My son would like me to make the following sword and shield quilt and has created 2 paper pieced patterns. I tried to make the shield but it was too hard for me. Since neither James or I have experience with paper pieced things we need to know if the pattern is too complicated. The material we ordered for the sword showed up today so I have not yet tried that but it seems much less complicated so should be easy I think to make.
(Tanya laughed at me Shield is spelled wrong on our pattern, So no laughing. No I mean it No Laughing.)
Here is a mock up of the quilt. We have bought material just nee help advice so we can make the quilt. If any of you have experience in paper piecing we could use your help.
If any one is interested in trying to make either of the swords or shields I was thinking I could collect donation blocks and make a quilt (assuming I get enough blocks) for the Autism School that Jared goes too (and James went too) for their auction in March. If your interested in making one or more blocks to donate let me know. If you just want to make one and send us a picture that would be great too (with any suggestions to improve pattern if you have any)
So any way this is my Quilting Challenge if any one wants to take me up on it?
Here is a list of all those that have contacted me with completed blocks.
Fun Threads Designs Sword and Shield Completed
The pattern pieces look great! I don't think it is too complicated at all. Perhaps start with the sword block, but I'm sure once you've done a few of those you will be able to tackle the shield!
ReplyDeleteThe paytern looks great!! I love the choice of colours too.. I think it looks quite okay, maybe a little bit of a challenge to do lots of them.. I would love to try this and would love to donate some as well..
ReplyDeleteI love paper piecing and its actually really easy to do. One suggestion I would make is you invest in a tool called the add a quarter ruler, its relatively cheap and will make your end blocks a lot neater and easier to work with the pieces. What colours are you looking at doing or wanting, I am happy to donate a few blocks :)
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that I might divide the 'A'sheet down the middle, and do that as two pieces, to be joined once done. The shield looks fine though, and not too complex. Prod me, and after Christmas I might have a go and donate one- autism has meaning for us too.
ReplyDeleteFaith at Fresh Lemon Quilts offers a nice tutorial for paper piecing. I learned with this tutorial. Here's the link: http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?tag=paper-piecing-tutorial
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Good luck, I think it looks great! I like the design, layout, and colors a lot.
ReplyDeleteSorry, no practical advice on paper piecing. Not sure how to put anything into words.
I am relatively new to paper piecing but I really love doing it and think after the Holidays I might give your blocks a try! The Sword looks easier than the Shield but I think both are possible.
ReplyDeleteHey, I think this is a nice looking quilt. You seem to learn the same way I did, by jumping right in!
ReplyDeleteFaith's tutorial is good, as someone already linked it and I also have a tutorial on my blog from a couple years ago with You Tube videos. I did a QAL and set it up for beginner PPers. All the posts are under the SQ Paper-Piece Quilt Along on my blog but here's link, also.
http://sarcasticquilter.blogspot.com/2011/04/sq-paper-piece-qal-week-3-with-video.html
The pattern itself looks pretty good for a beginner, just follow the numbers. I agree with another commenter, start with the sword until you have the hang of it. It will make the shield pieces easier to piece.
I will totally take you up on a few blocks for a donation quilt. I might have to try one of each tonight since I'm in between projects on the machine at the moment and these blocks tickle my fancy.
it looks great. what about doing the shield as applique, since it's curved, te sword shouldn't be hard at all, one tool that I LOVe is the 1/4" ruler, it's this yellow thing and it has a LIP on the bottom, great for trimmed extra fabrics off.
ReplyDeleteHey Richard; your son
ReplyDeletedid a great job on the patterns. I would like to try the block...but not committing.lol. If I do make one; I will let you know, though
I like your son's patterns. I'm game. Shall we just make a gold shiled and a gray sword from our stash and it will be semi-scrappy with all of our different color hues or what is the plan there?
ReplyDeleteYour pattern looks great!! I find the best way to paper piece triangles is to use generous rectangles of fabric and then trim. I always find it hard to predict where they will land otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI'm game to donate a few blocks. Any specific fabric or just scrappy in golds and grays?
Botthing wrong with this pattern. Think this will be great! I could make a block or two, but that have to be after Christmas. I'll keep in contact.
ReplyDeleteI like your design and with 3 boys in the house it will go over great, adding a dragon in the middle would be awesome too. Give us some more details as to what you would like and does the pattern print off to the size you want and I'll make up a couple to send to you for a donation quilt. I think it's a smashing idea and a brilliant pattern!
ReplyDeleteThat's going to be a cool quilt. There are lots of ways of doing paper piecing. Here's how I do mine (and I'm pretty sure I even showed how I cut the fabric pieces for the work, too. I would cut one first to make sure it works for you, then cut however many layers your cutter will do at once to save time since you're making so many of each design)
ReplyDeletehttp://whatahootquilts.blogspot.com/2011/10/celebrate-christmas-block-22-circle-of.html
You can download a free program to help you with making your paper piecing patterns at www.cosman.nl. I'll have a look at your patterns. I've also written a paper piecing tutorial for complex patterns. You can find it here: http://emsewandsew.blogspot.com/2010/02/paper-piecing-tutorial.html.
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Your pattern looks great!! It doesn't look too hard!! The biggest challenge is always to make sure your fabric is the right size to cover the area you want. There are ways to make this work. I'm not an expert at this. The tutorials provided above will surely help you!!
ReplyDeleteOops. I spoke too soon. You already have EQ7 and your patterns look great. I think it is just practice you lack. Try my tutorial. It's the best (lol).
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Wow! Nice work you two! Can't wait to see it put together. I'm not very good at paper piecing but with a little attention it still comes out as planned.
ReplyDeleteStrong work getting your idea into a pattern.
I printed out your patterns and I am going to give them a try myself, but they really don't look that hard. I would try with some scrap fabric before you get into the bought fabric though. The tryouts would make great badges fora birthday party too! I will let you know later tonight how they turn out and if it works I will let you know about making a few blocks for you! Let us know the colors for the donation quilt and we can all make them scrappy! You just may get enough blocks donated to make several quilts!
ReplyDeleteIt looks to me like it should work. I have a project I need to get done by the first or might take a stab at it - pun intended. :-) Anyway, I recommend trying an easier paper pieced patter first. This lady's tutorial is really good for that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGNYoDRuD8A
ReplyDeleteFor a tutorial on how to manage a paper pieced project with multiple small sections, this lady is very helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2gKMx9CCM
I think the patterns look amazing! I would love to be able to make my own... I will give them a try after the holidays
ReplyDeleteI was looking for something exactly like this about a month ago. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletethe sword pattern is perfect! as for the shield pattern have you considered sewing curves? i think that would be easier than all the pieces you have in there on that shield pattern!! curves take a bit of getting used to if you haven't done it before, but i think it's worth a try!
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