resolution and quest to empty the shelf of those projects.  Disappearing Pinwheel (pattern from Missouri Star).

I chose to use the fabrics I have on hand - a big piece of white and 10in squares from my dwindling collection of Kaffe Fasset fabrics.

I started this project in 2016 when my gorgeous friend R decided to show me how to make it.  She has since finished hers.

The blocks as I opened up the zip loc bag.  Some completed and some not.

I ended up with 12 blocks which measure 11.75in (11.25in finished).  A nice size of layout of 3x4 blocks.  But, when my fabrics were put close together, the result was terrible, so I added in sashing strips and cornerstones.  It took me quite a while to find something in my stash and then I spied this lovely Liberty stripe.  Perfect, or so I thought.

But, the stripe was not at all the right fabric - I swapped the Liberty stripe for a plain red.  The stripe was just too busy and there was no-where for the eye to rest.

With careful cutting and calculating, I was able to get all of the sashing strips cut from the left over white fabric - phew!  It was a very close call to get 31 of 1.5in x 11.75in sashing strips and no room at all for cutting errors.  I think the cutting gods were on my side that day!

The top half of the notebook page shows working out for the sashing strips and the bottom half of the page is working out for the backing fabrics.

Ready for basting before quilting.

A pieced backing made from leftover blocks and two odd pieces from my stash....

Finished off with a red binding, which was the only deliberate purchase for this quilt.

I quilted this quilt as a "Strippy Quilt" with a rose pattern down the blocks and in straight lines in the long sashing strips.  I have used this technique previously and I really like how it gives another dimension to the quilt top.  The quilting thread used was Wonderfil #50 weight variegated lime green Tutti Cotton on top and Gutermann #50 weight cotton in the bobbin.  This thread has turned out to be a bit of a favourite to quilt with. It is so smooth in the machine and, as luck would have it, I had just enough to complete the quilt.

My Friendship Star version of the Disappearing Pinwheel will be donated the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne via the Very Snuggly Quilts Program.

Pattern credit
** Disappearing Pinwheel Pattern can be found here on the Missouri Star website.

Zip-Loc Baggies, European Chic and French Braids

Oh lord, I have quite a few zip-loc baggies hanging around.  I have them in many different sizes and hold all manner of quilting, knitting and embroidery things.  A few months ago, I decided that I would just take one off the patchwork only shelf, which has started to bulge out of the cupboard...........

Shelf of 38 Zip Loc Bags!

and just work on what was in the bag until it became a finished project.  Well, here's the update on the first one.....

A kit purchased on a Retreat some years ago because I adored the fabric.  I took it out and started working on it.  Not long after, an intended recipient appeared - love these serendipitous moments.

Easy piecing.  Borders are another story.  In the instructions, there's either a typing error or there's an issue with the math.  The side setting triangles are not big enough, so the instructions tell you trim up the sides of the quilt.  This was quite tricky to do.  At this point in time, I still need to complete the borders.  They need to be pieced and cut to the correct length.

The second zip loc baggie holds a French Braid pattern.  I began this project in 2011 when the quilt shop I was working for asked me to teach the class.  Not my pattern, so I purchased the jelly roll, pattern and ruler to make it for myself before teaching it to others (and I wanted to keep the finished quilt).

The original pattern.

I took my goodies home, cut up the jelly roll strips into braid pieces, laid out the colours and started sewing.  So far, so good.  The next morning, at 7am, I received a phone call from the shop owner advising me not to go into work because the business was closing.  48 hours later - Boom. Gone.  Needless to say, I was devastated and so was my friend who owned the shop.

Fast forward 7 years and we arrive at 2 months ago and a conversation at my local quilt group about French Braids.  A beginner quilter wanted to learn how to make them.  Serendipity strikes again!  Out came my French Braids.  Some simple instructions and a sewing demonstration later, her braids are in progress, another member also got inspired and cut up her fabrics to make braids too; and mine are made.  Nothing like someone to sew with to spur you on.

My completed braids

The original setting pattern for my braids has been scrapped and I found a new layout.  The number/length of braids I have made is the perfect amount for this pattern.  No thought required to purchase the pattern.  

Original pattern + the new pattern

After visiting a couple of quilt shops and quite a bit of time, I have found the perfect fabrics for the large squares and the sashings....

Ready for the next step - cutting large pieces and assembly.

My quest for making all of the projects in the Zip Loc Baggies will take some time, but it is good to say I actually tackled one of my New Year's Resolutions to work on what I already had started or have "ingredients" for and not started.

PS:  I hope the rest of the Zip Loc Baggie quest works out as well as these two have so far......