Thursday, October 7, 2010

Tools and Inspiration for the Whirlygigs

Hello Everyone,

As promised from my last post, I wanted to show you where I am going with this quilt and some info on the inspiration.

So here are the first three blocks complete! Don't they look fabulous together. I just love the way they spin, bright and bold.


Here is the inspiration quilt for my quilt.


Whirlygig is a wonderful quilt. But I am going to modify it to suit my needs. As indicated before, the whirlygigs in the quilt in this magazine are all done by reverse applique. Since this is not my cup of tea, I have chosen to machine piece them.
I also will not be doing the applique in the border. Some ideas are given later.

I will show you the tool I am using to create them further down in the post.


This quilt can be found in this book. Not only is this quilt in there, but several others of a circular nature. They are all on my list of to make some day.

If you are a Piece O' Cake fan this is a must have book.

My next piece of inspiration comes from this quilt...


The Mississippi Wheel of Fortune quilt. I think that I may be doing similar sashing to what you can see in the above photo. I like it, but picture brights coupled with black and white fabrics.


This quilt comes from Karen K. Stone's book that is published by Electric Quilt. So if you EQ you may want this book. You can print out all the foundations from the CD inside.

The tools...


This template ruler came from the Sue Ross BOM that was put out by Material Obsession. This is what I have used to cut the wedges for the whirlygigs. I put a piece of Invisigrip on the back so it does not slip when I am cutting the fabric. And I use a spinning cutting mat. Both work like a charm!


These are the foundation pieces that come in the book and I just reprint them onto Carol Doak's Foundation sheets. You need four to one whirlygig. Now because I am using a different template to cut the sections for the whirlygig block the circle actually is bigger than it should be.

Because of this the arcs, once joined, do not fit the circle properly. So therefore...


I needed to recreate the circle template from the book. Using template plastic, I just traced the size of the circle that was needed. Then I laid it on top of my whirlygig and cut it down to size. This worked like a charm and the paper pieced arches fit it perfectly when sewn.

Next time I talk about this block, I will do a little tutorial on making the center whirlygig. Would you all like that? Plus that will give me incentive to make the forth block!!

Shop note: New Kona Bundles and Roll Ups in stock, as well as 1930s reproductions and batiks. Click here to check them out!

The ruler winner has been announced!! Go to this post on Pat Sloan's blog to read about it! On my next post I will announce the winner of the Jill Gordon Fat Quarter Bundle!

Until Next Time...


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33 comments:

Joanne Lendaro said...

very cool!! will make a striking quilt!

Oops-Lah said...

It looks stunning! Keep going, you are definitely on the right track! Can't wait to see more. All best wishes. Vreni

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

that book for the whirly gigs looks great. I can see though if you are not into applique that you would want to change it up somewhat. So many more ideas - for next year - not this year, I have to finish all that I am working on first!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

cottonreel said...

I love scrap fabric quilts but hate the mess I create .
This quilt you are showing is a stunner--cottonreel

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Oh Jackie your blocks are looking fabulous, they really do look like they are spinning and I love all that colour with the black and white! xo

Rumi said...

Absolutely lovely Jackie! Don't think I have the patience for making one though.

Abby and Stephanie said...

All gorgeous. Not sure I'm tempted to make one but love seeing the process and your always fabulous color choices.

Judi said...

I love the design, the colors, the shape. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to how you are doing the center.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Very Cool Jackie!
Love that Mississippi wheel of fortune... boy could we have some fun with that.... by NOT following the pattern... hmm, now you have my wheels a turning...

Nedra said...

When I finally get to making my whirly gigs, I wish I could sit next to you and have a lesson. Your work is inspriational!

Vivian said...

I'm loving the progress you are making with the Whirlygigs. I have the Piece 'O Cake book (that I bought for another pattern in it) and now I might have to put this on the wish list too.

Keep up the great work!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Definitely do a tutorial! The blocks are so exciting and cheerful. How could you not smile looking at those blocks?

Meagan said...

I want to make one of these too! I would love to see your tutorial :-)

~ Meagan

Donna~~ said...

I love these blocks! And I'll be watching for your tutorial--I'd love to make these! Are the cog wheel templates available to purchase from somewhere, or do you need to do the BOM?

Anina said...

Gasp! I'd never come out of my sewing room if I had all this.

WoolenSails said...

That is such a fun design. I think I will wait for my skills to improve, before tackling projects like that.

Debbie

Cindy said...

Love those blocks so please please, do the tutorial!

I was fortunate enough to see some of Karen Stone's quilts in person and I loved them. Have her book but haven't yet tried to do any of the projects..but boy, is it fun to look at and dream!

Glenna @ Hollyhock Quilts said...

Wow, Jackie! This just gets better and better!

Sally said...

A tutorial would be wonderful (hint, hint...)

Carin said...

Jackie that sounds like a ton of work but its going to be a breathtaking quilt!

VickiT said...

Ooh I really do love those blocks you've done. So pretty.

Crunchy Diva said...

i'm in love with these blocks & can't wait to see more progress. the colours are so nice & bright.

Thimbleanna said...

I would love it if you would show more. I've been wanting to make that block for a long time -- I LOVE your version! Thanks for the book references too!

Melinda said...

I am loving this quilt - do you know if the template is available without the BOM? I guess I will go to Material Obsession and ask them.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

This will be an awesome quilt, the blocks are amazing...

Janet said...

I love it! I would very much like to see your tutorial.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Your Whirlygigs are looking amazing. I love the movement they have.

Kim said...

I so love the whirlygigs you are making. I wish I were brave enough to try them.

Peach Rainbow said...

Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing :D

Cardygirl said...

Great tips...I love those spinning blocks!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Your blocks are just stunning!!!!

Caro said...

Would love to see a tutorial of the whirlygig sewing process. I look forward to seeing it in a future posting.

Joan said...

Jackie, I loved this post and mistakenly thought I had already left a comment. I did go and look at the books with the Whirlygigs...fantastic, and tried to find the tempates you had pictured...no luck. Sorry the comment has been so late, but I got onto so many different places from your blog...I got confused :) Easily done for me!!

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