Curved Borders with Split Seconds Ruler

Have you tried Karla Alexander's Split Seconds ruler? I demonstrated this Creative Grids ruler last weekend at the Pine Needle open house. Not only can you use it to cut curvy 4-patch blocks, you can cut rectangular blocks with a center curve for a fun, curvy border:

Well Connected

The ruler can be used on blocks from 7" to 18" in length. The border is pieced so it is easy to add a curved border to most any quilt. The curved border blocks are sewn in with the rows and the corner block is simply a 4-patch - how easy is that! I think it's an especially fun border for a child's quilt or on a table.

This quilt is made from the book "Dynamic Quilts with Easy Curves" by Karla Alexander. The pattern is "Well Connected". The version I made is smaller with just 9 blocks. Of course you can cut curves freehand, but the ruler makes it easy to put the blocks together with very little waste from squaring up. The end of each curve straightens out so the blocks are as easy to sew together as a 4-patch. I appreciate rulers like these that can be used for a variety of sizes and are so designed.

New Quiltmaking 2 Class at the Pine Needle

I have been sewing madly this summer preparing for exciting events at the Pine Needle this fall. The fall catalog is in the mail so I can now share with you a new design of my own that I'll be teaching in my Quiltmaking 2 class:

Quiltmaking 2 by Pam Raby

  

I wanted to create a quilt and class that builds on beginner-level piecing skills as well as introduce foundation paper piecing and mitered borders. Because of the symmetry in this quilt and especially the pieced outer border, it would be lovely as a table cloth. After this, an advanced class will be needed for those who wish to continue on. I have a few ideas I'm kicking around ... curves, LeMoyne stars and who knows what else!

For attendees of the summer escape to Hood Canal, Geri hosts a reunion in the store each fall where we gather with our completed or "work in progress" quilts to celebrate. Here is my version of the retreat quilt:

Chopsticks by Pam Raby

The pattern is "Chopsticks" by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts. Her patterns are very well written with clear illustrations. This was my first triangle quilt! Because I used the Creative Grids 12.5" triangle ruler, it went together beautifully.

Here is a detail of the quilting. Parallel lines are stitched in the triangle "frames", a stylized "baptist fan" in the large triangle centers and a "trident" design in the small triangles. As soon as I finish stitching on the binding, I will post another detail shot of the quilting as well as a picture of the back.

Detail of quilting

And last but not least, I made the Counterpoint pattern by Kari Nichols of Mountainpeek Creations.  The Pine Needle is offering this quilt as a kit in the fall catalog as well as a  "refresh yourself" retreat at the store.

The long, rectangular block is very clever ... I love the architectural style of this quilt; its structure is ideal for showcasing medium to large scale prints. All of the fabrics in this quilt are by Marcia Derse whose fabrics I absolutely adore! Carol Parks quilted it for me and I'll post a picture of her quilting soon I promise.

Counterpoint pieced by Pam Raby

I used all the left over triangles on the back and will post a picture soon! I hope to see you this weekend at the Pine Needle's Open House. Happy sewing!