My first Quick Curve Ruler Projects
Already for March 2020, I had planned to do my first Quick Curve Ruler quilt. This was supposed to be my March 2020 quilt project. The Qatar Quilt Guild had planned a workshop introducing this ruler by Sew Kind of Wonderful and I had managed to sign up for it.Â
I have mentioned the Qatar Quilt Guild before in my post on the jelly roll race. It was September 2018 when I joined the guild. Members of the guild meet regularly every first Saturday of the month to exchange ideas and knowledge on patchwork and quilting. Besides this, the guild organizes various quilt-related activities such as workshops or challenges throughout the year.
The March workshop was supposed to be based on the Country Revival quilt pattern of Sew Kind of Wonderful. So, all participants ordered the ruler as well as the pattern in preparation for it. But then Covid-19 hit Qatar as the rest of the world and the workshop got cancelled.Â
So, I had to set out to learn using the ruler by myself… 🙂
Project No 1: The Urban Table Runner
When you order the ruler, you get it together with the pattern of the Urban table runner. It is a free pattern that you can download from the Sew Kind of Wonderful as well.
The use of this ruler is not really straight forward and you need to concentrate a lot to align it properly when squaring pieces up. This quick table runner is actually a very nice project to practice with. And our dear workshop instructor had told us to not join the workshop without having the table runner done. So, me too, I started my quick curve ruler practice with the Urban table runner.
It is a nice little table runner. You can vary it in size by adding another ‘chain’ to make it wider or more chain elements to make it longer. I just made it in the standard size of two rows made up of seven chain elements. The colors were chosen to match my mother-in-law’s dining table. 🙂
Project No 2: The Metro Twist Quilt
Before actually attempting a more complicated pattern, I wanted to make another ‘trial quilt’ practicing with the ruler. After browsing through the Sew Kind of Wonderful website, I finally decided to buy the Metro Twist quilt pattern. And as I started this quilt in June 2020 I think it can be considered my June 2020 quilt project. 🙂
As a background print, I used the same light yellow solid that I had already used for the table runner. I think subconsciously I had in mind that both pieces which look very similar to each other might end up in the same room eventually.Â
For the chain elements, I used a layer cake of batik prints from Bali Batiks. I actually do not remember where I got it from. But I think it falls into the category of fabrics that you add to your chart before placing an online shipment to reach the minimum amount for free delivery. A totally ridiculous habit as I anyway pay for the shipment from the US to Qatar, but it is a nice excuse to add a little extra… 🙂
Finishing the Metro Twist Quilt Top
The chain elements of Metro Twist are slightly different than those of the table runner. Instead of building a chain element from two very simple blocks, each chain element consists of eight basic blocks. This means you mix eight different prints per element instead of only two.Â
I guess here lies also the first difficulty. While my chain blocks were still pretty accurate, my points did not always match when putting the blocks together. Most probably the reason for this is connected to the cutting of the basic blocks. There were some inaccuracies with the 1/4-inch seams on some blocks.
Nevertheless, the effect is mesmerizing. I really love what this finished quilt top looks like. Too bad it is again only a throw-size quilt. Unfortunately, I did not have any matching batiks to add chain elements on the sides to make it bigger. It would definitely be a nice pattern for a queen-size bed cover as well.
Redoing the Patchwork Sandwich
The quilt top had been actually already prepared for quilting in August 2020. I prepared it parallel to Sara’s baby quilt and used the same polyester batting as the first trial. But I had so many issues with this batting for Sara’s quilt that I decided to undo the sandwich and start over again. Even Loki who was supervising my basting at the time could not convince me otherwise.Â
So currently this quilt lies unfinished but prepared to be quilted next to my desk. This is also where Loki likes to hang out at the moment. Nothing better to sleep on for a cat than a pile of unfinished quilts… 🙂
Despite the fact that the quilt is not quilted yet, I consider these two first quick curve ruler projects my June 2020 quilt projects. I hope you don’t mind!
More Quick Curve Ruler Quilts to Come
I actually got three different patterns from Sew Kind of Wonderful when I was browsing for other patterns to try out with the quick curve ruler. My September 2020 quilt project is based on the Chic Country quilt pattern… but as it is already December and the September quilt is not finished yet, I am actually not sure if I can still call it my ‘September 2020 quilt project’… 🙂
This brings up a very interesting question: Is there a rule for dating quilts? How do you date your quilt projects? By their start date or by the date you finish them?