Monday, January 15, 2018

Block 1--The Quilter's Planner 2018 Sew Along...


I decided to take the plunge and try a planner this year. Then why not just go all the way to the top and get The Quilter's Planner. A beautiful book with inspiring quotes, coloring pages, multiple quilt planning pages--and of course weekly and monthly page spreads.


The weekly spread pages are being used to write out daily scriptures with my morning cup of tea.


Along with The Quilters Planner came a companion magazine that contains 14 amazing patterns plus a monthly sampler!! Way cool!!!


I am going to use these fabrics from Island Batik. The backgrounds and blacks are from the Solstice line--available now. The luscious teals to lime greens are from the City Culture line available soon!!
Check out the Island Batik blog hop going on right now here.


Last summer I started using the AccuQuilt Qubes to do my piecing. I really thought I was pretty good at piecing before--but this die cutting system has just blew me out of the water!! My accuracy has been greatly improved. Time saved has been overwhelming. Not to mention that the dog ears are already trimmed!! Well that is a long arm quilters dream!! I love the products so much--I have an affiliate link on the side bar of my blog if you are interested in purchasing.


The GO! 8" Mix & Match Qube will be used to make Block 1 which will finish at 12".

Die #1--rough cut a 5" square for block center
Die #3--rough cut a 5 1/2" x 11" colored rectangle and 5 1/2" x 22" background rectangle for HST
Die #4--rough cut a 5 3/4" square from background and dark accent for QST


Fabric can be folded on die up to six layers--so if the die will cut 2 HST--you can cut 12 HST at one time.  Watch how quickly that can happen!!!




Then it was just a matter of using the cut shapes and following the diagrams in the companion magazine to make Block 1!! I am still deciding on how to set the blocks--watch for that this summer.


The pre-trimmed dog ear corners make for super easy sewing!!


Using Quarter Square triangles for the smaller shapes and Half Square triangles for the larger shape, keeps the straight of grain along the outside edges of the block unit. I have not used this combination of shapes and colors in a block unit before--and I really like it. Many times in a block unit this will be pieced with a flying geese unit and a rectangle sewn to the flying geese unit. I am so going to keep this in mind when drawing up blocks!!


See--dog ears already trimmed!! And I didn't even have to do it!! I really dislike that job--all those little snippets of fabric flying anywhere they please!!


I am so looking forward to finishing this quilt--as they are the colors I decorate my home with. And don't judge me too much for still having my Christmas decorations still up!! I was a little late putting them out in the first place--plus the weather is bitter cold with snow here in Iowa yet!!



Looking from my long arm studio into the sewing room and then the house entryway.


Just thought I would show you the trimmings from cutting out this block. Many times I hear it said that die cutting produces too much waste!! Well I am finding that the waste is minimal compared to the accuracy and ease of cutting the shapes.


That is all for today. Make sure and check back around the 15th of every month this year and watch the 2018 sampler progress.

15 comments:

Nancy said...

I do not understand the Cube at all! LOL!

VA said...

What a pretty block! It looks great with your holiday decorations!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

I think I might give the Cube a try except for the cost. But you give a pretty convincing argument--more accurate piecing! Love this block, and your colors. What a great quilt this will be. Thanks for linking to Wednesday Wait Loss.

Anonymous said...

What a view out that window! Your fabric choices are great, and I look forward to seeing progress.

Susan said...

Very eye catching color combo in the block - I love it! And thanks for the look into your home - it's lovely!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful block and the fabrics are wonderful. This Hop has been fun seeing what everyone has created. Thanks for sharing.

usairdoll (at) gmail (dot) com

Sabrina said...

You make it look so easy.

Anna brown said...

Very cool I got a quilters planer I need to get planing..lol.. happyness04431@yahoo.com

mumbird3 said...

I like your fabric choices!! I have to get busy and make one for my planner!!! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

OhioLori said...

Thank you for sharing this Accuquilt & Cube info!! Am thinking hard about getting a Cutter..this was so helpful. Love the block..and fabrics you used. Looking forward to finished quilt! :)

Kelly Dee said...

I haven';t used my Accuquilt that much but your post is pretty inspiring.

Sandra Walker said...

This GO! cutter is calling me more and more....No trimming of dog ears, how lovely! Beautiful fabrics and colours.

Susan Smith said...

I've not got an Accuquilt cutter, but wow, no dog ears to chop off sounds good. I also like the different way to do the type of flying geese block. I'll remember to pop in around the 15th. You say you've still snow & we have unrelenting heat. Take care.

@lutzcats said...

Never used a cutter before...you have peaked my interest!

Unknown said...

Please keep the Accuquilt cutting post going. I LOVE my Go! cutter. Take anything in my quilting room, but dont touch my GO! I wont cut fabric without it. I have both the 6,8 and 12 Qube as well as some BOBs.