Great Paper Piecing Project 3 -- Pinwheel Square

Now that the process is becoming more familiar, it's time to get a bit more complicated with our designs.  More pieces on this one but lot's more interest as well.  Just keep following those basic instructions and this will go together for you without a problem.  Go to www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com to download the project. Check out some of the other patterns and projects that are available while you're there.  They're all free!

Double Pinwheel Whirls Block -- Project 2 in the Great Paper Piecing Project

This fun block is the next step in my Great Paper Piecing project.  It's a fun block that is still very simple but the added dimension gives a bit more flair than the Pinwheel Block.  The cut sizes for the patches are included in case you want to pre-cut instead of using the scrap method.  I personally don't usually pre-cut my patches unless I'm making more than one of the same block but some people prefer the more precise cutting method.

 

Go to www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com to get the free pattern and instructions!

Great Paper Piecing Project RESTARTED!!!

Last year I had ambitions of creating an ongoing paper piecing project where I share some of my favorite paper-pieced blocks with other quilters.  Those ambitions were overshadowed by life in general but now I'm ready to start anew.

Go to my website www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com and you'll see the image above there as well.  Clicking on the image will take you to a free pattern and some pretty darn good directions on basic paper-piecing technique (if I do say so myself!).  I include LOTS of pictures and step-by-step instructions to get you started on your own paper-piecing project.

Going forward, I'll be sharing more of my favorite blocks.  We'll start out pretty simple and who knows exactly where my project will take us?  I plan to progress to more complex and detailed blocks and maybe by the end of my project, I'll be ready to design a whole paper-pieced quilt to share with everyone.  So get clicking and find your way to my website.  Come back here and share your input and progress with your own project.

Great Paper Piecing Project Part One...

This very simple block is going to be the first step in creating beautiful blocks with incredible detail and points.  My first installment in the Great Paper-Piecing Project has been posted. 

The pinwheel block can be made easily without paper piecing.  I chose this block for it's sheer simplicity so we can focus on the technique rather than the design.  The step-by-step instructions are clear, concise and illustrated with LOADS of pictures!

And what happens when we make a mistake while paper piecing?  Well, the tutorial includes great instructions that will get you past your mistake while saving your pattern with no muss, no fuss.

Last, but not least, a foundation pattern for a 6" finished pinwheel block will get you started.

So come on over to www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com and download the first block in the Great Paper-Piecing Project.  Sew along and before long you will be a paper piecing princess!

Different Layout for Four Block Wonder

Everything has been posted for the Four Block Wonder quilt now and they are available at www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com.  I have had a few people ask for a suggested layout that would make the quilt smaller but still utilize the four blocks.  What you see here is my suggestion.  The blocks are still 12" finished but there are obviously fewer of them.  This quilt measures 66" x 66" and will make a great lap quilt.  Hope this helps!

Four Block Wonder Sashing, Cornerstones and Borders

The Sashing and Cornerstones instructions have been posted today.  So have the Border instructions.  We're getting close to finishing our Four Block Wonder!

When I first started quilting, I absolutely hated doing sashings because working with long strips of pieced fabric and trying to get everything to line up was next to impossible for me.  As a result, almost all of my early quilts have no sashings.  This is a shame because I think sashing really makes a quilt sometimes. 

And then I watched an episode of Fons and Porter Love of Quilting on PBS.  They demonstrated a technique that I call "Sash As You Go" -- because it's kinda like quilt as you go.  I sat with my mouth hanging open thinking, "Why didn't I think of this?"

The directions for the Four Block Wonder sashings is based on the sash as you go technique.  No more looooong sashing/cornerstone strips with seams to match. 

Download all of the pdf files for this project at www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com.

Block 4 will have you seeing stars!

This is the fourth block in my Four Block Wonder quilt.  It consists of variable stars set in alternate corners so I've named it Slanted Variable Stars.  Like the Dutchman's Puzzle block, you will make flying geese units -- but nowhere near as many as before!  This is the final block needed to create our design, but you will be making twelve of these instead of four.  Keep going -- we're almost there -- and the next step is the sashing and cornerstones.  I have a slick little trick coming up to deal with those! 

Four Block Wonder is on Block 3... Get the pattern for free!

The Bear Paws block is the next installment for our Four Block Wonder quilt.  This block is truly impressive to look at but is constructed completely with squares and half square triangle units.  The pattern is available at www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com.

Oh, by the way, I am still making good progress on my Bali Wedding Star quilt as well.  I finished another block yesterday.  Now that I've mastered the techniques, this went together quickly.  This will is going to get finished for sure now that I've got it!

Block 2 of Four Block Wonder is HERE!

The Dutchman's Puzzle is the next block in our Four Block Wonder Block of the Week.  This block comprised of 16 flying geese units.  This is a great time to check out the No Waste Flying Geese method by Patti R. Anderson.  This is my favorite method because you can create 4 PERFECT flying geese units with absolutely no waste of fabric.  Here is the link to Patti's fantastic method -- http://www.patchpieces.com/files/flyinggeese.pdf.  The pattern for this block includes the cutting directions for this method but you will need to download these directions to actually create the flying geese.  You will then be able to construct your perfect Dutchman's Puzzle blocks.  Go to www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com to download the pattern now!

Here is the first installment of the Four Block Wonder quilt.  This block is called Crossroads.  It works up quickly and is a lot of fun.  You can find it for free download at www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com.  You will also find the fabric requirements there as well.  Hop on over and check it out.  Click around... you may find some other things you like there too!

Changed the size but this will be a good one...

 I actually designed this quilt last week and decided to write up the pattern for it.  I am calling it my Four Block Wonder Quilt because there are four different blocks used to create the design.  When I started writing the pattern, I did some slight changes and tweaks to make things easier to cut and piece.  The original design was 85" square and now it is 95" square but I think that is a great size for either a full or queen size bed.  If you use lighter batting, it could make a spectacular bedspread for a twin bed as well.  I will be releasing this pattern as a Block of the Week.  As each block pattern comes along, I will show some different colorways as well, just to give you an idea of the possibilities.  So keep tuning in to catch the installments!

Valentines Day is right around the corner...

Since I've just about run out of snowman inspiration, I decided to try my hand at a little valentine block.  My granddaughter, Izzy, is a monkey fanatic so I think I am going to put this applique on a t-shirt for her.  The  free pattern is available at www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com.  The pattern is based on a "little quilt" (12" x 12" finished size) but you can always use a xerox to resize your templates to whatever size you want.  If you would like me to email templates of a specific size to you, please email me at georgia@crazyladyquiltdesigns.com.  I can resize the pattern for you in my EQ7 software and email a pdf of the proper size templates directly to you.  I hope you enjoy my little Monkey Love design.

Snow Couple Leads to Snow Child...

This proud papa snowman is pulling his son on a sled.  Of course, with the weather warming up in Minnesota, this could be the shortest sled ride in snowman history!

Another Snowman pattern... Getting romantic this time~

This cute little snowcouple are taking a stroll on a cold winter's day.  Arm in arm and smiling away... can't you just feel the snowflakes in their little hearts melting for each other.  Download the pattern at www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com

Snow = Snowman + Sled

After the snow has been around a few days, you always see kids out on their sleds.  This little snowman is gonna have some fun too!  Go to www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com to download the pattern!

Snow in Minnesota -- Finally! -- and Inspiration Follows...

The holidays are officially over and my Scrooge attitude is out the door with them.  Maybe the fact that we finally got some snow up here in the great white north had something to do with that.  I would never have believed that before -- not particularly fond of snow -- but who knows?

Anyway the snowflakes fell and brought some inspiration for some more snowmen!  I have sketches for six right now and the patterns are for 12" x 12" blocks so you can create a quilt with several or make one and hang it somewhere.  I hope you enjoy my Skating Snowman.  I sure enjoyed creating him.  Watch for more snow guys in the near future!

Download the pattern at www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com... See ya there!

Sha-Zam!!! The Pillow Sham!

The Create-a-Bed by Christmas is progressing well despite an awful round of flu and an unexpected but delightful weekend trip with some of my grandchildren.  I'm making two of these and I have one quilt completed -- well, I'm sewing on the binding... the second is ready for quilting.  Since I'm quilting using a simple allover design, that takes almost no time. 

I decided to take a binding break today and get ready to make the pillow shams.  As I wrote the pattern, I decided that these are gonna be "easier-than-pillowcase" shams.  There's really nothing to it!  Check it out at http://www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com/createabed/

Can't wait to post pictures of these quilts on my beautiful granddaughters beds!

Create-a-Bed SewAlong moving right along!

Bed Skirts are on their way.  Gotta love Amazon.com.  I have moments though when I think I really should make them even though the cost to make them will be about triple (or more) than to make them.  It must be something about actually writing a pattern and then not getting to use it.  Oh well -- no time for regrets now.  I have quilts to get mede!

I have finished the pattern for my Twin Size Fat Quarter Quick Quilt.  It is made with 30 very simple blocks.  You will get two blocks from each fat quarter so gather 15 quarters and a little yardage for your borders and let's get started.  Here is the link to get to the pattern -- http://www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com/createabed/
I think I can get the center of one quilt finished this afternoon.  Since I am making two, I plan to do all of my cutting at the same time so the second quilt will be a breeze.

The cutting and sewing are fast and simple.  The totally random placement of fabrics and blocks makes this a quilt top a no-brainer.

Join me and SewAlong!

Bed Skirts Comin' Up in the Create-a-Bed Sew Along

December 3rd and I have the pattern all worked out for the Bed Skirt. I called my daughter to see if she wanted them to be pink or white and she tells me that she really thinks I should save some money and buy them. You can buy a twin size bed skirt for about $13 at Amazon. Well -- I can't justify spending the money on fabric when the finished product is so reasonably priced! So, I ordered the bed skirts and I'm getting ready to move on to the quilts. Don't panic though... I'm still including the Bed Skirt pattern for those of you who want to make one.  Go to http://www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com/createabed/ to find it.

I've chosen the fabrics for the quilts and shams.  I have a good supply of Beach House by Robyn Pandolph in my stash.  This is a soft, feminine fabric line without going completely pastel.  I think the quilts can be used for years and years with this fabric because it's not juvenile.  Now -- to decide on a quick, easy pattern that will let me get these quilts done in flash!

Preparing for the Create-a-Bed Sew Along!

As I prepare for the Create-a-Bed Sew Along, I have decided that I want to use French Seams to enclose all of the seams on the Bed Skirts.  My experience with French Seams dates back to my garment sewing days and I know that it is not necessarily a technique that is often used in the quilting world.  I decided to see what kind of information is out there on this particular technique.  I found a wonderful tutorial at the Sew Neau website.  Check it out here -- http://www.sewneau.com/how.to/french.seam.html  -- Thanks Sew Neau for a fantastic resource!

French seams are a fantastic way to put a clean finish on seams and I think it puts a professional touch on a project.  You decide if you want to use it or not...

Don't forget to check in often... Sew Along and Create-a-Bed by Christmas!

www.crazyladyquiltdesigns.com