I bought a Quick Curve Ruler last November while planning to make a quilt for my sister using the Urban Abacus pattern. I have been procrastinating because of the curves, and because I wanted to change the dimensions of the beads/lanterns.
After speaking with one of the designers at the HMQS, who thought it would work very well, I decided to give it a shot. While my quilt is about the same size as the one in the pattern, it has half of the beads/lanterns.
I ended up cutting my lanterns 8 inches wide, and the bars 2.5 inches wide. Then I experimented with how wide I wanted the background to be cut (5 inches wide). I am so pleased with how the pattern looked with my sizes. (I kept all the heights the same as in the pattern.)
It was so much fun watching the quilt transform with each step.
From the cut pieces.
To the sewn blocks.
To the finished quilt top.
One other change I made was to extend the bars on the top and bottom to make the lanterns float a little more. (I didn't like the look of the binding right up next to the lanterns/beads on the top and bottom of the quilt.)
I also did the piecing a little bit different than I normally do. I usually sew all the blocks, press all the blocks, then square up all the blocks. However, I found it much easier to work in batches of four. I would piece four...
Then press them, cover them with a magazine and leave them to cool.
While they were cooling, I would sew the next four. Then square them up once they were cool and flat. It worked really well.
I had fun sewing the quilt top and think that the Urban Abacus is a great beginner Quick Curve Ruler pattern. There are no points that have to match up which was really nice!
Now that I am no longer afraid of the ruler and sewing, I look forward to trying more of their patterns. I already have their sampler quilt pattern...
XX,
Jasmine
P.S. I will be linking up with some of the fun parties on my sidebar. Check them out for lots of quilting inspiration.
Yes indeed it worked out great!
ReplyDeleteI really like the soft colors you choose! It's great that you're stretching your sewing skills with rulers.
ReplyDeleteExtending the bars at the top and the bottom seems like it should have been a part of the pattern; great choice! The lanterns look like a great way to show off some special fabric. I tend to work in batches like you describe here - less sitting and standing all at once tends to work better for me and my back.
ReplyDeleteLovely unique quilt, Jasmine. The fabric seems a little different for you from what I've seen but I love it. It goes with the design perfectly. Is that a Robert Kaufman oriental? How will you quilt it? Will you be doing all the pebbles in the background like the creator of the ruler? Awesome quilt!
ReplyDeleteYour changes are, as usual, very well thought out and executed, and improve the original design. I've heard of this ruler, but haven't really had the urge to try it, although now I see how you can showcase a larger print (and I have a couple of those in my stash), this definitely piques my interest.
ReplyDeleteCurves?! YIKES!! They've turned out great, Jasmine - very unusual :)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a quilt like this and it looks so pretty with the Asian fabrics and curves. Wonderful work Jasmine!
ReplyDeleteYou might get a kick out of this... Do you remember when I pinned your "Floating" quilt onto Pinterest? In the next day or two, that one pin is going to hit its one thousandth repin!!! And who know how many times it has been repinned from all those people's boards too? Pretty awesome Jasmine!
I like your pattern, I've never seen anything like it. It was a good idea to add the bars to the top/bottom - the binding would have looked funky right up against the lanterns. I love the print of the lanterns, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I found, once I got started with the curves, it wasn't so bad :) I love the idea of putting magazines on the blocks while they cool - and it looks like it was very successful - your quilt looks very flat! Well done. I can't wait to see what other curvy masterpieces you come up with :)
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE the "magazine tip" ... It's great!! I have been doing it ever since you talked about it on your blog. Thanks!!
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