Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Do you like puzzles?

I LOVE puzzles. Sometimes I see something and I just HAVE to figure out how it was done. This was the case last week, when at guild, I saw a quilt that was made using a Japanese folded fabric technique. As I got an up close look at it I immediately recognized that it was basically a cathedral windows sort of thing but done using circles instead of squares.............well I became obsessed with figuring out how to do it. Will I make a quilt using this technique? No, not likely, but I do love the effect and now that I have a few samples created, I'll file it away in case I do want to use it one day.
So with the templates I created, I made a few pieces that when arranged and rearranged can make an amazing amount of varied designs.............and keep in mind that because this uses a "quilt as you go" method, these become a completely reversible finished quilt with designs on both sides when all stitched together.

Below are just a few examples of what can be achieved using just 4 of the five pieces you see in the top photo............. oh the possibilities!!!!


26 comments:

helen-mary said...

Jill, those are beautiful pieces.

Denise :) said...

How clever ... and indeed, they are beautiful pieces! I love playing with pieces and see the possibilities! :)

Cathy Tomm said...

Love them. I remember getting blocks at school testing and needing to copy the pattern. Looks like them. I was always fast at it.

Cathi said...

What an intriguing process - those are gorgeous pieces!

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

are you going to show us what they looked like before you flipped the edges over? I love puzzles!

Needled Mom said...

How gorgeous!!!!!

Joan said...

These really are fascinating blocks, more so in the tweo colours you chose. I love the black and white.

Finishing Lines by K.Sperino said...

oh, very neat Jill. And the two color contrast is perfect.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Very cool! Love the different patterns it can create!

Createology said...

Beautifully created pieces and infinite possibilities!

Sherri said...

Oh great. I turn my back on you for ONE second and there you go. I am working on a Cathedral window quilt and the method you show would be a fun one to do after this one is done, which is after the hexagon quilt is quilted, after the U is for Unicorn quilt is done, after My Tweets is finished. See what you've started????? lol

Suze said...

I'd love to see a tutorial on this... your blocks are lovely..and so clever!

Chell said...

Who would guess that folding fabric would be so beautiful....They are so unique!!! Are you joining them into a quilt? How is that done?

Ela said...

I love puzzles!Love the different patterns it can create!

Quilt Rat said...

I will try to put a post together showing how to do this, it is fairly simple.....but, time consuming...and once you get started you want to try all sorts of variations :-)

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

These are amazing, especially the way you have made these not just single fabric pieces. You have created so many possibilities. Have you made any more since these?

nzlstar said...

i love Cathedral Window. i'd love if you could do a tutorial or at least give us a bit of info on how you got these units done. keep'em coming. :)

nzlstar said...

i love Cathedral Window. i'd love if you could do a tutorial or at least give us a bit of info on how you got these units done. keep'em coming. :)

Jo said...

Do you sell pattern of your templates?

Unknown said...

This is so cool the way the blocks can change the design just by turning them. I would love to see how you did this. I just found your blog, do you have a tut, or, patterns for this?

Cindy said...

Would it be possible to get your templates? I would love to try making this "puzzle" into at least a tablerunner! Thank you

Quilt Rat said...

Cindy, unfortunately you are a "no reply" blogger and I can not answer your email but I will hope you get the message here
I just barely remember working on these and figuring out how to do it....I will have to dig a bit to see if I kept notes...others have asked too...so maybe I can come up with a tutorial
(I searched the net and can't find anything to point you to) so give me a bit of time and I will try to make some instructions to post. :-)

Cindy said...

Thank you for the response. Now I know why I never get answers from bloggers I contact! Never knew If was a "no-replier". I have fixed it - I think!

I would really appreciate a tutorial! I have been only quilting for about a year now & I seem to enjoy hand quilting techniques the most. I have started an EPP hexagon quilt (queen size) and am finishing up a cathedral window table topper - it was my experiment to see if I would enjoy making it - boy, do I ever!!!! I've already planned a quilt with the technique. Also am collecting the materials for the "Affairs of the Heart" applique quilt.

I've been told I'm nuts for doing all the handwork, but I love it! Your pattern would add another dimension to my craziness - can't wait!

Quilt Rat said...

I found my sample bits and templates that I created back then....I will try to do a decent tutorial and post it as soon as I can....it can be a "slow" process so please be patient. :-)

Quilt Rat said...

Tutorial is posted here http://thequiltrat.blogspot.ca/2016/04/cathedral-windowsin-round.html

Unknown said...

Novita wants to know:
The length and width of the "sliver" piece
Is it sewn in, if so, where

Copyright Jill Buckley