Sunday, January 31, 2016

I like my curves...

Meet Kennedy. She is my second finish of 2016 and it is one WIP less.

Kennedy


Kennedy has been a long time in the making. Let's start from the beginning. Shall we?

I like my Curves. I really do. If I didn't, I would be pretty depressed because I have so many curves. In fact, I am composed entirely of curves - some small curves and some not so small curves!!!
And therefore it was only a matter of time before I embraced (or succumbed to) the magic of curves in quilting.

One day, sometime in 2014, someone at the M* quilting forum asked a question about a pattern involving curves. I answered, based on not my knowledge (I had never made a quilt with curves) but my (inadequate) visualization of the problem. An experienced quilter pointed out the error in my visualization. Darn right, I had no practical idea!!!

Time to set the record straight. How hard can this be? It is not rocket science. What is the worse that I can happen? I might ruin some fabric. I can deal with that :-)

Two fabric squares - about 8" each

Placed one on top of another
Traced Curve
I started with two squares of scrap fabric about 8 inches and started playing. I also used a large mixing bowl.  I placed the inverted mixing bowl on the two squares to draw a large arc.

Cut both along the arc


And I cut along that arc. So far - going according to plan!




Then, I switched the two pieces - the convex (fat) red with the concave (skinny) green and the fat green with the skinny red. Doing well so far!


Going in opposite directions. AARGH!!!

What? How am I suppose to sew these two pieces together if one wants to be in Seattle and the other lives in Miami?

But they do have a common meeting point, in the center of the arc. Aha, that is where I start.
Starting from the middle, I pinned the two together.

Pinned

Very gently and carefully I stitched them together.  The seamy have been a generous 1/4".

Slow Stitching

It is slow but not difficult at all.

Yay, done!!!

Yes, it will need major trimming and squaring.





The experiment was complete!!!

I like these curves. Scratch that - I fell in love with these curves. Time to make few more.  I chose pinks/purples, floral and dots - yes it is girly :-)


Fabric Audition

The blocks came together slowly but surely. It was the piecing of the top that took the longest time.  I could not decide on the layout. When I first started laying out the blocks on my design wall, I had two guiding principles
1. Do not form a complete circle.
2. Match the solids with the prints.

Layout 1

I showed it to Paul and he said  - "Your curves are all over the place. It makes my head hurt."
I replied, yes, it creates more interest this way and then I shooed him away from my design wall. What do you think? Does your head hurt too?

Then I tried another layout.
Layout 2
Although this was interesting, it somehow looked like a very hungry mushroom trying to eat a stand-up mixer.  Once again, I put away the blocks.

Come 2016, I decided that Finished is better than Perfect. Just do it, Preeti. I went with the simplest layout. Circles!!!  I figured the fabric will create the interest and the pattern can be simple. What do you think?

Pieced
Here is the best part of the story. As soon as I started quilting, I also started thinking - What shall I name this one?

Finished

That is when Joyce saw it.

Joyce: Ooh can I have that one?
Me: Sure, you can have anything. But you already have a quilt.
Joyce: Not for me, silly. I have the best quilt in the whole world.
Me: (Blush)
Joyce: It is for Caroline's new baby. She is due soon.
Me: What is the baby's name?
Joyce: Kennedy.

Full Circles

At an angle

Kennedy is Keeley's younger sister. Remember Keeley?
Since the quilt is for Kennedy, may be I should just call it Kennedy. They both took a long time to come together.

Chocolate & Strawberry Dots

Focusing on quilting with curves, I may have neglected my fitness routine. I am going to get a phone call from my Curves (the 30-minute fitness place for women) instructor - Molly. "Preeti, we have missed you. We look forward to seeing you tonight."

Pink Polka Dot Binding

Labelled!

Molly is a sweetheart. I should haul my curves to Curves lest they turn into bulges!!!
Are curves a challenge for you too?  I look forward to your thoughts - both naughty and nice :-)

And I will be linking with my favorite linky parties.  See you in the blogland :-)
Just linked up with Cooking Up Quilts' Main Crush Monday.

27 comments:

  1. I love that!!!! I am scared of curves LOL (I am sure there is a joke here since I am a AA ;))

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  2. LOL! Molly is my sister. She showed me a picture of one of your quilts, and I told her that I followed your blog. We enjoyed the "small world" moment. She is a sweetheart, and says that you are too. Your Kennedy quilt is lovely. I really like how you alternated the solids and the prints. It makes your eyes move all over, soaking in it's beauty.

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  3. I'm rather enjoying curves...although like you I've set them aside while I concentrate on other things. I'm glad you finished yours. It's lovely.

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  4. Love the layout, and you make them look so easy!

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  5. What a fun quilt. I really like the simple circles to let the prints shine. And your straight quilting adds a lot of interest as well.

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  6. A very pretty quilt with a fun story.

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  7. Love how you named this quilt. This is a pretty quilt with a great backing fabric. Kennedy will treasure it.

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  8. I really like designs with curves too. Recently I attend a workshop using the Quick Curve Ruler "QCR". No pins needed! Maybe this would be of interest to you. Sandi

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  9. I like DP quilts a lot, and have a complete set of templates to cut against. I should go make another one!
    LEeAnna

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  10. I think this layout is my favorite of all those pictured. The fabrics are so pretty and the simplicity of the circles is lovely.

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  11. A funny journey through your layouts, mushrooms. mixers and all. LOL
    I love the final circles Preeti! And the quilting you did too! Kennedy will love her quilt as she grows up.
    I find sewing curves can be tricky. Sometimes they go so smoothly and other times you would think I had tried to sew them with my feet.

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  12. You have such a fun way with words. Mushrooms eating mixing bowls? Too funny. The quilt is darling and I think the end result is great. Kennedy will, eventually, love it!

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  13. Your experiment with circles is a great success! Kennedy will be happy with her quilt, I'm sure.

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  14. This is beautiful. I might have to make a block for my circle quilt like this.

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  15. A beautiful finish! Great colours and I love your final choice of 'circles' !

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  16. I love your curves and the final layout of the quilt! Thanks for the tutorial. I've been wanting to try those blocks, and you make it look so easy!

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  17. Curves are on my to-do list this year! Your curves look fabulous, those colors are so fun! :)

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  18. Diamonds...now curves...you are the queen my friend, get it?! I love this qult and your free form curves remind me of Karla Alexander's Stack A New Deck book, which I brought here with me, and from which I have made several quilts, like yours they could go in various layouts. "Hungry mushroom trying to eat a stand-up mixer" I burst out loud laughing at that line! Terrific colour sense here as in all your stuff.

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  19. I love your circle quilt and it is great you got those curved blocks out and made it into a lovely quilt. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  20. You seem to have mastered one sort of curve at least! Good luck with the others. Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday

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  21. I love your curves too Preeti! :) I haven't tackled fabric curves but certainly will one day soon. I like the circle layout you did; you are right, the design is simple and the fabric adds the interest. This baby quilt is sure to be loved by Kennedy. Thanks for sharing on MCM!

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  22. Good things come to those who wait. I love your curves too, very inspiring

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  23. Oh I love this! Great work and I love your tutorial!! I'd love to invite you to my blog where you can submit your tutorials for a dedicated post! I pin to many pinterest boards and share on social media!

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  24. I love the quilt. Thanks for the tutorial. I look forward to making one.

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  25. Love love love this quilt. I NEED to make one now! Thanks for sharing!

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