Tagged: half-square triangles
Sunday sketch #126
A few of my recent Sunday sketches (see #122, #123… and even #124) have traced a thin line from one side of the page to the opposite side. Finally, I pulled out my dot pad and gel pen, and tried hand-sketching some related designs.
I think right-angled triangles – in other words, half-square triangles – are my favourite shape. I like all the movement in the above design, but I also wanted to see how these shapes would look in formation, all facing the same direction.
I like it! Big arrows pointing down, or double-headed HSTs facing up.
I might try recreating these designs in EQ8 so I can add some colour. I think there could be some interesting opportunities for transparency, too.
These designs could be translated into quilt patterns using HSTs, squares and rectangles.
Sunday sketch #119
Last weekend, I went on a quilt retreat with a bunch of sewing friends – basically just a long weekend away, in a lovely location, doing more sewing that I’ve managed in ages. I got loads done, including sewing curves for the first time (yay!). They were much easier than I’d expected – so much so that I cut and sewed an entire quilt top in around 2 days (the first top I’ve finished in quite a while!).
Anyway, that’s all just to explain why I’ve been playing with curves more in EQ8 this week. Now that I know I can tackle them in real life, I’m more inclined to use them in my designs. Here’s one of a series that I’ll share in the coming weeks….
I started playing with curves, and then the curves just cried out for arrow heads and long tails, which I knew would work well in groups of 4, like a pinwheel. Then I nested the pinwheels so that the arrow heads were facing one another. I love the movement in this design, not to mention the colours! It uses 3 different blocks, with squares, rectangles, flying geese (or half-square triangles, or even quarter-square triangles) and curves (drunkard’s path).
Quilt pattern: Festive Flocks
I’m always excited when I see one of my quilts in a magazine for the first time. I tend to be a little unsure about my work when I send it off… does it look OK? Will the editor be happy with it? Festive Flocks – out now in the latest issue of Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine – is no exception. I’ve never made a quilt that’s so white before (hello, bleached batting!), and I just wasn’t sure how well it would photograph. But as usual, the team at LPQ have done an incredible styling job!
You can see two-thirds of the quilt on the wall (it has 9 big circular blocks in total), plus a snippet of a mini in the reverse colourway on the bed (white arrows on a red background).
Do you recognise the pattern? Festive Flocks is based on Sunday sketch #80, which I posted back in early January.
It’s mostly squares and half-square triangles, so the quilt top comes together really quickly. I used a mix of bright red fabrics from the Basics and Smitten collections by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics. They mix and match so easily, and look so sharp and vibrant!
This issue of LPQ has a Christmassy theme, mixed with some Scandinavian style. Check out the mittens on the cover!!!
Issue 66 of Love Patchwork & Quilting is on sale from Thursday 4 October, in print and digital formats.
