588 Steps

For those of you who have visited the Greek island of Santorini, you might recognize these steps that start at the old port of Gialos and lead up the capital city of Fira.  I snapped a photo just as we were about to descend the long, steeply angled, donkey poop covered Karavolades stairs, all 588 of them. This mini quilt was made for the Photo Inspiration Challenge issued by Alison Glass as part of the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club.

588 Steps by Paige Alexander

My quilt was inspired by this photo taken in May 2011 late in the day as we leaving Santorini for the next stop on our curise.  You can see I decided to leave out a couple of elements.  For one, I didn't know those feet so those were not included.  I had planned to 'quilt' the grates, but forgot as I was quilting.

Steps leading to Fira, capital of Santorini

I also changed the shadow on the top step from curved to straight for ease of piecing.

Detail show angle of the shadow where it was changed slightly.

I failed to follow the assignment completely as Alison suggested 'improv' piecing.  I actually printed the photo in black and white and had it enlarged.  I then traced over the enlargement using waxed paper and cut it apart for templates.  I originally planned to use solids but didn't have enough variety in the light and dark grays so I use these Alison Glass prints from her Sun Print 2015 and Sun Print 2016 collections.

588 Steps completed quilt top

Originally, I didn't plan to include the the numbers which were painted on the steps but thought it might help recognize the steps easier.  To recreate them as close a possible, I traced the numbers onto vinyl tablecloth material and then flipped them over to trace onto the no sew Heat'n Bond Ultra Hold.

I quilted pebbles on the steps starting out with larger pebbles at the bottom and reduced them in size with each step trying to create perspective.  This picture is really not in focus but shows the pebbles more. And you will see why I had difficulty getting a better shot by looking at the video I posted on Instagram.

588 Steps on the fence blowing in the wind

Here is another picture taken of the steps to give your a better idea of what they were like.

Steps leading to Fira, capital of Santorini

And here's the reason for the all the poop.  This is just one donkey, but there were many more.  They made the trip up and down a little scary at times.  When they would come by, I would try to hide behind a telephone poll or lean far over the side.

And here are a few pictures of flowers taken on Santorini.

I am looking forward to more challenges in the Mightly Lucky Quilting Club.

Quilt Stats:

• Finished size:  15 1/2" x 15 1/2"
• Pattern:  Original design from my photograph inspired by the Photo Inspiration challenge by Alison Glass and the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club
• Binding: 1/4" bias binding from 2" strips and sewn down by hand
• Fabrics: Sun Print 2015 and Sun Print 2016 collections by Alison Glass for Andover Fabricsplus a sliver of Kona white in the top step
• Thread: Aurifil for piecing and some quilting plus a few others
• Batting: 100% Cotton Warm & White by the Warm Company
• Completed: April 27, 2016

Linking up to Finish Up Friday, Whoop Whoop Friday, Fiona at Celtic Thistle Stitches hosting Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday this week, Fabric Frenzy Friday and Show Off Saturday.

And next week, May 2nd through the 6th is the blog tour for Quiltmaker's 100 blocks Vol. 13.  Be sure to visit their blog, Quiltly Pleasures, each day for each stop on the blog tour and chances to win your own copy of 100 Blocks and more.  I'm so excited to have a block published in this issue and my date for the blog tour is Friday, May 6th.  Please join me on the tour.

Free Wheeling Single Girl Block and DS Fabrics

I've been home a week, but I can't stop talking about Sewtopia which took place in Atlanta last weekend.  You can find out more about Sewtopia here and the events page here.

I thought I would show you my Free Wheeling Single Girl block I started in Denyse Schmidt's class Saturday afternoon and finished that evening in our open sew time.  I talked about my fabric selections for Denyse's class in this post.

Free Wheeling Single Girl block pieced by Paige Alexander at Sewtopia Atlanta

Denyse explained to us that Single Girl was her very first published quilt pattern and included many templates making up the rings rather than the more 'freeing' improv method used in her updated pattern.  I found a post by Rita Hodge at Red Pepper Quilts from September 2009 where she made a block and showed all of the templates.

I took a picture of Denyse and her class assistant, Rossie Hutchinson with the quilt top Rossie made.

Denyse Schmidt and Rossie Hutchinson at Sewtopia Atlanta

And I couldn't help myself, I got a photo with Denyse and it shows my progress, or lack thereof, made while in class. Yes, I am SLOW, but I'm OK with that!

Denyse Schmidt with me in Free Wheeling Single Girl class at Sewtopia AtlantaI

 When sewing the quarter blocks together, I reversed two of the blocks.  This picture shows my original layout before the blocks were squared up.  Notice the same tone on tone green fabric in two of the blocks on the left side, Denyse suggested 'disguising' the seam or the appearance of four separate quadrants by repeating the same fabric where the blocks join together in a few of the blocks.

Freewheeling Single Girl quarter blocks on the Pellon design wall at Sewtopia Atlanta

I was expecting the curved piecing to be difficult, but the curves were large enough that they were very forgiving and went together very well. Denyse demonstrated pinning the curved rings to the background pieces and said she likes to sew with concave piece on top.  But Rossie said she received better results sewing the convex piece on top.  I tried both ways and got good results with each.

And...if I didn't get enough of Denyse in class, take a look at the door prize I won while at Sewtopia. When my name was drawn, I chose a complete fat quarter bundle of her line, New Bedford, by Free Spirit Fabrics.

New Bedford by Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Fabrics

I love the Modern Solids included in the bundle which include Orange, Kumquat, Flamingo, Solar, Spark Gold, Shell, Dogwood, Licorice, Light Jade, and Asparagus.

Closer look of the Modern Solids in New Bedford by Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Fabrics

And if the fat quarter bundle wasn't enough, in our Sewtopia swap bag we received a Modern Solids 75 piece 2.5 "mini charm pack.  

Denyse Schmidt Modern Solids mini charm pack by Free Spirit

Thank you Denyse and Rossie for a wonderful class!  And thank you Amy and staff for such an incredible weekend.

Some other related Sewtopia posts are the Hour Basket, the Becca Bags zippered pouches which were made from Cotton + Steel fabrics for the swap, and Peak of Perfection, the Sewtopia fabric challenge I made from Cheryl's Pike's Peak pattern.

I hope everyone has a great week!  I am happy to link up to Main Crush Monday, Let's Bee Social, Needle & Thread Thursday, Whoop Whoop Friday, Fabric Frenzy Friday, Whoop, There It Is! and Show Off Saturday and the Monday edition of Sunday Stash!

Block #9 - Sailboat

Just in the nick of time, I completed the 9th block for the Modern Quilts Unlimited Everything Old is New Again block and quilt challenge.  I am calling this one Adrift.

I had every intention of making an improv pieced sailboat and it actually started out that way.  The hull is two freehand drunkards path blocks pieced together (with the intentional offset on the bottom of the hull). From there, I started planning too much and here is the result.

Adrift block by Paige Alexander

This month, we were given the choice of two blocks, the airplane or sailboat, to interpret in a modern way.  Since I was including Michael Miller's Cotton Couture in Azure in most blocks, I thought it would be a good 'sea' and used the sailboat for inspiration.

Airplane and Sailboat traditional quilt blocks

I have used the same Cotton Couture colors in many of the blocks. Pluto has been used as the background fabric throughout except for block #8. Other Cotton Couture colors used are Apple, Lava and Magenta.

Here are my previous eight blocks.  You can read more about my Rail Fence block here and Square in a Square block here.  I can't believe we only have three more blocks to complete and then the quilt challenge will take place.  You can read more about the challenge rules here.

I am excited to show off my 9th challenge block on Show Off Saturday with Caroline at She Can Sew.

Hour Basket and Sewtopia Swag

I am home from Sewtopia which took place in Atlanta and had a fantastic time!  Classes with Elizabeth Hartman and Denyse Schmidt were incredible, both are fantastic teachers!

And, while I do not have a finished quilt to show you, I did complete the 1 Hour Basket in the Friday morning Make and Take session with Kelly of Kelby Sews. We made the basket in the original size, called the Kelly, but she has now has an updated pattern, Friends of the Hour Basket, which includes eight basket options including a bucket style and a tote.

Hour Basket with handles made at Sewtopia

The exterior of my basket is made from Essex yarn dyed linen blend in black and I used Alphabet in Red by Myiesha & Katie for Windham Fabrics for the handles and interior lining.  Pellon generously supplied Flex-Foam (FF78F1), a 1-sided fusible stabilizer, for all of us to use in our baskets.  It added great shape and body to the project.

I quilted the handles and added a couple rows of top-stitching to the basket's edge.  I was glad to have the alphabet right side up on the lining fabric.

Side view of the Hour Basket

Kelly suggested using a larger seam allowance when sewing the lining and and by doing so, it eliminated excess fabric making a neater finish on the inside.

Interior of the Hour Basket

And the best part...most, but not all, of the goodies from our Sewtopia Swag bag fit in my basket. There was Aurifil thread, Pellon batting, Soak laundry soap, a Simplicity mini template, a Quilt Now magazine, hexagon paper pieces, a tote bag from Reliable, charms and mini charm packs from Windham, Free Spirit, Robert Kaufman, Michael Miller, Cloud 9, Lecien and Moda. There was more fabric from Stash Fabrics, the pop up shop at Sewtopia, and Westwood Acres, Intrepid Thread  and some Me + You batiks.  And patterns from the Fat Quarter Shop, Elizabeth Hartman and Intown Quilters.  I am sure I left someone out, but thank you to all of the generous sponsors! 

Sewtopia Swag in the Hour Basket

 
Sewtopia was fabulous and I hope to go again!

I am happy to link up to Finish Up Friday, Whoop Whoop Friday, Jen at Faith and Fabric hosting Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday this week, Fabric Frenzy Friday, Whoop, There It Is! and Show Off Saturday.

Ready to Fly

Atlanta Sewtopians received the class supply list for Elizabeth Hartman's mystery lap quilt and were instructed to bring "colorful fabrics that make you happy" with variety in color and value emphasizing solids, monochromatics and smaller scale prints.

We would be using 2-1/2" strips with her new pattern to be released this spring.  Since I use limited precuts (because I am a prewasher) I chose to cut my own strips.

Here are all the strips I initially cut.  Included are prints by mainly Alison Glass with some Cotton + Steel, Kona Cotton solids and few more thrown in for good measure.  Notice, they are in ROYBGIV order.

2-1/2" strips cut for Elizabeth Hartman's Sewtopia Atlanta class

A few weeks ago, Elizabeth posted her color inspiration for the class project on Instagram and gave us a hint and said, "It can fly".  Hmm, what could it be?  There were several guesses...kingfisher? dragonfly? hot air balloon?

Well, now the mystery has been revealed!  We will be making Frances Firefly!  It looks like each firefly contains 5 fabrics ranging from light to dark.. When I was gathering my fabrics, I wondered if I had enough light fabrics. I decided to do a little shuffling and added a few more fabrics and eliminated others.  I decided on 5 groups of 5 different fabrics.

Fabrics pulled for Elizabeth Hartman's class, Frances Firefly 

Now when I grew up, we didn't call them fireflies, they were lightning bugs.  I plan to use the two fabrics you see at the very top for the lightning bug 'lights'.  The chartreuse on the left is a Cotton Supreme solid in Harlequin which I will use for the green, purple, blue and orange fireflies and the pink, an Alison Glass Sun Print from 2015, will be used for the yellow firefly.

I have not yet made the final decision on the firefly body and background fabrics.  I better hurry, Sewtopia is the end of this week!

Linking up to a double dose of Sunday Stash with Crystal at Raspberry Spool and Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts.  And linking up to Main Crush Monday with Beth at Cooking up Quilts!

Becca Bags Zippered Pouches

When a local quilt shop offered a class on the Becca Bags, I signed up immediately.  I was curious about Joan Hawley's one-zip technique where you only use one side of the zipper tape and feed it back through the zipper pull.

Becca Bags by Paige Alexander made with Cotton + Steel fabrics

And with this method, it eliminates having to cover the zipper ends resulting in a very neat zip pouch. See how the bags stand open so well with gussets sewn into the bottom of both bags.

Dreamy Fusible, a high loft fusible fleece, was sandwiched between the two layers.  The pattern calls for topstitching only at the top of the bag near the zipper, but I like the look, especially from the inside of the bag, when it is quilted.  I quickly added some straight line quilting using the walking foot.

Becca Bags made using the one-zip technique

I added a few lines of quilting on top section of the larger bag, but on the smaller bag, I quilted between the arrows all the way down.

You can see the zipper pull on the smaller bag is a natural color.  I had to rob it from another zipper. As the pattern warns, you must use the same brand of zipper tape and tabs for them to be interchangeable.  I had several Coats & Clark's all purpose polyester zippers on hand and used them, but YKK zipper tabs are sold in bulk, where you can color coordinate the zipper tape and tabs.

Becca Bags with quilting

Below is another picture of the other side.  You can see here where the grab tab was made from a section of the zipper tape.  I used grosgrain ribbon on hand for the zipper pull.

Becca Bag

As I mentioned before in this blog post and this one too, I am headed to Sewtopia Atlanta soon and made these bags for the blind swap.  I fussy cut the the top section to include South Carolina, my home state and Georgia, where Sewtopia will take place.

Becca Bag with fussy cutting to include South Carolina and Georgia

I can see making more Becca bags in the future and want to try using denim in place of fleece like Nicole of Mama Love Quilts just did in her zipperd pouch.

Zippered Pouch Stats:

• Finished sizes:  4" x 6" small zip pouch and 6" x 8" large zip pouch
• Pattern:  Becca Bags by Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs
• Zipper: 22" Coats & Clarks mfg. by Talon (older)  
• Fabrics: All Cotton + Steel - Metallic Arrows in Navy by Melody Miller; Diningcar in Coral, State Words in Teal, and Palm Springs in Teal by Alexia Marcelle Abegg
• Fusible Fleece: Dreamy Fusible, high loft polyester
• Thread: Aurifil and Mettler

And, by the way, as attendees of Sewtopia, we will be touring the design studios of Cotton + Steel. How exciting is that?  I found a great post here by Apartment Therapy that gives a sneak peak into their studio.

Linking up to Finish Up Friday, Whoop Whoop Friday, Celtic Thistle Stitches hosting Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday this week, Fabric Frenzy Friday, Whoop, There It Is! and Show Off Saturday.