Finally, I can say I’m on the home stretch of Kate Colleran and Tammy Silver’s (aka KatenTammy) Adventure Quilt Along – A Road Trip. I’m beginning to see familiar landmarks and hopefully within the week I will be pulling into my driveway (finish piecing to top).
No doubt many others also on this same trip have already made it home (pieced the top), have unpacked their luggage ( quilted the top to a fabulous backing fabric) and are stretched out in their favorite recliner with a cup of tea in one hand and the TV remote in the other (finished the quilt with an eye-catching binding).
This particular quilt along provides its subscribers with a new block each week to be downloaded which equals 12 blocks over a 12-week period and block 12 was introduced a couple of weeks ago on April 17th.
Looking Back
When I first began this “Adventure” I knew I would learn a thing or two. What I did not know – or anticipate, that I would learn way more than just a thing or two. I now have a much better understanding of why so many of us become thoroughly addicted to quilting. I’ve been introduced to many new techniques as well as new quilting notions and rulers and each with a common purpose – to make the whole quilting process as easy, efficient and as mistake -proof as possible.
Although I still have a couple of blocks to go and after changing my color choices, a block re-do or two, I can honestly say over the course of these past 12+ weeks my quilting skills and confidence has significantly improved.
On the Road
The following list is just three (of at least a 100 things) I’m loving about this quilt along.
1) I no longer fly away from flying geese block units and I now know how to use a “Wing Clipper” ruler.
2) Thanks to the “Perfect Seams Product Combo” I have finally achieved a perfect 1/4″ seam allowance.
3) Paper piecing has become my new go-to technique. The “Add-A-Quarter-Inch-Plus” ruler made this possible.
Above the Treeline
From the wide variety of tools, tips and techniques made available in this quilt along, the Braid Template and techniques used to create the trees in the “Treeline” block is my absolute favorite. This technique alone put the entire project “above the treeline”! It’s a block that comes together fairly quick and easy.
Using the braid template makes cutting the fabric strips quick, easy and accurate. Where you will spend a majority of your time is choosing which seven shades of green fabric to use and in what order.
Here are a couple of pics to illustrate that process:
This is how the block looks at the very beginning – a pile of green fabric strips, white squares and the braid template. Of course, you could use a ruler with 45° markings on the diagonal but the braid template is quicker, easier and there is no math involved! Just place the template to line up the dimensions needed (for example, 1/ 1/2″ width X 7″ length).
Complete instructions are included with the template.
After using the template to cut the ends diagonally, I began placing the pieces to determine the best mix of color and help stay organized while I added each strip to the set.
And another image giving a better idea of how the fabric pieces would look when arranged into a “tree” shape.
You will notice I did a little rearranging of the fabric strip – funny how a simple change in direction can change your perception. In fact, I actually rearranged the pieces during the sewing process as I deemed necessary to prevent placing too many common shades too close together.
Below is my first “Tree Line” block. I like the variety of green shades but I think the next time I do a block like this I will choose colors that are either all warm or all cool tones. I’m funny that way and maybe I’m making more of a deal about color coordinating that I should but generally speaking I feel it a bit tricky to successfully mix warm and cool tones.
Looking Ahead
It is with great hope that my next post about the Adventure Quilt Along – A Road Trip, I will at least have the top pieced and ready for quilting.
Once finished, should my quilt look anything like Kate’s (she used Bella Solids by Moda) – so fresh and playful!
Or Tammy’s quilt – isn’t her Island Batik fabric line fabulous?
I can say this quilt adventure was definitely a trip worth taking!
Hello Susan,
This is a really wonderful and educative blog on The Braid Template Goes Above the Treeline. In your blog, you describe nicely how can we make a “TreeLine”. When I read your blog I feel good that time. Before I try to make like that type of thing but I am undone. For your post now I can make it and also my sister says that she helps me to make this.
How much time do I need to do make this thing can you tell me?
Thanks for such an amazing and wonderful blog.
Thank you so much for your comment! I am glad you found my instructions helpful.
To make this particular block may have taken about 20 minutes. There is actually more ironing and fabric turning than actual sewing.
Hi there, Susan.
Your post on Quilting was very interesting and I found some useful tips.
My wife and I want to start a hobby quilting business from home. More my wife’s idea but thinking about this – will give us more time together and that can’t be all too bad.
Were want to open a Stall at the markets and just wondering what the demands would be with people buying homemade quilts?
Many thanks for the tips, Jeff.
Hi Jeff and thank you for stopping by!
Starting a quilting business is also my plan – especially after retirement. I can’t think of a better way to spend the extra free time!
To answer your question regarding the demand for quilts, the demand is not so much in quilts but in fabrics, patterns, lessons and machines. Quilts are time consuming and expensive to make and even more expensive to buy however…there still seems to be a demand.
I wish you and your wife much success with your quilting business and hope I have an opportunity to visit your quilting booth at a quilt market or festival soon!