Pandemonium Quilt tutorial # 6, pieced blocks & four animals

Hello Everyone,

We're on the last tutorial on this quilt!

We'll cover the areas that are left over.

In case you haven't noticed, Janet has kindly grouped the tutorials together, it is under the Glorious Applique banner, on top of the photograph.

The four animals: 

I think this part is pretty easy, choose the log cabin fabric strips for the 4 blocks first, then the frames that go with them, and then the animals. These 4 blocks are fun to do!

The Disc block:

Choose the shot cotton background first - now - at this stage you're going to have to take notice of all the other blocks you have done. Might be a good idea to spread all on the floor or on your design wall or pin to a big flat bedsheet, see what shot cotton colours you're going to need. Some of these blocks are interchangeable because they are all 12" x 12", the only one that is a stand alone is the Wheel block which is 15" x 15".


Having the shot cotton background, choose the big focal circle and then the ring around it. Next, choose the scallop flaps. When appliqueing the flaps, keep the first one partially open as you'll have to slip in the last one. I've used PJ Miami for the centre - brilliant isn't it? I think the PJ Shell Montage or PJ Feathers might be great too, or the PJ Floral Burst. Here is a chance to showcase that favourite fabric! 


The Four Stars Block:

Not my best, I think the top right hand star is not great, too much same aqua as the shot cotton background, should have used a stripe fabric I think. Overall, I think the block is too pale! The applique ovals, circles and bird in the middle square were sewn first on oversized squares, pressed and then trimmed to size + seam allowance. 
If I were to do this block again, I would have chosen stronger colour stars using stripe fabrics or fabrics that you can fussy cut. So, I'll wait and see what you come up with, please post the photos, love to see it!
Hint, make a cutting template from see through plastic, draw the sewing line in and then move this template around the fabric. When you've decided which area you're going to use, use your pen to draw the motif or the stripe of the fabric on the template - this way you're going to get the same patch , its amazing what sort of stars you can come up with! If you're using those laundry pens, you can use the nail polish remover to clean the ink from the template.

There is this mirror made by Marty Mitchell " Magic Mirrors" - if you angle the mirrors around the 45 degrees diamond on the fabric, you can preview what your star will look like. Great gadget!

 

I've used a 60 degree diamond template to illustrate as to how to use the Magic Mirror, can't find the 45 degree one! I've used the 2 mirrors around the template & you can see what the star would look like. You can also use it for hexagons.


The Flower Petal Block:

You've chosen the shot cotton background, now, find the fabric, again as above, make the plastic template and audition the fabrics in your stash for the petals. I've used KF Kirman and the fabric did have lots of holes after I've finished cutting. I love this fabric and have used it a lot in other quilts. I'm sure you'll find your favourite too. Next choose the star points , pick a colour from the petal print, then choose the focal centre fabric and the ring around it. I think PJ Feathers might be cool here, there is a section of the Feathers where there is the peacock's tail with it's eye - look at it, it kind of screams Me, Me, you might need a bit of yardage though.

In the pattern pack, I did put this CAUTION paragraph in regards to cutting the background fabric.

The 4 corners of the block tapered to a line in the centres, and there is absolutely no way you can make a plastic template cut to this line. So, make the template as far as you can, and instead of cutting the background fabric and then marking the sewing line, this time you'll need to mark the sewing line first. Extend that line 6" from the corners and mark the point, you'll be sewing to this point. If you don't do this, you are going to be a bit short! 


Six Pointed Star Block:

 Again, watch out re cutting the background fabric, the 4 corners of the block tapered into a line in the middle, proceed as the above block - please read, it is important ( it is mentioned in the pattern pack also). 
You have the shot cotton background, now choose the fabric for the large segments,  make the plastic template first and use it to audition the parts of the fabric, see above as per 4 stars block. Then match the star points fabric to the large segments and then the circles in the centre. I love this block. One day, I'm going to make a quilt using this block.


The Wheel block:

You'll need to choose the blades for the centre circle, something that will go with the shot cotton background. Stripes always add a lot of movement to the block, I've used KF Serape and the Spots. Try others, KF Mirage for example. Again make that see through plastic template as per 4 Stars Block above so that you can audition the area of your chosen fabric.
For the applique in the corners, you are asked to cut 2 squares, draw the applique design on the 2 opposite corners, applique the patches, press then use the template to mark the sewing lines, then cut after adding seam allowance. If you cut first, then applique, the fabric will stretch and it will be harder to manage. 


If you need to see how to hand piece a curved edge, please refer to previous tutorial on handpiecing. ( see link for tutorials under the banner)

Oops, almost forgot, the Ninepatch and Flower Spray Blocks up above the Folly:

They are pretty simple, you need to do the applique first on the oversized patches, then press, mark with templates, add seam allowance and cut. Then proceed with the piecing.
Choose the 5 shotcottons for the backgrounds and then the prints that go with the shot cottons.


Also, if you have EQ 7 or previous EQ software, you can use their block library to change the blocks, just make sure they are the right size.


If you don't want to do the whole Pandemonium Quilt, you can use the applique blocks to make a baby quilt or a wall hanging, or a floor cushion. Do what you like and make it your own, I love to see it, so please post pictures!


Hope these tutorials have been of some interest to you, do let me know if you need something clarified.


Many thanks for reading, and please post you work, Love to see it. Kim McL