teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Thursday 18 July 2013

A QAYG Method That's Not Grid Based & Strip Joined - Now Isn't That Worth Reading About?


 
Some months ago I was asked by Eric Woolf of Fons & Porter to review their short ebook by McCall's Quilting magazine "McCalls Quilting & McCalls Quick Quilts - Modern Quilt Patterns".  He described the ebook as "more of a traditional quilt topic with a modern twist".


 I have Eric's permission to share a link to this free ebook with you:


 I have taken the following descriptions from the ebook:
    "The ebook includes 3 free 'for personal use' patterns:
⁃    The "Baubles and Beads" free modern quilt pattern filled with bright colors and easy quilt blocks complete with lots of white space.
⁃    The "Rainbow Rhythm" modern quilt that takes advantage of half-square triangle quilt units and gives them an asymmetrical setting.
⁃    The "Lemon Squeezy" quilt featuring free-form quilt piecing as part of a quilt-as-you-go modern design."

 I think "Baubles and Beads" is a good looking pattern that could be used in many different colourways to give it a completely different feel - I imagine that it would fit the 'beginner' category that it is designated as.

"Rainbow Rhythm" is for 'confident beginners' and I wouldn't attempt this unless you're a big fan of creating HSTs (half square triangles) - 156 HST squares in total!  If you do love HSTs though then this is the quilt for you, a graphic design that could take on so many different looks depending on fabric design and colour choices.

As soon as I looked at the ebook though I knew that I wanted to make "Lemon Squeezy", it really appealed to me.  I've seen this QAYG method done before and I love that it's not the usual grid based and strip joined - regular readers will know that although I've used that method, my own version of which I blogged about here, I'm not keen to repeat it regularly across my quilts.  So I decided that I wouldn't just review the book, I'd make one of the quilts from it so last weekend I set aside a day to do just that and here it is:

My fabric and thread choices (previously blogged about here):
Quilt Back: Amy Butler 'Alchemy - Sketchbook Roses'
Quilt Top: Dear Stella 'Petal Pusher', Alexander Henry 'Rivoli Curl', Moda Aneela Hoey 'Carnation French Knot' Sew Stitchy, P&B Textiles Bear Essentials, 'Spot On' Makower Basics


The pattern says to use 3 yards of fabric for the quilt back and to cut two pieces of fabric 50" x 50" and sew them together.  I couldn't understand the need for this - the batting is being laid directly on the backing and the batting size is 45" x 60".  This seemed like a terrible waste of backing fabric so instead I just used a 60" length of backing fabric and kept the full width (45") and trimmed away the selvedges once the quilt was finished.  This means the finished quilt is slightly smaller than the 60" x 45" quoted on the pattern but I think 59" x 43" is very acceptable and far better than purchasing all that extra fabric and having to cut and piece it.


When I read the pattern instructions it does explain that you will not be making an exact copy of the Lemon Squeezy quilt as designed by Sherri Driver that is shown in all the ebook photos.  Sherri's quilt is made using a variety of strip widths and the quilt instructions have been simplified so all the strips are 3.5" wide.  This wasn't at all what I wanted, I wanted the look of a varied strip width, so instead I cut the strips to 1.75"/2"/2.5"/3"/3.5" widths as you can see in the photo above.  I feel that it is misleading to show only photos of a quilt that is made from different width strips when that is not what you will be making if you follow the pattern instructions fully, I appreciate that this makes the pattern easier for a beginner but the photos should reflect this pattern change and it's disappointing that the ebook doesn't include a photo of how the quilt will look if it is made with all the same strip widths.


 The ebook does show you lots of pictures of how to create the QAYG quilt top and the instructions are clear and simple to follow.  I was thrilled with the method and the quilt grew very quickly.  As I said I love that although it's QAYG it isn't grid based and is created as a whole quilt so there's no strip joints to create at the end.  Above is a photo of my finished quilt top - there's no sewing visible on this side of the quilt - it's just nice, clean seams.


I was also disappointed to note that the ebook doesn't include photos of how the quilt back will look so here's a close up of my quilt back - my straight line quilting is using a 3.2 length stitch and Aurifil 2225 - Salmon Wt 40 thread.  I love it and I think it looks really great against this Amy Butler fabric.

So to complete my review on the ebook - it's free and it's worth following the link above and downloading a copy just to get the instructions for this type of QAYG quilt alone, never mind that there's instructions for 2 other quilts there too that might take your fancy.  The instructions are very clear and easy to follow - just be aware that what you are looking at in the pattern photos for the Lemon Squeezy quilt isn't exactly what you're going to get in your own made quilt - though to be fair they do say that on the pattern, it just seems strange to not to have the pattern instructions and quilt photos reflecting each other.  Obviously my quilt isn't a reflection of the pattern instructions either as I varied the strip widths too.  I didn't see notes in the instructions for the other two quilts to indicate any changes in those patterns and I think, at a glance, that those patterns will give you a quilt that accurately reflects the ebook photos. 

 
Maybe you'd like to see how the final quilt turned out?

Roses For A Drama Queen Quilt
 
 
 
 

 I made the quilt with a special person in mind and I'm hoping that they'll be as delighted with it as I am, I'll keep you posted on that!

Update at 25 January 2014:
Oh, just spotted that I never got around updating this post to share with you who the quilt was for (though I did post about it separately here!) - well it was a present for Katie, my middle son's partner and I gave her the quilt when she visited us back in July.

And now I can reveal that the quilt is called 'Roses For A Drama Queen' as Katie had just graduated from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama - she's got the most incredible singing voice, just perfect for musical theatre.

Here she is with the quilt and my son, Joe, isn't she gorgeous and she loves the quilt too!!!



Disclaimer: 
This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.

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51 comments:

  1. What a beautiful quilt. I like your adjustments to the original pattern and you are right about the back! What a lovely fabrics and colors!

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  2. Gorgeous quilt. I love that floral print. I will have to have a look at the QAYG, as I've never done it before.

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  3. It's is amazing! I love the horizontal lines and the use of a single patterned fabric with all the solids. Great Job!

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    1. Thank you, I'm crazy about whole cloth quilts - I think they're very underestimated. I've made a whole bunch ready to sell in my Etsy store when I finally get around to opening it! :)

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  4. wow! just wow! Chrissie, this quilt is gorgeous! I love the diagonal lines- so unique. I've never done any kind of QAYG, but this method does seem to be one worth trying!
    Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday, Chrissie!

      :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  5. This looks like a fun quick technique to try, thanks for sharing your thoughts regarding the pattern!

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  6. Wow Chrissie it turned out beautiful. You did a fantastic job! love the fabrics you picked. I've never done QAYG in such a large scale. Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts about the pattern. Simply gorgeous!!!

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  7. What a fun and lovely quilt! And such a thorough review - perhaps I will try QAYG at some point!

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  8. This is a lovely quilt with nice colors.

    But the sight... sigh...

    Nana

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    1. You know that view well now don't you?! I love your blog photos from your time on the Hudson and East Rivers here last week, I'm so glad that you had a fun time :)

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  9. Isn't Aurifil divine for quilting? Although I'm not a floral person, your fabric pull for the rest coordinates nicely with it!

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  10. Ooh, this quilt is so much fun! And I love the yellow binding! :)

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    1. The yellow was a last minute choice and I'm so glad I went with it - it makes the colours really pop on the Roses fabric :)

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  11. What a beautiful quilt Chrissie and great info!!

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  12. This is gorgeous! Thanks for the link, i may need to give this one a try!

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  13. You talked me in to downloading! Love your version, especially the backing. I know I would be more than happy with this quilt if I were the special person :)

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    1. Thanks Kathy, I have now gifted the quilt and can confirm that the recipient, Katie, does indeed love it! :)

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  14. Gorgeous quilt and love the view

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    1. Thanks Becca, I love my view too, having previously lived on the edge of a forest in England this views really quite different but I'm crazy about it! :)

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  15. Thanks for your review of this pattern, all very helpful comments!

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  16. It turned out beautifully! I'll be interested to read the QAYG instructions too. I really love the fabrics and colours you used though, it's a very covetable quilt!

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  17. It is a stunning quilt. I love the colors and fabrics. I've never tried QAYG so I will have to download and add it to my list of projects to try.

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  18. I really love the way it turned out, Chrissie! I agree with your disappointment about the instructions not matching the picture of the quilt. I'm glad you blogged about it, maybe they'll change the pattern after all.

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  19. I'm sure the recipient will love this quilt. A great pattern that really pops. Thank for sharing. I'm with you in that if I think the pattern is telling me something that just doesn't seem right, I just sort of go my own way. Usually this works out and I've come to something wonderful by taking my own path. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. The recipient has now received the quilt and she does indeed love it. I'm delighted with how it turned out myself and like you I'd rather adapt something to suit me and my needs than follow a pattern or I'd never feel comfortable with it. :)

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  20. Stunning quilt _ you chose some gorgeous fabrics and I am glad you did it your way as the satisfaction widths give it much more interest.

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  21. Great finish, Chrissie! Those fabrics choices sure made for a lovely quilt! Just wondering... Is this made with a stitch and flip method? It looks lovely! Hope you don't mind... I am sharing this on my facebook page at http://facebook.com/sewfreshquilts

    Lorna:)
    http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Lorna, yes it is indeed a stitch and flip method - it's so easy, the best QAYG method I've used to date. I don't mind that you've shared the post to your facebook page, in fact I'm thrilled, thanks and I just popped over and took a look :)

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  22. Looks great! Love your photos plus I was curious who lives on 23th floor, lol.

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  23. Great quilt Chrissie will have to check out the ebook.

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  24. I love your quilt and the pictures! I live in a rural area...so the city pictures were especially cool!

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    1. Thanks Valerie, in England I lived on the edge of a forest in the middle of the countryside - the view was beautiful. Moving here the view is also beautiful in a very different way, I think the change of environments for me was so extreme that it's impossible to compare about them and that made it easier to settle. :)

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    2. I love this quilt back even more the second time!! I NEED to get some of that fabric....I just love it!

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  25. Great quilt and a perfect backing fabric. Just love those roses!

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  26. Very pretty, I am eager to try that QAYG method soon! Thanks for sharing

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    1. It's very easy Marianne, I'm teaching this method at The City Quilter, NYC in August but we're going to do a horizontal back rather than a diagonal as that's even easier and quicker which gives students a chance to go a long way to finishing the quilt in the day's session. :D

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  27. Beautiful quilt.....love the fabric choices. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. I just love this quilt! I love how you turned the strips on the diagonal. It really makes the quilt unique!

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  29. Love your quilt. The bright colored plains with the large rosé pattern is such a ice combo!

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  30. This quilt is gorgeous. lovely.

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  31. Beautiful Chrissie! I love your fabric choices -- I wish I could be so brave and modern ;) The back is beautiful too....

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    1. Thanks Karen, you know being in a Bee for the last 2 years has been the best way to make me try colours, fabrics, designs and sewing methods that I'd normally shy away from - really pushes you out of your comfort zone :D

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  32. Thank you for sharing this.

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  33. An interesting post that was well worth clicking through to. I went on my first QAYG course last week. We made a small runner by strip piecing 3 blocks and then joining. This looks as if it would be a quick way of making a quilt and I agree that the uneven widths make it look more interesting.

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  34. What a fantastic quilt. I love to see what was happening last yr at this time.

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Chris Dodsley


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