![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvdlXA5XPVGagiSZFQ9XcoqIHjOiJcChGdqeeSKr2LtNJZNYiEIKGrqNsXo4q_FQEK8YOFdlV3_dUSI7b8431Mo0PjvAu8fgB7MLSjWxOgxdfDZEJJe4D3E8-RwF__nHRWTeCbYz6HARQ/s400/Antique+Midnight+Sun.jpg) |
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!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1s3ZLbcP79aKaYMftOpyxLMLtl74op1n3Eio0Rk-3z8rFUsjFtfjOZOihx0WUsEN64zlxMlYGnOIki6jqIo1ucZxuVdMLxex5bnGeQSRFOoll8kaEspZFmbYrsTD5h99dM6Dx3nls1ax/s400/Seeing+Red.jpg) |
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 appeared in my 2013 book, Paper Piecing Perfect Points.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_zqizMWRtlPP0nImXcGBhJc23dEYMG6Dbl6YS29dqQd6qkaSymBZcQzV9UMW2aF1KMO9Hc0RVGewYnLnE2h7NNHAsnlCqBqPUuFpMki9uBfhBQfnVO-VqULNdKueKRLb7sopEzJp2M4Y/s400/PPPP_book.png) |
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. I shared these steps in 2013 and figured it would be nice to see the process again. And the finished quilt!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Aq18BIB2Mj-QqCbV8H8N48YbfXiCzBsomYFp3SrZadBXU8cJBjbBpvNwpX1RCfScStXP14fTB_PGI3YKw0DMA8ouQFwPiNG8lKnktBnVeXj5VvS_lrZDOHLgvA3tlTMteHVWt6qNRYFw/s400/MidnightSun1.jpg) |
Select 3 fabrics; cut the rectangles for paper piecing |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoB00rAecA_GuzAnxyeMUrs9wFadVnDJnbiOX30iakBCWSb3BhbyzffvOQKMoHx-9fBIInGH6hzSMs4Y2SpX24BPVJUV_kVbmuJkdDsAwa7pnD7VebOQDYr3zTVwfvVu2qHU3xS4fm4ql/s400/MidnightSun2.jpg)
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Sew on the line, following the numbering sequence. Ready to trim. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOHRIzHOR9VuiOnkEIWiUmPBslQrorAXcxAbQO6sGWQ3zAAC96UnGca45JmqjPcNTyOeH4PGT-gI8seiM3EK7Munb2rwpvexZ0bXJI8pdjAm-rL-6CV_gZV1ggkSFW9RKRQVZzX5uu7hyphenhyphen/s400/MidnightSun3.jpg)
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Notice how the lines criss-cross IN THE seams. That secures the points so they don't "unsew" when removing paper |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlukYCuDwjRf-OVdQTy76VgIr-PhTUVZ5edRFsf8xjTWnNluY60SQN2461KvFzA_z9_Jrs7NLGes0CiYiS1bd620RktavKlSz5v1zYdMP8EfPB4m0XgX84JSUsQotbtE5pfRglEYGebKuP/s400/MidnightSun4.jpg) |
Look how many I've made! Aren't they beautiful? Sharp points! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIvkn2hojSOrVZTnf1KGaUUrCjlrsJ3BzLX3-oBK3LKUwI5ccuf1VhZ-ruhiIoFURKL3FvmIed1DqB1MzfcLMHFpvFwOiyUsY1dY_yAd_kh5O3bUHrUj9teP8wVY_oM8MgOH6uxHbir3x/s400/MidnightSun5.jpg)
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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:
- 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.
- I pressed the four joining seams open; reduces the bulk.
- 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.
- I covered up the center hole with a self-faced (non-fusible interfacing) circle and then machine appliquéd it on using a tiny zig-zag stitch and mono-filament thread.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKwIdyWjm7_YVINPoEPFFMz6XCgx2jbvgTQPsZPinOhjLAuhRi1vAYi5Q74pyM-x68JGRxTTp34sCwvfaIDGZKO5v-qPf-6pEq_HKgFXOlbtHnGRmN_s1xKhucjG6bhAZzS2CLaOCJtHO/s400/MidnightSun6.jpg) |
Back side of the block so far |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBtwh-9iar6SRKJ0BcFEabJpHsmlGgpp6SYWqd8-5fV8Qx3phIIIVIKUrbJY3apSO0eTC7hjc213mJtQM6bOvFUXydvMZJ4p1_AtRM8yf-gXSkgcXVrBVc_qpLwuNPaC-X-8FKqfaUGz8/s400/MidnightSun7.jpg) |
Front side of Midnight Sun block |
Here is the full block. Same size as "Seeing Red", but now wearing different colors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-h4_FDlCqYsGNV6TvaSHtqxI874cD3EZccj7CIyacHb3IH4XWoUz-MXF73murRP3nsRpNgkOVqDCjYv3VEAsBqP-99JZssdduCnuRUQMO12Cv2vULoOZYnUUtvKxh1ewGGj6KUpf9J0K/s400/MidnightSun8.jpg) |
I actually reverse appliqued the outside background piece to the center - not this way in the book! |
I made enough paper pieced units for 3 more blocks. Had to dig through my stash for a substitute fabric for the outside floral print. Found something. These are 15" finished blocks so my new center of 9 blocks is going to be awesome!
Fast forward 6 years to 2019 and I decided that I would never put these together and so gave them to my local quilt guild to finish. They sewed them block to block and my friend Jeannie C. quilted it; I put the binding on. This went to our charity endeavors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2LpBsEPr-VfzMPqyNg5iZbSLZ34ccJNninhIfvXejOoO5HZGoZUP9A0UVdCAQyo3hRvWTUge8aYmrT6TqmeLOfhM1kKczxBUj-cHL8HUTD5qqMj45MoDQszzHa3simOnTpj8mK2W1wqoTYU-61QhxnhPR4hCVfKufOLwoocMBy7Z0H0BC_oqBLGlqA/w477-h379/Brown-Pink%20Midnight%20Sun%20Quilt.jpg) |
Updated Midnight Sun: 45" x 45" |
I sell my book, Paper Piecing Perfect Points, as a 92 page digital pdf on a CD. It's exactly as it appears in print (since I wrote all the directions, designed all the art and templates and foundations, made all the quilts, etc). You can purchase it from me for $15 and $3 postage. Send me an email (kratovil@his.com) to find out how to do that (PayPal is best).
Take a visit to my Etsy shop to see several more quilts made using foundation paper piecing.
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Thanks for stopping by Debby Kratovil Quilts! If you had a question and don't get an answer from me, please feel free to email me at: kratovil@his.com