2018 FAL Tutorial: Power Prepping Quarter Circles

Power Prepping Quarter Circles Tutorial:

Getting the same (or similar enough) results more quickly with less fuss is a win win in my book.  I use the "WHAT IF" approach to designing quilts often but I have discovered that it can apply just as well with construction.

Quarter Circles are a graphic, versatile design element and quite on trend.  Easy to love but not all that fast to make with the usual required method of marking and cutting.

STEP 1: Stack 6-10 layers depending on personal skill set

Today is my turn on the 2018 Q3 Finish-A-Long Tutorial blog hop.  I am sharing a technique for Power Prepping Quarter Circles for those of you who have more projects than minutes of the day like me. 

STEP 2: Baste Stitch a straight line X from corner to corner

Before we begin, I want to stress the importance of SAFETY FIRST:

Cutting multiple layers can be tricky so be SURE that you stay within your skill set and do not attempt more than you can safely execute.  Use a brand new blade and take all of the usual precautions like keeping yourself ergonomically positioned with your precious fingers away from the rotary.

An alternative is to use freezer paper templates (pressed with a hot iron shiny side down) and sharp scissors.

STEP 3: align template 

For this tutorial I used 10" pre-cut layer cake squares but folded yardage cut into squares works too.

Refer to steps 1-3 above.
Stack the number of layers you are comfortable with and Baste a straight line corner to corner in both directions creating an X.  Use a walking foot and/or adjust your machine setting for the correct fabric thickness during this step to reduce shifting and puckering however some distortion is fine.  Position the template as shown.  Tip: If your template is not already marked, you can indicate the middle point as I have done.

STEP 4: cut curve and straight edges

Refer to Steps 4-7
Cut the curve and straight edges on of the concave template and convex template.  Using a rotating mat is nice but not necessary. Simply reposition the parts as you go through the steps for an optimal ergonomic approach.  Because they are tacked together with the stitch lines, there's no worry about them wiggling out of place while handling them.

STEP 5: align other template

You can either cut along the template edge, or place a second ruler to position on the cut line and move the template away to cut as shown above and below. I personally like to have a more substantial ruler that extends further than my target shape to hold onto when cutting a straight edge of multiple layers.

STEP 6: cut edges

When you place the template back on the stack for the final cutting of the end tabs, it can be a little awkward.  I find that "rocking" my rotary blade cut works well for small areas like these. 

STEP 7: cut curve and tips

Did you think the Basted X was just to give stability to the stack and allow you to cut a bunch at a time instead of just a couple?  Well, it was that and more - read on.

STEP 8: Refer to Needle Hole Center Marks

Using a seam ripper, unstitch the Basting thread and reveal the needle holes. Your lovely big batch of concave and convex parts are ready to be sewn together using the needle holes for matching up as you stitch, pin or glue!  Being able to not only see but feel your target point is great.

Bonus Cuts from a Layer Cake

Isn't it wonderful how little waste there is? The cut offs from a 10" are large usable chunks and ready to be incorporated into the quilt or the beginning of another!

If you are a super precise quilter and perfection is your sewing threshold or you geniunely enjoy the steps of marking, notching, gluing or pinning when making half quarter circles, this tutorial might leave you shaking your head and rollin' your eyes. No judgement here - that's okay too.

Remember to link up your Q3 finishes (ends October 9) and start putting together your Q4 goals because that linky opens October 10th.

 Leave me a comment with time saving tips and tricks that you have discovered to eliminate or expedite steps - I'd love to hear!

FAL Tutorial Week

Today kicks off "Tutorial Week," which has been part of the Finish-A-Long since it's inception.  While the link up for Finishes is open, we share some tutorials for you all to enjoy. 

They are varied, interesting, and usually helpful, so take some time to investigate and visit the blogs below on their scheduled day!

• October 3, 2018 - Leanne of She Can Quilt - Holiday Pillow Cases 

• October 4, 2018 - Izzy of Dizzy Quilts - Fall/Halloween Themed Mug Rug                                   
• October 5, 2018 - Karen of Capitola Quilter - Power Prepping Quarter Circles (that's ME)

The Quarter 3 Finishes link up opened yesterday, you can find the link up HERE or on any of the hosting blogs. There is still plenty of time to link up or finish those projects as the link up does not close until October 9, 2018, 11 pm EST.

And whether you had a lot of finishes, or none at all this quarter, or you missed Finish-A-Long Q3 altogether, you can always join in for Quarter 4 which is taking off on October 10th, with the link up opening for your List of Proposed Finishes. We hope you will join us!

Happy Stitching, Karen

2018 FAL Q3 Finishes Link Up

Can you believe it, we have made it to the end of the third quarter of the 2018 Finish-A-Long and it's time to link up your Q3 finishes.  We hope you have used the past three months to complete a bunch of those UFOs on your lists!

The 2018 FAL has a community of bloggers across the world jointly hosting and this year's hosts are:

• Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA

• Sandra (also Social Media Director) - Studio Sew of Course - Ireland

• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada

• Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA

• Felicity - Felicity Quilts - Canada

• Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA (that's me)

• Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada

• Lynne - Tinking Along - USA

Before the link up, let's give a huge thank you to our fantastic sponsors:

$50 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

$25 Gift Certificate

2 PDF Patterns

$20 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

3 Six Month Subscr.

$25 Gift Certificate

$25 Gift Certificate

A Minikins Bundle

$50 Gift Certificate

2 PDF Patterns

$30 Gift Certificate

$40 Gift Certificate

For this quarter of the 2018 FAL, we continue tutorial week.  Here is the schedule for this quarter so you can visit them all:

• October 3 - Leanne of She Can Quilt

• October 4 - Izzy of Dizzy Quilts                                                                                                      
• October 5 - Karen of Capitola Quilter

The 2018 Quarter 3 link for your finishes is now open below on my blog and on each of the hosting blogs - you only need to link on one blog for your finish to appear on all host blogs.

Link-up "Rules":

Add one link for each finish.  If you want to link a round up post of all your finishes, use that link to enter one of your finishes and then link the rest of your finishes separately.  Please, only one link per finish, as your link is an entry into the randomly drawn prize draws. 

Please ensure that the photo (Instagram or Flickr) or blog post you link up contains a link or reference back to your original list so that we can verify your entry (make sure it is from the appropriate quarter, too). On Instagram, tag your photos with #2018FALQ3yourname (where yourname is unique to you), this makes it easier for us to match your finishes with your list, which also should have this tag.

Please become part of the FAL community.  Check out the links of others and leave a comment. We all need encouragement so let's applaud each other.  The 2018 FAL Facebook page is HERE and you can follow us on Instagram @finishalong.

Our hosts will also link up their finishes to share in the community but they are not eligible for any of the prizes.

The Q3 Finishes link will stay open from now thru 11 pm, EST, Tuesday, October 9, 2018 - as we are global, you might want to check your time zone to determine your last possible time to link (you can also see how much time is left below the linked up images on the right).  It is best to link up your finishes early and if you have a last minute one, add that one later so you don't miss out.  The prizes will be awarded as soon as we can verify all the entries and do the drawings.  We will post the winners on each host's blog.

Lastly, don't forget to start making your Q4 list as the Q4 list link opens on October 10, 2018.

2018 Q3 Finishes Link Up:

An InLinkz Link-up

Bolted : Bloggers Quilt Festival

16 1/2" x 16 1/2" Mini

I've chosen to share the mini that I made as part of the 2018 QuiltCon swap and am calling it "Bolted" for Bloggers Quilt Festival, 2018 Fall Edition.   There's a QuiltCon Recap post where I mention it briefly but I think it deserves more attention than that!   

Sneak Peak 

Creating an original design for a partner that reflects what I think they will like as well as my own style is a challenge that I very much enjoy.  Being paired for a direct exchange rather than secret and having the opportunity to hand off in real life at QuiltCon made the swap especially fun.  This is the blurry sneak that I posted on Instagram as a teaser ahead of time.

Ditched Design 

 Depending upon my mood, I will often snap pictures along the way as I go.  The ditched design above made me laugh because it reminded me of a frog with its legs sprawled out.  I do like the center set on point even if I didn't go that route it's something I may revisit.

Y seam fussiness 

The most challenging construction was setting in the upper corner to the mitered portion.  The bolts fabric reads so differently in the two color ways, I just love it.

Directional Fabric

I took a lot of thought and care in making the most of the graphic print and varied shades of pink and yellow.  Playing with hard and soft as well as directing the eye with directional fabric was very satisfying.  There are endless possibilities and it's easy to get caught up when you design as you go, but I did have a deadline and that was a good thing to keep me from over thinking things.

For the quilting, I went with organic improv on my domestic.  The binding was fussy cut and I matched the hang sleeve print.  I'm glad that Alex liked it and am so thrilled with the mini that she made for me.  This was her first time attending QuiltCon and came all the way from Germany.

My Previous Blogger's Quilt Festival Entries: 

Fall 2017

Improv Abstraction Multi-Color
Bend, Don't Break 

Fall 2016

Home is Where Harts Is
Baby makes Three

Fall 2015

CastlesIn The Sand – Original Design

Perspective – Small Quilt

Spring 2015

Goats Askew - Original Design 

IG Mini - Mini 

Fall 2014

Capitola Crossing - Modern

Look Who's Walking - Small Quilt

Spring 2014

Giant X-Plus  - Scrappy

Rip Tide - ROYGBIV

Fall 2013

Tassels - Group/Bee

Ring Around the Briar Rosies - Baby Quilt

Fall 2012

Old Italian Block - Scrap/ROYGBIV/Bed

Spring 2012

Catalyst (aka Mod Mosaic) - my first time to participate 

Thank you Amy for another great festival and opportunity to discover new bloggers and to all of the generous sponsors too!  

BeeSewcial September and August Blocks Finished

BeeSewcial September: Home

Both Home September BeeSewcial Blocks

Block One: Titled “Staycation” 16”x19” (shown above on left) 

September's BeeSewcial prompt for Anne was HOME and she provided a gorgeous palette and asked that we personally symbolize our interpretation.  

Choosing one of the most iconic scenes: The sunrise over the Santa Cruz municipal wharf as viewed from the Dream Inn hotel balcony. The blocks ended up quite pastel but I wanted to capture the subtle color changes that happen right before your eyes. 

Other design elements that I focused on were the contrast of horizontal and vertical (land/water, pillars/piling etc) were key and I also tried to infuse bit of the California woodcut artists influence that I admire. 

This was my first time staying at the hotel and I must say, listening to the bark of the sea lions while drifting off to sleep was pretty spectacular. 

The scene was also a reminder of the time that Anne and I played tourist with our first SBAMQG charity quilt and had an epic photo shoot day along West Cliff way back in 2013 💕.  It was displayed at QuiltCon and gifted from our chapter to the Autsin Children's Shelter 

2013 QuiltCon Charity Quilt SBAMQG

Prompt and Inspiration

Fun facts about the wharf: built in 1914, it is the longest pier on the west coast and visited by 1.5 million annually. No wonder traffic is challenging! 

Initial Sunrise Portion 

Block Two: Titled “Not to Code” 9”x13” (shown in the first photo above, on right) 

An improv take on a house block as a nod to the fact that many homes were built as vacation cottages back when it was a sleepy little town people would escape to in the summer. 

One of my favorite quilting phrases immediately came to mind: Embrace the imperfections. Aim for structurally sound. The unplanned pencil portion is a nod to (not) drafting blueprints. 

Block two in process

Here are a few other photos that I have great shapes in them for future quilt design ideas and relate to my second block:

August BeeSewcial - Rapid Transit Map

Bart 18"x23" BeeSewcial Block

18”x23” BART block for Silvia @astrangerview 

I chose the Bay Area Rapid Transit map for July’s Subway prompt, focusing on 3 of the lines including the only one I’ve ridden on from Fremont to San Francisco.

Many people ride the subway early in life but I was a grown up the first time I did.  Despite that, I remember being just a little freaked out about traveling at a high speed not only underground but underwater. The Transbay Tube rail tunnel is a pretty unique thing to have available and I really should take advantage and plan a trip to the city.

Sketch 

Minimalism is something that I push myself to explore with the bee blocks and I decided to eliminate the bottom portion of my sketch.  The final design reminded me of a seat or even a body seated in a very modern art sort of way.  Considering the subject matter and that when I do go to San Francisco it is to visit museums, this felt very complete in concept.

In process underside

Although the thin lines could have been done with bias tape appliqué  I chose to machine piece. The technique of scissor and rotary ruler-free cut until the final square up suits me fine.

auditioning fabric

I'm excited to have these blocks mailed off to my bee mates and can't wait to see them all together in a quilt.

Linking up to Bolt to Beauty "Brag about your Beauty" with my finishes.  

2018 Q2 FAL Winners announced

Today we are celebrating 401 (!!) finished projects in Quarter 2 of the 2018 Finish-A-Long. So many of you are joining in and getting their UFOs or WIPs out of that dark corner, and into the limelight to be shown off as a finish. If you are in need of inspiration go on over and have a look, there were so many great makes. And of course, thanks to our many generous sponsors, we are finishing off the quarter by announcing the lucky winners!!

Without further ado, the winners picked by the Random Number Generator of the 2018 Q2 FAL prizes are:

The Q2 Winner of the $50 Gift Certificate from Fat Quarter Shop is Mary who blogs at Quilting is in my Blood.  She finished three projects in the second quarter of the year, one being this adorable baby quilt:

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The Q2 Winner of the 3 PDF Patterns from During Quiet Time is Helen who blogs at Midget Gem Quilts.  She finished a quilt she had started back in 2016, her circles quilt, which is just lovely:

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The Q2 prize of the $25 Gift Certificate from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop goes to Cheryl on Flickr as Paisley Crazy.  She finished this cute charm quilt which was her first finish of the quarter:

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The Q2 Winner of the 2 PDF Patterns from Quilting Jet Girl is Dianne on IG @quiltova. She finished this charming baby quilt, which was her third and final finish of the quarter:

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The Q2 Winner of the $20 Gift Certificate from Sew Me a Song is Lisa who blogs at Lisa in Port Hope.  She finished a beautifully free motion quilted quilt started in 2015:

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The Q2 Winner of the 3 PDF Patterns from Happy Quilting is Jenny on IG @silverbellsandcockleshells.  She finished these cute snugly slippers:

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The Q2 Winner of the 2 PDF Patterns from Charm About You is Donna who blogs at Faerydae Stitches.  She finished a great Double Zip Gear Bag for a retreat swap:

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The Q2 Winners (3) of the 6 Month Subscription to Make Modern Magazine are:

1.  Teresa on IG @misdosbichillos.  She finished this double zipper pouch, which was her sixth finish this quarter:

2.  Helene on IG @30hela.  She finished this gorgeous sashiko pillow:

3. Donna on IG @donnalyn18.  She finished this super cute spring bunny cushion:

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The Q2 prize of the $25 Gift Certificate from Studio 39 Fabrics goes to Kayde on IG @sewdexter.  She finished this pretty tiny flying geese lanyard, which was her 13th finish for the year (and they say 13 is unlucky, ha!):

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 The Q2 Winner of the $25 Gift Certificate from Tartan Kiwi is Gretchen who blogs at 120 Blocks.  She finished this pretty felt hand stitched Christmas holly mat:

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The Q2 Winner of the Minikins bundle from Sew Sweetness is Cheryl on IG @1strongcheryl.  She finished this gorgeous quilt that is minky backed (I bet it is snugly!):

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The Q2 prize of the $50 Gift Certificate from Mad About Patchwork goes to Danda who blogs at Northern Deb Quilts.  She finished this lovely scrap quilt which was a leader and ender project:

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The Q2 Winner of the 2 PDF Patterns from Blossom Heart Quilts is Celine who blogs at Espritpatch.  She finished this fantastic Blanche Barrel Bag for her daughter:

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The Q2 Winner of the $30 Gift Certificate from Clover & Violet is Mary who blogs at Musings of a Sometime Quilter.  She finished this lovely quilt and this is her first year participating in the FAL (yay!):

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The Q2 Winner of the $40 Gift Certificate from Bunny's Designs is Cathy who blogs at Cathy's Crazy by Design.  She finished this super sweet ABC quilt for her granddaughter:

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Congratulations to all the winners!  Thank you for playing along with us in the second quarter, and we hope you continue joining in for the rest of the year. We love to encourage you to finish up all those WIPs and UFOs, and to see what great makes will be finished next time.