Bubbles!!!!!

So as you may have seen in our recent post, we are introducing HSTs into the YouPatch quilt design suite! Here is the first pixel quilt I've made that incorporates triangles:

The original image was a pic I took about a year ago of my daughter Ella blowing bubbles.

Rather than go with my usual bright solid fabrics, I wanted to incorporate a palette that was a little different so I asked my dear friend Louise (who usually goes for a softer palette than I do) to select the fabrics for me. Not only did she select something gorgeous and a little different, she went with textured fabrics.... all purchased from Amitie.

From L-R: Robert Kaufman dot in pink, Quartet Collection by Faye Burgos for Marcus Fabrics, Zenith by P&B Textiles, Robert Kaufman quilters linen in silver, Robert Kaufman quilters linen in platinum.

Introducing ... TRIANGLES!!!

YouPatch has, until now, provided pixel quilt patterns using only squares and rectangles as component pieces. We have recently been dabbling with the idea of adding half-square-triangles (HST's) to improve the capacity for creating smoother curved and diagonal lines.

My clever husband Dan Prager (the brain power behind this idea) has written about it in his blog post and we have re-published it here ...

Adding triangles to YouPatch

The Racket Logo

Following my talk at RacketCon 2014 a few participants expressed interest in getting a quilt based on the Racket programming language logo (right).

Since I used Racket extensively both in inventing and developing YouPatch (www.youpatch.com) I thought it would be a nice gesture to make a free quilt design available to members of the Racket community.

However, just running the Racket logo through the YouPatch process (as it stood) made for an unsatisfactory result on two fronts:

A new baby

No ... I'm not pregnant!

But my niece was ... until last week ... when she gave birth to the most delicious little daughter called India. She is a very special baby who will be more loved than most people I know. But of course, that might be my bias talking.

My niece asked for yellows, greys and neutrals. But I couldn't resist a splash of red!

And of course, the baby's name on the back (or the "other front") of the quilt.

All fabrics from my stash, including the scrappy yellow binding.

Already much loved by it's new recipient. Here's some more pics .... just because.

Welcome baby India. We love you to the moon and back. 

Andi xxx

A quilty finish

Aaaaaaaahhhhh .... back to my usual bright warm colours!

I finally finished this quilt started way back last year.

It has been sitting in my UFO pile for way too long, basted, just waiting to be quilted and bound.

Of course, once I got going, it was a pretty quick finish. Just a day or 2.

It ended up pretty big .... 78 inches square.

I went for the fancy shmancy binding again after using it on this quilt.
I really like the effect of this technique!

For the backing, I have used a gorgeous Kaffe Fassett floral print.

It sits very happily in the quilt stack in our lounge room, waiting to be snuggled under on a cold wintry day.
I fear these are coming all too quickly. Where did you go Summer?

Andi xx

A little help please

My values quilt has moved from my design floor to being a pieced top ....hanging on my clothes line.

Inspired by this gorgeous quilt top, I have gone for an asymmetrical design.

My question to you guys is ..... should I keep adding to make it bigger?

It is currently 55 inches squared which makes for a smallish couch quilt or a perfectly sized wall hanging.
But I have plenty of HSTs left over to make it bigger for a more generous couch quilt or even a quilt for our bed.

What would you do? Would you keep adding? Would you keep the asymmetry?

Andi :-)

On my design floor today

Andi :-)

Half Square Triangles

I have been so completely intrigued by Rita's brilliance with the half square triangle that I have been inspired to have a go myself.

The great thing about HSTs is the amazing variety of layouts you can choose.

I had a bit of a play with these designs:



and finally settled on this ....


Rita has inspired me in more ways than one:

I'm usually an incredibly lazy sewer but with this one I even trimmed my blocks!!!

I finished up the quilt top on the weekend.


The fabrics are mostly from my stash but the grey is a thrifted flat sheet from the oppy!!

The blocks are 6 inches cut (5.5 inches sewn).
The quilt is 14 blocks squared so (quick calculation .....) 77 inches squared.

I'm planning to hand quilt this one with lots of different coloured threads (to match the fabrics) in the grey areas. Thanks to Kate for that great idea!!!

Now I just need to buy some backing and wadding and get to basting (my least favourite job .... ugh!!!)

See you VERY soon with my first blogiversary giveaway.

Andi :-)