DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I was recently asked to review a Quilt in a Day Pattern by Eleanor Burns.  I chose one of the "signature" patterns that included a bonus ruler and extra pattern sheet.  I also received the mini geese ruler set.

Years ago, I began my quilting life adventure after watching a QIAD show on my local PBS station and ordering a pattern.  I found the pattern well written, with lots of pictures and diagrams, and my first project was a success.  As a novice, the Quilt in a Day TV shows and patterns gave me  a strong foundation in techniques and methods that I have used successfully throughout my quilting experiences.  


The new pattern, Autumn Leaves, is just as well written, and it gives the quilter a choice between a wall hanging or 3 different table runners.  For me, it was like visiting with an old friend.  There is a short video on the pattern page, that shows all the steps to make the block design.

I took the pattern to my Wednesday quilt group, and several people are trying the pattern as well, including a couple of beginning quilters. I'll be showing pictures of their projects, along with their comments,  in a later post.

Step 1 : fusing the stems to the background piece.  I used a light paper-backed fusible web and will finish the edges by machine later.

 Step 2 : making the bottom leaf points.  Following the picture, I made sure that the angles were going in two different directions.

 Step 3 : stitching the first 4 pieces together.  By following the pattern, the seam allowances were facing the correct direction for easy sewing!

 Step 4 : making the two toned flying geese units using Eleanor's large and smaller square method.  Following the instuctions carefully, it was easy to make the perfect size geese, with two different background triangles, and trimming with the flying geese ruler.  

 Lining up the pieces squares...


Marking the guide line for stitching

 Pressing the seams in opposite directions....

 Perfect flying geese, ready to stitch into the next units!

 Following the special cutting guideline, it was easy to make the top leaf point without using a template, and the included "on point ruler" made completing a perfect unit very easy.

Love the block!

Here is my first completed runner top, planned as a gift, and I have two more leaves to make a second one for me!
This pattern was so easy to follow, I'll be making a 4 leaf runner with a pieced border tomorrow!  

Check out what others are working on at Judy's blog.