Last week I showed how I decomposed a block using Electric Quilt.  As a reminder this was the block I drafted.

I was asked for a better explanation of the Pythagorean theorem.  Let me give you an example with the block I drafted last week.  I knew I wanted to put the block on point.  This means I needed to figure out the size of my new block.

I mentioned that I wanted to come up with my own layout using Electric Quilt.  I decided to use a Lady of the Lake type of setting (yes a gazillion half square triangles).  It was a great opportunity to make a slight dent into my scraps.  No new fabrics were used in the half square triangles!

This weeks video will include information on rotating the block, creating some additional blocks using the grid and line tools in Easy Draw, adding a block from the library, creating a new layout and setting the larger block on layer two.

I'm not sure I care to count how many retreats I worked on these triangles.  I don't think I ever actually worked on them at home.  I will say that it was very exciting to finally see the quilt come together.

Now for the reveal----

For this week I decided to feature a pattern that used the Tucker Trimmer 2 tool.

These miniature quilts have an Irish theme – shamrocks, a Celtic quilt block and Irish chain blocks.  Instructions provide for oversized units that are cut down with the use of the recommended rulers.  This makes miniature quilts a breeze.  The table topper finished 21" x 21" and the vertical wall quilt finished 8" x 20".

The pattern is a steal at $8.  Click here to purchase.

Are you also interested in the Tucker Trimmer 2?  Click here to purchase.

Happy quilting.

Kari

Do you remember the first time you found a critical error in a pattern?  For some of us it ranks up there to remembering where we were when 9/11 struck.

For me it happened during my second year of quilting.  I don't remember the pattern name, but I remember the quilt.  it had browns, reds and tans.  It was going to be big -- queen size.  I had reached the stage where I had gained some confidence in my piecing abilities and to be efficient I cut out the entire quilt top before I began piecing it.  Yes -- all nine yards of fabric beautifully cut up, stacked and ready for a day at my sewing machine.

I then proceeded to work through each of the steps -- before doing step two, I finished step 1 for all 20 blocks of the quilt.  I reached the point where I needed to add a large half square triangle to a previously pieced unit. I found I had to really stretch the triangle to make it fit.  Hmmm. I began checking the normal suspects:

• Did I mis-cut any pieces
• Too large of seam allowances
• Did I use the correct pieces

Everything seemed to be ok on my end.  I finally pulled out a sheet of graph paper (this was pre-Electric Quilt) and redrafted the block and checked the math using the Pythagorean theorem from high school albegra.

The issue was not me but the size of those half square triangles.  I couldn't find more of the fabric so the entire quilt was delegated to the UFO (unfinished objects) bin where it languished for many years until I eventually decided to throw it and the pattern away.

Now I wish I could say this was the only time I found an error in a pattern.

I've now learned the importance of decomposing a pattern and checking the math.  This technique can be done with graph paper -- but I find I am much more efficient with Electric Quilt.

For this weeks video, let me share how I did this with Flower Box, a pattern I purchased from Laundry Basket Quilts.  (The pattern for this block plus a great quilt, can be purchased directly from Laundry Basket Quilts.)  Note that there were no errors in the instructions -- but I wanted to redraft the block in Electric Quilt so I could play with some different layout options.  I picked this one because it was a beautiful (but complicated) block.

General Rules to Remember

Most units can be decomposed using three simple math equations once you have the cutting instructions for the block.

The annotated block below shows the rules I used for each patch in the block.  The lines show the straight of grain.  

When looking at the triangle units note the X-cut units (#3) have one edge that is on the straight of grain.  Those cut once on the diagonal (#2) have two edges on the straight of grain.

Now that you have the basics, let's get to the video.  Warning:  There is a lot in here (18 minutes)!

Next week I will share an original layout I developed for this block.

After a cold and rainy series of weeks, the sun is finally shining and we are getting a taste of spring.  As a tribute to the "sun", I  thought it would be appropriate to feature my Sun Rays quilt.

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.

Yahoo!  As of end of day Wednesday, I am officially retired. (Please note that this is early retirement.  I have quite a few years before I hit the official retirement age.)  After 17 years at UnitedHealthcare (UHC) it was time to leave my "safe" job and pursue my passion in the quilting business.

So what did I do in my full-time job?  I was the Program Management Director for the Operational Excellence program.  For those in the corporate world -- this translates to Six Sigma.  For those non-corporate types, this means we were responsible for fixing process problems in the company.  

Although there is no formal "retirement" at UHC, I was able to end my career on a high.  A few weeks ago, there was a team dinner with participants from all over the country.  (They even surprised me by flying in my staff person in Nebraska to join the celebration.)

On Tuesday, there was cake in the office with attendees from the groups I worked with over the years.  Here are a few photos.

I left myself no time to relax.  After I turned in my laptop and other equipment on Wednesday, I drove to the convention center and started setting up my booth for International Quilt Market.

For those that don't know, International Quilt Market is the trade show for quilt shop owners and those who are in the business.  It is held twice a year.  Spring market rotates across the country and fall market is always in Houston.

Here are a few photos of my first ever booth.

I hope you recognize a few of these quilts.  :)

In addition to pattern design, I am hoping to do more teaching (both online and at shops and shows).  So I suspect I will keep very busy.

I've even hired Morna McEver as a business coach to help me stay focused as I start on this new venture.  Morna McEver is the CEO and founder of the International Association of Professional Quilters and International Association of Creative Arts Professionals.

I saw my niece Josie last weekend and was able to give her the Frozen quilt.  She carried it around all weekend -- so I'm guessing I can conclude it was a hit.

She was also a great helper -- opening all my pattern bags and even binding a portion of a table topper so I could get ready for market.  Is six a good age for girls to start quilting?  (She learned to tie her shoes last weekend and seemed pretty good at fine motor skills.)

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.

Let me preface this post by saying -- this isn't about the really challenging stuff in life (family issues, health issues, etc.).

In the early years I took a lot of classes.  If there was a quilt show, I would sign up for 3-4 classes. At the local quilt shop, I picked at least one new class each quarter.  I then began buying quilting books and magazines and watching quilting shows on TV.  Now I consider quilting relaxing and most aspects I find “easy” (at least most of the time).  

If so, please share in the comments section what you find the most challenging.

My primary goal in pattern design and instruction is to address piecing challenges for all levels of quilters.  In particular I have worked hard at keeping the needs of the more novice quilter in mind.  Now I do design quilts that look really complicated.  They have lots of pieces ..and lots of different types of units. (I don't want to get bored.) 

You may be surprised to learn that quilters at all skill levels successfully complete these seemingly completed quilts.  Their success is aided by very detailed and well illustrated instructions.  Each step in my patterns is diagrammed.  I believe in showing placement of rulers in these diagrams.  I promote (and illustrate) tools that allow for over-sized piecing that are cut down to required sizes. As a result many of my patterns have lots of pages. 

I encourage the more novice quilter to work through the quilt one step at a time.  When you are on step 1, focus solely on that step.  Don’t’ worry about the future steps.  The more experienced quilter will quickly jump through many of the steps.  (In fact I find, many don’t read the written instructions at all – they just jump to the diagrams and piece from that.)

If you haven't tried one of my patterns, take a look at my newest releases.  As an extra incentive I am offering 10% off on these two new patterns this week in honor of Mother's Day.

I know this is a busy day for many quilters.  I’m heading up to North Dakota to see my mother for the weekend. 

I would like to celebrate with you as well by offering 10% off my newest two patterns, Modern Maze and Ferris Wheel.  All orders will be fulfilled when I return on Monday.

When going to the fair as a child, the ferris wheel was my favorite ride.  I loved the view at the top and enjoyed colorful lights late at night.  This quilt can be made with 8 fabrics or the medium and dark fabrics may be made from scraps.  If made from scraps, Charms work for the Dark; and Fat Eighths or Fat Quarters for Medium 1 and 2.

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.

Back when I started quilting, I had a book from Mary Ellen Hopkins entitled "It's OK if you Sit on My Quilt Book".  In this book she introduced the quilting world to connector corners.  I think this may have been one of the techniques that revolutionized modern day quilting.  Over the years I have heard a number of names for the technique including "cheater corner" and "folded corner". 

The technique refers to a method of adding triangles to a quilt block.  It is frequently the suggested method for creating snowball blocks, square within a square units and flying geese units.  Although I've used the technique over the years, I found that I would have some fabric slippage or I would stretch the fabric in the pressing process -- resulting in less than perfect results.

A couple of years ago I was introduced to the Perfect Corner Ruler™.  It is built off the folded corner concept.  However this variation on the technique gets rid of some of the challenges with folded corners.

The Perfect Corner Method™ and Ruler™ were both developed by 
Ruthanna Grihalva, Forever In Stitches, LLC. 

I used the Perfect Corner ruler in my Tad, Ted and Theodore Bowtie pattern.  The example below is for the "Theodore" unit in this pattern.

Using the ruler, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the base piece of fabric (this is the  piece the corner will be added to).  The measurement to use for this line  is exactly the same as your folded corner measurement.  (For the Theodore unit this is 2".)

Cut corners.  The square for these corners will be 3/4" greater than the folded corner square.  For Theodore this was 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".  Cut the square once on the diagonal for two corner pieces.

Approximately six months ago Deb Tucker came out with her version of a "folded corner" ruler.   Corner Pop™ from Studio 180 Design is used for folded corner units.   Using this tool you will trim rather than mark, add an oversized replacement triangle and then square everything to a perfect size.  

This tool is featured in my latest pattern - Ferris Wheel. This pattern would have traditionally called for a 2 inch folded corner. Here is how I used the Corner Pop tool.

Use the 1 1/2″ Cut Away lines on the Corner Pop™ to cut one corner on a half-square triangle unit.

The square for these corners will be 3/4" greater than the folded corner square.  (For this unit, the square is 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".) Cut each corner squre once on the diagonal to create two half-square triangles.

With the half square triangle unit on top, sew (using an accurate 1/4″ seam) the corner triangle to the half square triangle.

Inquiring minds what to know....what methods you have tried -- and if you have tried multiple methods, which one do you prefer. Poll selections are confidential.

When going to the fair as a child, the ferris wheel was my favorite ride.  I loved the view at the top and enjoyed colorful lights late at night.  This quilt can be made with 8 fabrics or the medium and dark fabrics may be made from scraps.  If made from scraps, Charms work for the Dark; and Fat Eighths or Fat Quarters for Medium 1 and 2.

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.