Thursday, August 28, 2014

T.G.I.F.F. - Bijoux Metro Twist - Sew Kind Of Wonderful Blog Hop!

I have the pleasure of hosting T.G.I.F.F. today!  And do I have a finish for you....

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 When Laura from Quokka Quilts asked if I'd like to take part in the Sew Kind Of Wonderful Blog Hop, I said I'd love to, but would probably only manage a few blocks.  Fail.  The Quick Curve Ruler had me at Hello.  The lovely Jenny generously sent me a couple of patterns to choose from, and I was instantly drawn to the Metro Twist.  Firstly - it looked like the easier of the two, and secondly - it looked like the easier of the two!

Anyway, needless to say - I finished the whole quilt....

Metro Twist

I felt the pattern leading me towards rich, yummy fabrics.  I had been holding on to Bari J's Bijoux for what seems like forever, and promptly de-shelved them for the event.  When it came to a background, I had just received Essex linen in Flax, and it was a perfect fit!  The textural differences between the linen and the Art Gallery are amazing!

Metro Twist

The blocks went together relatively quickly.  The pattern is written VERY well, with loads of diagrams and mathematics that makes sense.  Which is good, given my lack of mathematical ability.  Cutting the curves with the ruler was easy - although that first cut is very nerve-wracking!  The only tricky bit I found was because I used the linen - which is hard to determine a front from a back - so I resorted to labeling my piles of cut fabric "front facing downwards" and "back facing downwards".  This helped immensely!

Metro Twist

I think the biggest thing I have learnt from this first foray in to  these patterns (oh yes, there will be more!) is that even though it looks like all your curved pieces are cut exactly the same, they aren't necessarily.  That is, if the angle of your ruler isn't EXACTLY the same each time, your little curves will be different in the slightest little angle.  You don't notice it until you are sewing your blocks together, and your background diamonds are just slightly different in shape.  Clearly - this is not a massive deal!

Metro Twist

When it came to quilting this beauty, I wanted to keep it pretty simple.  Apart from the fact that this plan lead to a tonne of thread burying, I think it worked.  I used my free motion quilting foot to echo quilt the diamonds - from outside-in.  They are far from straight lines - very "organic" indeed.  And I was second guessing myself after the first few - but I really love them.  I haven't quilted on the prints at all.  And on the borders, I just echoed the curves using my walking foot, which I adore the look of.  All of the piecing and quilting was done with Aurifil #2000 50wt, which is such a beautiful golden thread it looks stunning with the linen.  


The backing, as you can see, is my go-to Ikea print.  This fabric seriously works with just about any quilt!

  Metro Twist

I also added a border to the quilt.  The finished size of the pattern is 40" x 55", which is a little on the smaller side of throw size for me - so I added 5" to each side and end, which brought the final size up to 49" x 64".

I also took a couple of little videos of myself sewing curves, and put them on Instagram.  If you want to have a little look, you can find them HERE and HERE.  I was trying to demonstrate curves not being as difficult as we think!  If you're willing to take your time and practice, I promise you can do it!

If you want to make the Metro Twist yourself, you will find the pattern HERE.  If you're in Australia and looking for a Quick Curve Ruler stockist, you can find a list HERE

 Please go and check out Jenny’s blog and shop. You can also join the Sew Kind of Wonderful mailing list to get news of any new patterns or promotions. There is going to be a linky party on the Sew Kind of Wonderful blog on Friday 29 through 31 August – you can link up any quilt or block made using the Quick Curve Ruler. If you haven’t tried a QCR project yet, never fear, there’s a chance to win a ruler during the bloghop and have a go. You can find plenty of inspiration on the bloghop so please go and check out the other participants!

Monday 18 August http://quokkaquilts.com
Tuesday 19 August www.cluckclucksew.com
Wednesday 20 August www.fromthebluechair.com
Thursday 21 August liveacolorfullife.net
Friday 22 August www.happyquiltingmelissa.com
Monday 25 August www.greenfairyquiltsblog.com
Tuesday 26 August http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com
Wednesday 27 August www.pleasant-home.com
Thursday 28 August http://www.lucymade.wordpress.com AND http://msmidge.blogspot.com.au
Friday 29 August www.dontcallmebetsy.com

The bloghop is going to be followed by a 'Curve it up' Challenge Quilt-a-long on the Sew Kind of Wonderful blog starting in September, so join in the bloghop, get inspired and get ready to Curve It Up!  

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Now it's your turn to show me your fabulous finishes this week!  Be sure to pop them in the linky below!  Have a wonderful weekend!


29 comments:

  1. It´s really a perfect quilt - love everything about it. I have a curved ruler too, unfortunatly it is broken - lets see, if I buy me a nwe one. LOVE LOVE LOVE

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  2. Wow, it looks fabulous. I cannot count how many thread you buried. It's worthed. May I say something "not of my business" ? I would have add one or two in-betweens lines of quilting in your outer border. I don't know why, but the difference of scale bugs me a little. But I really love your color and that beige fabric who really doesn't look like beige. I'm keeping a bookmark on your quilt for future reference !

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  3. Your quilt is wonderful, and I love the use of the linen for the background. Great job!!!

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  4. Very nice quilt. I like that you added a border to make it the size that would work for you. I've noticed that many quilters are no longer using borders. Good for you for doing it. Sewing and cutting curves scare me as I've barely mastered sewing and cutting straight. But maybe with this curved ruler it might help.

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  5. I am in love with this quilt! Your fabric choices, your quilting choices. It all worked perfectly.

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  6. Your quilt looks great! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Fabulous work!!!! :) Thanks for hosting both events! :) Congrats on losing your QCR virginity!!!!

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  8. It looks great, the quilting is really effective and I like the look of the linen background.

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  9. Linen and AG is my all time fav fabric combo ... this quilt is a beauty ... and I love the dense quilting you did in the diamond bits :)

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  10. you did a great job, what a fab quilt! I need one of these rulers...

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  11. Stunning quilt! Haven't come across the rulers before but it looks like I need to check them out :)

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  12. Oh this is absolutely beautiful. The Essex Linen looks beautiful with the Art Gallery fabrics.

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  13. absolutely fabulous. I'm going for it.

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  14. I LOVE your quilt - the fabrics are fabulous and the pattern is great too. Maybe I'll try some curved piecing soon, too! Thanks for hosting!

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  15. Wow, this is gorgeous, Melissa! I adore your fabric choices. Great job with the quilting too! Thanks for hosting TGIFF!

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  16. Love your QCR quilt. I need to quit avoiding it and get to work with mine. I love the new twists on old designs! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  17. Looking good and you made it quite fast. Your choice of quilting is lovely too.

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  18. ugh that backing, I needs it!!! It's really a versatile! Such a beautiful blanket!

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  19. Beautiful quilt! I love the colors in it. And the backing really is perfect!

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  20. Lovely quilt with a beautiful backing! I really love the way you quilted it!! By the way, so great of you to sponsor a child. We have been participating in the program for 20+ years, it's such a wonderful feeling :)

    -Soma

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  21. The fabrics seem perfect for that pattern, and the quilting is perfect too!
    Thank you for hosting us!

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  22. Beautiful quilt! I've been wanting to try the Quick Curve Ruler!

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  23. Beautiful quilt! the curves look really scary to me, but yours turned out wonderfully. I also love your fabric choices. Thanks for hosting TGIFF!

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  24. I have had my eye on those curved quilt blocks made by quick curve ruler. I may just have to get me one so I can play with it for design purposes.

    I love your quilt and you did a great job quilting it as well! I also congratulate you on a beautiful finish!

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  25. Pretty fabric. What a nice quilt.

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  26. LOVE your quilt so much!! Thanks for participating in our blog hop!!

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  27. Your Quilt is gorgeous!! what a grrrreat job you did!!

    Have definitely added this cooool Ruler to my "Wishy List" for sure!!! :)

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  28. Wow, your quilt is fabulous. I love the echoing and the different fabrics you put together. Thanks for sharing. I have got to try this ruler after my son is married and all the sewing for that is done.

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  29. It really looks wonderful! Nicely done. I just read that a local show is holding a Metro Rings class next month and I'm thinking about it. I'm not a fan of curves either but this could be interesting.

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Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment - I read each and every one of them! xx

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