I’m so excited to share my latest pattern release with you. It is available in the July/August issue of Love of Quilting.
Jolt is another pre-cut friendly pattern that I designed using Electric Quilt. I chose two layouts, then let my editor decide on the white or black background. We then chose a fabric collection based on what would be in stores when the magazine went to print. So it changed from what I had swatches of to what was actually available.
When I begin a design with precuts, I like to start from a simple concept. Precuts are expensive, so I want to keep my blocks simple – I don’t want to lose a lot of fabric to trimming or seam allowances. I like to bring the drama with a solid companion fabric and clever layouts.
I chose to use the Whispering Feathers line from Island Batik.
For Jolt my concept didn’t work out quite as planned. I’m going to be very “unprofessional” and share a failure. Luckily, I’m stubborn, and I didn’t quit when I realized that I had a problem. Keep in mind, that my definition of failure and yours are probably different, because I’m bananas.
The original plan for Jolt was to start with two layer cakes – one print and one solid. Then, take your layer cake, cut it in half, then cut each half on the diagonal. Then just sew them back together, and lay them out with this fun zigzag. Easy enough, right?
Wrong.
I assumed the geometry on a half rectangle triangle would be the same as a half square triangle. That is not correct. I ended up with all of these blunted points! The horror.
I actually was horrified. I reached out to my editor to see if there was an easy work around in Photoshop. There was not. I tried a few techniques I found online to make these units, but I was not happy with the precision levels, and the trimming directions were confusing. Luckily, I am familiar with the Studio 180 tools, and I was aware that they have a template called “Split Rects”. I ordered one from Amazon, and in two days it arrived and saved my stupid butt.
The only thing I would consider a downside is that the units are smaller than I had originally planned (by a whole 1/2″), which means there is some waste fabric left, but it is all really small trimmings.
In the end, I am really happy with the quilt, especially since it looks the way it should. I finished my project on time, and I hope my editor doesn’t think I’m a dope. I do worry about this kind of thing, because I really enjoy seeing my patterns in magazines. I don’t want to risk that relationship by having them wonder if I can actually pull off the designs I submit.
The lesson I learned on this project is to test my patterns before submitting them for publication. I did test a unit on this one, but the problem isn’t obvious until four units are sewn together into a block. I definitely won’t be making this mistake again.
When it finally got to the longarm, I was so relieved! I even pieced a panel in the back to make it fancy. I wish I had put the panel with the blunted points in there, as a reminder. Oh, well.
When I have a quilt with such dramatic lines, I like to double down on the geometry. Plus, stitching in the ditch along the black lines gave it a crispness you just can’t get otherwise. I quilted it with a combination of straight lines and stitch in the ditch.
I even put on a label, complete with sloppy blanket stitches. Hopefully the mini split rects on the side will distract from the horrible handwork! I’m trying to be better about labels – I often preach about them, and then don’t make them myself. Let’s label our quilts!
You can get a copy of this pattern in the July/August issue of Love of Quilting.
Quilt Specs
Dimensions – 65″ x 69″
Fabric – Whispering Feathers and Black solid by Island Batik
Batting – Hobbs Tuscany Wool
Tools – Split Rects by Studio 180
Thread – So Fine by Superior Threads in Black
As always, special thanks to Island Batik and Hobbs batting for providing me with the products to make this quilt. And to Golden Peak Media, for helping me turn my passion into a career.
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Love your quilt and thanks for sharing your drama of making it. I think I would be that way too. I’m glad you had seen that tool. I have never heard of it. I am sure it will go viral with many quilters coming up with new designs. Congratulations!
What a dramatic quilt. I love the colors. The black with those bright colors really makes it sing. But more and more I’m turning to lighter colors because I can’t see as well when sewing on the black. Thank you for the backstory and the humility. So often, I assume that the designer is so good that there is never any of the angst I seem to have when making a quilt. The pressure must have been awful. Great recovery!
Thanks so much! I avoid handwork on black now. Old lady eyes are here. I used to avoid white backgrounds because I thought they were too traditional and boring, but I find myself drawn to them now for a clean, crisp look. My first sketch for this quilt was the white one.
Half rectangle triangles are definitely tricky. I’m glad you were persistent and found a good way to make the quilt as precise as your vision. There really is something about a deadline project that brings up all kinds of stumbling blocks (or at least that’s how it has felt to me!).
Absolutely! A deadline enacts Murphy’s Law.
It looks great. So bright and vibrant.
What a bright beautiful quilt. Congrats on being published again
Thanks, Carol!
Hey Jen! I just wanted to stop in and say thanks for the kind words and for recommending the Split Rects as a solution for making Half Square Rectangle units. Isn’t it funny how we learn more from our “failures” than our successes sometimes? I always tell my students that the only reason I know the solutions to their problems is I’ve already made all the mistakes that they have 😅
Thanks, Deb! Your tools are great. It’s always fun to watch a guild presentation and the frenzy it creates.
I really love your quilt and backstory. You’re very talented! I’ve had a few people ask me if I design my quilts, and I confess that it’s just not in my brain. I draw out a block, sew, rip, sew, recut and sew, and maybe end up with something I can use. Jolt is on my list to make and I’ll use a template!
I can never just follow a pattern. I had to learn how to design to make up for being a rebel.
Beautiful! And now I know what to do with that template!
Very dramatic quilt. Your comment on labels made me smile. I hate hand sewing so I put it right in a corner so 2 sides are attached under the binding leaving me only 2 to slip stitch!