Distraction

There are times I can’t help myself.  I see a new gadget or a new technique and I have to dive in – immediately.  (I’m not exactly chastising myself since that is how Miniatures in Minutes came about – I took time off teaching to write a novel and instead became fascinated with how the Fold and Sew technique could be applied to miniature quilts.  What can I say?  Obsession happens).

So, the latest cool thing – the Lil’ Twister tool from Country Schoolhouse – as the pattern notes, the tool for making pinwheels easy. 

Here’s how it works.  You start with a grid of 5" squares.  I was curious how the  Trip Around the World layout would translate into pinwheels so that is how I laid out my patches.  After sewing  the squares together, you add a 3" border.

Then, take the template and lay it over the intersections.  It’s hard to see on the photo but there are two intersecting lines drawn on the template that you use to line up the square over the seam lines.  Cut. 

Here’s another picture showing midway through the cutting process.

Here is the block once it’s been cut out:

Here it is added to the developing quilt layout (a design wall is crucial, I think):

Here’s the layout, ready to sew:

And here’s the top finished.

I am just so amazed that someone was able to visualize how this would work.  (For the record, the tool comes in two sizes – one sized to work with 5" charm packs, the other with 10" Layer Cakes).  Fun, fun, fun.  I have more tessellating pinwheel quilts coming up.   Either a runner for my dining room table or a new topper for the table chest in my office.  More hot pads?  A baby quilt?  With this first one, I just wanted to see how the technique was going to work, so I grabbed from my stash of Japanese taupes (only needed to buy one fabric for this quilt which makes it a Stashbuster, always a good thing).  I’m going to make it up in bright, happy colors as well.

Next question.  How do I quilt this thing?  I’m thinking that first I’ll quilt in the ditch to stabilize it.  Then, perhaps, quilt a quarter inch in for each of the pinwheel designs.  Perhaps alternate some of the design echo with little swirlies in some of the pinwheel designs?  Probably working with the light/dark contrast.  Or just keep it simple with the outlining.  Hmmm.  Ideas anyone?