Today, I participated in Electric Quilt’s Design and Discover Strip Quilt Lesson, which can be found at http://www.doyoueq.com, and designed two quilts using a vertical strip layout. The quilts were easy to design, but I would not want to rotary cut them, so I think they would be best as paper pieced blocks. The first one is called Royal Court and the second is Tumbling Hearts. What do you think of them?
Royal CourtTumbling Hearts
During the third quarter of 2018, from May through August, at Keep Me in Stitches, I will be teaching at an event, where on the first day students will learn the basic operation of Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8) and to design a basic quilt. Then on the second day, we will use the Accuquilt Go Big Electric cutter to cut out the shapes for the quilt we designed, and then sew it together. Students will be provided a free two week trial of the EQ8 software and will be able to use the Accuquilt die and cutter, without having to purchase them first. This will be a great opportunity for students to test out EQ8 and an Accuquilt cutter. I will update this blog when the dates of the event have been determined.
Block of the week is back and this week’s block is a favorite among quilters. It is the churn dash.
Churn Dash Block
It originated in the early 1800’s. It is called churn dash as the outside rounded corners look like the outside of a butter churn
and the center square looks like the wooden dash that went into the center of the churn to make the butter by pounding the dash
up and down in the churn. It is a favorite among quilters as it is fairly easy, using only a square, rectangles and triangles.
It makes a beautiful quilt.
Churn Dash Quilt
Accuquilt makes it super easy to make this block with their 9″ Churn Dash die.
Accuquilt Churn Dash
The churn dash pattern has many, many different names and variations of construction, such as the Shoo Fly and Double Monkey Wrench.
Let’s take a look at how some quilters have put a modern spin on a churn dash quilt.
It could be a red and white quilt as was done by Amy Smart.
Red White Churn Dash Quilt
Or a blue and white as created by Material Girl Quilts
Blue White Churn Dash Quilt
This quilt is absolutely gorgeous turned on point.
On Point Churn Dash by Pat Speth.
How about something big and bold like this coloring of the quilt?
Bold Churn Dash
You can also piece some of the shapes in the block for a modern effect, like this colorful 4-patch center and pieced rectangles in Nut by The Happy Zombie.
or add flying geese to the rectangles as was done by Blue Ridge Girl in this modern interpretation of the churn dash block.
Flying Geese Churn Dash
Finally, you could alternate the churn dash with another block
such as the 9-patch for a very striking and modern quilt created by Mary Manson or
make the block wonky like this one made by Jennifer Dick of 42 Quilts.
Wonky Churn
I hope this has inspired you to try some new things for putting a modern spin on the old time favorite churn dash block.
I entered several blocks in the 2017 Accuquilt Block Design Contest. By popular vote, these two entries were the most popular.
Here were my other entries:
But the Grand Champion was my Purple Rose. It will be unveiled on the billboard outside the Accuquilt headquarters in Interstate 80 for an entire year. I am in the process of designing a quilt and a pattern for this block, which will be available in our shop.
I also entered this contest in 2016 and here were my entries from that year.
But the one that won Fan Favorite was Not Your Grandmother’s Flower Garden a.k.a. What Happens When Grandpa Tells Grandma No More Trips to the Fabric Store.It was designed with the Accuquilt Dresden Plate Die and Kaffe Fassett fabrics.
As a result of winning Fan Favorite, I was honored with a trip to Julien California to spend a week with Eleanor Burns, from Quilt in a Day, at her Fall quilt retreat at Camp Cedar Glen in the mountains. It was a wonderful time for which I am forever grateful.
For the 2017 Blogger’s Quilt Festival, I thought I would share Blue Bear’s most popular pattern, Greek Isles Modern.
This pattern is much easier than it looks. It is made with 2.5″ strips of white and 2.5″ strips of light, medium and dark batiks, that you may obtain from jelly rolls, or cut on your 2.5″ strip die with your Accuquilt Go! Cutter. The blocks are all constructed the same way, and placement is what determines the pattern. At 70 x 90,” it is the perfect quilt to curl up with on the couch for binge watching your favorite Netflix shows.
Here is a picture of Kim at Keep Me in Stitches in Largo, Florida, quilting this beauty; followed by a close up of her fantastic quilting.
Here are several more photos of the quilt out and about.
I have taught this class several times and here are some of my students interpretations of the quilt. Click on the links for short videos. They did a fantastic job!
When I was teaching at Bear Patch Quilt Company in White Bear Lake, MN, this August, I came across a Swedish Barn Quilt Trail when sightseeing with my sister. This trail is located on Highway 8 and goes through the cities of Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City and Shafer. How fun it was to see all of these beautiful quilt blocks decorating buildings. A barn quilt is a quilt block pattern that is painted on a large wood square and hung on a barn, or on the front of a business. They are designed to last 6-8 years by using several coats of paint and then applying a clear coat. The first barn quilt trails were created in 2001 in Ohio. Scroll down to see the photo of the patriotic home that has tons of antique auto memorabilia surrounding it.
Whirling StarTulips in the CornerInterdependencePatriotic house in Lindstrom with lots of antique auto memorabilia.Swedish Rubics CubeDr. Pete’s Patchwork PetsSwedish Summer Night with Dala Horse in centerStar of BethlehemTable for FourCross and DartsGoldstarTulips in TownSwing in the CenterFantasiaStar BurstThere’s no place like Dome
Since becoming a certified Quilt in a Day instructor things have gotten very busy with the trip to California with Quilt in a Day, teaching quilt classes, the holidays, family weddings, colds caught at family weddings and a trip to Quiltcon. Quiltcon 2017, in Savannah, was very exciting as I went exploring to learn all about the world of modern quilting. Modern quilters are just as passionate about their craft as traditional quilters, and they love to share their thoughts and ideas with other quilters. I was trying to get a definition for modern quilting and what I came up with was use of lots of solid colors, like Kona Cottons, lots of negative space for beautiful quilting, think Angela Waters, quilts are more utilitarian, taking traditional blocks and incorporating them into modern quilts or blowing the traditional blocks up to a much larger size so there is more negative space for quilting. Here are some photos of the exquisite work that I saw in Savannah. I hope you enjoy!
Good afternoon. The Barrister Quilter apologizes for not posting any block of the weeks recently. He underwent surgery and has been recuperating. The Block of the Week posts will resume shortly. Today, I would like to tell you about Blue Bear Quilt’s designer becoming a certified Quilt in a Day Instructor. Recently, Reed Johnson traveled to Paducah Kentucky to the Quilt in a Day Shop for a week long training session to become a certified Quilt in a Day Instructor. The training was wonderful and Sue Bouchard was an excellent teacher. Her assistant, Ann Drothler, was excellent as well. He saw many stupendous quilts and learned many techniques and proper use of rulers, templates and Accuquilt dies. Below are photos of Reed receiving his certificate and name badge, along with photos of some of the beautiful quilts that the instructors learned how to make. Reed also likes to document his trips to other states by taking a photo in front of a local landmark; so see if you recognize these landmarks in Kentucky, Illinois and Tennesee. Amazingly, Sue does not like Sunbonnet Sue and she shared her quilts and a funny story. Reed is very excited to share with you all that he learned at Quilt in a Day. If you would like to have Reed come to your shop, guild, or other organization to teach a course, please check out our classes tab at the top and send us an email.
You could make one of these every year year. Keep them for yourself, or give them as a gift. Once you learn the technique, you can put photos on fabric in the middle or use something small that you have cross-stitched or embroidered. Have fun making these as they do not need to be perfect to look fantastic!
Quilted Star Ornament – Supply List
(1) 3” Styrofoam ball
(1) 1/8th yard dark fabric
(1) 1/8th yard light fabric
(1) 1/4th yard 2d dark fabric
(1) box dressmakers pins 1 1/16th inch, at least 300 count
(1) box extra-fine glasshead pins in color of your choice
(1) 1/4th yard decorative silky ribbon to create hanger
Quilted Star Ornament – Preparing Fabric
You need 2.5″ squares of coordinating and contrasting fabric. You will need 3 coordinating fabrics and one of them should be a light color and the other two can be a darker color. Press your fabrics, and then using a cutting mat and rotary cutter, cut 2.5″ strips and then sub-cut the strips into 2.5″ squares. For a 3” Styrofoam ball, you will need 10 squares of the first dark color and 16 squares, each, of the light colored fabric and the 2nd dark colored fabric.
2.5″ squares
Now, it’s time for the pressing of the prairie points. But first, set aside 2 squares from the first dark color, of which you started with 10, that you will not be pressing.
a. Fold the all the rest of the 2.5″ squares in half to make rectangles that are 1.25” x 2.5.” Press with your iron on steam setting. Do not iron, just press.
Half Rectangles
b. Then fold the just made rectangles again to make squares that are 1.25” x 1.25”.
1.25″ folded squares
c. Once you have the small, twice folded, squares, you open them back up to the rectangle and then fold the upper, left and right, corners in to meet the center crease line in the middle of the rectangle. Be precise when lining up the edges to the center; the closer (without overlapping the edges) the better. This makes a neat equilateral triangle (a prairie point) with the folded edges meeting in the center of the front of the triangle. When you have formed the prairie point, you carefully press. Be careful not to burn your fingers. You will end up with 40 small prairie points and 2 squares that have not been pressed.
Prairie PointsPrairie Points close upPrairie Points and squares
Quilted Star Ornament – Pinning the Pieces
To create the quilted look, you pin the prairie points to the foam ball in concentric layers.
Start by placing the two unfolded squares, evenly spaced apart, one at the top and one at the bottom, on the foam. Pin each corner of the squares to the foam and have the corners from each square almost meet each other, evenly spaced apart.
Squares on opposite sides
Round 1 of Prairie Points (1st Dark color that has 8 remaining squares)
Place your first prairie point directly on the 2.5″ square just placed at the top of the foam. Match the wide edge of the prairie point triangle with the corners of the square. Pin the bottom wide corners of the prairie point to the foam, first, and then the upper point. Then pin, to the foam, the upper point of the prairie point in between the two folds, a little below the top edge of the prairie point. You want to place the pin right in the creased edge of the fold so that the fold will cover it. Pull the folded flaps over this pin to hide it. When finished with a prairie point, the two pins at the bottom of the triangle will be showing and the pin at the upper point will be covered by the folded edges.
First Prairie Point
Using the same method, complete the second prairie point directly across from the first one. The upper points of these two prairie points will meet in the middle of the unfolded square on the foam ball.
Second Prairie Point
Using the same method, place the 3rd prairie point in the empty space beside the two just placed prairie points.
Pin the 4th prairie point in the remaining open space on the unfolded square to finish this round. You will have 4 prairie points in the center of the foam ball and all points should match up and not be overlapping each other at the center. They may overlap each other a little at the bottom of the prairie points. You will repeat this process on the opposite side of the ball and can do so now or after you have finished all 3 rounds on the top first.
Completed Round 1 on one side
Round 2 of Prairie Points (Light color that has 16 squares)
In this next round, you can decide how large you want your center star to be by deciding how much of the first round you want to leave showing. A good approximation is to start the 2nd round about ½” below the top of the first round. You should be able to fit 3 rounds without using more than half of the foam ball’s space.
To start round two, this time, place the prairie point’s upper point pin in first, right in the middle of the fold line of the first prairie point, from the previous round, about ½” from the top of the round 1 prairie point and then pin down the outer corners of the prairie point. It helps to put a pin anywhere on the prairie point, while pinning this center point first, and then remove this temporary pin. Use the same technique from round 1 of placing the upper point pin between the two folds a little below the top edge of the prairie point and pull the folded flaps over the upper point pin to hide it. Then pin the outside corners of the prairie point. These outside corners will overlap each other.
Round 2, 1st Prairie Point
Place the second prairie point, of round 2, completely opposite of the one placed in # 2 above. Just like last time, pin the center, hide the pin, and then pin the corners of the prairie point.
Using the same method, place the third prairie point, of round 2, 90 degrees from prairie points 1 and 2 just created.
Using the same method, place the 4th prairie point, of round 2, directly opposite of the piece created in # 4 above.
Now there are 4 long sections of the first round (dark color) that are exposed and are creating an “x.”
Round 2 “X”
You will now be placing a prairie point in each of the legs of that “x.” Place a 5th light color prairie point in one of the areas not covered by the previous 4 pieces from round 2. Place this prairie point in the line formed where the edges of the round 1 prairie points meet and just slightly below the level where the previous 4 round 2 prairie points were placed.
Round 2, 5th Prairie Point
You are adding another layer to round 2, of the same color, and are now going to start forming your star. Just like before, pin the center point, hide the pin, and then pin the corners of the prairie point.
Place the 6th prairie point completely opposite of the one placed in # 6 above.
Place the 7th prairie point 90 degrees from pieces 6 and 7 above.
Place the 8th prairie point directly opposite piece # 8. You will now see your first star formed from the dark color of round 1.
Completed Round 2 on one side
Round 3 of Prairie Points (2d Dark color that has 16 squares)
Now you will place a third round of prairie points on top of round 2. Start with the first prairie point that you placed in round two and going about ½” from the upper point of the round 2 prairie point, place the point pin of the round 3 prairie point first, in the folds of the round 2 prairie point, just like you did for the last round, and then pin down the outer corners of the round 3 prairie point.
Round 3, 1st Prairie Point
Place the second prairie point completely opposite the one in # 1 above.
Place the third prairie point 90 degrees from the prairie points created in # 1 and 2 above.
Place the fourth prairie point directly opposite of prairie point # 3 above.
Now there are 4 prairie points of the second round (light color) that are not covered by round 3. You will next place a prairie point in each of those 4 prairie points. Place a 5th dark color prairie point in one of the areas not covered by the previous 4 pieces from round 3. Place this prairie point in the center line of the round 2 prairie point and just slightly below the level where the previous 4 round 3 prairie points were placed. You are adding another layer to round 3, of the same color, and are now going to start forming your second star. Just like before, pin the upper center point, hide the pin, and then pin the corners of the prairie point.
Round 3, 5th Prairie Point
Place the 6th prairie point completely opposite of the one created in # 5 above.
Place the 7th prairie point 90 degrees from prairie points # 5 and 6 from above.
Place the 8th prairie point directly opposite of the one created in # 7. You will now see your second star.
Completed Round 3 on one side
Optionally, If you have room for another layer without going over the half way point of the foam ball, switch colors and repeat steps from round 3. You would need to cut 16 additional 2.5” squares of the new color.
When finished with one side of the foam ball, flip over the ornament and repeat all steps. If you repeated each round on the opposite side as you went, this step is already completed.
Quilted Star Ornament – Finishing Steps
Where the top and bottom edges meet is where you will place a fabric strip or ribbon. Usually the edges don’t match up perfectly. You can make the fabric strip the width needed to make sure you cover it all. Notice my edges and how at one spot the prairie points overlap each other and in another spot there is a gap.
Ornament Unfinished Edge
Finishing the Ornament
If you used a different sized ball, wrap a measuring tape around the ornament to determine the size of ribbon or fabric needed to cover the edge. For the 3” foam ball, I used a 12″ x 2.5” strip of fabric. You can use whatever color of fabric you want, but if you used the same fabric as in the round three prairie points, it will create a more harmonious look.
Coordinating Fabric Strip
Fold the strip in half, wrong sides together and press. Open the strip and fold both long edges of the strip toward the center line so that they meet in the center and then press. Fold each end of the strip in about a ½ “ and press. You end up with a 1.25″ finished strip to wrap around the ornament.
Determine the top of your ornament, if you have a preference. Wrap the fabric strip around the edge of your ornament and secure with the glass head pins at the intersections of the prairie points. When you come to the top, lay your hanger ribbon under the fabric strip and secure the ribbon and fabric strip to the ornament with four glass head pins. Tie your hanger ribbon in a knot at the top.
Attaching Strip and Ribbon
Optionally, you can attach the fabric strip and the hanger ribbon with a glue gun, if you prefer.
Keep in mind this is a handmade item and is not going to be perfect. The imperfections are what make it unique and special. There are no rules for the colors that are used or the spacing used between the rounds. Make it yours! You can make these into hanging ornaments, or decorative balls to place in a bowl or basket. The first round does not need to be prairie points. You can substitute a photo on fabric for the center square, or use a small piece of cross-stitch or embroidery as the center. To do this, you would skip the placement of the round one prairie points and start with round two after you have placed your photo or needlework.
Your ornament is ready to hang on your tree or give as a gift.
Folded Fabric Star Ornament
Please let me know if you have any questions and please share any ornaments that you make with the hashtag #bluebearquilts.
Back in March, I relayed a post From Suzan Ellis of Accuquilt regarding a Rob Peter to Pay Paul Quilt love story. It was part 1. Dying to know the rest of the story, I called her and said that fans were anxiously awaiting the outcome. She has posted the conclusion to the love story and you don’t want to miss it.
make the block wonky like this one made by Jennifer Dick of 42 Quilts.
Here I am in a catoonish image with my new look. Going for a more artsy.
I am in the process of designing a quilt and a pattern for this block, which will be available in our shop.
It was designed with the Accuquilt Dresden Plate Die and Kaffe Fassett fabrics.
