Ocean Wave Quilt in Scrappy Style + quick tutorial

It surely feels great when the last seam allowance was press and quilt top carefully iron out before fold up for photo day! This quilt might had been the quilt that I spent most hours and making good square trimmings. Gosh, it is ready to being quilted, any day now!  I also wrote a quick tutorial for you, if you would like to make one! 

There are total of 30 large Patchwork Blocks to make this quilt top. So the layout is 5x6. It is a closed to a queen size quilt and barely fit to the living room floor here.    

I chose using versatile and bold prints for the darker value prints; 80% of the prints are used from {Suzuko Koseki} prints, one of my favorite Japanese textile designer. The other 20% of the prints are used from last bit of older prints that have saved from years of sewing and also added a few new prints that I purchased earlier this year.

For the low value prints, I used 50% of Kona Snow (from Robert Kaufman) and low value prints that has smaller scale prints on. So, it gives some nice contrast as a whole.

The challengs of making this quilt I'd say were the time, patience, and determination. 

Time: This quilt started August 2016, but really started cutting and making efforts of making was last October. When the weather was cooler and I was able to stay time in the workroom for longer hours. Soon after that, it became a Snow Day project! It was just that perfect for the Snow Day, slow process. I was able to keep on sewing and making more HSTs during snow days.

Patience:  In the earlier quilting years, it seemed so important to start a quilt on the weekend and finish it on following weekend. Oh, it was surely fun and lots sacrifices, too! Lack of sleeps because I was young, quick dinner meals because mama has to get back to finish the quilt and poorly assemble/sewing jobs after all, live and learn!

This quilt really made me to take time to process every little step of making. Carefully cutting squares (good squares), accurate 1/4" seam allowance sewing ( it is very important if it calls that for seam allowance), HSTs (half square triangles) trimming is so time consuming (good trimming brings happy dance when it comes assembling). Matching seam allowance sewing ( for nice nice triangles outlook).

I preferred making small amount of cutting at a time for making a quilt, so I won't overwhelmed myself. I also do step by step job; cutting in one day, sewing in one day, pressing seams in one day, trimming in one day. Assembling in another day. It makes easier for me and allows me to work on other projects as well.

Determination:  This is probably the most challenge aspect in quilting for me over the years! That result many W.I.P ( work in progress) quilts, unfinished quilt tops, distract to new directions then end with many fabrics that might not work for the new projects over the time.

When I first started the idea of making an ocean wave quilt, just a few block to start with. I didn't plan on if I'd make a full version of it. I actually had plan on making a mini quilt instead. Then I though if I scale up wouldn't that be so fun? I knew the challenges that I mentioned (time, patience, determination) would come to me. Then I started to organized how can I make the quilt without feeling overwhelmed.  I planned once a week I would work on this quilt and little by little the time it will come together; step by step.

I wasn't going to give up making this quilt, but maybe impatience towards to the end; honest talk!

The assembling came really quick and probably is another favorite step in quilting for me. Especially when the seams are nicely match together!

I stopped working on the sewing when it is time ( dinner time, rest time, off accuracy moments). I took finished Patchwork Blocks to the ironing board then start press seams in the back. Sometimes, I have 3 large Patchwork Blocks finished for the day, sometimes 5, and sometimes just one! Never too little to call for a good accomplishment for the day!

The most pretty and surprise of the quilt is the pixelate look for the entire quilt. The versatile colors and the low values are nicely pieced together!

The last 7 Large Patchwork Blocks were harder to finish up. I ran out HSTs, a few hundred of them. Then I stepped away for a few weeks before started pulling out fabrics and repeated cutting, sewing, trimming, and pressing. I found good joy for the repetitive making process because it will be a worth all after it is all put together and use!

Unlike the other Ocean Wave Quilt that used flipped corners, I went with squares and HSTs process. Which means extra time and extra steps, but wroth every bit of that! 

Here is a quick and simple tutorial for you! You can decided on the color themes, making a big or small quilt. A mini quilt sounds really good to make! I'd make four patchwork units for a mini quilt, so that finished at 16"x16", fairly nice size for a quilt.  

You can download the quick tutorial images from the blog post and print it out!

If you make one, please tag me over on Instagram. I love see your scrappy style ocean wave quilt!  

@quarterinchmark 

Enjoy

xxc 

Good Afternoon

February-

As I sit down this morning to write the post. I realized that soon will need to turn another calendar page; March.  I have been under the weather most of the time in February, big and small. It was probably after a trip I took to the city a few weeks back and didn't dress up warm enough that day. It might had been a flu or just a cold! I didn't pay much attention until I kept running a stream of headache in the mornings as I wake up and later afternoon fevers.  I have not been making a decent meal after that. Mostly just take what we have then heat up and there were some carry outs from our local Hong Kong Style Restaurant.  Last two days, I have finally not getting a single headache and fever and started feeling some good strength back!

Last night, I made a banana cream pie for today and I'll soon making the pie crust after writing the post. We'll do a chicken pot pie for dinner today! It will be so nice that finally a homemade meal and decent meal time together; sit, eat and visit!

Good Afternoons-
I like to say that I am mostly productive during good afternoons this month. I had some good finishes during good afternoons; Illustrator editing, patchworking, responding emails, card making, writing and reading books. Most of the time,  the workroom is warmer during the afternoon hours and I could be in the space that I am feeling warm and get into productive mode! Indeed the little space heater helps!

New Book-
It has been maybe 3 or 4 years since I bough a new pastry magazine. I always like to check out one during the Christmas seasons, but I didn't run into one for awhile.  The new {cake and pie} magazine that I found at the book store last Saturday was perfect; cake + pie. As I walked around the magazine stands and checking out everything, from Cook for two people, Cast iron meal, Pasta making...etc. I spotted the cake and pie title and started reading it. Gosh! I need to have it! I especially love the way how they garnish the cake with fresh fruits. I am looking forward to make chocolate caramel tart after we finish the banana pie. Um.. they also have a couple bundt cakes there, my favorite kind of cake.

Farmer's Wife 1930's Quilt Blocks-
After seeing my dear friend, Kerry aka {verykerryberry}'s Farmer's Wife Quilt finish. I am anxious to get my 99 blocks out and get the quilt top piecing going ! Yesterday afternoon, I finished 8 half triangle blocks from the book {double Yay-Yay}! I managed to print out the paper piecing patterns a few days ago then spent another day maybe 20 minutes to cut off the templates then another good afternoon pick out the fabrics. Have precut all the paper piecing pieces; step by step. Now I look forward a good afternoon start cutting the triangles for making blocks into rows. It will be a truly  sampler quilt to have as I always though I'd make a large sampler quilt someday! Without Kerry's quilt along it wouldn't be happening! Thanks, Kerry for hosing the {quilt along}!

Scrappy Style Ocean Wave Quilt-
It has been pieced into a quilt top by now. The seams in the back are all nicely press and the raw edges of the quilt top has been basted to avoid lose threads. It is such a great accomplishment for me! As I looked back the photos first taken for this quilt making was in August 2016.  I've enjoyed every bit of this patchwork quilt making! Time was well spent during the process,  trimming {not my favorite part, but I learn to enjoy it}, piecing and ironing.  Most importantly is using what I have in the stashes! It has been nice that some of these fabrics are being utilized and put in good use!  I'll save the full quilt view for another post with a simple tutorial for you. Maybe you'll like to make a scrappy style Ocean Wave Quilt.  Stay turn! 

mini Patchwork Sampler- 
It has been a nice journey to finish up the pattern. I have always done a bit more testing on my side before send to the pattern testers. In that, I am knowing my patterns and can be clear on each step and find the best way to approach in the pattern writing. The goal as a pattern designer is when you are reading the pattern it seems/ sounds that I am just right next to you and walk you through each step. I am excited to see some really cute patchwork blocks over Instagram last few days and the positive feedbacks for the pattern. {Thank You}.

Next Quilt- 
There is always a quilt that I like to make. Maybe last couple of years, I started to slow down in quilt making. I have accomplished 2 quilts a year, the most maybe 3. I found myself particular like quilt that involved with longer process and seeing time that have been accumulated through out the patchwork blocks. Mostly the process is more important than the outcome! It is like building a time passage into something to keep. I always like to pull out {the quilt} that I made for myself for my 34th birthday, gosh that sounded young to me now.  That was the first time that I made a quilt for myself! The colors that draw me in the most at the time and it took a lot of steps to make a quilt block. Also I hand quilted it and it is my quilt! I didn't really like to share this quilt with anyone, but myself! There are a few places needed to be repaired and the colors are fade throughout washes. I though I'd make next quilt for myself! It might be another long quilt making process, but I am looking forward a quilt for myself again.

xxc






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Slow Patch

{Ocean Wave Quilt}

{12th birthday quilt}

{another Travel Outbound Bag, made for workroom. stored with all the sewing tools}

{knit row 1, purl row 2; repeat till finish}

{Ocean Wave Quilt}

It has been a few months since I work on the Ocean Wave quilt. It is so satisfied seeing this quilt blocks finally coming together.  Actually I almost give up forwarding the process as it has quite a bit of trimming and seam allowance pressing. I leave it alone and bring it out when I have a day, like snowy day or rainy day. So, it has been an in-between project for me. 

Last two Saturdays were snowing around the here. The first Saturday had a good 5 inches snow fall on the ground.  It started to snow around 7 in the morning and didn't stop till late at night. That morning, I walked six blocks away to get a cup of medium size coffee as my coffee beans have been out for weeks. I though I'd be the only one out there getting the coffee, but it is not! The cafe is full with no empty seating. I saw more people were out and about and it was a new experience for me holding a cup of hot coffee and walking in a snowy day home.  

I was able to finished eight more large patchwork blocks for the quilt top and that completed 18 large patchwork blocks. There will be another 12 large blocks to finish before I can assemble the whole quilt top together! 

For a little fun math factor, I math out the HSTs I have made into blocks so far and though you love to know.  Each large patchwork block takes 56 HSTs (half square triangles) and I have completed 18 blocks that would be 1008 HSTs finished ( in the photo) then when I finish all that would be 1680 HSTs. I have started thinking quilting, backing and binding fabric. It might look fun with scrappy binding and maybe some nice simple print for the backing! The quilt really is slowly coming nice together. It will be closed to a queen size measurement! 

{Birthday Quilt}

I have finally basted an overdue birthday quilt for my S, who will be turning into a teen in a few weeks. I have had all the intention to finish this quilt last Fall after I return from my trip, but it got push down the calendar again, again and again! 

I am ready to start quilting anytime these days! I always though pick up backing fabric comes easy and quick, but the reality is not! I have been trying to use what I have in the stash and the prints will go well with the quilt. Then getting the message embroidered on the backing for the date and birthday wishes... 

For the next birthday quilt,  I though I'd try a reverse apporach which is finding the backing fabric and getting message embroidery on before I start the quilt top. There are colors have been mentioned and ideas have been share about the it. I have started thinking about the quilt design and will try to use fabrics I have before need to purchase additional material for the quilt.  

{The knitting}

Ok, it is terrible look from the bottom five inches knitted section, as I mistakenly putting the yarn on wrong side needle when I knitting purls. I though about restart again, but it was the 4th attempts, so I decided to let go and started thinking it is not going to be perfect, but a good start!! I though I'd make a knit bag for myself, so I can take it with me when I travel in the city. The linen is a light weight  {purchased in Grayline Linen} and has a nice soft texture to it! I like to make knit bag in 12"x12" size. It is nice roomy bag for two skeins of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. I have also look up the next project which is a {Madelinetosh Honey Cowl} . Last night,  I watched tutorials on some of the knitting stitches on youtube and though I'd give it a try. My goal to knit a pair of socks might really come true this year! {fingers crossed}

{Thank YOU, Thank You} 

{Thank You So Much} for your enthusiasm and support of {Travel Outbound Bag Sewing Pattern} and the sewing kits are sold out! I am incredibly thrilled to see some Travel Outbound Bags show up in the Instagram last few days. Every one of them has its personality and really unique in many ways! The colors and trims that being used and I love see all different binding fabric that wrap up this Outbound Bag.  All the positive and encourage feedback of this pattern really are appreciate it!  

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You! 

My hope for next few days is getting the birthday quilt quilted then have it ready before the birthday arrives. Then getting all the mini birthday notes made, this year I'll make thirteen of them and have. It has bee a nice birthday traditional that we started 7 years ago.  

until then.. 

Happy Day 

xxc 

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