Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Web of Fun... this year's Halloween quilt

Look at all the fun fabrics! I make a Halloween quilt each year, and this post is about sewing again!
web of fun   36" X 36"

The pillow kit got me going again in my new studio space.

I thought I should get the place organized first, so I knew where things were to use, but abandoned that in my need to "make"

The pillow kit was the stimulus to sew, and expensive and incomplete as the kit was, it did that.

On to the pattern I saw in Quiltmaker magazine in October 2018 issue, named SPOOKY
I chose about 4 patterns this year I wanted to try, and really I have no business trying to follow patterns. I'm much better at coming up with my own, but I've been experimenting with Dresden plates since the move to Colorado.

Isn't it intriguing how some ideas stay just that, plans, and some get made into art?

this moved from should do to gotta do because
1. I could use my cool Halloween fabric collection and show them off
2. I knew where they were
3. It's just under 40" square, so small enough to finish for this year, since I started it a week before Halloween!
4. I knew how to do it, but it had a twist on the trad pattern, so that would be fun

Into the fray, I pulled out all the possible fabrics, and bought a few fresh ones this year, and needed 12 for the blades, the focus. Because they are pretty busy designs, and all want to be the stars, I had fun choosing which ones would go together best in this one little quilt. I tried to get a mix of some purple, some lime, some black, some cream. Then tried to get a mix of some witches, some ghosts, some skeletons, and some pumpkins. I loved the new fabrics with big bold designs like the crystal ball.

I cut one blade and put it on the design wall, then went light dark around. I paid attention to cutting the blade to maximize the design I wanted (fussy cut) and the angle it would be in the finished quilt, for instance I didn't want the witches flying upside down if possible.

By the end of the first afternoon I had all the blades cut and arranged, at which point the wall blew over and tumbled my careful placement to the ground. Grrr. But by stopping point I had the blades sewn to make the points. The next morning I sewed all blades together, and sewed the plate to a black background along the ditches outward.

Now I had to decide to follow the pattern and fold the curves outward to round out the scallops or press them inward so as not to change the look of my cool fabrics. I decided inward then quickly learned why the pattern called for pressing to the front. Seam allowances on the blade points are thick and hard to press another layer under.

Not one to give up, I spritzed with water and bent them to my will. I decided to release perfectionism and not worry about perfect points on each blade as I got the look I wanted by doing it this way.

Plus I knew the quilting process could define the points and most viewers look from about 12" away at most and wouldn't notice a slight bump... nor would I when it was done. I would notice the cool fabrics and now they weren't disturbed by a visible folded edge.

As to the borders, I had to decide, after the plate was carefully sewn with curves to the background with a straight stitch, whether to go with tasteful or wackadoodle. Both looked good to me, but I kind of wanted the center fabrics to stand out so I went with an older Hoffman celestial print. I've had this a long time, and get weird about using good fabrics in a quilt just for me, that won't be shown anywhere but after moving it all here, I realized, I have to let go and enjoy them whenever I want.

Know what I mean?

 I am quilting it with sulky hologram mylar thread in silver.

It's very strong, unlike other sulky thread, and well behaved on quilts.












 I went along each blade and off on the points as a start to quilting the web along the black outside edges. 

Last night I looked at spider web images online, and want to decide whether or not to do that in my background. I don't want the focus pulled out too much. And will I keep the webby look into the border?

 It's the day before Halloween and I like to make things with colors of the actual season, so I don't plan too much ahead. Next up will be my abstract fall colors piece. Then in December I might do a Christmas colors piece, even if it's not done for this Christmas.

I like using colors I see around me at the moment, are you like that?

the back was some Halloweend fabric I don't love, truth is it's kind of frightening


the binding will be some precious black fabric shot through with metallic gold

My snooper-visor is exhausted of all the decisions he's been called on to make...

 but it's been worth it to sew again!
linking with these parties!

http://emsscrapbag.
design wall Mondays at smallquiltsanddollquilts
lovelaughquilt.mondays
off the wall Fridays
can I get a whoop whoop Fridays 
Esther's blog Wednesdays 
Let's be social Wednesdays 
Midweek makers wednesdays
 Free motion by the River Tuesdays   


25 comments:

easyweimaraner said...

I love it... you have such fabulous ideas... and that is an artpiece and a real treat for the eyes... definitely no trick LOL

Sara said...

Fabulous and fun! I saw that same pattern in the magazine and immediately started thinking about what fabric I had that would look good. But my brain never went to Halloween. I just don't get those out-of-the-box ideas so I'm glad to see someone else does. So I can imitate you!!

Norma Schlager said...

So cute! Happy Halloween!!

Martha Ginn said...

Charming quilt; good luck with the silver hologram mylar thread continuing to behave. It really adds the right sparkle.

Lisa said...

Wow, you've been busy! That quilt looks super awesome. Lucky the recipient of such a labor of love.
https://peripheralperceptions.wordpress.com

Tails Around the Ranch said...

Very cool fabrics for some very cool artwork!

PaintedThread said...

Love those spooky fabrics!

MissPat said...

Wow, how cool is that? I really like the curved outer edge of the plate. I'm glad you bought the too expensive, incomplete kit if it got your mojo back. And you get a star for letting perfectionism go.
Pat

Libby in TN said...

Boo-tiful!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Awesome and it turned out beautiful. I also love the quilting, and how you changed it up

Karla Brown said...

Love Love you web dresden! Great idea!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

So glad you are sewing again! Your Halloween quilt is fun - I love the purple and lime green mixed in with orange and black.

Mari said...

Yay! Love the web block, and I love that you're back!

Michele McLaughlin said...

Looks great! Love the fabrics and your embroidery is awesome! Well done!

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

Fantastic web and thanks for giving us all the detail!

Susan said...

Love this! What a great way to use those Halloween fabrics - have a great spooky day!

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

I absolutely LOVE this!! Such fun and bright colors! I'm so glad you got your mojo back and I found your site!!

Joanne said...

Looks great LeeAnna!
Sewing! Creating ! In the season! Fun! Well done!

Marly said...

This is a lovely cushion cover; you've managed to coordinate all those fabrics wonderfully. Doing your own thing with the pattern makes it much better than the original - of course!

Angie in SoCal said...

That is a great Halloween quilt!

likeschocolate said...

Fun seasonal quilt!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

I love it! Great pattern ;)

Angie said...

LA - love it that you abandoned getting organized to just make! You go girl! You inspire me to 'bend' the rules when it suits my purpose. Thank you.

denthe said...

This is such a gorgeous pattern! Love all the fun fabrics, and it looks and sounds as if you had a lot of fun making it :-)

Barb said...

fun quilt! great halloween fabrics!