• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • 0 items

SewKatieDid

Because thread is the best glue

  • About
    • Quilting and Sewing Studio
    • Recommended Books & Tools
    • Upcoming & Past Workshops
  • Workshops & Open Studio
    • For Kids
  • Blog
  • Modern Quilts
    • Small Projects
  • Tutorials
  • Contact

paper piecing

Halloween Hanging Candy Bucket

August 21, 2016 By Katie

Well Hi there;)  It’s been awhile.

I’m looking toward Fall in the studio, or more specifically Halloween.  So I began looking through my Halloween Pinboard for projects to hone our skills this coming season with a little more excitement than usual.

sew katie did | hanging halloween candy bag

I’ve made plenty of Trick-or-Treat bags (though Roan might need a larger one), but this round I had an idea of creating a bucket I could just hang on the inside door knob for handing out candy instead of a bowl. You could certainly add another handle to make it into a bag.

I combined Twiddletail’s paper pieced Skully pattern with the bucket idea to make a new sample for September and October’s paper piecing workshops.  I’ve got one more fun project idea with this pattern to add to my Halloween home decor trick out.  It’s not necessary to do this pattern in these workshops dedicated to paper piecing, but I thought it would be fun to try something new.  There are certainly a lot of free paper pieced Halloween patterns out there to choose from.

sew katie did | paper pieced skull door candy bucket

Speaking of choices, I not lacking in Halloween/skull print fabric and even added this new Cotton and Steel to the collection.  I have more napkins in my future.

sew katie did | paper pieced halloween candy door bucket

I considered it, but ended up going with a more “traditional” print that matched the feel of the paper pieced pattern for the interior and trim.

sew katie did| door hung halloween candy bag

I quilted the bucket in a simple grid hoping that it wouldn’t obscure the skull and I think it worked out pretty well.

sew katie did | halloween hanging candy bucket

Instead of batting I quilted my panels with a layer of Soft and Stable to give it more structure and I used muslin as backing for the quilting process.

sew katie did | Halloween hanging candy bucket

You can see how I’ve tricked out in past years here and here.  I’m almost done with some locker bags using the same one-handle idea.

Two more weeks of summer and I’ll be back to this little corner of the world more often.  Happy summer peeps;)

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: paper piecing, Projects Tagged With: halloween trick or treat bag, paper piecing, skull pattern

:: Scrappy New York Beauty Quilt Blocks | daily practice ::

July 29, 2016 By Katie

sew katie did | Scrappy New York Beauty QAL

Really it should say weekly practice;)  I’m still trying my best to complete one full block a week, but here we are at Friday and the time just hasn’t presented itself.

I ended up hosting two Open Studios for paper piecing this July.  It was fun to watch people dig through the scrap bins and see their blocks evolve.  I was able to sit and stitch a few here and there once the gang was humming along.  We made progress on Pickle Dishes, Wedding Rings, Square-In-A-Squares, Flying Geese and world problems.

Next Paper Piecing Open Studio date is Thursday, August 18th.

sew katie did | Scrappy NY Beauty Quilt BlockAll the blocks are the same paper pieced pattern with variations on fabric placement.  I’ve used all prints in the arches the most.  It’s the easiest method to demonstrate right-sides together.  I love its look the most.

sew katie did | scrappy ny beauty paper pieced quilt block

sew katie did | scrappy ny beauty paper pieced block

sew katie did | scrappy ny beauty paper pieced blocks DSC_0232The wee winks that fussy cutting in some of the points and background creates is fun.

sew katie did | scrappy ny beauty paper pieced quilt blockThe second fabric variation I played with was light valued points with dark value background.  This was another sample idea to show students how value placement affects design.  Next time I’ll do the backgrounds so that the fabrics match where the quarters meet.  I think it will have a better effect.  I love that out of the 20 million scraps I have I managed to place two of the last pieces of the chevron right by one another.  Nice job.

sew katie did | scrappy ny beauty paper pieced quilt block DSC_0212The last variation is my favorite.  You can really go either direction with the value of the prints, the contrast with the Essex linen is there.

I’m not sure yet if all the block variations will stay or not, but clearly I’ll be making some pillows or a backing out of any that don’t stay.

sew katie did | paper piecing tipsTo ingrain the process into a student’s mind we follow the little mantra of steps written on a Post-It note.  It eliminates some of the “what do I do next?” when learning.

sew katie did | scrappy ny beauty paper pieced quilt blockWhen students exclaim that something hasn’t come together perfectly it’s nice to point out an example of that same issue in my blocks.  Fabric not to size, points not matching, points cut off… in the big picture they never noticed any of it;)

One of the biggest issues is skipping the step ‘check’ on the Post-It to make sure the scrap is large enough to cover the space.  My solution is to just tag on some fabric.  Some students started referring to it as ‘scabbing.’  In the big picture you would never notice it and you could even use fabric of a similar value if you were out of the original.

sew katie did | scrappy ny beauty paper piecing quilt blockI want to have some secondary design involved in the final layout or at least some corner stones to hard scape the blocks.  Whatever happens will be scrappy and traditional in style.

sew katie did | scrappy ny beauty paper pieced quilt block

Luckily I have plenty of time to figure it out, but 12 are done.  Of course there’s a Pinboard.

I added another Modern Improv Strip Piecing workshop date to August and there is one spot left.  I’ve got some fall classes brewing, blocks I’ve had on my bucket list for awhile.

Happy almost August folks:)  How’d that happen?

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: Open Studio, paper piecing Tagged With: new york beauty quilt, paper pieced, scrap quilts

:: Go Where Your Scraps Lead You ::

June 8, 2016 By Katie

SEW KATIE DID | Paper PiecingI’m a creature of habit.

On weekends the habits change.  Since it’s guaranteed I will be the first up by a long shot and I can’t make the beds over those sleeping in them, I make a cup of tea and retreat to the studio.

On Sundays I don’t look at the ‘to-do’ list, it’s my little mental reinforcement of telling myself that I am doing enough in my world.  I allow myself the important opportunity to play with an idea, accomplish just one small step on a project, finish up something small, or teach myself something new.

SEW KATIE DID

Most of the time I go for my scrap bins.  Which brings me back to habit.

SEW KATIE DID

I’ve started each Sunday for the past few months by making at least one arch, sometimes more for my scrappy New York Beauty blocks.

sew katie did

Placing all print fabrics in the arches wasn’t how I first envisioned these, but when I was backing into the visuals for teaching paper piecing, the explaining and demonstration became easier when I used prints.

sew katie did

Changing up the placement of the color values throws a little theory in to boot.

SEW KATIE DID

It’s coming along and I don’t think I’ll be running out of scraps anytime soon.  I decided yesterday since I was going for King size that I should probably be making it a weekly first morning habit.  So I did.

sew katie did

I’ve had input from others that they’d love to make time for a project like this or learn paper piecing so I’ve added a monthly paper piecing date to the studio’s calendar.  Included are all the scraps your project can consume while here.  We’ve worked on Double-Wedding Rings, Flying Geese and Pickle-Dishes.  I have to be careful and not be tempted to start another project, it’s a ‘bad’ habit.

Hope all is well in your corner Peeps;)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: paper piecing Tagged With: new york beauty quilt, paper piecing, scrap quilts

:: Magic Numbers ::

July 31, 2015 By Katie

 

Looking for Magic Numbers?  Find them HERE.

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot Magic Number quilt quarter

::  Medallion Magic Numbers  ::

date to be announced

Wanna sharpen your eye for designing your own quilts, pattern free, but not quite ready to free piece it or figure out the math? Then join Katie Pedersen, author of Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts to study improvisational quilting techniques and Medallion quilts brought together by a system of block sizes called Magic Numbers.

Magic Numbers is a system of using block sizes that automatically fit together for flexibility in design without alteration. Let’s sharpen our eye for quilt design through technique, shape and fabric while learning about Medallion quilts of the past and present.

SEW KATIE DID:Paper Piecing

::The Foundations of Paper Piecing::

Monday, August 31st from 10:30am-4:30pm at Circa 15 Fabric Studio in Kirkland. Follow the link to register or call (425) 309-9553.

The traditional technique of piecing quilt blocks on paper is well known for its precise results. Sharp triangles and sleek curves are easily a stitch line away. Learn and practice the fundamentals of basic paper piecing while creating all types of star blocks.

This is a great workshop to refine skills in choosing fabric and where to place it in a quilt pattern, we’ll cover how color, value and prints work and drive design in quilts as we create our own unique blocks.

——————————————————

As always, let me know if you have any questions or wish to be added to my newsletter;)

Happy week peeps!

Filed Under: Classes and workshops, paper piecing

::Daytime Paper Piecing Workshop::

July 31, 2015 By Katie

WORKSHOP FULL

Our paper piecing workshop at Circa 15 Fabric Studio sold out, so we’re adding another daytime class to the calendar.

I really enjoyed teaching this workshop last round and once you can repeat the little mantra that I teach, paper piecing will become second nature.

SEW KATIE DID:Paper Piecing

::The Foundations of Paper Piecing::

Monday, August 31st from 10:30am-4:30pm at Circa 15 Fabric Studio in Kirkland. Follow the link to register or call (425) 309-9553.

The traditional technique of piecing quilt blocks on paper is well known for its precise results. Sharp triangles and sleek curves are easily a stitch line away. Learn and practice the fundamentals of basic paper piecing while creating all types of star blocks.

This is a great workshop to refine skills in choosing fabric and where to place it in a quilt pattern, we’ll cover how color, value and prints work and drive design in quilts as we create our own unique blocks.

——————————————————

As always, let me know if you have any questions or wish to be added to my newsletter;)

Happy week peeps!

Filed Under: Classes and workshops, paper piecing

New York Beauty Pillow

February 16, 2015 By Katie

SEW KATIE DID:New York Beauty pillow:Full

Paper piecing workshop development and sample made, CHECK!  And totally drool worthy if I don’t say so myself.

The Foundations of Paper Piecing Workshop is listed if you find yourself with some spare time on March 14th.

SEW KATIE DID:New York Beauty Pillow:Full on

A New York Beauty block has been on the bucket list F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

SEW KATIE DID:New York Beauty Pillow

I bought just enough new make me happy fabrics and combined them with some old to create a new to me color way.  It seemed to just come together on the design wall so effortlessly.  As usual it matches nothing in my house.

SEW KATIE DID:New York Beauty Center

The white/creams I pulled from the scrap bins.  There’s even some flannel in there.

SEW KATIE DID:New York Beauty Pillow:Side

It ended up that neither the shot cotton and the flannel on the front, nor the voile on the back created the headaches I imagined.

I crosshatched it in a lightly variegated lilac thread. This easy off the edge quilting design has the kind of impact makes me happy.  Off course all quilting minds of Seattle that I saw last week were consulted;)

SEW KATIE DID:SIDE

I almost put the voile back into the stash.

It’s one of those fabrics I have to force myself to cut into if I had curtains in mind five years ago.  There’s still that hope of getting to that alive;)  The decision was a good one, it pairs perfectly with the front.

SEW KATIE DID/Psychedelic Baby Quilt

If you’re headed to Quiltcon please go say hi to my quilts.  There are two on exhibit and I just finished up this one here for display there in Island Quilter’s booth.

It will look a little bit more lively than it does it this taken at midnight photo.

This quilt thoroughly falls under the “it doesn’t have to be perfect to love it” category and I considered not sending it due to some obvious struggles I had quilting it, but then I reminded myself that perfection isn’t what it’s all about.

Happy week peeps.  I hope it’s a good one;)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: Classes and workshops, Improvisational Quilting Classes, paper piecing, pillows, Projects, Quilting Modern techniques and projects for improvisational quilts, seattle quilting Tagged With: class, classes, handmade, Improv, improvisation, improvisational, improvisational patchwork, modern quilt, modern quilting, patchwork, quilting, Quilts, seattle, Seattle Modern Quilting Guild, sew katie did, washington, workshops

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to this blog

Featured Tutorials

Halloween Hanging Candy Bucket

:: Scrappy New York Beauty Quilt Blocks | daily practice ::

SEW KATIE DID | Seattle Quilting and Sewing Studio

:: Go Where Your Scraps Lead You ::

:: Magic Numbers ::

::Daytime Paper Piecing Workshop::

Instagram

Follow on Instagram

Recent Pins

How to sew curves tutorial - Suzy Quilts | Modern Fans is a bold, contemporary quilt pattern that includes king, queen, twin, throw and baby quilt sizes as well as a video tutorial!
Kofman — Decorotation Interiors - Bay Area Interior Design
A small-scale star and polka dot pattern, this stylish, two-tone print is a brilliant way to pull together a room—and inject a cheerful vibe. Also a fabric. Width-27" Repeat- 1 1/4" Un- Pasted Match- Straight Wallpaper is priced as a single roll and comes physically packaged as a double roll. Must order in Qty's of 2 Double roll covers approx. 60 square ft of area.
Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins

Quilt Blog Goodness

Cheryl Arkison

Completely Cauchy

Factotum of Arts

Film in the Fridge

Mama Loves Quilts

Poppyprint

Quilt-It

Red Pepper Quilts

S.D. Evans Quilts

Sleepy Owl Studio

s.o.t.a.k Handmade

Stitched In Color

Stitch in Dye

Tallgrass Prairie Studio

The Little Red Hen

The Quilting Edge

The Silly BooDilly

Teaginny Designs

Veni Vidi Vicky

Wisecraft Handmade

Wooden Spoon Quilts

 

 

 

Footer

Connect with Katie

because thread is
the best glue

Customer Care

Hosting in Your Community
Cancellation Policy
Privacy Policy
Usage Policy

Copyright © 2022 Katie Pedersen · Log in