Quilts with Very Sharp Points & Giveaway

Antique Midnight Sun Quilt - 70" x 85"

I'm often asked where I get my inspiration from. I have to say: from traditional quilts! Why should I reinvent the wheel when there are so many glorious quilts that are timeless? All I do is just change out their clothes, giving them new colors. This quilt appeared in a magazine years ago and is called "Midnight Sun." It was probably pieced by hand and used carefully cut templates. How did I update it? So glad you asked!

Seeing Red - 38" x 38", Block Size: 15"

Well, here you have it. Seeing Red is my version of the Antique Midnight Sun. Four blocks and I was done (could that be because I also ran out of fabric?) Don't you love those sharp points? And don't you just love templates and hand piecing - NOT!!! All foundation pieced. This appears in my new book, Paper Piecing Perfect Points (released February 12).

Yes, you can have blocks with VERY SHARP POINTS!

 I loved the block so much that I am almost finished with another 5 of 6 blocks, which I began almost 2 years ago. This time, they are in other colors. I will sew the blocks until I run out of fabric, then go looking for border prints. That's just the way I've always worked. I first love the block and sew up as many as I can. Then, and only then, do I determine what size the quilt will be. Crazy? Maybe, but hey, this is America (where I live) and so far, it's not against the law.

Here's my process, so you can see how easy - and PRECISE - foundation piecing can be:

Select 3 fabrics; cut the  rectangles for paper piecing

Sew on the line, following the numbering sequence. Ready to trim.

Notice how the lines criss-cross IN THE seams. That secures the points so they don't "unsew" when removing paper

Look how many I've made! Aren't they beautiful? Sharp points!

Four units ready to be stitched together. Yes, there's a hole in the center. I'm not done!

 I love showing the back side (not mine; shame on you! the back side of the block!) Notice a few things:
1. Because of my method of trimming a patch, leaving 1/4" seam allowance BEFORE adding the next patch, it really looks like I've used templates. But you KNOW I didn't.
2. I pressed the four joining seams open; reduces the bulk.
3. It's OK to leave in the little snippets of my paper. It is pulp and won't hurt anything and will dissolve should the items be washed.
4. I covered up the center hole with a self-faced (non-fusible interfacing) circle and then machine appliqued it on using a tiny zig-zag stitch and mono-filament thread.

Back side of the block so far

Front side of Midnight Sun block

 Here is the full block. Same size as "Seeing Red", but now wearing different colors.

I actually reverse appliqued the outside background piece to the center - not this way in the book!

What's my giveaway? Well, I don't have copies of my new book yet. I will be having a few as giveaway prizes in the next few weeks. But for now, how about a CD of 366 patterns - paper piecing, rotary cutting, applique? Something for everyone. It also has 12 quilt projects using some of those blocks. And the blocks are in two sizes each!

366 Blocks - Go see all of them: Block a Day Calendar

The contest is over Friday, February 8 at midnight (EST). Contest is over. I'll be announcing my winner by Monday.

What do you have to do?

1. Tell me which version of this block you prefer. The dark blue in the antique quilt? The Seeing Red quilt. Or the pink and brown quilt.
2. Be a follower. I like to reward those who have joined my family. It doesn't cost anything and you won't miss out on the fabulous upcoming BIG blog hops and block reveals for the other quilts in my book. I DON'T SHARE YOUR INFO WITH ANYONE.
3. Please don't be a no-reply blogger. You need to check the settings in your Google account or whatever software you use. I never, ever give away my email lists to anyone (not even my fabric sponsors). There's nothing to fear. But I generally have to disqualify a few dozen comments in my contests because there is no way I can find you!