Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Show Some Love blog Hop-my turn!


I hope you like the little quilt/wall hanging I have designed for today's Hop.  It uses my FAVORITE die, the drunkard's path block.  That one is Impossible to cut out with a rotary cutter!  Especially with the little notch Accuquilt has put in the middle of the curve.  That little notch makes it super easy to sew the block without having to pin.  I like to make things FAST and not having to pin things makes this block go together quickly.  For this little quilt, I'm using the 3 1/2 inch die, but you could easily make it with the bigger 7 inch die and just have a bigger quilt, perfect for the new baby in your life.


Choose lots of different colors of reds, pinks and purples.  Each piece needs to be at least 5 inches square to fit on the die.



Gather together all of your materials.  You will need an Accuquilt Go! fabric cutter (or Go! baby) the 3 1/2 inch Drunkard's path die cut and mat, scissors, lots of fabric and I like to outline the die with a silver sharpie.

Lay out your fabric using the lines you drew with the sharpie to cut down on wasting fabric.  You can see here how I know the shape will be cut perfectly because the silver sharpie lines go beyond the edge of the fabric, so the pieces fit inside the fabric.

Perfectly cut pieces...every time!  I love the notches in the middle of each piece.  That means no pins because you know where the half way point is when you are sewing.  Since the curve is a bias, you can pull a little bit more or less if you don't hit exactly at the center to match the beginning and end of the seam.


You need a total of 16 white center pieces and 28 red center pieces.  That means you will be cutting out 28 pieces and have 12 leftover white center pieces because as you can see, when you cut one piece of red, you get a red outside and red inside.  I chose to use all of the same whites for my quilt, but you could easily do this with different white scraps and the same reds, or mix and match red and white scraps.  This is a great scrap buster.  Just make sure each piece you are using is at least 5 inches.  The die cuts two blocks at once, so it will take some extra time to lay scraps instead of bigger pieces, but the time you save instead of having to cut everything by hand and having pefectly cut pieces is sooooo worth it!

I do pin all of my blocks together when I am sewing the rows so I don't get things mixed up.

See how the curve fits together.


You will need to cut 4, 4 inch squares to fill in the middle of the quilt.  You can cut them with another Accuquilt die, or cut them the old fashioned way (gasp, with a rotary cutter).  See where they fit in the middle of the heart?


Um, yeah, you can see how well that worked out!  DO NOT design a quilt when you have a migraine!  You will be doing some unstitching :)  But in the end, things worked out ok :)
I put a 3 inch border around my little quilt, but you could do whatever you want.  Border, add more blocks, just bind it, or go with another row of blocks to add another heart and make the quilt bigger.  If I didn't have to work, I would keep playing all day with these drunkard's path blocks and see what else I could come up with!  Too bad I have bills to pay!

I decided to only quilt on the white part so the red would bump up.  This little quilt makes me smile when I look at it.  So easy and so cute!  Thanks Accuquilt for such a great product!
Here's a few more of my Drunkard's Path quilts.





 Black and white quilt for my son, his design
I used the 7 inch die for this one



pink and green quilt for a fundraiser for a neighbor battling cancer (7 inch die)
 Quilt of Valor (7 inch die)
 Doves for a grand-daughter of a teacher friend who lost her life in a boating accident (3 1/2 inch die)
 baby quilt for my daughter's tennis coach (both 7 and 3 1/2 inch dies used, I love how they work together!)
another fundraiser quilt for my neighbor with cancer (7 inch die)



Wedding quilt made for a work friend (7 inch die)


Now that you have stuck with me this entire blog post, it's time for a giveaway!  Here's the rules.  You must be a follower of this blog and leave a comment telling me what your favorite drunkard's path quilt is from this post.  I will pick a random commenter and announce the winner at the end of the blog hop on February 18 in the afternoon.  The winner will win your very own 3 1/2 inch drunkard's path die.  US residents only please.  Sorry, just can't afford international postage.  Be sure I have a way of contacting you!  One comment per person.  Good Luck!

Be sure to hop on over to the other blogs participating in the hop too!

February 13th
Marjorie (Marjorie Busby, quilter)

Ariane (Ariane's Crafts)

February 14th
Connie (Quilting by the River)
Linda (Living 4 Quilting)

February 15th
Lisa Marie (Scraps of Life)
Marilyn (North Hills Quilter) That's ME!

February 16th
Alicia (Heirloom Quilting)

Marjorie (Marjorie's Busy Corner)

February 17th
Sharon (Crazee Corners)

Jacque (Lilypad Quilting)

February 18th
Stacey (Driving Miss Stacey)

Tracey (The Peony Teacup)

Paulette (Sweet P Quilting and Creations)

Contest closed, congrats to Jen!

54 comments:

VickiT said...

Great post and tutorial on using this die. The Drunkards Path is one of the dies on my wish list already. I'm not sure how well I'll do it, but I guess like everything else, practice will be the key, right?

I really love the pink and green fundraiser quilt made for the neighbor battling cancer. Very pretty. That baby quilt using both sizes is awesome as well.

Patti said...

I have not made a drunkards path, but it is on my list of quilts that I would like to make. The accuracy with using the Accuquilt certainly makes this quilt easier. I like the black and white quilt that you made for your son. The design is great.

paulette said...

Great Post!! I might just have to GO! and buy a Drunkard's Path die now!! Favourite?? Yikes...all are nice BUT I think I like the pink/green/white circles quilt!! Gorgeous!!
Paulette

Unknown said...

I am a follower of your blog.
I really like the "Doves".
All are very nice.
SallyKingemail@gmail.com
www.BabyStepsQuilting.com

LJ said...

I can hardly believe all the different layouts with this block - amazing! My favorite is the black and white one just because it says modern and male to me. So many quilts are too frilly for a man - my opinion. I will tell you that seeing this has really upped my level of "I'd like an AccuQuilt." to..."I've got to have an AccuQuilt." So...include me in the giveaway cuz I WILL have a cutter!
PS I'm now a follower.

robin said...

I have that die, but haven't made anything from it yet. I like the black & white quilt. So striking!

Carrie P. said...

Wow! you certainly can make a lot of different looking quilts with that die. I do not own the druckard path die so I am happy to have a chance to win one.
My favorite quilt you made is the pink and green.
I am a new follower.

Jennie P. said...

My favorite is the last one in the blue and yellow color. It's so dramatic! Love it. :)

tpott said...

I'm a new follower to your blog. Thank you for the wonderful tut. I don't own a Go Cutter yet (not sure if I should buy a Go or Go Baby) I thought I would only use it for appliqué, now I'm not sure. You're so prolific, my favorite quilt of this post is the heart. Thanks again, Toni Anne ;->

Phyllis said...

Wonderful quilts! I like the blue and yellow one, but that red and white one is stunning too.

I am a follower.

nlcalendar said...

The valentine quilt is my favourite...because of the red my favourite colour. The purple one would be a close second. Would love to win. Marilyn S

LeAnne said...

Thanks for the tutorial on the drunkards path die. Would love to have one of these. There are so many variations you can use with this design, but I like the dove quilt the best.

Lisa Cox said...

I love the black and white quilt.
You are so talented.

Needled Mom said...

Who knew that you could make a heart with the Drunkard's Path pattern????? It is just lovely.

I think my favorite would be the heart one, but they are all gorgeous. I really like the yellow and blue too.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Great tutorial and beautiful Valentine's wall hanging! I think I like your black and white one the best. I would love to win that die! Thanks.

Lee Ann L. said...

Wow! I'm loving the drunkard's path heart quilt! Never would have thought of doing that design.

Cori Lewis said...

the wedding quilt is my favorite.

Sallie said...

I'm a new follower. I like the pink and green fundraiser quilt you made for your neighbor who has cancer. Thanks for the giveaway!

Kim said...

I like the tennis coach quilt the best....so much going on!

You've been very busy making all these quilts! Do you machine quilt them too on your home machine?

thanks for the chance to win that drunkard path die, it looks like a fun time.

Happy Sewing

Richard Healey said...

I love the blue and yellow wedding quilt.

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com
Stop by for my quilt givaway to guess my babys b-day and weight.

Margaret said...

Love the red and white. Thanks for a great post and give away.

Teri said...

They are all really nice, but I love the black and white one for your son..... I love how he laid it out......what a great giveaway......

quiltma said...

I am a follower and I think my favorite quilt is the pink and green you did for your neighbors fundraiser.

Bonnie said...

Love all of your quilts, but the doves and heart are my favorites. Thanks for the chance to win.

Linda said...

Oh, I love the Drunkard's Path and I've got 6 or 7 books about it. I've only made one little quilt but want to make more. I guess I'm going to have to break down and buy this die. I love all of your quilts and you have really inspired me too. I am a new follower and found you through the hop. I am finding so many new to me blogs from this hop. My turn was yesterday and I enjoyed it. I still have so much red and white to do and I am learning so much from everyone. I just want to go home and sew,sew,and sew. Have fun and I'll be catching up on your blog.

Linda said...

Sorry, I forgot to tell you my favorite...I like those purple doves. I have an old book from Anita Murphy. It has owls, doves, and bears, oh, I can't remember what all the animals are now but I would use this die to make the quilt I have had on my list forever. Thanks for the post and the awesome giveaway. Hugs, Linda

Ariane said...

What a beautiful quilt. So original!!!! Thanks for the tutorial!!!

Laura said...

I love the Quilt of Valor quilt. It looks like puzzle pieces. Thanks for the tutorial. I plan on playing around with this pattern sometime in the futute.

Gill said...

I'm in the UK so I can't enter the giveaway but I love the pink/green baby quilt!

Michelle said...

That is so cute!

thegoose said...

Oh, they'e all so pretty it is difficult to choose just one. I will say the doves.

Jen said...

What an amazing array of uses for such a great shape! Thanks so much for sharing all of your talents!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Wow!! love them all...but the black and white is my favorite...I am following you....would love that die...

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Wow!! love them all...but the black and white is my favorite...I am following you....would love that die...

Nanbon44 said...

I am so afraid to try the drunkards path, one of these days I might get the courage to try it... I love your son's Black and White quilt

Joanna said...

I am already a follower. You are so creative in your use of this die. My favorite quilt is the wedding quilt, but I also love the green and white and the heart. In fact, all of them are great.

Deb said...

I like the pink/green one with the circles - 2nd from last. I love drunkard's path!

Charlene S said...

I am definitely a follower. I love the dove quilt. I used the Drunkard's Path to make turtles which is one of my favorite baby quilts.

teachpany said...

I love the Drunkard's Path. The heart was a great idea, too. I think your tennis coach quilt looks like tennis balls bouncing. Great idea!

Anonymous said...

Love your "Purple" rendition-so Neat! I'm a beginning quilter,so I've not tackled this pattern yet, but I will!
Happy to follow you!
Thanks for sharing!

lilpoohbear said...

The doves are amazing I run a non profit that supports our fallen heroes what a great way to show love! Great job and Now I have a new blog to follow!! Thank you so much for the great ideas!

The Spiritual Existential Nihilist said...

They're all spectacular. I never knew - or even thought - of the different patterns Drunkard's Path could take. Love the black and white -- and the wedding gift is wonderfully unique, as are the doves.

(wrybbunz@gmail.com)

Suzanne Neuhaus said...

I read your blog all the time, but I'm not sure I'm a follower. Do you have to have a blog to be a follower.
Your work is so nice, I'm always inspired with your quilts. And you make so many, you amaze me. I hope I'm a follower, because I'd really like to win the small Drunkards' Path die. Please pick me.

Suzanne sneuhaus@hot.rr.com

Marcia W. said...

I follow your blog. Blogger says: You already follow North Hills Quilter
http://northhillsquilter.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the good tutorial and giveaway. Especially liked all the variations you showed in the photos. I'm hoping to receive a baby GO! this Friday so am throwing my name in the hat for The Drunkard's Path die. My mother really wants to make this quilt. My favorite is the Doves.

Jan said...

Love the Valentine quilt, 2nd would be the Peace Dove. A very special quilt you made!

Lee said...

I love the black and white one! thanks for the tutorial on this die!

kbgrenier said...

Great tutorial. Who knew how versatile Drunkard's Path could be? My favorite quilt is the doves. So pretty!

SewCalGal said...

Great post and inspiration. Love all your ideas. I've made the large Drunkards path, but not the small one. Definitely want to and also play with using them both in the same project.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Wonderful post! Everyone is doing so much with these dies, I love it! I think my favorite quilt is the pink and green one :)

Kathy said...

My favorite is the valentine quilt. Thanks

KatieQ said...

I thought the black and white quilt you made for your son was my favorite until I saw the blue and yellow wedding quilt. Wow! I have never seen so many Drunkards Path quilts in one place before. Thanks for the great tutorial.

Snoodles said...

I love your "doves" quilt the best...I've never seen that arrangement of the drunkard's path pieces. Really pretty. I've been enjoying this bloghop (it's my turn tomorrow!) and would love to win that die. It's actually been on my wish list for some time now! :)

Susan said...

Thanks for the chance to win. I am a follower. I actually like the Valentine one best, I think. I like the feather quilting in the heart.

desertskyquilts.livejournal.com

jude3944 said...

Oh I love your Valentine Heart quilt. I have 7 granddaughters who all love hearts and a daughter also It could keep me busy for a long while.. But all the others are great also Found you through facebook accuquilt