Whilst Quiltmania Issue 79 arrived in the UK early October, (as seen here - Mrs Schmenkman Quilts), Issue 78 arrived at my Newsagent this week (someone please tell me why it needs to take so long for magazines to arrive downunder?).
Blueburst by Aline Vandenbuleke
I don't buy a lot of magazine anymore but this one really caught my eye and made its way home with me. Quiltmania #78 has some really interesting and colorful projects; including a good mix of easy and more complicated quilt designs using various piecing techniques.
Wagon Wheels designed by Kandy Petersen, pieced by Sandy Klop
Goodness I love this magazine, even the advertisements are interesting!
The other arrival this week is a long awaited FQ bundle of City Weekend fabric (Oliver + S for Moda),
and as I was keen to play with both the City Weekend fabric and the Wagon Wheels quilt pattern from Quiltmania magazine (as pictured above), I traced and photocopied the arcs for paper-piecing:
Then I carefully traced the pattern sheet and cut out the remaining templates using cardboard. However, it wasn't all that much later that I worked out that whilst the arcs included seam allowances, the templates did not. It helps to read the pattern sheet, it would have saved quite some frustration.
I was determined to finish the (one) block, and although I love the design and the fabrics, I didn't enjoy the piecing process. Alas, it will be a lone block and will join the block stash.
Happy magazine, fabric and block stashing!
I had acrylic templates made from my favorite local template maker for this and will be scrappy wheel making with no sashing... at some point...
ReplyDeleteI agree I didn't really enjoy the paper piecing part either....
The block looks great in the City Weekend fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI love that block and it's fabulous in CW. But I can't blame you for not going for a whole quilt! It looks tedious! I'm going to start Aneelas pickle dish quilt along soon but you can bet it will take me two years to finish!
ReplyDeleteIf it aint fun, don't stitch it. xx
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the quilt looks fabulous but the idea of all that paper piecing makes me feel quite faint! I don't think i would even have managed one block; I would have stopped at the instructions!
ReplyDeleteThe paper piecing wouldn't stop me but the curves would. Nice looking block, anyway. I am interested in your opinion of the best Australian quilt magazine at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIt is a gorgeous block! Definitely too much effort and mostly time for me. But yours turned out wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I am just impressed that you even attempted this block...all those curved seams AND the paper piecing would have stopped me.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great magazine.
Gosh it is a pretty block though!
ReplyDeletebeautiful block!
ReplyDeleteI bought that magazine particularly to make the wagon wheels quilt but haven't started yet. Second thoughts now - lol xx
ReplyDeleteFunny, I had picked up that magazine at the book store and fell in love with it, but didn't buy it. I think I need to go back and grab it now. I love your block! And reading the pattern sheet is definitely a big helper...LOL!
ReplyDeleteThis must be the season for paper piecing arcs! I am also working on one...it is a tedious process, but the results are so satisfying. Looks like a wonderful magazine - I will have to search it out. Mary
ReplyDeleteRITA! Your post has me So. Very. Excited! The wagon wheels quilt is especially exciting! It was an individual pattern from Sandy Klop a couple of years ago (that long?). I've wanted to tackle that one since I first saw it -- what lovely movement it has. You've got such a gorgeous set of fabrics for this one. Perfect! I look forward to seeing your progress. The Quiltmania issues just keep getting better and better. I believe that's the issue with a glow-y orange Pamela Dinndorf pattern and I adore the cover quilt (even have the templates for that one). Very exciting!
ReplyDeleteI like that magazine but my book store here in the states does not always carry it. The block looks great but would be a pain in the butt I think to make! I do not enjoy paper piecing all that much and have one of those projects in the works and wish to finish it sometime in the coming year and I will be cursing the whole way!
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
That is one beautiful block. You should do a pillow or something...showcase that beautiful piecing!
ReplyDeleteLovely. Thanks for a great morning starter, here in California!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Wait . . . you have a block stash? I didn't even realize there was such a thing, although it's not hard to imagine. I too love that magazine, but some quilts are a bit too complicated or not as modern as I'd like.
ReplyDeleteFirst I've heard of your block stash. Hey, you should make a menagerie quilt from your stash. You know, all odd and unmatched. Could be very cool!
ReplyDeleteI do love quiltmania as well, but they're patterns are so strangely written and often difficult to follow - how bizarre to include seam allowance on some and not other templates!? Sorry it wasn't much fun, but your block did turn out beautifully! A pillow, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI had a shock when I saw what you were planning to do. I don't know why, but to me it just doesn't seem ... you. :) Of course, your work is perfect, woudn't immagine anything less
ReplyDeleteThat one block is lovely, but I get what you are saying...years ago I made up some wedding ring quilt...well, most of it...when it came time to set in the connecting squares that thing found it's way into the closet and eventually was thrown out. I could not even stand to look at it anymore! Someone said earlier that if it is not fun don't do it...I agree!!!
ReplyDeleteI made that wagon wheels quilt and loved how it came out. I appliqued a circle in the middle of each wheel instead of the square post.
ReplyDeleteI had really been intrigued by the wagon wheels quilt as well. However, based on your review, I'm thinking....not. Love the fabrics, though. I just placed an order with Randi at Fresh Squeezed. Wonder if it's too late to add something??
ReplyDeletethat looks like a pretty complicated block! i have never tried just one block to see if i like the process. good idea!
ReplyDeletei do love city weekend on the block!
Hmm, weird, waiting that long! I carry Quiltmania in my etsy shop and have #79 available. My experience is that magazines reach Australia faster then Canada! Now go figure that one! I love that cover quilt too, cheers, Elaine
ReplyDeleteYep,
ReplyDeletei'd have to agree - i wouldn't enjoy the piecing either. however the lone block looks lovely!!
as always!!
xo
eva
Hi, I work with Sandy and we designed this quilt together. I think you've made it harder on yourself using a template. It's a pretty easy quilt to make if you paper piece it. The Quiltmania magazine made the directions too hard.
ReplyDeleteHere's the original that inspired me,
http://larajanepark.blogspot.com/2009/03/wagon-wheel-my-favoriteoriginal-c-1850.html
I showed the picture to Sandy and we drafted it and shared fabrics and paper pieced one for each of us. However, our sizes were a tad off, so when producing the quilt pattern for AmericanJanePatterns, Kandy Petersen drafted the quilt on the computer and made it so it came together easier.
Please Please Please order the AmericanJane version of the pattern, it's SO MUCH EASIER to paper piece it!!!
www.americanjane.com
-Lara
Oh, and here's my version of the wagon wheel, the one Sandy and I made before the pattern was perfected by Kandy.
ReplyDeletehttp://larajanepark.blogspot.com/2009/03/wagon-wheel-quilt.html
Wow wow wow, that is one pretty block! But I think I might go crazy piecing that!
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteThis note is to let you know that page 29 of the QuiltMania No. 78 issue features a quilt that I have developed a pattern and template for . The Lancaster Diamond Sampler Quilt was photographed at the Lancaster (Pennsylvania) Quilt & Textile Museum in March, 2010, as part of the AQS show. Please visit my website for information about this quilt and the patterns & template I have developed to go along with it. A portion of the sales goes to the museum to support our quilting heritage. Thank you!
Ann Holte
http://annholtequilting.com