Welcome to the final day, and my day, of the Hello Fall Blog Hop hosted by Carla who blogs at Creatin’ in the Sticks!! Carla is very talented and creative, so check out her blog! Since I’m a fall/spring kinda gal, I was so happy to be able to participate in this blog hop! Here in Alabama, we often skip fall and go directly from summer to winter, pretty much overnight! Right now, I’m thankful we are having some cooler days, 70s and 80s, as opposed to 90+ degrees. Of course, those are due to last week’s Hurricane Sally that hit our Gulf coast, and Tropical Storm Beta which could bring us an isolated tornado this afternoon and tonight. By the time she reaches us, it will be a depression, but we can expect rain and winds from it. On a nicer note, fall always reminds me of my sweet mama who always said that yellow butterflies mean fall is near. I’ve been seeing those butterflies over the past few weeks, and I always think of her when I do!
I recently learned of the twister tools from my friend Daryl of Patchouli Moon Studio, and just HAD to have one of these. Well, I now own all sizes of the twister tools. I purchased them, and a few patterns(!) from Twister Sister Designs. I am in no way affiliated with Twister Sister Designs, but they have generously offered a coupon to my readers for 10% off your purchase. Just follow the link and use the code Fall2020 when you check out!! They have some awesome patterns designed with these tools. Just click their name above to check them out. Warning: It’s Addictive!!
Originally I thought about doing this Twister Harvest Pattern, designed by Becky Cogan and I did purchase this pattern, but I wanted something a little smaller.
So, off to Google! What did we do before the internet??!!! I found this YouTube video by one of my favorite quilters, Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company and decided to use her method. So I mocked it up in EQ8, and then I had to make a trip to my LQS (oh darn!!) and find some lovely fall fabrics! It is no secret I am a big fan of Moda Grunge, so I chose three fabrics that went with a border fabric I chose from my limited supply of fall fabrics! I used basics, stars, and dots and limited my colors to three plus the border. In hindsight I would have chosen more contrast in my oranges. But it’s OK. I kind of like the subtle difference. The orange on the left is the stars and the right is basics. And of course, I had to dig out my handy 2-1/2 inch square die from AccuQuilt, which just happened to be a part of my 8 inch Qube set. I love AccuQuilt!! This cutter has saved me SEW much time!!
Forty-nine squares, four borders, and some chain piecing later, this is what I had.
Then the real fun began!! I took that Itty Bitty Twister tool and began cutting out all the squares. Sixty-four 1-1/2 inch blocks cut apart and sewn back together makes one 8-1/2 inch center block!! I was please that you could see the difference in the oranges a little better in the finished block.
But wait…there’s MORE!! Being the digitizer I am, I just had to add a little more. So I perused the giant stash of art work I’ve purchased through the years, found something I liked, opened up my Bernina software, and started having more fun! I little bit later, I embroidered a couple of blocks to add to the top and bottom, then added borders all around and voila, my finished project!! Well, it’s not quite finished , as I am working on quilting it, but unfortunately didn’t get that completed.
Lessons learned:
- I am not the biggest fan of orange alone, but I really love fall colors pulled together.
- While I’m usually a symmetrical person, I kinda like asymmetry occasionally.
- Those tiny little blocks are tricky to cut on an angle!
- Next time, I will definitely use the larger tools!
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”
Albert Einstein
I believe quilters would take umbrage to the quote above. I know I do!! As you can see, I definitely got different results after stitching and cutting again!! My hubby still can’t figure out why you would take perfectly good fabric, cut it up and sew it back together, but he does appreciate the final product of that! LOL
Overall this little quilt measures about 14 x 20 inches and will be a wall hanging for my kitchen! I hope you like my project and will visit my fellow bloggers today and see what they’ve created for fall y’all!! Here’s the schedule for today, Thursday, September 24th!
Creatin’ in the Sticks
Quilt Schmilt
Bumbleberry Stitches
Samelia’s Mum
Life in the Scrapatch
Storied Quilts
Songbird Designs YOU ARE HERE!
Quiltifications
Words & Stitches
For the Love of Geese
Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time…
Such a pretty project! I love twister quilts… and the embroidery just adds that extra bit of fun! xx
You are ever so clever, always adding your digitization skills to projects. Love the twister wreath. Thanks for linking to Colour & Inspiration Tuesday.
You are inspiring me to use my twister tool, too. Your quilt turned out so well and the added embroidery was spot on. Have a blessed fall.
Your butterfly saying is interesting. Now I think about it, yep when you start seeing them it is getting cooler. Love your wall hanging, and adding the embroidery was a great idea.
Cute project! I never used to be fond of orange alone either, but now it’s my favorite color. So be careful, it can grow on you! Ha!
Sweet wallhanging! I haven’t used my twister tools for several years. I think I need to get them out again!
Very cute fall wallhanging! I like the colors a lot, and that twister block is fun!
What a wonderful twister quilt for fall! Your embroidery really makes it. I have several twister books and I think a couple rulers. I tried it once but haven’t done it since. Maybe I should do another. Thanks for sharing.
Such a pretty piece and I really enjoyed reading about the process. Your embroidery really makes it. Thanks for joining the Hello Fall blog hop.
This looks like a fun project and the fabrics are perfect for Fall. The embroidery added is perfect too.
You made a beautiful twister quilt! It’s perfect!
I love your fall mini! The addition of the words was a fun add!
That is really cool that you could make this your own by adding embroidery to it.
Great piece. Seems you mastered the twisted blocks right out of the gate. I love grunge too. It is a perfect fall fabric. Like falling leaves.
Beautiful! Love the colors you chose. The embroidery is lovely.
Gorgeous quilt! Thanks so much for sharing!
Very pretty quilt. Thankyou for sharing the process, and how much fun you had.
I absolutely love this.
The itty-bitty twister is so cute. I have the one that works with 5″ squares and I agree it is addictive! Love your fall project. The variations in the orange looks cool. Love the embroidery as well. Happy fall to you too!
I have seen these Twisted Sisters designs before; however, I have not tried one. They really look enticing. Maybe someday. Love your Fall project!
I have never made a twister quilt, but I love the look of one. Your twister quilt is really beautiful and definitely brings out the fall feeling in those fabrics. Thank you for sharing, Brenda!
Brenda your itty bitty Twister hanging is a perfect bit of fall decor. Love your embroidery embellishment!
Love this but I made one twister quilt an all the bias! Gotta take care right? I’d still like to have this hanging in my house despite the bias! lol
LeeAnna
Beautiful fall quilt! I have the twister rulers and never use them enough. Thank you for showing the before and after cutting photos. Your fabrics are wonderful … 🙂 Pat
Brenda, so glad to see your Twister project. The Itty Bitty is a cute size and easy to cut the squares for it, but yes it can be a little fiddly being so small. Your Twister wall quilt came out great! Orange is not a color I wear (I look horrible in orange), but I do love a pop of orange or yellow in a quilt and I never used to care for orange or brown, but I am liking both more in some things. As I make bags and quilted things, I have started cutting squares using the leftover scraps from my projects and cutting them in the 4 sizes I need for the 4 size Twister Rulers I have. I have a lot of scrap squares cut out now in each size, so I guess I should think about what I want to make next. Then you and I can keep inspiring each other with our Twister makes, lol!
The twister template is so fun to use – I’m really demented as I have 4 sized twisties and the smallest is my favorite.
Well Hello Brenda! I love your little mini twister and wow, did you find the perfect designs to stitch along with it. I had to laugh at your want to go a little bigger next time. Yep, bigger is definitely easier most days! LOL!! Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
Hi Brenda! I’ve never heard that adage about yellow butterflies signifying the start of Fall. I’ll have to pay more attention or is it a southern thing? Wow, I love your twisted wall hanging. And the orange differences are subtle but just like in nature, noticeable. I love the addition of the embroidery – it pushes the whole piece right up to the edge of perfect. Happy Thursday. ~smile~ Roseanne
Very pretty, and interesting, Fall wall hanging!
Love the Twister quilts! I also love orange with brown and other autumn colors.
You have captured Fall beautifully in your pretty wallhanging.