Monday, June 15, 2015

Substitution Serendipity: Math Is Beautiful and a Skirt In the Works

Lars Meets Kaffe Revised: Math Is Beautiful, 54" X 54"
So last time I posted, I shared a new quilt design based on a doodle I found in Lars's math notebook:

Lars's Doodle and My First EQ7 Design
I created the quilt design in EQ7 quilt design software using out of print Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics from 2012, and then went on a mad, worldwide hunt to find the fabrics.  However, when the quilt shop in Switzerland emailed me about payment via bank transfer and notified me of "additional customs fees which may be significant," I canceled that order and headed to my LQS (local quilt shop) to look for substitute fabrics.  I'm glad I did, because I found a fantastic math fabric to use in place of the black and white polka dots:

Not only is this a math themed fabric, but it's the kind of math Lars was studying last year when he was doodling quilts in his notebook.  (In fairness to Lars, he did a great job in math this year and he claims that he created this doodle while he was sitting in assembly for the school talent show).

So it looks like I'm making another quilt with bright fabrics against a black background.  Although Lars's doodle could easily become a repeated quilt block, I decided to make it a one-block quilt with nice, large pieces to show off large scale print fabrics.  Also, I still have several long-term quilts in the works right now and wanted to mix in something quick and easy.

Speaking of the Big Haul quilt projects, I did manage to complete two more pineapple log cabin blocks for my California King bed quilt:
14 Pineapple Log Cabin Blocks Finished, 22 (or 28) Blocks To Go
These blocks finish at 17 1/2" so if I make 36 of them in a 6 x 6 layout I'll have a 105" x 105" quilt top before quilting.  Depending on how much quilting I do, there will be some quilting shrinkage as well as some shrinkage in the final wash (especially since I did not prewash fabrics for this one).  A 100" x 98" quilt is the recommended size for a California King with a 15" drop, but I'm starting to think that might be too skimpy on my bed, so I might add another row of six blocks to my original plan.  That would mean I need a total of 42 blocks for this quilt.  I sure hope I like it when it's finally finished (someday!).

But I haven't touched my Butterflies and Bear Paws quilt, my Jingle quilt, or my Frankenwhiggish Rose needle turned applique project.  Those are languishing on the shelf.  Meanwhile I'm itching to start on my Dear Jane blocks using these fabrics:
Fabrics for my Soon-To-Start Dear Jane Quilt
...And I have challenged myself to learn garment sewing, and first up is a simple skirt in this bold floral cotton voile print by Anna Maria Horner for Westminster Fabrics:

Pretty Potent Echinachea in Preppy, Cotton Voile from Westminster Fabrics
I bought a solid navy cotton voile for the lining and I just hope there's enough fullness in the skirt pattern so the voile hangs nicely.  What do you think?  The model is wearing the longer version of the skirt, but I'm planning to make the above-knee length.

I love the fabric print, though -- it reminds me of something I'd see in ready to wear from Boden or Anthropologie.  So far all I have done is purchased thread and notions and prewashed the fabrics.  Wish me luck!

Both of my boys are volunteer counselors for Vacation Bible School at church this week, so I'm hoping to get a lot of sewing done in the mornings.  Ideally I'd like to get my skirt made and also get my Math Is Beautiful quilt at least cut out and ready to go.  I might piece that one on my Vintage Singer Featherweight machine so I can alternate between that and another paper pieced pineapple block on my Bernina 750 QE without having to change my machine setup (I like to piece with lightweight Aurifil 50/2 cotton thread and a 70 Microtex needle, but I've got the B 750 threaded up with heavier 50/3 cotton Mettler thread and a size 90 quilting needle for paper piecing.  That gives me better perforation of the paper that I'll need to tear away at every seamline, and a stronger seam to withstand the stress of tearing paper away).

I'm linking up with Design Wall Monday and Main Crush Monday.  Have a great week!

8 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I wondered what kind of fees would be involved from ordering something from Europe - sorry it didn't work out for you but glad that you found a substitute fabric - cute skirt -

LA Paylor said...

I learned to sew with garments and like anything, it's easy when you know how! Elastic is always easier than inset zippers in the beginning. Your pineapple is ab fab! LeeAnna

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

I'm excited to see your skirt when it's finished - that AMH fabric is fabulous! One day I'm going to try to make a pineapple block, I think they are so cool looking. Your blocks look great!

Candace said...

I love the fabric choices in your 1 block quilt. Your pineapple quilt is stunning!!! I hope you will one day share a photo of it on your bed.

Jenny K. Lyon said...

What? Only working on two quilts and a skirt, neglecting the 3 quilts in que? Slacker! That math quilt is going to be fabulous-that fabric is a find!

Ramona said...

Your Math block is wonderful! I love the design and the bright, bold fabrics. Your skirt fabric is beautiful. I used to make most of my own and then my daughters' clothes, but haven't in years. Maybe it's time to sew a garment again. Have fun with your skirt!

Anonymous said...

Love the skirt pattern. I've been looking at some lately, and I like this one. Thanks for sharing that. The pineapple quilt is gorgeous - I always love that pattern. The math block is bright and beautiful, too.

Colleen said...

Rebecca, I love all your projects, but that pineapple block quilt is amazing. I'm away from a proper computer for a bit so I have to respond to a recent Comment you left on my blog here. Thank you so much for your kind words about my EPP rosette and fussy cutting. I've read your blog for quite some time now and have always been impressed with your attention to detail. I'm very flattered that you enjoyed my work.