Thursday 4 April 2013

The First Cut is the Deepest

I admit I was feeling a little overwhelmed this morning. You know how you start something and wonder whether you have bitten off more than you can chew?


You see 2 days ago I started something new...well I'd been so good the last few months...finishing up a few UFOs.  I'd been itching to cut in to my Field Study FQs for some weeks but couldn't decide what to do. I wanted the quilt to be dense with the patterns and little or no solids.  I had almost made my mind up to do a simple square patchwork quilt but an equilateral triangle quilt had been floating near the top of my bucket list for a while and I couldn't get the idea out of my head.

I took my 24 FQs of Field Study and cut it in to 6" strips so that I could get the max out of each piece. After quite a while working out exactly which was the 60° angle on my ruler, I cut...and cut...and really got my equilateral triangle vibe on until I had this 4 1/2" high pile of triangles. I followed Adrianne's excellent tutorial for cutting equilateral triangles here.


So this morning I followed Adrianne's advice and started trimming them - this really helps to avoid bulk when sewing them together...and I can pretend I have a Sizzix Big Shot (other fabric cutters are available).



...and made a slight dent in the pile until I had these pretties. As you can see, I have quite a few more to do.


So I couldn't resist making up a few strips to see whether they would look as I envisioned them together...


...and much to my relief they do! I used Adrianne's second tutorial here. They sew together really easily and while I didn't pin, I did follow her tip to find the straight grain before doing so as the strips don't then warp.

I'm feeling much less overwhelmed now.  I know I can sew them together and I love how they look. I'm excited about this quilt!

39 comments:

Nat at Made in Home said...

Oh this is going to look amazing!

Charlotte said...

it's going to be gorgeous!!!!!

dutchcomfort said...

Every time I see triangles cut for a quilt, I want to make one! Lovely fabrics Annabella!!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Love this so very much! My favourite fabric line and favourite shape! It will be stunning!

moira said...

oh my, this is going to be a corker!

cheeky monkey said...

so much colour! it looks stuning. this will be an amazing quilt.

Anonymous said...

its looking fabulous!

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

Beautiful!! I have been rolling the triangle idea around too! I will check out the links you provided...thanks!

Little Island Quilting said...

Have faith. I have a feeling I am going to really like this quilt of yours :-)

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's going to be amazing!

linda said...

i cannot believe it!!!! i was looking out these triange tutes 2 days ago !!
looking good :))

Susan said...

I have 'pinned' so many of these triangle quilts- I know I will make one, one day! In the meantime I am going to so enjoy watching your Beauty come to life!!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oh it will look amazing! I have bookmarked the Tipsy Triangle quilt in the Liberty Love book, as I want to get out of my HST rut!

Catherine said...

Oh these look fantastic. I did triangles for my mums mothers day cushion and really enjoyed them, will definitely do them again

Dianne Neale said...

Gorgeous Annabella. I'm a little bit scared of triangles!

Sarah said...

Wow! This is going to be rich and sumptuous. I know that feeling of being overwhelmed when starting something new. 9 times out of 10 though it seems to work its way through in the end and yours surely is!!

Kirsten said...

I love your Field Study triangles - it is going to be beautiful!

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

They look so pretty!!

Danny Heyen said...

Looking good though! I'm glad you chose to cut into them. I always like seeing new quilts, especially ones with a little AMH in them!

Katy Cameron said...

Looking fab! Glad you took the plunge :o)

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

Oh I love how it's coming together - and yay for new projects!

Judith, Belfast said...

They are looking fab A! Jxo

Nicky said...

I think you will be finishing this one very quickly - no wonder you were tempted!

Fiona @ Poppy Makes said...

Absolutely gorgeous!
I'm going to be a bit radical and suggest you try a few without trimming. You can use the pointy tips that stick out to line everything up when you sew it all together, then you can snip them afterwards (if you can be bothered ;))

Anonymous said...

This is going to be so beautiful! I can't wait to see the finished result!

Carla said...

Gorgeous! This will be fabulous.

Collette said...

I would try what Fiona the radical suggests!! I am doing some tiny triangles at the mo and am managing fine with the wee pointy bits just trimming after. I am so glad you are getting excited about it now. It will be amazing!! x

QuiltCandy said...

Oh wow this quilt is going to be just fabulous! Triangles were a GOOD decision!! It might be hard work, but oh so worth it in the end. Can't wait to see it finished :-)

Isisjem said...

It's already looking beautiful and well done for tackling the scary I'd be running for the hills at the thought of Eq' triangles!!! But the loveliness of this quilt when it's finished will hopefully keep you going through the whole process.

heart of charnwood said...

I love it, it will be beautiful once it's all done!

Rebecca Lynne said...

This is going to be GORGEOUS DAHLING! You are much braver than I to do triangles...however this may give me the cojones to a) quilt my field study top and b) use my Chicopee stash in triangles like I planned somewhere in my head. Cannot wait to see!!!

Cindy said...

Stop. It. This is just super!

elsy said...

Wish I'd got the whole line. Looking really good. Will check out the tutorials x

Jenelle said...

LOVE THIS! :) I haven't felt brave enough yet to cut into my Field Study stash, but your beautiful work is making me feel inspired. I can't wait to see more of this project!

Rebecca Lynne said...

and btw I have had this song in my head all day!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

This quilt is so YOU and so lovely. I think it will be a stunning addition to your makes. Field Study is a beautiful line and so fitting for these triangles

Camilla said...

Yes defininetly has your style! Sharing your excitement about seeing this one develop!

Deborah said...

This is going to one gorgeous quilt!! I've never made a triangle quilt but you're making it tempting.

Martha said...

Oh this is going to be a gorgeous quilt. I love the way it looks already. I have never done a triangle quilt... It is on my wish list too. Looking forward to seeing your progress.