Bear’s Paw Block Finished
I stitched this out yesterday and it worked the first time so rare!
This is the last block I wanted to digitise for my sampler quilt. Now it is simply a matter of getting on with it.
Category Archives: Foundation Blocks
Bear’s Paws Block Being Digitised as a Foundation Block
Today is the last day of school holidays. I like school holidays – not having to be anywhere by a particular time, much more relaxed mornings, but it is a bit more difficult to get any jobs done that require concentration.
I want to digitise one more block for my foundation block quilt. I’ve spent a bit of time considering different traditional blocks – Arkansas Star, Attic Windows, Birds in the Air, Fox and Geese, Jacob’s Ladder – and rejecting them as too hard or requiring too many stitch outs.
In the end I decided on Bear’s Paw, which requires two stitch outs.
Bear’s Paw Block
The above image is four bear’s paw blocks – with some extra bits in the middle.
My block is more like this …
Although it is all straight lines and you would think easy to digitise, I did need to think about how to split it and then what dimensions to use to get this block to be the same size as my other blocks – I knew that maths degree would come in handy some time!
I split into two sections …
Bear’s Paw Split
And then used Embird Studio to digitise each stitch out (I did this separately).
And then joined them using the merge feature in Embird Manager. Once I had the numbers sorted, it was all relatively easy. Now I just need to test it out!
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork
Pinwheel Quilt Block Digitised
SewWitty’s Pinwheel block
What it looks like when there is four of them.
This is my latest digitised block, a Pinwheel. I used paint to show you what it would like if there was four of them.
I need two more blocks to make 12 – I’m considering a Bachelor’s Puzzle, Water Wheel and New York Star – although I might think of another block before the end.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork
Golden Wedding Ring Quilt Block Digitised
SewWitty’s Golden Wedding Ring Block
This is another block that is only 1/4 of the final block. Check out a whole one here. It came together quite easily – I’m starting to feel more confident using Embird. As you can see in the image, I had a bit of difficulty cutting my pieces big enough, but this is just a practice run to determine whether my digitised design is OK.
I think I now have eight blocks: Log Cabin, Pineapple, Flying Geese, Courthouse Steps, Snail Trail, Iowa Star, Golden Wedding Ring, Hour Glass. My plan was to make 12 blocks for my sampler quilt, so only four more to go. Although at some stage I changed my template, so I need to double check the earlier blocks.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Quilting
Iowa Star Foundation Block Made with Embroidery Machine
Iowa Star
The above block is 1/4 of an Iowa Star. You need to imagine 4 of them exactly the same, but rotated to make a square in the middle – like this
Iowa Star from Quilters Cache
I digitised the block using Embird Studio and it came together quickly. I did cut some of the fabric pieces a little too small, but this block was just a test to see how well I had digitised the design.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Patchwork
Alter Steps Quilt Block
Altar Steps
My digitising adventures continue. This one came together quite quickly. Although I need to find a way of reversing stitching direction. When I change the starting point to the end point all of the other points vanish. Any ideas?
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Log Cabin Block Foundation Pieced
SewWitty’s Log Cabin Block
This is my foundation pieced log cabin block. This one came together easily, I only needed to make one change.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Pineapple Block
Sewwitty’s Pineapple Block
I have been working away on the Pineapple block – this is the 7th iteration.
It didn’t stitch out perfectly (so there will be an 8th version) I had to do a couple of dodgy things, but I am happy with the final result. I just need to change the order of a few bits and add a few bits.
This time around I used Embird Studio’s hide/show feature and it made things a lot clearer – much easier to keep track of things.
I’ve also moved my embroidery sewing machine to a better spot – I am much more likely to use it now, such a simple thing.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Patchwork
Pineapple Quilt Block
Pineapple Block being digitised
I’ve started work on the Pineapple Block and it has proven to be a little bit tricky, but on the plus side I’ve learnt a few things about Embird.
This little magic tool
Transformation Tool in Embird Studio
allows you to specify the length and width (exactly) of objects – no more using the grid to create the right size.
And you can use Guide Lines to split objects that is how I chopped the top off the outer most triangles.
Using Guide Lines
That way I just created one triangle and copy, pasted and rotated as required – much more accurate.
My one concern is the non-straight seams and how easy they will be to stitch and flip.
Is this going to be too tricky?
I have another design in mind that only has straight seams it might be worth changing now before I have committed too much time.
On a completely different note, it is Australia Day and my pavlova is cooling in the oven. I think I am prepared.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Patchwork, Quilting
Courthouse Steps Mark 2
Second Version of Courthouse Steps
I think this is better than the last one – it came together quickly, which is handy in the school holidays!
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork