Saturday, March 7, 2020

Temperature Quilt 2020

My Temperature Quilt 2020 is
inspired by two sources

Book: New York Beauties & Flying Geese by Carl Hentsch

and

Pattern: NY Beauty Mini Quilt by Better of Thread


The pattern fit my vision for the high / low temps of the day,
but the size was off for what I needed.

So I went old school!

took out some paper, started folding and drawing,
and came up with a size that worked for my project.

My fabric had already been precut to 2.5" squares - 
Note to self: 
solidify design choice before cutting fabrics!!


making copies of my arcs on newsprint...


following the stitching directions from the pattern 
my first arc was formed!

Loving how the low temp of the day points up 
to the high daily temp


I had a struggle getting the two arcs to go together nicely.

Having finished up January but before starting on February,
I needed to figure out another way to make this block.

Back to the drawing board I go...


Sometimes ideas just take awhile to percolate...
after starring at the arc for a number of days
I decided to look at it differently...
as a blade not an arc!

Viola!



The High / Low temps and date
were penciled in on each blade

the background white fabric was cut
(thankfully that had not been precut!)
and the temp fabrics selected
according to the readings from
Weather.com


the paper piecing proceeded as usual


Making sure there was a perfect 1/4" all around
 using the Add-A-Quarter ruler - each blade was made!


all trimmed with the 1/4" seam all around


each blade was then stitched in place,
using the papers as my 1/4" guide


everything lining up nicely!



When comparing the two construction methods:
Arcs vs Blades

the Blade Method is a winner....
NO extra seam between the spikes and the geese...
giving the block a more streamlined look,
plus it was much easier to piece together!


off to the races making a months worth of blades!


stitching each quadrant together 


the temperature circle is complete


Don't you just love freezer paper?
It's the best for doing reverse applique circles!


the seam allowance is clipped, starch applied, then pressed.

NOTE:
when using starch Do Not have your iron set on the highest heat,
and Do Not press for too long...
it scorches

Ask me how I know???!!!

The center circle 
(Ugh! not a perfect circle - but Done!)
features a hexie with the average
high / low temps of the month.
The name of the month is hand embroidered 
using 12wt thread.


Two months are done!


You can slightly see the different in piecing methods,
(Arcs - January vs. Blades - February)
will definately continue with my blade method 
as it was easier to piece together - 
and since this is my third temp quilt,
I'm all for the easy method!!

disclaimer: 
still need to border and quilt 
2018 and 2019 Temp Quilts!!


Have a great Quilty Day and enjoy the process!
                               Janet