Feb 04 12
New Bird Blocks and a Wonderful Resource for Quilters
I had the chance to work on designing some new quilt blocks over the last couple of days and I’d forgotten how much I enjoy it. I could play with this stuff for days on end, but unfortunately, life kind of gets in the way. Here’s another one:
…and this next one is meant to have a mirror image block that will be to the left of it on “real quilt:”
…and this last one is for a different quilt entirely:
Can you tell that I’m having a love affair with these birds and all things “plumey?!” All of these will look so much better once machine embroidery has been added but I have so many projects going on right now that it’s gonna be awhile! I’ll post pictures once that part of the project is added.
On another note, I wanted to let folks know about a great resource for quilters interested in making quilts using fabric cutting dies. If you haven’t been to Ebony Love’s “Blocks to Die For” website, take some time to check it out! There’s a lot going on at that site. Ebony is a piecer who has spent loads of time cutting geometric shapes using Accuquilt products, both the Studio cutter and the Go cutters. She has very generously shared all kinds of tips and tricks that she’s learned along the way, and this is valuable information! She’s posted many, many, wonderful video tutorials. I haven’t watched them all, but my 2 favorite videos are the tutorial that shows how to lay out fabric on a strip die to use fabric most efficiently, and I also loved the tutorial that showed how to convert fabric scraps into useful strips. I don’t own any strip dies so as I watched these videos, all the info was new to me and I was struck by just how wonderful it is to have a site that is truly devoted to the fabric die-cutting community. While her site is loaded with lots of free information, she also has a digital magazine that’s available by subscription. This magazine is designed specifically for the die-cutting enthusiast, containing even more tips and tricks as well as patterns based on specific dies. If you’re reading this blog entry and have never played with a fabric die cutter, you honestly don’t know what you’re missing. I was very resistant to this form of fabric cutting myself and it has revolutionized my life! If there is any part of you thinking of taking the plunge, watch a few of Ebony’s videos and that may make your decision for you!cialis professional
Beautiful blocks and that blog sounds very interesting! I could use a few more tips! I got some batiks last week and am mentally preparing myself to do some cutting and applique. I have the Big Shot and only 2 dies but I saw the Go Baby at our shopping channel as a bundle with the strip die and a bunch of others, hst & squares, etc. so I may consider it after looking at her vids. I’ll check ’em out. Thanks for the link…have a great w/end and hope you get more time to create and show us!
So pretty. 🙂 Those are going to make one very cool quilt! (or two)
Really loving these blocks, birds are a wonderful subject to quilt and pick fabrics for.
Debbie
I offered to make my daughter-in-law quilts when she married and when the grandchildren were born and each and every time she refused. I am not a traditional quilter by any means but she just never liked the idea of having a handmade/machined quilt in her house so I gave up on the idea of ever giving her a quilt. I fell in love with your birds with plumes so I made six placemats for her with the birds on them with a dark brown background (brown and beige is her house interior) but I added red,orange, yellow and blue as well and I must say they came out great. She loved them and I finally got a quilted item into her house yeah. I used your fabric dies etc, thanks for great designs Patsy. cheers Pamela
Youre an inspiration, Patsy. Thanks for all your wonderful tutorials. Now I’ll have to add a die cutter to my wish list.
The birds are back…it must be spring…or am I just thinking spring? Love the blocks…bright and cheerful.
Thanks for the links to learn more and I also wanted to say I watched your videos on Alex and Rick’s site….they are great and I hope lots more folks will be tuning in to your lessons via your DVD’s….they are excellent.
Smiles,
Kelly
Patsy, I’m so sorry you were robbed of items that cannot be replaced. That’s horrible.
Your blocks here are absolutely stunning. As always, your work is such an inspiration.