Swirl a Twirl (Free Pattern/Tutorial)

Good News. I won!!!

Thanks to Molli Sparkles who hosted the fabulous international giveaway and Intrepid Thread who sponsored the fat quarter bundle.

There are not 6 or 12 but 24 fat quarters in the full spectrum colors!!! I am so lucky.

The package came very quickly and neatly wrapped.  I recommend you check out Intrepid Thread. Yes, they have fabric (some of it is on clearance), thread, buttons, ribbons, patterns and zippers too.

I impatiently opened the package to caress the beauties!


I know some of you are thinking - you won, that is great.  How is that good news for me?

Well, I have good news for you too.  I have a finish to share and a free tutorial.
Meet Swirl a Twirl.

A simple yet pretty pattern that you can put together in one day.  Let's get started.

Swirl a Twirl (Finished quilt 40.5” by 40.5”). All seams are ¼”

Fabric Requirements 

• Main - 8 assorted fabrics, 6” by WOF
• Background fabric – 30” (or 11 jelly roll strips)

Cutting Instructions

• Main Fabrics - Subcut each 6” strip into 6” sections, four per fabric. We need 32 squares of 6” side. 
• Background - Cut the background fabric into 2.5” strips. We need 11 strips. Jellyroll strips can be used.
• Subcut each 2.5” strip into three 6” sections (need 32) and three 8” sections (need 32).

Block Assembly

1. Stitch the background strips to the main fabric squares, (6” strip first, followed by the 8” strip) making an L-shape. See picture below.
   
   
   
2. Once you have constructed all four L-shaped blocks from one fabric, square them to 8”.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. STARCH and iron.
4. Cut on the diagonal (through the background corner) as shown in the picture. Repeat for the remaining three blocks.
   
   
   
5. You will get two types of blocks – a left block and a right (mirror image) block. Separate left blocks into a stack and the right blocks into a second stack. See picture below.
   
6.  Take one stack and arrange them as shown below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Sew in pairs. Iron towards the background fabric.
   
   
   
   
   
8. To sew the final block together, pin the two halves together, to nest seams. Start sewing from near the center, just above the pin, to the end. Cut thread. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Turn the block over and finish the seam beginning from the middle (slight overlap with stitches) to the end of the block. Cut threads.
   
   
   
10. Iron and trim to 10 ½”
11. Repeat with the other stack.
12. Make all the blocks, using one fabric at a time. You will have 16 blocks.

Quilt Assembly

1. Arrange blocks into four rows by four columns.
   
   
   
2. Piece into rows and then piece the rows together.
3. Layer and quilt.  Square the quilted sandwich.
4. Bind and enjoy.

And if you make this pattern, please let me know. I'd love to see your interpretation of Swirl a Twirl.

Here are a few more pictures of Swirl a Twirl.

I chose this pretty paisley backing. The colors - pink and coral match the front beautifully.

Quilted it simply with a decorative stitch that looks like Cs. 

A green binding makes the quilt pop and matches the backing too. Yay!!!

No, I did not forget the label

The finished quilt is about 40 inches square - perfect for a baby. And if you brought this as a baby shower gift, you will be the instant favorite guest.

Do you like the pattern?  Do you have questions? Ask away and I'll respond in the comments.

I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties.

Have a great Thanksgiving and be safe.

Hugs,

Preeti.

A prayer for my country

The last few days have been very difficult for me.  I have not been able to stop crying.
After a lot of introspection - why do I feel this heart-broken, I have come to the following understanding.

It was not about who won or who lost. Politicians will come and politicians will go.
This was not about party affiliation. The pendulum swings and it will swing the other way.
I know that personally, I will be fine, eventually.  And I have nothing to fear, either.

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

This election has fed the wolf symbolic of hate, racism, sexism, misogyny, bigotry and xenophobia. And that is what is killing me.

To those who will come into power, I have just this to say - Take my country but please do not tear it apart. May good judgment prevail upon you.  May you govern with the principles of liberty, justice and equality for all. I honestly wish you all the very best.

Buh Bye October

SterlingFest was on October 8. It was a cold and rainy day. Resulting in a disappointing turnout and very few sales but I did get something.

A cold.

A Soggy Affair at SterlingFest

Since Paul is the susceptible one, I told him to stay away from me.  Fast forward a week - I am half recovered, but Paul is sick.

Me: I told you not to kiss me
Paul: But you are so hot
Me: You can kiss my toes. Why did you have to kiss my mouth?
Paul: Because I like how my mustache tickles your mustache

Rangoli

He makes me laugh even when he is sick.  Love him so much.

Master at Work

Today is Diwali - the festival of lights.  Last night, we (Paul was in-charge) made the rangoli, to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi.

Completed Rangoli with tealights

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Being sick really does a number on your mojo.  Things moved rather slowly.  However, I am relieved that I managed to complete my October goal in October itself.

The first blocks - 10" finished square

Blogging had to take a back seat. I am deeply touched by the emails (from a few friends) and a phone call, asking me if I was well. They had noticed my blogging absence. Aw... you are so sweet.

Finished Flimsy

Well, I am back and I do have something to show for my rather long silence.

Aqua, Blue, Teal and Turquoise

This quilt is for Erica. Erica is my sister's sister-in-law.  My sister is married to Erica's brother. For the sake of this blogpost, we shall call her Erica, but that is not her real name.

Baste? Shall we?

Backing Fabric from Connecting Threads

Erica was in New Delhi when mom was "visiting" the hospital back in April of 2016.  When mom was told that the surgery was required "right now", mom panicked.  It was Erica who made all the arrangements and talked to the doctors before calling my sister.

Quilting the Beast

Erica is a doctor too and she understood all the medical jargon and eased mom's fears.

Mom's follow-up surgery was scheduled for June and we (my sister and I) flew to India to be there for her.

Binding in Process

When we reached New Delhi airport, I was very surprised that Erica had come to the airport to receive us.  It was a very hot, sultry night. By the time, we cleared customs and immigration it was past 11:00PM. As we loaded our luggage into the car, I noticed she had brought cold water for us.  So thoughtful!!!

In the morning

She had also brought my sister's favorite sweets :-) to snack on in the car!!!
Although it would have been perfectly acceptable to wait till we got home to offer tea and snacks, I was completely floored by her attention to our comfort and joy.

A queen size beauty!!!

Erica escorted us to the Metro station next morning and ensured that we were always at ease. Further, she does this with such laid back attitude that I never felt like a guest. Her home felt like our home.

Oh, how those blues sing together

Erica also took us to the indoor mall where we ate street food.  That is such a treat.  Much as we crave street food, we absolutely cannot eat it anymore from the street vendors in India.  Our systems, have been too insulated from Indian germs now and any exposure to unclean food/water will send us to the hospital.  No, I am not exaggerating.  It happened to my sister once and to me in 2012 before we learned our lesson.

I finally learned to make neat bindings :-)

Pictured in soft morning light

As we were finally packing our bags, Erica provided more snacks (sweet and savory) not just for the flight but also to take back with us.

All rolled up

I said to my sister - I need to pay her for the snacks.
Sister: Nah, she is family.
She is your family.  I am a step removed, remember?

When I asked Erica about the costs, she said pish-posh (or the Indian version of it).

A glimpse of me

I asked her - what is your favorite color?
Oh, I like all colors, she said.

This was not going to be easy.  In any case, it had to be done. I will be delivering this quilt to my sister this weekend and her husband (Erica's brother) will deliver it to Erica when he visits her in December.  Hope she likes it.

For Erica

Linking with Red Letter Quilts for the October Finish, and all other favorite linky parties.

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Being sick may limit the sewing, but stash acquisition continued.  I won a giveaway at Scraptastic Tuesday and got this bundle of nine fat quarters from Mad about Patchwork.

Not sure what I will do with them.

However these 6" strips from Tonga Treats are already spoken for  - a queen rise quilt sometime soon.  Will keep you posted.

Please stay well, get your flu shot and vote (if you are a citizen). How did October treat YOU? I'd love to hear from you.

Hello October!!!

I am thrilled, stoked, tickled pink and on Cloud Nine!!!  For two reasons.

1. Queen's Necklace was placed second in the Bloggers Quilt Festival - Large Category.

2. Sun City was placed second in the Bloggers Quilt Festival - Scrappy Category

For someone who has been quilting for less than four years, this is insanely fortunate.

Thank you to each one of you who voted for me, cheered for me, wished me well and commented on my posts!!!  I have found so much love, support and encouragement in the blogland - my cup overflows...

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My first October goal is a visit to the spa.

I received (from Paul) on our anniversary (October 7)) a gift card to a spa  and once the festival is done, I will definitely let others take care of me.  Even the thought is yummy :-D

I am getting ready for Sterling Fest on October 8, 2016.

I have about 100 zippered bags, 20 baskets and 14 baby blanket+burp cloth sets.  Is that enough?
Yes.

Sweet Pea Pods (before)

Sweet Pea Pods (after)

What I don't have enough of is deep breaths.
Taking a few of those as I write!!! I am a little crazy right now, but I promise to share more pictures after the festival.
You can find Sweet Pea Pods and the Joan Hawley class at Craftsy.

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My one quilty October goal is to complete Erica's Quilt.  Here is a glimpse of the fabrics.

Sharing this post with Red Letter Quilts for OMG and all my favorite linky parties.
I promise that I will not look at another zipper or piece of interfacing in a long time.


And to end this blogpost, I am sharing a conversation between Paul and me.

Me: I have a free dessert coupon for Olive Garden.
Paul: We can go to Olive Garden. They brought back my favorite potatoes.
Me: I want Tiramisu.
Paul: Ooh that sounds yummy.
Me: I'll share it with you.
Paul: Well, thank you.
Me (grinning): It has mascarpone cheese in it. (Paul is allergic to cheese)
Paul: You are such a Brat!!!
Me: Mission accomplished. (I love it when he calls me a brat)
Paul: You are so thrilled that you got a brat outta me.
Me: I wish we could get a brat out of me.


Hope your weekend is full of love and joy...with minimal longings. I'd love to hear from you, as always.