Sunday, February 28, 2010

Pinwheel quilt - Day 1



I'm gonna make another pinwheel quilt and share some thoughts and photos along the way. Do join along. Feel free to share your progress with comments and photos over in my quilt along flickr group too.

This won't be as detailed as my first quilt along. Mainly because the information and instructions on everything from accurate cutting, pinning, making binding, binding and quilting are all easily accessible by clicking on the "How to Make a Quilt" button found in the left hand side bar. But also because I'm too lazy to repeat all those photos and written instructions again.

I will spend a total of four posts laying out how to make my pinwheel quilt. Here is what I am planning.

Day 1: Selecting fabrics -- importance of lights and darks
Day 2: Cutting & construction
Day 3: Determining size and assembly
Day 4: Finished quilt

Let's get ready to rumble, shall we?

After such a pronouncement I feel like I should be wearing a spandex singlet and really cool wrestling shoes laced up to my knees.

Anywho.

Ok. Eh-hem.


Basic pinwheel blocks are made with four half square triangle block units that are light on one side and dark on the other. Like so.




The light and dark is what will make the pinwheel obvious to your eye and make the pinwheel appear to spin once sewn together.

Let's talk about light and dark. Really I mean the contrast between the two color values that are going to make up each half square triangle unit. Take a look at the photo below.





Above, the circled blocks are examples of good contrast between the colors that make up each half square triangle unit. Standing back and looking at this quilt, your eye easily detects the pinwheel.

Compare this with the photo below.




In the above photo, it is harder to see the pinwheel in the circled block than most of the others. You have to try harder to see it. Why? Poor contrast between the colors that make up the unit. See what I'm saying?

Your starting point for light and dark is completely up to you. You just need contrast people. Contrast!




These are the fabrics I plan on using. The pile on the left I am considering darks and those on the right I'm calling lights. There are some questionable subjects there on the left. Particularly the aqua one second from the top. Looks kinda light there. But, when I am teaming it up with a light I will be sure that there is contrast. It is all about the contrast.

And besides, even if I get it wrong who is going to care? I don't think the quilting police are gonna come after me. And no one is going to come after you either. But the better contrast decisions you make now the happier you are going to be with your quilt in the long run.

May the force be with you.

dana

30 comments:

dolores said...

Guess I best finish my circle quilt....and the pink one!:)

Kimberly said...

Love them pinwheels!

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

I've been so excited for this... Despite having other unfinished quilts, I feel like I am in need of some new blood & motivation!

Needled Mom said...

Sounds like fun!!!

Anonymous said...

When I read this statement...

"After such a pronouncement I feel like I should be wearing a spandex singlet and really cool wrestling shoes laced up to my knees."

...I thought 'Don't forget your headgear! Or at the very least your thimble!"

Can you tell my sons wrestled?


This will be a loveley quilt.

mrhc

Kristen said...

I'll going to use my blue and yellow fat quarters. They've been sitting on a shelf patiently waiting to be used. I'm in!

inkie-mumma said...

ooooo I looooove pinwheels, I'll be watching this one :D

WendyLou said...

Woohoo! Woohoo!! I've sooo been looking forward to starting this one :)

NicNacManiac said...

This is fabulous...I should really join in...love quilts...been a very long time since I have done anything like this!!
Your awesome!! xOxO Nerina

Anonymous said...

Wheeee! I wish I could play along and make a pinwheel quilt too. I love yours! But I have sewing for pay that I need to do. Sigh. While I love doing that as well, I sometimes don't have time for the fun spontaneous stuff that comes along. Maybe soon....

eva said...

I love it!!!

as always.....

xo
eva

eva said...

Quilting Police!!!

indeed....

Dianah said...

I am so excited to be in this round of the quilt a long! I have my flora and fauna ready to go!

A said...

I love pinwheels and the fabric you picked out is lovely. I really want to start this but must finish some others first . . . or maybe not . . . !

Libby said...

Woo Hoo!! Fun!
Libby

yarnivorous said...

Contrast - I think I've got that ok!
May the force be with you! LOL

Dena said...

yippee skippity do da. I've been so excited for this quilt along. I will have the pink one finished this week. That is my goal.:)

amylouwhosews said...

ooh! and I just told you yesterday how I love a good pinwheel! Now, to decide whether or not to start this now, or bookmark it for later. I'm not sure how big my plate is! Can't wait to see what everyone is doing!

grendelskin said...

I've got my squares cut already and have started matching lights to darks. My first "Nightie Night" quilt! I read a tip online that it's helpful to photograph the combos to view the contrast - seems to work better than the naked eye. I've found it helpful in doing block layout too.

Bonus Mom said...

Hooray!!!! Dana I am off to select fabrics from my stash! I couldn't be more excited! (I hope you are finally feeling better too!)

Susan said...

Oh, heck. I was thinking of using my Mendocinos for this, now I'm gonna look like a big ol' copy cat. (Or a duplicate dawg.) lol

Nice job with the mind-reading, Dana! Or maybe I was reading your mind? Scary either way, huh? :)

the essentials in life said...

Very cool! Thanks Dana! Can't wait to start this and I am going to definitely look at contrast with what I have chosen.

Terri said...

If the quilting police come to your house, send them on to mine. There is NO excuse for my lack of motivation these days! Thanks for posting something that makes me want to get off my duff and sew!

craftytammie said...

that 1974 quilt is one of my favorites. How much fabric do we need for this one?

sarah, rsm said...

Let the pinwheels begin ...

And here's my suggestion:

Day 5: Photo of Dana, the Quilting Diva, in a DARK, spandex singlet CONTRASTED by LIGHT wrestling shoes laced up to her ... well ... just look at the picture!

:) Glad you are feeling better!

Elissa said...

oh NO you are NOT using mendocino!!!!! i can't WAIT to see it, but i am going to be CRYING over it. forget the quilting police, **I** am coming after you. no, not you, IT. you seem pretty cool, but i think i would willingly toss you aside to get my hands on a mendocino quilt.

maybe, you are already preparing to fight me for it, or as you have alluded.... wrestle me for it? get your spandex ready darlin' 'cuz i've got the greasy hair and the potty mouth and i'm ready for ya... ;-)

(really, all that's to say "eeeeek!")

Heather Jones said...

I can't wait to see the finished product! Love your first blocks!

Lara said...

Exciting! Love your fabric choice Dana! Hope you are back on deck by the way and feeling a bunch better.

Heather Jones said...

Ok, I just may have to join along! They really are great.

Janelle said...

I just finished making a pinwheel quilt and I want to thank you for your 3 day pinwheel tutorial! It was helpful. I enjoy reading about you and your family on your blog.