Category: Quilt Alongs

Facets Quilt Along – Catch Up Week

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I decided to throw in an extra week for Facets Quilt Along, to give those following along a chance to catch up, and to invite any new followers  to join us! Just grab a copy of my book, your favorite fabrics or scraps, and jump on in. 🙂

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Click here for the supply list and complete quilt along schedule (with links to each Quilt Along Post).

Enjoy these gorgeous work in progress pics from members of my facebook group:

gina

I love Gina’s color combos so far and can’t wait to see more!

jan_b

Jan is auditioning possible background fabrics. What do you think?

suzy

Suzy has finished basting and is ready to quilt!

Paula_top

Don’t you just love Paula’s rainbow colored version?

Just remember, whether you are following along each week, or are just getting started, work at your own pace and enjoy the process. There will be prizes for all who participate and share their progress in my Facebook group: Quilt With Christa.

Facets Quilt Along Week 5 – Baste Your Quilt

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I can’t tell you much it tickles me each week to see so may of you making your own version of Facets. My version was recently on display at the AQS Quilt Show in Phoenix, and it was so fun to share it with a wider audience who may not have seen it before.

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Thanks to Susan Voight for sending me this pic of Facets at AQS Phoenix!

This week’s assignment is to get your quilt top basted in preparation for machine quilting which starts next week! Whoo hoo – my favorite part (the machine quilting, NOT the basting!)

In my book Machine Quilting with Style, I’ve included some tips on basting at the back of the book. You can also take a look at these tutorials I have put together from previous quilts I’ve made:

Don’t forget to share!

Share your progress in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa
Or on Instagram #facetsqal

New to my blog? Click here to catch up on all of the Facets Quilt Along blog posts.

Facets Quilt Along Week 4 – Complete The Quilt Top

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This week’s assignment is super easy and will allow any newcomers a chance to catch up!

Simply follow the quilt assembly diagram on page 94 of Machine Quilting With Style and lay your blocks in a pleasing arrangement. Then sew them together – easy peasy. Be sure to take a “victory lap” around the quilt top when finished – sew around the perimeter 1/8″ in from the edge to secure the side seams.

EQ Facets

Take a look at my EQ7 drawing of Facets and see how closely it resembles my actual quilt.

Facets_Kona

Finished Facets quilt, Made from my Kona Designer Series Precut Palette

I love seeing how different and unique this quilt can look. Be sure to pop on over to my Facebook Group at Quilt With Christa to share your progress and see the other fabulous versions! You can also share on instagram – just hashtag #facetsqal and tag me @christaquilts so I can see!

Here’s just a sampling of the beautiful quilts being made by others who are following along:

G-teal

G has made more of my quilt patterns than anyone I know! Follow her on IG @blingnailsbyg

michelle

Michelle is G’s sister and it’s so fun to see them make it a family affair. Her scraps are so pretty!

AnnP

Ann is reversing her layout – with mostly plain blocks and a pieced focal row. I love it!

jocelyn

It’s been so fun watching Jocelyn’s version come together!

Remember – everyone who participates will win a prize  at the end. Click on the starting Facets QAL post for complete details, and to find links to all of the QAL posts.

Facets Quilt Along Week 3 – Making the Triangle Blocks

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I can’t tell you how much fun it is to watch your Facets progress. So many people are sharing their progress on Instagram and in my Facebook group. It makes me giddy!! If you are just joining us, you can catch up and get started on the Facets Quilt Along here. Be sure to grab a copy of Machine Quilting With Style, if you don’t already have it. We will be following the instructions found on pages 92-94 from the book.

triangles

This week’s assignment is to cut your “made fabric” into triangle shapes using the Triangle Squared Ruler and Perfect Rectangle Ruler from Creative Grids. If you don’t have these rulers, you can cut your shapes from the full-sized templates given on pages 96-97 of the book. You can either make templates from plastic or draw them onto paper and tape the paper to a ruler that’s wide enough to accommodate them.

creative_grids

You need both Creative Grids rulers for this method to work.

How to use the Creative Grids rulers:

step1

First, make sure there is fabric completely underneath the triangle shape you are cutting. Next, align the Triangle Squared Ruler so that the blunted triangle corner is on the top of the strip, and the measurement you need lines up evenly with the bottom of the strip. Trim on both sides of the triangle. There will be a little bit of waste, but you can just throw that in the scrap pile for more improv piecing!

step2

Once you have cut the triangle with the blunted tip at the top, rotate the ruler to cut a triangle with the blunted tip at the bottom.

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Don’t forget to cut triangles from you accent fabric, too! Hint: if you are using directional prints, you may need additional fabric to accommodate cutting your triangles in one direction only.

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You will need to cut the background triangles using the Perfect Rectangle Ruler. Remember to keep your strip folded so that you get a half rectangle for each side of the triangle in a square.

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Don’t forget to cut angled tips indicated by the blunted end of the ruler. These will help line up your units correctly for sewing.

Using the picture below as a guide, line up the background rectangles so that the blunted ends align with the center triangle. The pointed tips will stick out. Trim the tips once the units are sewn.

alignment

I borrowed this image from a previous project using the same method with a smaller sized unit.

Sew the triangle blocks into diamonds where indicated in the book on page 94.

Eye Candy Inspiration

The best part of any quilt along is seeing how others make it their own. Here’s a roundup of blocks being made by followers in my Facebook group: Quilt With Christa and on instagram: #facetsqal. Remember – you can jump in at any time and work at your own pace. Some people have just started and others are nearly finished (which gives me plenty of pics to share for future posts)!

gina

I love the pop of orange that Gina from Gina’s Custom Creations chose to include!

sherri

Sherri (@snugbear2 on IG) is laying out her pretty purple blocks and sewing them together!

paula

I love Paula’s pretty piles!

jocelyn

I know I’m not supposed to have favorites but I really love Jocelyn’s triangles!!

Next week we will sew the blocks together to complete the quilt top.

Click here for the start of Facets Quilt Along

FacetsQAL

Facets Quilt Along Week 2 – Improv Piecing

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Welcome to week two of Facets Quilt Along. Last week we gathered fabrics and started cutting. This week we will make our own crazy-pieced fabric. The fun thing about this is that even if you are using the same fabric as me (Kona Solids Christa Watson Palette), your quilt will still look different from mine!

kona_improvA piece of improv fabric made from my Kona Cotton Designer Palette

Follow the instructions page 93 of Machine Quilting With Style to make your fabric pieces. Then share your progress and ask questions in my facebook group Quilt With Christa.

Here are a couple more fun examples:

improv_prints

A sample piece I made using a bunch of scrappy prints. It looks great in any fabrics!

g's_chunks

This beautiful piece was made by G from my facebook group. She’s sewing along with her sisters!

jocelyn

Jocelyn from the facebook group chose a more muted, modern palette. I love it!

paula_p

Paula’s festive blue and green combo is so fun – perfect for a Seahawk’s fan!

Seeing everyone’s pictures is half the fun of a quilt along. It’s amazing how the different fabric combinations are coming together to create individual works of art. Be sure to pop over to my facebook group to see more amazing improv in process!

jan

Jan is using lots of leftover scrappy bits – no size is too small!

If you are sharing your progress via social media be sure to hashtag it #facetsqal. Remember, everyone who participates will be entered to win prizes. I just love seeing your progress!

Click here for the complete QAL schedule.

Facets Quilt Along Week 1 – Gather and Share Your Fabrics, Start Cutting

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Thanks for joining me on a fun journey while we make the Facets quilt from my book Machine Quilting With Style. This QAL is broken into weekly steps which you can refer to in the introductory post. (If you are new to my blog – jump in at any time!)

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Gather and Share

This week’s assignment is to gather your fabrics (detailed materials list in the book on page 90), then share pictures of your fabric pull on instagram (#facetsqal), on your own blogs, or in my facebookgroup at Quilt with Christa.

Here are a few gorgeous bundles that some of my facebook group members have shared so far. It’s so fun to see all of the different variety and really, the sky’s the limit when it comes to fabric selection for the blocks. As long as you have a highly contrasting background fabric, you are good to go!

carol_b

I love Carol’s combo of prints, solids, and tone-on-tones. With the help of my facebook group, she was able to narrow down her choices!

Lind-BLinda is using these gorgeous gradations for her quilt. She gets bonus points for photographing it with the book!! 🙂

Daisy_fDaisy’s quilt will look stunning in batiks and scraps!

Homework – Start Cutting

Start cutting your block fabrics or scraps into random strips and chunks to prepare for improv piecing next week (see what we are working towards on page 93). Don’t be scared – just dive right in and cut. It will be very liberating, I promise!

facets_strips

I cut my pieces into various width strips and chunks with wonky angles.

Yes, you have my permission to make this quilt your way. Although I don’t have the math figured out for any other sizes or alterations, you are welcome to change things up if you like. This is your quilt so the choice is up to you! And yes, you can work ahead if you like, or take a little more time if needed.

sherri_s_scraps

Sherri is cutting her pretty purple pieces into hunks and chunks. It will be fun to sew the scrappy chaos into something pretty!

Questions?

I’m here to help! Be sure to share your progress in my Facebook group Quilt With Christa and ask for any trouble shooting help there. It’s a fun supportive bunch and we are all eager to cheer each other on!

3 Fun Things for You to Check out…pattern writing, finish-a-long, Aurifil BOM

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One of the things I love about the online community (no, blogs are NOT dead!) is all of the community projects that you can be a part of! Last week I introduced my Facets QAL which starts next week, and today I’m here to share a roundup of a few fun things my friends are doing.

#1 – Pattern Writing Series

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Cheryl, from Meadow Mist Designs just kicked off her pattern writing series which I know that many of you are interested in. Today, she’s introduced the 6 designers that are going to be part of each weekly roundtable discussion. It was fun putting together my thoughts on various topics, and I love how the series is going to go very in-depth in several areas. Each week will include 2-4 posts from Cheryl and the other designers. It’s going to be a wealth of information, and I’m sure I’ll learn a thing or two!

pattern_writing_series

Click here to keep up with the Pattern Writing Series.

#2 – Finish Along

Next, I’m one of the sponsors for the Finish Along, coordinated by Leanne from She Can Quilt. I’ll be offering a different prize each quarter, so be sure to sign up and link up your finishes! The Finish Along is also on Instagram at – you guessed it – @finishalong.

2016 button

Click here for the Finish A Long main page.

#3 – Aurifil Designer Block of the Month

Finally, I am proud to be one of the 2016 Aurifil Designers of the month. Pat Sloan and Aurifil have teamed up since 2011 to bring you fun free projects each month, so you can put your collection of Aurifil threads to work!

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The theme for 2016 is blue and white blocks, so each month, you’ll get a free block pattern from a different designer. (My month is March.) Heather Valentine kicks of January with her awesome block, Swirl Away, shown below.

heathers_block

Click here to get directions to make the Swirl Away block.

What quilting groups and community projects will you be involved with this year?

Facets Quilt Along – Intro and Fabric Requirements

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I’m ready to start my next quilt along featuring Facets, from my book Machine Quilting With Style. This is the quilt you all voted that was your favorite, and I’m so excited because it’s my favorite, too!

Facets_Kona

Facets by Christa Watson 63″ x 70″

The quilt along is a little bit different than the other quilt alongs I have shared in the past. You will need a copy of my book to participate. But that’s no problem, because I know that many of you have purchased your copies already (or received them as Christmas gifts).

Where to Purchase My Book

Machine Quilting With Style

Those new to my blog can pick up a signed copy of Machine Quilting With Style directly from me, or grab it here on Amazon for a super low price! It’s starting to show up in many local quilt shops, too, so check yours for availability. If you’d like to get a combo e-book + hardcopy, my publisher has a great deal over on the Martingale website.

Materials Requirements

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  • 28 Fat Eighths of your favorite fabrics (or grab a fat quarter bundle of the Christa Watson palette if you want to make yours in the same colors as mine!). Or 3 1/2 yards of scraps.
  • 2 7/8 yards of background fabric (white in my quilt)
  • 1 1/8 yards for accent and binding (red in my quilt)
  • 4 1/2 yards backing
  • Twin Size Batting
  • Your favorite thread for machine piecing and quilting (I prefer Aurifil 50 wt.)
  • Creative Grids Rulers – Triangle Squared and Perfect Rectangle rulers. (Be sure to get this brand as other rulers are not the right size.)

creative_gridsThe book includes templates if needed, but the rulers are easier to use!

Facets Quilt Along Schedule

Here’s how it will work: each Friday I will post an update with your “homework” here on the blog. You can share your progress anytime, in my Facebook group at Quilt With Christa. If you are not on Facebook but still want to share, you can email me a picture of your progress and I’ll share it in a roundup photo.

Because we are working through the book, no directions will be given here on the blog. However, I will share behind the scenes of the making of Facets and I’ll be your cheerleader to help you out as well as lay out your goals for completion week by week.

All links below will be clickable once that post has been published.

There Will be Prizes!

Each week you share your progress in my Fb group (or email pics to me), I’ll enter your name into one of three grand prize drawings at the end. So the more weeks you share, the more chances you have to win!

Three lucky participants will win the Grand Prize Pack – all three prizes per winner!

  1. A signed copy of my next book, The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting, which releases April 19th. (And yes, I’ll get my co-author Angela Walters to sign it for you, too!)
  2. A charm pack of my Kona Designer Palette.
  3. A 1300 meter spool of Aurifil 50 weight cotton thread, in the color of your choice!

Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting

You don’t even have to finish your quilt to be entered into the grand prize. However, everyone who shares a picture of their finished quilt by March 31 will be entered to win the BONUS prize – a jelly roll of their choice from The Precut Store.

working

And because I don’t want to leave anyone out, all participants who share at least one picture will win a PDF pattern of their choice from my pattern shop!

Sharing is Caring

If you’d like, you can save and share this badge on your blog or other social media and spread the word about my quilt along! You can share the image only, or link it back to this post.

Share your work in progress on Instagram with the hashtag #facetsqal

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So who’s ready to join the fun? Grab a copy of my book, your fabrics and start sharing your pics!

The Beehive Quilt Blocks – Update

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I just wanted to give you all a quick update on the Beehive quilt blocks. This is a series started by my good friend Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts. She invited 12 designer friends to each submit a free block of the month tutorial and she did 12 herself. So over the course of this year, she shared 24 different block patterns, all for free!

beehiveblocks

Just some of the beautiful blocks. Check instagram #doublestarblock for each maker’s credit.

I was recently skimming instagram #doublestarblock which was the block I shared back in April. I was blown away by the variety of beautiful quilt blocks that have been made! When I see amazing work like this, it validates what I do as a designer.

Here’s my original block design below. Click here for my Double Star Block Tutorial.

doublestar_finished

I really have a thing for black, white and grey!

My Christmas gift to you is sharing Alyce’s link to all of the blocks so those of you new to my blog can rediscover this amazing series.

Click here for the Beehive Block Tutorials

Why don’t you put this on your agenda to make for next year?

Paper Pieced Quilt Along #12 Machine Quilting Linear Echoes

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New to my site? Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter and get a free PDF pattern!

Today we are back to using the walking foot or integrated dual feed (IDF)  to quilt straight lines of texture around the blocks. In my book Machine Quilting With Style, I call this quilting technique “Linear Echoes” because you are basically stitching echoing lines around the patchwork to help outline the piecing design and make it pop.

linear_echoes_1Start the first linear echo with the foot right next to the seam line. Vary the spacing if desired.

I did not mark the lines, but instead used the edge of my foot as a guideline when quilting each line. I was able to start and end each line of quilting off the edges of the quilt, in the batting, so I didn’t have to worry about burying my threads at either end.

linear_echoes_2Use the width of your foot as a guideline for spacing. Wider spacing means fewer lines to quilt.

You can quilt one or more lines around the blocks, depending on the type of look you want to achieve. So far I have quilted three lines around each row of blocks, each approximately 1/4″ apart. Rather than using a walking foot, I used my quarter inch foot for spacing, combined with the integrated dual feed on my BERNINA.

linear_echoes_3I’ll fill in the rest of the negative space with more lines, or a different FMQ design.

Here’s a tip – quilt a couple of stitches on a practice sandwich and measure them so you know how many stitches you are doing per inch. I only need to quilt about 2-3 stitches per quarter inch. That comes in handy when you need to echo quilt beyond the first line.

linear_echoes_backingThis is what the backing looks like so far. I love all that texture!!

So far I’m quilting my lines in black thread to match the background fabric on the top. I only want to see a little bit of the texture rather than the stitches so I’m ok if my quilting blends in at this point. I used an invisible thread from Aurifil for the bobbin so that the black thread wouldn’t be so stark on the lighter backing fabric.

For the next tutorial, I plan to add in a little more decorative free-motion quilting, probably with a contrasting thread. I’ll start on that now so I’m ready for the next QAL post!

Share your progress

Be sure to share your version in my Facebook group: Quilt With Christa.

Click here for all of the Paper Pieced Quilt Along Tutorials.