Thursday, April 2, 2009

Bonding with the Bernina

Sometimes I just want to sew on the machine, nothing tricky, but something visually interesting.
I've been getting the urge to sew HST, who knows why but I decided to give in and had some strips and copied this free project from The Purl Bee
It's looking fairly busy so maybe I need to make the medium or small blocks as the center of a quilt and use these mixed sizes for border blocks. I'll mull on that one for awhile. Or leave it as is, feel free to comment.
I'd come to realise that I have so many things on the back burner that I was going to have trouble keeping up with my BOM Pies and Tarts. They are time consuming and I had heard of some trying the blocks by machine but not getting great results. I had to try it. English paper piecing is taking up too much time.
These ones are done by machine and I tell you, blind man Freddie would be happy with these!
I cut circles out of cartridge paper to baste them on and now they're all prepped for applique, Yay, I'm a happy quilter. Even the little tarts are good.
I love my little gadgets but they have to be useful. These acrylic templates are just the bee's knees! I use them so often for quilting templates, designs, and applique. I also have been using the Olfa rotary circle cutter for cutting the papers. There is a trick to using it, though it has proved to be worth the money.

21 comments:

RG said...

I absolutely love your HSTs and your Pies!!
You make we want to try both Janet.
Beautiful beautiful work!!
hugs
Robyn xx

antique quilter said...

love these pie blocks! oH no another project I would love to make too! great hst quilt..oh keep going I bet you would love it once you have more blocks made
are those templates from olfa?
looks like something I may need to invest in too!
ahh yes love those useful gadgets.
Kathie

Unknown said...

Those HST's are making a wonderful quilt. I am just loving them. The tarts are great too. Using tools like you have make it so much easier.

Betsy said...

Janet I love the Half squares quilt. It is bright and colorful.
Your pies and tarts are also looking good.

Vicki W said...

I love the HSTs and the pies - what great projects!

amy said...

I don't know what to mention first! Admiring all of your triangle and circular goodness. And admiring those circle templates...I need to invest in a set like that that has more sizes than I currently own. :-)

Anonymous said...

I love the pies! Do I understand correctly that you sew the pieces on the machine, baste them on the paper and then applique each pie on the material? I also love that circle gadget!

ranette said...

I think the hst's look like glittering jewels...and I like them.

Hey what is cartridge paper? I think the pie's look great and I may switch to machine with mine if I can figure out what that paper is.

QuiltedSimple said...

Love the pie blocks - very pretty!
Kris

Browndirtcottage said...

Hi Janet...yes, I'm like Amy.....I don't know what to say first...you have tons of lovely things on this post. I love your blog....you are in my Google Reader, so why haven't I been over here to see you?? Shame on me...I will be back...I promise....and thank you so much for running for a visit at my place!!!......Oh, and about the first 2 picture.....I like it 'busy'!!!

Unknown said...

Love what you are doing with these triangle...Great fabrics...your pies look wonderful.....
cheers

Dorothy said...

I love your HST project, Janet. Aren't you a little bit tempted to add just a little applique? lol

jean said...

Janet , I think your HST look lovely and fresh, keep going. I am wondering about the little trick using the rotary cutter are you going to share ? . I would love to do the pies as I am quite into circles atm but really I too have so many things on the go and I must stay focused on my Karen Sampler in order to keep up.
Love your blog
Jean

Kellie said...

I also love my gadgets!

Anonymous said...

Love your work! the circles look like fun. I might have to give them a try.

Judy said...

I think everything looks fabulous! Circle cutters were always great to use during scrapbooking so I can imagine that this is wonderful for sewing! Love the hst project and busy works great for this one!

Penny said...

Re the pies and tarts - have you tried making half square triangles into a block and then iron your pie shape over them,(freezer paper) and cut out adding seam allowance. I tried this and it works, there is a little bit of wastage but not much. I love your blog. Penny.

Darlene said...

More delightful eye-candy. Love the scrappy 1/2 square triangles.

Marit said...

Your HST blocks are so cheerful, lovely. Thank you for sharing!! I think I want to try them, too... Maybe they could be set in a sashing, on the diagonal?
Your blog have so many georgeous projects to be inspired by, its a lovely place to visit.
; )

erica e said...

i'm so inspired by both of these projects. would you mind if i put a link to here on my blog?

aneela said...

Your triangle quilt top looks amazing!! The white halves really make your coloured fabrics pop!
In fact I think I'm in love with it!!!
Fantastic blog you have going here, think I'll be returning frequently!!!!