Kari Schell On Point Quilter Blog

Quilting a Modern Quilt

4/24/2015

Two weeks ago I introduced my first "modern" quilt. Modern Maze has significantly more negative space then most of my quilts which called for a specialized quilting design. I would like to share how I came up with a modern quilting design for this quilt.

I hope this will assist you with your next modern quilt.

Approach

Like all my quilts, I like to start by identifying the spaces within the quilt that can be used for custom quilting. The five unique spaces I identified are noted below.

I went to some of my favorite quilting design sites and did a Google Search to get some ideas for quilting a modern quilt. What I quickly learned is that many of these designs used lots of straight lines and circles.

I began playing with some options in Art and Stitch, the quilting program I use for drafting my quilting designs. Because this is a fairly involved design, I have split the video into two parts. The first part covers the Greek Key sashing and Part 2 the creation of a design for the large negative space. A variation of this design was used for the border as well.

4.25 Note - I just realized that the video has an extra clip inserted in the second video. My apologies for the confusion. I had some issues producing this video as the handles in the "shape" mode weren't working correctly for me as there was a huge delay between moving them and them moving on the screen. I'm still figuring out why I was having so many problems; it could be my new desktop computer, Windows 8, the video software I use, a graphics card, my monitor or even compatability with A&S with Windows 8. I played with the program compatability feature of Windows 8 after completing the video and am hoping I solved the issue. Time will tell.

I am offering the quilting design as a free printed pattern (to assist those wanting to quilt this on their domestic machines as well). Here is the finished block (drafted and stitched out).

Modern Maze Quilting Design in Art and Stitch

Modern Maze Quilted Block by Kari Schell

Quilting Through the Seasons - Maple Grove Quilt Show Today

My quilt guild, Maple Grove Quilters, has its bi-annual show this weekend. There are approximately 100 quilts for your viewing pleasure. It is open from 9-4 today at the Maple Grove Community Center in Maple Grove Minnesota. For more specifics, check out this link.

I have a number of quilts in the show -- there is even a sneak peak at a couple that are featured in patterns that are not yet released. You won't have to wait long for the patterns as they are in the final stages of production and will be released at Spring Quilt market next month. All of my patterns will be available at the Noble Quilter's booth at the show.

Maple Grove Quilters Raffle Quilt

Featured Quilt - Modern Maze

Hot off the presses, the pattern for Modern Maze is now available for purchase. For those that collect charm packs, this quilt is charm friendly!

Create your own maze with these asymmetrical blocks. There are endless rotation possibilities. The quilt may be completed with four fabrics or may be made from scraps.

Finished sizes includes:

Wall Hanging (50 x 50)
Lap (70 x 90)
Full (80 x 90)
Queen (100 x 100)

Recommended (optional) Tools:

Tucker Trimmer 1™

Happy quilting.

Kari

Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips. As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt.

Alternative to Using Specialty Rulers

4/18/2015

Many of you know that I am a huge fan of specialty rulers. I love the concept of using tools to improve my accuracy in piecing quilts.

This week someone asked if my patterns could be done without the specialty rulers. The answer is a resounding yes. I always include alternate instructions for those that choose not to use the mentioned rulers. For this weeks blog, I thought I would share specifics about the quarter square triangle unit from my latest pattern Modern Maze.

Modern Maze by Kari Schell

When using a standard ruler, I suggest adding additional lines to aid in fabric placement and cutting. I like to mark these lines with a fine point Sharpie marker. Since a Sharpie make “permanent” marks, I start by lining my ruler with Invisigrip. Invisigrip™ is a clear, non-slip material that is applied to rulers and templates to prevent rulers from slipping when rotary cutting. It is made by Omnigrid®.

Here is how to use Invisigrip.

Unroll Invisigrip onto your rotary cutting mat with Invisigrip facing up.
Position ruler over Invisigrip and rotary cut based on the size of your ruler. Since it tends to curl, I found it useful to use some tools around my quilting room to hold the Invisigrip in place.
Peel off the paper backing and apply Invisigrip to the under side of your ruler and press out any wrinkles for a smooth surface. (OK – this one was hard to photograph – since the piece is “invisible”.)

Now draw the prescribed lines on the Invisigrip side of your ruler.

For this unit, I started by marking the 3-1/2” marks on two sides to make a 3-1/2” square.

I then drew diagonal lines corner to corner.

Backside of ruler with all lines drawn on Invisigrip.

Once I pieced my unit, I could then trim.

For the first trim, match the diagonal lines of the unit with the diagonal lines of the ruler. Trim the top and right sides. The intersection of the diagonal line is the center of your block.

Rotate the unit 180 degrees. Then match up the newly cut edges with the 3-1/2” drawn lines. In addition, you should be able to line up the diagonal lines and center intersection as well. Trim the top and right sides.

Lines for first cut were highlighted on this photo.

Line up for second cut. For this cut you want to mach the outer edges in addition to the diagonal lines.

Voila! You now have a perfectly pieced quarter square triangle unit – ready for adding to your quilt.

As an added bonus, the Invisigrip is reusable for your next project. To get rid the the Sharpie marker lines, use a cotton ball saturated with rubbing alcohol. You do have to rub a bit (maybe that is why it is called rubbing alcohol).

Featured Quilt - Modern Maze

Hot off the presses, the pattern for Modern Maze is now available for purchase. For those that collect charm packs, this quilt is charm friendly!

Create your own maze with these asymmetrical blocks. There are endless rotation possibilities. The quilt may be completed with four fabrics or may be made from scraps (or with charm packs).
Finished sizes:

Wall Hanging (50 x 50)
Lap (70 x 90)
Full (80 x 90)
Queen (100 x 100)

Recommended (optional) Tools:

Tucker Trimmer 1™

Lost in a Modern Maze

4/10/2015

Last summer when I was dealing with Vestibular Neuritis (think really bad vertigo), everything was out of sorts. I couldn't drive, I couldn't quilt, I couldn't work on the computer and I definitely couldn't ice skate.

Once my brain started to adapt to the loss of the nerve, I began thinking about new quilting ideas. I tend to like a lot of piecing in a quilt. But during this time in my life, I also needed a chance for my brain to rest a bit, so I knew I wanted more negative space than I am typically use to working with. I began playing with ideas for a modern quilt.

So what is a modern quilt? According to the Modern Quilt Guilt, "We define modern quilts as quilts that are functional, include bold colors, and are inspired by modern design. Minimalism, asymmetry, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work are often a part of modern quilt compositions, as are improvisational piecing and solid fabrics."

Fabric Selection - I liked the idea of asymmetrical, along negative space, and grid work. I couldn't quite make the leap to solid fabrics. But I had some Molly B's fabric from Marcus Brothers that is more tonal in nature and would work for me. I am personally in my "zone" when I can work with a great line of Civil War fabric.

Drumroll please!!!! Here is the quilt block and the final quilt.

Modern Maze Lap Quilt - Fabrics are from Molly B's line by Marcus Brothers.

I really liked the cleanness of the final quilt. One thing I would probably change is the light grey I used for the background. It looks great in the actual quilt, but I am not sure it photographed quite as well.

The quilt below is another variation of this quilt. I think changing the layout results in a significantly different look.

Modern Maze Wall Quilt by Kari Schell (Made from a charm pack.)

One of the big decisions you need to make in working with asymmetric blocks is the layout. There are lots of possibilities to audition. I find the easiest way to do this is using my Electric Quilt program.

For this weeks video, I decided to share how I used Electric Quilt to audition layout ideas for my Modern Maze quilt.

Featured Quilt - Modern Maze

Hot off the presses, the pattern for Modern Maze is now available for purchase. For those that collect charm packs, this quilt is charm friendly!

Create your own maze with these asymmetrical blocks. There are endless rotation possibilities. The quilt may be completed with four fabrics or may be made from scraps.
Finished sizes includes:

Wall Hanging (50 x 50)
Lap (70 x 90)
Full (80 x 90)
Queen (100 x 100)

Recommended (optional) Tools:

Tucker Trimmer 1™

Modern Maze Pattern by Kari Schell

Easter Eggs Galore Plus Baby T Play Time

4/4/2015

Baby T

Baby T from Internet (I lost the source of this one).

Four Seaon Quilt Shop, Maple Grove MN Sample

I was at Heritage Club last week at Four Season's Quilt Shop in Maple Grove and we received a pattern from Jo's Little Women Club 13 called Baby T. I went home and did an internet search to see if I could find a few of the finished quilts to gain other ideas on fabric placement. The search was pretty much a bust.

I then decided it might be just as easy to draft this in Electric Quilt so I could play with my own fabric collection. Do you ever redraft patterns to play with fabric choices, size or layout?

I decided to work with browns, reds and backgrounds.

Baby T in EQ. Finished size of 18" x 22"

Each block in this quilt finishes 3-3/4" x 3-3/4". I think that just adds to the "cuteness" factor.

As I was redrafting the block, I also realized that the corners in each block were the same unit I used in "It's A Mystery". Even more exciting is that I could piece them using the same technique that I used in the pattern -- over-sized units that I cut down with the Tucker Trimmer.

Unit Produced with Tucker Trimmer

Now these units are a lot smaller (1-1/2" x 1-1/2" finished size) compared to those in It's A Mystery. Here is the size to cut the strips if you have the pattern and want to try the units on a smaller scale.

Narrow strips (Medium I) (background in Baby T) 1-1/2" x 7"
Wide strips (Dark A) (red/brown in Baby T) 2-1/2" x 7"
Rectangles (Background M) (background in Baby T) 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"

Sub-cut the strips 1-1/2". And trim up the final units to 2" x 2" using the Tucker Trimmer.

Here is my pieced top -- still in need of quilting.

Baby T Variation by Kari Schell

Featured Pattern - It's a Mystery

It's a Mystery Quilt Pattern by On Point Quilter

This quilt was originally designed for a mystery weekend – hence the name. This seemingly complex quilt is easier than it looks. Instructions provide for strip pieced and over-sized units that are cut down with the use of the recommended rulers from Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design.

Three sizes are available: Lap 57 x 69 (shown), Twin 69 x 93 or Full 93 x 93

Recommended Tools:

Price is only $10! Click on photo to be directed to pattern in my store.

Easter Eggs Galore

A nice variety of Easter Eggs were submitted. If you did submit, but are having problems getting into your account send me a note. I've had a few challenges getting everyone set up. (If you were in a previous challenge, you are already set up, just login using your e-mail address.)