Saturday, June 21, 2014

Cutting and a Cool Trick


These are some scraps from cutting the Flowering Snowball blocks.
The remainders were tulip and leaf shapes.
When I got tired of cutting, I'd slap them on the wall.
Hmm, another project?




Here's the collection of "blades" so far.




I cut a bunch of red centers, then thought to test for color-fastness, 
even though this fabric had been pre-washed.  Yipes!  I chose a different red.

Do you know this cool trick?  
Spray the fabric with water, put a paper towel on top, and iron until it's dry.
If you get color on the paper towel, you know it's going to run.  




I've sewn a dozen blocks so far, with a goal of 100.




It was so beautiful on my walk this morning,  I just had to snap a photo.

Happy Solstice!





25 comments:

Pinkadot Quilts said...

I love all of your retro colors!

Mary said...

It looks amazing LeeAnn! I am sure you have boxes of Color Catchers on hand! I use them for all my quilting and just the regular laundry too!

smazoochie said...

Two beautiful projects!
I head was briefly turned by the blooming snowballs but I have enough on my plate right now. But it looks like a good challenge for me, I've not done much curved piecing.
Lovely cove -- looks like all keel boats.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Great tip LeeAnn, I adore your flowering snowball blocks and yes, I see another project on your wall!! Lovely day at yours happy solstice. xo

Susan said...

I'm like Mary- Colour Catchers are my best friend! Your Flowering Snowball blocks are wonderful! And its certainly a beautiful day in your corner of the world!

Rachaeldaisy said...

I love your vase of colourful petals!! And you're certainly powering ahead with your blocks, you'll have 100 done before you know it. It's lovely to see those beautiful clear summer blues of your morning walk view!!

em's scrapbag said...

Thanks for the trick. Love all your leftover bits.

Sujata Shah said...

Your fabrics look so yummy! I love those little red centers.

audrey said...

So very striking! I just LOVE the way you put fabric together.:)

Rose Prairie Quilts and Farm said...

Wow you are moving right along on your flowering snowball. I have my fabric picked just haven't started cutting out, let alone sew any. You give me inspiration. Yours is looking great

antique quilter said...

I love this quilt of course its your fabric choices.
can't wait to see what you make with that bunch of tulips :)
ok thanks for that tip I didn't know that.
I usually lay it on a white towel and see if it bleeds
this is much faster ! I do have boxes of color catches though for when I wash quilts.
Kathie

Nancy said...

What a lively quilt- well done! Good tip, those reds can make a mess.

Ailsa (Cape Pincushion) said...

What a lovely photo of the boats. I am so glad that it was winter solstice on this side of the world today, that means from now on more sunshine for the washing to dry :)

Karen said...

I want to make this pattern, so fabulous! What's the name? Love your color choices.

Helen said...

Haha...waste not those tulip shapes. Delightful collage going on here.

Thanks for the colorfast tip. I am never too old to learn a new trick!

Unknown said...

Love the tip about the fabric, towel and iron! Thanks!!! LOVE, the flowering snowballs too.

Ada Plouvier-Kopitopoulou said...

Nice tip, I am going to use that too. I can see a lovely tulip project! Flowering snowballs are beautiful.

Barb said...

super great trick~
Love your blocks and what a lovely photo
happy solstice

Marit said...

extraordinary pretty "scraps" - fun for tulip appliqué?

your blocks are so pretty, and they seam to be perfectly curvy, look forward to test these blocks later this summer...

; )

Karen said...

Delightful fabrics in your blade pieces.

sawsan said...

I did one the same tulips but all reds
Your work is nice

Val's Quilting Studio said...

I'm a new visitor to your blog and love your fun style! Anyone who is a fan of Gwen...is someone I want to know! LOL!!! I read thatyou actually got to take a class from her! How very fun! This retro quilt is inspiring. I hope you'll stop by and if ya like what ya see follow too! myplvl.blogspot.com

Val's Quilting Studio said...

PS: I'd like to personally invite you and your readers to stop by on TUesday's for my TUesday ARchive Linky party....it's the linky that lets you rejuvenate OLD posts according to a weekly theme! It's been fun!

Victoria said...

Beautiful quilt top in progress and such a lovely view of the sailboats! (I could watch that kind of view all day.) And thanks for the color-fast trick... never heard of that one before, good info!

Sharon said...

Oh goodness! I have loved the flowering snowball block...but yours is so wonderful. You really are the master of scrappy