Thursday, February 16, 2012

Share Some Love Bloghop Post

Today is the day for my sharing the most recent of my projects involving Accuquilt's GO! machine.  I haven't gotten to use my machine as much as I'd like but every time I DO get to use it, I'm amazed at how much time it saves. Be sure to read all the way to the END so you'll know how to register for the give-away! And be sure to see Marjorie's post as she's also posting her project today!

For this Valentine's time project, red & white were the theme.  I posted HERE some of the red-n-white quilts I drew in EQ6 while at the store.  (I have EQ7 but it's on my other laptop at home & I keep forgettig to load it at the store!)  It really can be quite dangerous getting a play time on EQ software!  The only drawback I see is that dinner doesn't get cooked, laundry doesn't get done, & there's less time to surf all the great quilter blogs if you get mixed up with EQ products!  LOL  Here's the one I finally decided to do:
This NEXT one was actually my favorite, but time was at a premium so the extra borders were eliminated, and I'd made a block already with the white outside, red main design & pink in the center before I realized that was going to be too much pink.  So I ended up using that block in the center (see above).
so----------maybe this one will get done some day-----------or maybe not!  Who knows.

So how does the GO! machine help with this?  Man, it's cool! and FAST!
I'm using the smaller Drunkard's Fan- just 3-1/2" finished and some beauttiful MODA fabric. All I did was cut a width of each fabric 10.5", press it, fan fold each one and
lay it on the die. See the pretty fan-folded fabric? There are 8 layers shown here.  Cover it with the mat & run it through themachine.
Will the GO! cut all 8 layers???????????????  Let's see------
 It DID!  It DID cut all 8 layers! That is SIXTEEN blocks at a time.  So I did 1 strip creamy white,  1 strip pink and 1 strip red-- 48 blocks! -- enough to mix & match for lots of blocks in less than 15 minutes!  Can't beat that!   Hmmmmmmm wonder what the leftovers look like?
Looks like somebody's been cutting out paper dolls. Cool huh?
And what's extra cool is that the die even cuts the little markers for putting the pieces together. See the little notches that stick up?  Just put the concave & convex parts together matching that notch.
Now we're down to sewing those round seams.  Just as everything else in quilting, there are lots of ways to get 'er done!  One fun way which I've used before on larger drunkard's path doesn't even use pins!  It goes pretty fast and is pretty accurate. Here's Elisa Wilson's video showing you how to do that method.
 This time, however, since I'm
using the Janome 3/4 machine at the store which does not have a large flat sewing area, I'm pinning.
I recommend you use fine pins, and when you pin- just barely catch the 2 layers with the pin. Here you can see how little the connection is. It's at the point of the scissors.
Pin the center 1st, then the outside edges so that the fabric doesn't twist. Stitch away!
Then sew the blocks together.
Here's the light block.

and here's the dark block.
Now, seww all the blocks together! 
Oh wait-  I forgot to tell you about those little oval things, didn't I?
Those are made using a different die. You can see the Rose of Sharon die HERE. I just used the small leaf on the die.  Same process- except added Soft Fuse to the back of the fabric BEFORE cutting.  I used a strip just wide enough for the leaf, fan folded it, run it through the GO!.
Here I am running the 1st part through the GO! machine.
 Then I didn't even run it all the way through-- just far enough to pull the 1st cut out. Stuck the next fan-folded strip over the leave cutter, then rolled it back through the other way.
Talk about FAST!  Imagine how long it would have taken me to hand-trace 72 shapes, then cut out all 72 shapes by HAND! YUCK~! 
 LOOK how clean they were cut out! 
 I cut out bunch of them right quick!  Here they are corralled in a cup.
Now, lest you think that I wouldn't
have done it if I couldn't have used the GO! on these little shapes- just let me show you
how the quilt was looking without them!
Those little ovals make a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG  difference, don't they?  Sure am glad I didn't have to cut them by hand, though!  So just peel the paper off the backsides, press them to the quilt top.  If you wanted to stitch them down, that could be done now but I"m going to stitch them down when I'm actually quilting this
I didn't get the quilting finished but I thought I'd post a couple of picks of the blocks I've got done.  There's cross-hatching in the centers, Feathers in the ring part.  There's kind of a dome shape over the little red ovals.  Then there's a sort of channel around the ring with little circles or loops or pebbles around those. 


I'm using 2 batts on this one. Quilter's Dream cotton on bottom and Dream Poly on top.  I wondered if it'd be difficult to quilt since I haven't used that thickness in quite a long time..  It was really fun seeing the texture develop immediately!  I'll do it again!
I guess you'll have to come back in a few days to see the finished quilt.  If you haven't clicked "FOLLOW" yet, you could do that & the you'll be notified when the final quilt is posted.
THE GIVE-AWAY!
Would you like a chance to win a quilt kit?  
You choose:  leave a comment about your favorite project using GO!, or go visit my Pinterest page and leave a comment about which one was your favorite.  Be sure that your email address 
is accessible, that you're not "no reply".   I'll choose a random
winner early Monday morning, Feb. 20.  Good luck to you! 

73 comments:

Richard Healey said...

I have not got a go machine but I have seen them in the store and wondered about them thanks for this walk though.

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com
Stop by for my quilt givaway to guess my babys b-day and weight.

Kathy MacKie said...

My fav project is using the 2 1/2" strip die for many scrappy projects that call for a jelly roll strip. Thanks for the giveaway.

Margaret said...

I have used the GO a couple of times once for a red Christmas tree that is awesome and then to cut all the pieces for a take five quilt. Love the quick and accurate cutting.

Sunnybec said...

I use my GO mostly for cutting hexies out, I only got it last October so still learning. I love the quilt you have made so can see Drunkard's Path being my next die to purchase!

hueisei said...

I have a GO! Baby which I used to cut hexies for my GFG quilt. I love it!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I love making tumbler quilts with the larger tumbler die. Great way to use up scraps.

Your quilt looks great!

JoyceLM said...

I have the large and small tumbler dies. I've made a "red & white" large tumbler quilt, which was quick & fun. I'm now cutting lots of small tumbler to make a scrappier quilt. Thanks for tutorial & the chance to win.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

What a beautiful project Alicia. I love it...my favorite with my Go...well it is my post today....that's all I've done so far. But looking forward to much more

Lisa England said...

I don't have a GO! cutter but would love to get one to cut applique shapes. I'd really like to make a quilt with a bunch of beautifully cut applique flowers, birds, and dragonflies. Maybe someday! In the meantime, it would be fun to try the Sudoku kit! Thanks for offering this giveaway.

LJ said...

Love what you did with the Go! and seeing how easy the cutting was really is getting me exicted about having one. I agree that the little leaves added a special touch. What a lot of work it would have been to cut them by hand. I'm dreaming...of an AccuQuilt cutter...

Gill said...

I like drunkards path but I've never made any because of all the curves to cut! This die looks a great idea!

Jennie P. said...

I don't have a Go! but maybe someday. I really love this quilt. I especially love the little oval things. For some reason, it makes me think of apple seeds. And this quilt almost makes me think of some sort of abstract apple art. It's really pretty.

B Greene said...

I do not have a GO! yet, but I am hoping that I am GO!-ing to get one for my birthday (couldn't resist that pun!). I love the versatility of the Drunkard's Path die, but I am also very interested in cutting perfect circles. So many possibilities. Thanks for the great tutorial and the wonderful giveaway!

Suzanne Neuhaus said...

Lovely quilt. I've only used the strip cutters and HST dies. But I have the small drunkards path and maybe I'll use it next. Sneuhaus@hot.rr.com

Deb said...

I don't have a Go! but I'd love to be able to cut flowers...there's a funky flower die that would be perfect for a quilt I have in mind. I checked out your Pinterest. Everything is very interesting - I liked the Scrap Jar Star tutorial. It's a shame that you can only sign up for Pinterest if you have Facebook. If not for that, I'd do love to do it.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a beautiful quilt and I love the pattern! I want to buy that die! My favorite project of the moment has to be my Batik heart runner using the half square triangle die, that is a great die too! Thanks for sharing!
Quilting by the River

marilyn said...

you've added another Drunkard's path quilt to my to do list! Thanks! I just love making drunkard's path blocks and the go! die makes them so easy and I don't pin :)

Tracey @ The Peony Teacup said...

That looks so effective! I love the way you used the leaves from the ROS die.. I have both of those dies infact... perhaps I'll have to give it a try once I've finished a couple of my WIP/UFOs! :)

Mary said...

I love your blocks! I have a Go!Baby, and am just starting my first project. So far the 3 1/2 inch half square triangles were a breeze with the Go!Baby. I just love it! I got the Rose of Sharon die, and a heart die that I can't wait to try out!

Needled Mom said...

It is just gorgeous and the quilting looks fabulous. I agree that the little ovals make a huge difference.

Lisa Cox said...

I don't have an Accuquilt Go!
I love the little squirrel made from a glove, and the cupcakes with the sheep decoration is so cute!

Deb said...

One of my favorite projects I've seen with a GO is the Bubbles quilt at Jo's Country Junction. fun and flexible!

Jan said...

Love your quilt and love scrap jar star on your pinterest - isn't it addicting! I just got a go for my BDay! Lucky me!
Jan

Joan said...

I bought my Go! in November and I have made two baby quilts with the tumbler die. Your quilt is so lovely. Thank you for the generous giveaway.

Cori Lewis said...

I have been making head phone holders from pinterest with the hexagon cutter. The original design was round but I can get an accurrate hexagon with my Go!

Unknown said...

My favorite Go project so far was the class I took at Road 2 CA with Sarah Vedeler using her software and the Tulip Die. So Pretty.
I love your project. Very well done. Tutorial is great.
SallyKingemail@gmail.com
www.BabyStepsQuilting.com

tpott said...

I loved your tut and your drunkards path quilt today. I made 1 with Elsa's book and templates, although not nearly as nice as yours. I don't have a Go cutter yet. I'm not sure if I should buy a Go Baby or a GO? Not sure how much I'd use it? Which 1 do you own? ;-> Toni Anne

peggy said...

I haven't used the Go Cutter yet, but I'd love to try. It looks like a wonderful tool.

thegoose said...

I love making HST quilts and so am loving my HST die right now. I *hate* all the prep that goes into the traditional HST and I hate the trimming, so this die has been a godsend for me.

robin said...

I like this modern quilt you have pinned: http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931577101803/

Linda said...

Hmm, I don't know, that's hard because the Go Cutter makes everything so easy. I guess my favorite right now is hearts. I have done 4 heart projects and they have gone so quickly because of the Go die. They are so precise, I love using them. I love your blocks and I'm going to have to get me the Drunkard's path die. Soon, very soon. Thanks for the great demo.

Lee Ann L. said...

I don't have a GO! yet. But, it's on my wish list.

I'm loving this quilt you pinned:
http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576890423/

Thanks for a chance to win.

Phyllis said...

I love your quilt! I don't have a GO yet, but would love to have one! I read so many great things about it and the cutting out part is the most intimidating to me.
I liked the Scrap Jar Star Tutorial.
alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com

Charlene S said...

My favorite is the quilt I am working on! The current one(s) are a 7 1/2 tumbler and a second 3 1/2 tumbler. Since my DGD#11 helped cut the 7 1/2 tumblers, I think it is the favorite.

Dianne Mitzel said...

I haven't had my machine long, just ordered the larger drunkard's path die. I have made 2 quilts that I cut by hand, love curved piecing..I made my quilts in batiks for my son and daughter..his was king sized, her's will be queen..your quilt is lovely, can't wait for my die to arrive!!

ktquilts said...

I don't have a Go...yet! Love the project in this post, and I have had my eye on an Oasis Sudoku for awhile. Weird huh

Laura said...

Your quilt is gorgeous. I would like to try the drunkard's path.

Unknown said...

I don't have a Go! cutter although I would LOVE one! I went to your Pinterest page and liked the Scrap Jar star tutorial. Very colorful!
Thanks for the giveaway!

Michele T said...

Love your project! I don't have a Go but they sure look like a time saver! Drunkard's Path would have to be a favorite!!

MoeWest said...

On your Pinterest page, the paper initials are very nice.

Sallie said...

I won some pre-cut large tumblers and enjoyed putting that quilt together. It went together effortlessly! Thanks for the giveaway!

Janet said...

I love the Jeweled Wedding Ring quilt from Bolo Heads.

Unknown said...

I love your quilt, it is amazing. hugs

Cecilia said...

I made my son a queen size quilt made with 6 1/2 triangles and 3 1/2 squares. I hand quilted it and it took me about 2 years to finish. By using the Accuquilt Go! I saved time with the cutting. Thanks for the tut, your quilt is lovely.

Anonymous said...

Love your red+white+rose quilt!
I really like the Drunkards Path dies best! Thanks for sharing!

Lee said...

I have a go baby and I love the tumbler quilts! thanks for the tutorial!

nlcalendar said...

Sorry for me, but I have no Accugo machine...but would love one. This hop has certainly piqued my interest in getting one. Love the drunkard's path block. Thanks.

Barb said...

your tutorial is just wonderful!

Susan said...

Getting a machine is still on my list of wishes, but a friend in AK has one and I've been amazed at all the shapes she cuts. I'd kind of like to do another tumbler quilt, and it would be so much easier with this machine!

I loved your project. Drunkard's path is a favorite pattern, yet I rarely make it. Your video is good and what I've seen at a quilt show once. It was a good reminder.

Karen said...

I haven't made the purchase of a Go! cutter yet, but this makes me want one sooner! Thanks for inspiring me!

Rosa said...

I love your rose quilt.It`s fabulous!! don´t have a Go,I`d love one.Thanks for thr great tutorial.

I love this:http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931577101803/

LeAnne said...

The GO has made my life so much easier. Since it's my new baby I don't have a lot of dies yet, but right now I'm working on a Peaky & Spike quilt. I do have a bunch of the applique dies already since cutting out shapes is the worst part of applique for me.

Catskill Quilter said...

My favorite board is your ideas board (which I am now following). I am still not good at pinning!

Ariane said...

Your tutorial is wonderful. I love that pattern. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!! I loved using my GO! to make my Carpenter's Star Quilt. It made it so quick!!

Karen said...

Love the quilt, Of course it's with my favorite colors. I don't have a go yet. But your walk thru is making me really think that I need one.

Teri said...

I like the 5 inch hexie die.....
The quilt you made is beautiful......

VickiT said...

I haven't completed any projects with my Go! Cutter yet and have very few dies but, my favorite in all those I've seen is the Dresden Quilt projects.

I love your post and the great looking quilts. Thank you for showing us.

Colleen said...

I love your quilt. I havent had my go to long, so have only finish two items and third item is a chisel table runner that is almost done. the chisel table runner is my favorite project and i like how it is turning out. I started it for christmas, but didnt have time to finish it. Thank you for the chance to win your giveaway.

Sharon Pernes said...

I have an Accuquilt go and love it! As a matter of fact I did a demo of it at my Modern Quilt Guild meeting earlier tonight. I have made a bunch of projects with it. As a matter of fact tomorrow is my day on the blog hop, I hope you check it out.
I did an entire week devoted to Valentines day projects and used the heart die quite a bit. Here's the link to the beginning of the week http://craizeecorner.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-v-week.html

Lisa Marie said...

Awesome quilt!! Love it and I really need to get that die for my GO! Hasn't this blog hop been fun!?

GG said...

Hi Alicia, I don't have a GO! machine- but when you showed your quilt w/o the little leaf shapes- it really did make a big difference! I went to your Pinterest page & 'follow'-ed your idea pin. I'm not sure how to do Pinterest yet, so I hope that worked! Great quilt!
GG
onlygg@comcast.net

Mary Burn said...

I have a Go Baby machine but haven't used it yet - but soon, very soon. Love your quilts. Thanks for including me in your giveaway.

arlette said...

I loved the red wedding ring of yours among others!!!

Nanbon44 said...

I invested in a GO and I am slowly building my die collection, Best project using my GO... I use my GO on all projects, which are mostly my charity quilts. I did finally make me a wall hanging so I guess that is MY favorite project so far.

teachpany said...

I love using my GO! This quilt is so pretty. Great idea, and love the added ovals. Your quilting is outstanding, too! I've made some really nice table runners with 7" drunkard's path, and also the 4 1/2" half square triangle. And a quilt for my nephew. And... pick a favorite??? Too hard.

Marilee said...

I'm amazed at all the basics from the GO cutter. I checked your pinterest but didnt see any cutter designs to pick from. Anyway, if I had a gO baby, I would stock up on squares, triangles and circles.

kbgrenier said...

I don't have a go machine, but this blog hop is convincing me I need one. I am impressed with all the options the Drunkard's Path gives you. I really like your quilt - I'm going to have to try the double batting trick to get some extra loft and texture; such a beautiful look!P

Karen O said...

My favorite project that I wish I could do with a GO! cutter is something with flowers and stems. Someday, hopefully! Thank you for the great tutorial. Such a pretty quilt.

KatieQ said...

I don't have a Go machine, but I love all of the Drunkard's Path quilts I have seen on the web made with pieces cut with the Go die.

Barb and Sharon said...

I went to you Pin boards and I really like the quilling pictures but my favorite photo was of the modern quilt that was so minimal, mostly white. What a cool idea, my quilts are usually bright and busy but I would love to try making a more serene quilt. I also had no idea you could make such a nice quilt with the GO cutter. I thought it was just for appliqué quilts. Thanks!

Barb Neiwert said...

Love your quilts you've picked in Pinterest. My favorite is the white quilting by The Secret Life of Mrs. Meatloaf (which is an awesome blog name).

Slovenka said...

My favorite project is using daisy die and embroider them using Sarah Vedeler's CD.

Eugenia Maru http://lulurulitos.blogspot.com said...

Qué maravilla de edredón y qué maravillosa máquina.
saludos