28 February, 2013

Split Nine Patches

I've found something new to do with all of my two and a half inch strips and square scraps; split nine patches! Making these are addictive, the technique should come with a warning label.  I was one of the students lucky enough to take a class from Augusta Cole last week at MidAtlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA. Augusta is from Richmond, a prolific scrap quilt maker and inspirational instructor. Her class focused on the finer points of precision piecing using two specialty rulers, it was eye-opening. She also recommended 60 wt. Presencia thread, it's what she uses for all of her piecing. (I was so impressed with all that we learned in class that she could have recommended heavy twine and I would have bought it!!) This thread is fine, but it's also 3 ply, so it is strong yet adds absolutely no bulk to the seams. I love it so much that, overnight, I've become a complete thread convert. I found a place online yesterday that sells it by the 4,800 yd. cones!
The class that I took was "Spinning Stars", since it was more of a technique class; those little split 9-patches don't have to be arranged exactly like the pattern (left) but can be set in a thousand different ways. For now I am just having fun constructing them and sticking them up on the design wall. I've wedged a third bin with itty-bitty HST's right in between my lights and darks and can sit and sew as time allows, it's just the right set up to fuel my latest addiction!


Life is Good!



9 comments:

Nane said...

I bet you will come up with a great setting for these. I like what you have started!!

Angie said...

I love your excitement AND your blocks. :P So where is the link to the cone website? You knew we would all want to switch threads too, right? LOL And that we would need cones as well, RIGHT? :P

Janet O. said...

I have heard good things about that thread, but have never tried it. I love your line about the heavy twine. : )
Spilt 9-patch blocks are so versatile and when ever I see a quilt made from them I think I need to make one someday. It is still in the "someday" stage.
I look forward to seeing what beautiful creation comes from your needle (and 3 boxes AND Presencia thread).

straythreads said...

those do look like versatile blocks, great colors and you sewing space is sew organized!!!I try to get organized but then I feel like I'm showing the house. Looking forward to progress on the quilt
Ann

AnnieO said...

It was a revelation for me to use 50 wt thread for piecing, so I'm guessing 60 wt is even more satisfying! Fun, fun fun scrappy split 9's. Enjoy :)

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

I am SO interested in that thread ... I've been worried about using a 60 wt thread for fear that it wouldn't be strong enough. I don't know if I sew enough to buy a 4800 yard cone, but I definitely am going to order some smaller cones/spools.

LizA. said...

What fun. I've always loved split 9-patch block but never realized all the ways you could arrange them. Hhmmmmm, think I need to add that as a leader/ender project since my current one is almost completed. Thanks for sharing--I always love seeing what you are up to. You always have such great ideas to share and more to put on my bucket list!

Charleen said...

I hadn't really considered split 9-patch blacks before but there are o many possibilities for layouts! What type of rulers did she use?

Pat said...

I am an Aurafil girl, but am always willing to try something new. If you have used Aurafil, how do you think it compares?