What a summer it has been! For better or worse, we have made it this far: school is starting (albeit “home” school) and we all keep on keeping on. I do hope you all have had some chance to enjoy time with family, maybe a quarantine style vacation (whatever that look likes for you!), and plenty of creative time at the least.
If you need a little colorful, quilty therapy, I have a new quilt to share…and a new pattern right around the corner!
Updated: the Sunbeam pattern is now for sale! Find it << Here >>
Last winter, my friend Steph (follow her on IG at @stephskardal , you won’t be sorry) made a quilt with wheel shape blocks, and each wedge of the wheel was a different Kona Cotton solid fabric. Her goal was to make a quilt using all 365 of the colors, and it turned out beautifully! She combined three techniques: paper foundation piecing, curves and appliqué. Steph likes to push the limits of size and made her wheel blocks pretty small, which makes them really impressive. You have to check out her other micro-piecing quilts…they are so unique and creative!
I loved the look of the wheel design and decided to play around with that basic block myself. Initially, I planned on making them like pieced color wheels, with rainbow colors in each one. Of course, as I always do, I ended up rearranging the blocks and trying out different layouts until I landed on a “sun” shape. This is one of my favorite parts of quilt design and typical for me. A quilt rarely ends up looking the way an idea originally started (-:
I made a bit of a style departure and went with all solids for this one and surprised myself with how much I enjoyed it. Of course it’s easy to fall in love with THESE COLORS! I used a fat quarter bundle of Tula Pink solids (found here) and I’m pretty sure that I would be okay with this palette for all future quilts! So, everything about making this quilt was fun, including having a furry side kick for parts of the process. That’s Birdy, my new baby and bestie.
So here’s the details: the Sunbeam pattern will launch into the world for you to make on Friday, August 28. This is going to be a super fun one for those of you who have been loving your Classic Curves Ruler and are ready for something really unique and fresh.
I think there are tons of good options for personalizing this design and I’ll show you one layout and color option I’ve done as well as several more ideas when I officially announce the pattern release on Friday.
If you are new to curved piecing, well I can help you with that!
<click here> to visit the Classic Curves Ruler playlist at Color Girl YouTube. This includes video tutorials on getting started with basics like cutting and piecing the curved seams, including how to make a basic drunkard’s path quilt and an orange peel pattern start to finish.
<click here> to get your Classic Curves Ruler and patterns that go with it. This is one tool that is SO worth having if you love curves!
Gear up! A Sunbeam might be just the bright spot we all need right now.
Happy Sewing!
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Sharon – I loved your presentation. You speak clearly, slowly and calmly. Easy to follow.
Is this Grace Ladygo, formerly of Massachusetts?? If so,
I think of you now and then and still love the lightening bolt quilt you generously made and gifted us!
Is this Grace Ladygo, formerly of Massachusetts..
I have a Quick Curve Mini ruler. Is it possible to use this instead of having to get the Classic curves ruler. I’m not very familiar with it’s uses, but I’m wanting to start trying curves.