Paulitiks

The quilt is for Paul and he makes me tick. Is it any surprise that I decided to call it Paulitiks?

Further, the fact that there were so many debates (some heated), diversions (some pleasant) and mistakes (who cares), makes it a lot like politics.

Backyard Paulitiks ;-)

The quilt was completed last Sunday. Burying the knots took the rest of the time. Well, since it was not a "very fun" part of the quilt-making process, I kept getting distracted too. In any case, it is done. And here are some more pictures.

Yes, Paul is standing on the chair and holding it.

 The finished quilt measures 66" by 86". It has 48 blocks (10" each), arranged 6 by 8 and the borders are about 3" wide. I used my favorite Warm and Natural batting and the backing is flannel.

Flannel Backing

I chose black binding, that is the same fabric as the borders. That way no mistakes will be visible :-D
Ahem, I chose black binding to match the borders and to keep the focus on the main design of the quilt.

Stitch over the Ditch Quilting

I used a meandering decorative stitch on my Janome and stitched over the ditch. The "Warm & Natural" batting allows me to quilt up to 10 inches apart which is perfect since the blocks finished at 10 inches. Therefore, once I went 7 times down the quilt and 9 times across, I was pretty much done - Minimal Quilting!!! Then, I decided to make my life complicated. In a fit of unexplained love, I decided to frame each inner square with a decorative leaf stitch. That took forever, not to mention all the maneuvering of the quilt sandwich made my neck hurt!!!

But all that pain was worth it - it is pretty and I like the delicate touch.

Decorative Quilting around the inner squares

The Leaf Stitch echoes the batik fabric in the square

"Come snuggle with me"

Fall is here. If you have any doubts, take a look at my yard. It is a mess, BUT it makes a perfect backdrop for Paulitiks...

Paulitiks = Grabbing the Chair

This is my 13th finish of this year and I am very happy with the way it turned out. In the end, this is the best design - Paul gets the credit for picking this one. 

As soon as we finished taking pictures, Paul asked. Can I have the quilt now?

Yes, but wash it first. 

Not that he was lavish in his praise, but he did say this - "I like it and it does what it is supposed to do."

Aha, I said, will you put that in writing? On my Blog, please.

I am sure, Paul has seen my blog but I will have to wait a very long time for his comment.

Fortunately, I won't make you wait for the Paulitiks tutorial. Here it is.

PAULITIKS TUTORIAL

Fabric Requirements (for the Quilt Top & Binding)

1. Light Blue Batik - 1.5 yards

2. Dark Blue Batik - 1.5 yards

3. Solid Black - 3 yards

4. Assorted Batik Prints - 6 fat quarters (or use scraps)

Cutting Instructions

1. Light Blue Batik - Cut 20 strips 2.5" by WOF. Sub cut into 7.5" sections. We need 96.

2. Dark Blue Batik - Cut 20 strips 2.5" by WOF. Sub cut into 7.5" sections. We need 96.

3. Solid Black - Cut 40 strips 1.5" by WOF. Cut 8 strips 3" by WOF for borders. Cut 8 strips 2.5" by WOF for binding.

4. Assorted Batik Prints - Cut 48 squares of 4.5" side.

LB strips (7.5" by 2.5") and matching squares                                     DB strips and matching squares

Getting Sorted

1. Separate the squares into two piles - ones that go well with the light batik (LB) and those that go well with the dark batik (DB). See picture above.

2. Take the solid black strip (1.5" wide) and place one LB strip on top right sides together (RST), carefully matching the edge and stitch along the matched edge using a scant 1/4" seam. Without cutting, add the next LB strip and stitch. Repeat till all 96 LB strips and 96 DB strips are used up.

DB strip placed next to 1.5" black strip

DB strip placed on top of the long black strip, RST

After stitching one DB strip, add the second one and continue stitching.

3. Separate the batik+black strips into 7.5" sections. Each black solid+batik composite strip rectangle should measure 3.5” by 7.5”. Keep them in two separate piles – light batik and dark batik.

Making the Block

1. Lay out the center square and the matching composite strips around it.

Block Layout (strips going clockwise)

2. First, we will make the partial seam - partially stitch the square to the strip on the right. 

Turn the right strip on to the square

 Flip the two pieces so that the square is on the top. Take to the sewing machine and stitch from the center to the edge. If you start stitching from the center of the square, you will not need a leader.

Start stitching (using a scant 1/4" seam) from the center to the edge

Iron to the dark side and place it back in the layout

It is important to bring back the stitched piece back to the layout so that you can make sure, you are staying on track. See the half stitched square-strip? That is what we want. 

2. Now, we will add the top strip. Flip the top strip on to the piece you just finished sewing and stitch from end to end using a scant 1/4" seam.  Iron and open. Bring it back to the layout position.

Second strip added

3. We will now add the third strip on the left. It magically matches (in length) the piece we just finished sewing!!! Once again, use a scant 1/4" seam, iron and open

Ready to add the third strip to the left

Third strip added, time to add the last one...

4. Always bring back the stitched piece to the original layout position. Now we are ready to add the fourth strip.

Fourth strip placed on the bottom, still following the original layout

Lift the "partially stitched" first strip away from the block and stitch the fourth strip on the bottom of the block, using a scant 1/4" seam. Start stitching from the square side out to the edge. Once again, iron and open

5. We are almost done.

All strips added

See the picture above. We have added all strips around the center square. Now, we can complete that partial seam. Fold the block so that the center square piece is on the top of the right strip. 

Take it to the sewing machine and continue stitching from the center of the square (allow for a small overlap of stitches) to the edge of the block, using the same scant 1/4" seam. Iron and open.

Phew!!! no it is not complicated.  Just follow the layout.

Here are two tips I learned while I was immersed in Paulitiks :-)

1. Work on at least two blocks at a time. That way you will not need leaders. When you do the first partial seam of one block (working from the center to the edge), chain stitch the second strip of the second block. Alternate between one light and one dark block.

2. Make sure that all blocks are oriented the same way. All strips are going clockwise or all going anti-clockwise. That way when you put the blocks next to each other the black strips will be offset from each other. See below.

All Clockwise Blocks - Black Strips Offset

If you have one clockwise block placed next to an anti-clockwise block, the strips will actually match. And that is fine too, if you prefer that look. Just make sure you know what end result you want and proceed accordingly. See picture below - the LB blocks have anti-clockwise strips and the DB block has clockwise strips. And that leads to the matching black strips pattern.

Mixed Blocks - Anti-Clockwise light blocks and Clockwise dark blocks

What did I do? Well, I was experimenting. So, I ended up with three blocks that do not match the rest of the quilt in the orientation of the black strips. No big whoop!!! Firstly, no one notices. And even if they did - they should know, that is my signature move - HA HA HA.

Once you finish all 48 blocks, please square them. It is important. Lay out the quilt blocks 6 by 8 in a pleasing fashion. Stitch the blocks into rows and rows into columns. Add borders. 

Add batting and backing (I used flannel). Baste, quilt, bind and enjoy!!!

And one last thing, please tell me if you like this quilt/tutorial. After all, what is Paulitiks without the voice of the people!!!!

Picky Paul Picks a Pattern

In my process of Americanization, this is just one of the things that Paul taught me

You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose.

But you cannot pick your friend's nose.

One day when I got home from work, Paul and I had the following conversation

Paul: You have to pick something

Me: Your nose?

Paul: Yes. Because you are that kind of friend

Me: The one with benefits?

Paul: Yes

Me: But you are the one with Buggers :-D

To celebrate his 10th year work anniversary, his company was giving him a free gift. He could choose anyone from a Christmas-style catalog. The darling that Paul is, he wanted me to do the choosing - whatever you want babe, he said.

I have no room for stuff. I do not want any new gadget. And I have so much jewelry that I sometimes forget what I have. You pick, it is your anniversary. And speaking of picking, you must also pick a pattern for your quilt!!!

Statement - Paul wanted a rail fence quilt similar to his Mom's but in blue and black. I wanted to try a new pattern. I suggested that I will show him a few patterns and he can choose what he likes best. He agreed. Little does he know that what may look good as a design concept may not look great as a quilt. However, I kept my mouth shut and proceeded to audition the patterns for him.

Pattern # 1

Pattern # 1 - It is sort of similar to the "Hole in Wall" pattern.  But this one will require partial seams. I do want to try new things. But it is also a lovely pattern, in my opinion.

Paul - Hmmm. I don't like the grey.

Me - You have the blue and the black. Trust me, the grey will bring out the dark blues and blacks.

Paul - Can I have no grey, please.

Me - Fine (gritting my teeth).











Pattern # 2

Pattern # 2 - So I replaced the grey with the black. And then chose to stagger the blocks to add a little more interest - to make up for the loss of grey (rolling my eyes).

Me - What do you think of this one?

Paul - That is too much black.

Me - Let me work on the next one.














Pattern # 3

Pattern # 3 - I reduced the black on the sides. And then to reduce my headaches (of course, I have a headache by now!!!), I decided to change the pattern ever so slightly to get rid of the partial seams.

Me: What do you think of this one?

Paul: Oh, it is OK. But I like the previous blocks, with the four way strips.

Me: Of course, you do.













Pattern # 4

Pattern # 4 - Going back to the original design, with the grey replaced with black.

Me: Is this what you want? (Please say yes...before I stop loving you completely!!!)

Paul: I like these blocks, but...

Me: BUT? BUT? BUT?

Paul: There is still too much black.

Me: You don't want the grey, you don't want the black. If all you want is blue, then that is not much of a pattern. Is it?









Pattern # 5

Pattern # 5 - To reduce the black, I got rid of the sashing and to maintain the quilt width, I added wider borders. Hope fifth time is a charm.

Me: OK, Paul. This is the final iteration. The blocks are the same but I have removed the black sashing.
If you don't like this, you can forget about a quilt. Gosh! you are so PICKY.

Paul: Yes, I am picky and I pick you.

And I fell in love with him all over again. That he liked and approved this pattern was a big help!!!











The word pattern has been used loosely here. In my opinion, they are variations of the same pattern. In any case, I am glad that we HAVE a pattern!!! Which one do you like?