All Over the Octagon Quilt Update

It has been quite awhile since I posted anything on this project. I am coming to the end of the octagon blocks. Well maybe! I may need a few more but we will see. I have decided to used Riley Blake Design Shades Linen for the squares. It has taken me forever to decide but the decision has been made for good or bad. Let's hope it is a good one.

With that said I am still working on one last block but I can't decide which fabric I should use in the centre so I thought I would share them here and see what everyone thinks.
Here are the options. Tell me your favourite in the comments below.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

An Octagon Tutorial

I have been making octagons over the last 6 months with our All Over the Octagon Club. The shop octagons which are on display in the shop have been made with the help of Kate and Maureen. That way there is a few more made than I have the time to make and people see different things in fabric.We end up with some stunning octagon made from the same fabrics.

 I select the fabrics each month to go with that month shape and pattern and it is up to you how you use the fabric with the English paper piecing shapes to create your octagon. I have stuck with that month shape and fabric each month but there is enough fabric to mix them up so if you love a fabric you can use it with other month's fabrics to make your octagons.

This one is a favourite and I was asked about a tutorial on how to make it. So here goes.
This block uses 1" half square triangles to make it with the English paper piecing technique which is the focus technique of this whole project.

Step 1. Cut out your 32 1" triangles  using a rotary cutter and the acrylic template or you can draw around the template and cut them out with scissors. Most of time I will use my rotary cut if I have an acrylic template unless I am fussy cutting a design. I have used 4 fabrics this time but last time only used 3 (16 of one a day eight each of the other fabrics)

Step 2. Basting your fabric triangle on your paper. These days I used a Sue Daley Glue Pen which you can buy from my website or you can sew baste the fabric around the papers (see Tutorial on Sew basting under the Pattern/Tutorial of my blog. It is part of  the English Paper Piecing tutorial.)
 With the glue pen centre your paper on your fabric triangle and run your glue pen along the edge of 1 side of your paper.(Close to the edge but not right along the edge. This will help when you sew them together as there will be no glue for you to have to sew through. Easier sewing.)

 Fold the fabric edge over the paper press firmly. Run glue along the next side and fold the fabric over. Repeat until all the side of your side are fold.  When basting your papers fold the fabric around your papers all the same way so all your tails hang out the same way. On some shapes this will help you interlock your shapes and reduce the bulk behind your block.

3. Layout your shapes into your block. For this block I split the block in triangle sections. If you sew them in this sequence you can sew the section with one thread.start at 1 sew to 2 then to 3 and finally sew back to 1 to complete this section.

4. Once you have sections sewn together, lay out your triangles into your final block and sew them together.

5. Now you have a hole in the middle of your block.  I press at this point yes with the papers still in place and use the iron to press any tails back under  so they don't stick out. There is two ideas for filling the centre, you can cut a square 1/4" larger than the hole if you are not fussed what goes in the centre or you can fussy cut the centre by laying the block on the fabric you plan to use and move it over the fabric until you find some that you like.
 At this point I use a erasable pen (like a Frixon pen) and mark the interior edges of your centre on my centre fabric.

Remove your block and use a ruler measure a 1 /4" outside your marks and this is where you need to cut or just cut it out roughly like I did.

6. To hold this piece of fabric to your block so you can sew it in place I put some dots of applique glue around the edge of your block them lay it on your fabric centre. Let it dry or do this on your iron board and use a hot dry iron to set it for you.

7. Start from the back and bring your needle up through the centre fabric and the edge of your block and sew around the centre octagon to secure it in place. Just make sure you tuck the point in if they stick out.

8. Press the completed block with the papers still in, before removing the papers if you are appliqueing to a background block or leave the papers in until you have join more of these blocks together. All depending on your project.

This is the original one that inspired this tutorial with only 3 fabrics for the triangles. I hope you enjoy this tutorial. If you have any questions please ask. I am happy to help. the fabrics used in these octagons are from Sue Daley's Beaujolais fabric range and I carry them in my webshop.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

350 Block Report 2016- November's Report

Here we go for November.
One octagon block. It got done then I have misplaced it so no picture.

What happened after the first octagon block Oh boy not a lot.
I must say in my defence there was my cousin's wedding which involved a trip to Sydney then a week later another cousin turned 40 so a big weekend of family time with the other side of the family.

 Then I got to do some sewing and I completed the remaining 11 blocks from the Sew It Together Sew Along. I have cut the sashing strips ready for me to join the blocks together.

2 more Octagon block

The last 3 Reproduction Christmas Sampler blocks done.

2 test blocks for a secret project for next year. Sorry no photo at this stage.

Lastly 9 neutral four patches. There will be a lot of these to come I think.

So the total for this month is 28.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

All Over the Octagon Fussy Cutting Fabric Club #1

I thought I would share some of the Octagons made from the first month of our All Over the Octagon Fabric Club.

These were made by Kate, Maureen, Julie and myself. As you can see some fabrics got used more than others and they are all different in the end. It is amazing give the same fabrics to different people and you end up with a wide variety of results I look forward to seeing what comes out of Month #2 fabrics.

Until next time

Keep Stitching 

Cynthia 

All Over the Octagon Month #1

It has officially started. All Over the Octagon Fussy Cutting  Fabric Club is in motion.  So the last couple  of nights has seen me cut and packing the first months shapes, templates, fabric and starter pack for the ladies who have joined me on this English Paper Piecing adventure. I will share my blocks and few others each  month here on my blog.

 The exciting thing about this club is we have the same starting point of that months shapes, templates and fabric but how we  use the fabrics and how will we cut that fabric out even if we choose the same fabric will be the exciting party. It is going to be lots of fun seeing what results we end up with.

This is Kate first Octagon.

This is mine.

And Maureen first Octagon.

There will be more to come I can assure you.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching 

Cynthia 

English Paper Piecing and Needle Turn Applique Extravaganza

Over the coming months we are going to work on our English Paper piecing and needle turn applique skills. Come into store and see one of the English paper piecing  or needle turn applique demonstrations to get yourself ready or started on the Pemberley Block of the Month or All Over the Octagon Fussy Cutting Fabric Club. Stock up your English Paper piecing supplies, enjoy a cuppa and biscuit, we may include a few rounds of calendar bingo if there is suitable numbers in store at the same time. Who know what other surprises may happen? I have a couple more ideas that may just happen.

Pemberley Block of the Month is a 12 month program involving needle turn applique and English paper piecing. It is $42 per month plus postage and includes a free Cynthia's Ark Fussy Cutting Pack to get you started with your first month.

All Over the Octagon Fussy Cutting Fabric Club is a 12 month fabric club featuring English Paper Piecing octagons in many different ways. It includes papers, templates and 6 x Fat 8's of modern bright fabrics each month. We are going to brighten up the world with our octagons.  It is $36 per month plus postage only on the first month which includes your  FREE Cynthia's Ark starter pack of needles, glue pen and thread. Then it is a flat $36 per month.

So if you are interested pop over to Cynthia's Ark and join up online or pop into the shop on Saturday 14th May to sign up. Only a few spots left in both clubs. Don't wait or you may miss out.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Octagons and more Octagons

At Cynthia's Ark we are going to run the All Over the Octagon Fussy Cutting Fabric Club starting late May. It is a 12 month program and over the program you will receive 72 fat 1/8ths of fabric, the equivalent to 9 metres of fabric,13 different EPP shapes and associated templates and 1 design booklet.So each month you will receive 6 Fat 8's, 1 packet of EPP Shapes & template (1 bonus set in month 6).
The idea of this program is to give you a large variety of fabrics to fussy cut and to mix and match with different shapes and plainer more basic fabrics. We have not included the fabric for the joiner blocks as the final design layout is up to you. Remember you don't have to use every piece of fabric each month as you may want to save some pieces to use in other months. Some of my sample octagons at vary stages.

Plus when you join Cynthia's Ark All over the Octagon Club you will receive our Fussy Cutting Starter Pack free with your first month. Valued at over $35. With this bonus pack you will be able to start stitching straight away.

Each month is $36 plus postage on the first month only.  I look forward to you joining us in this club. Book your spot at Cynthia's Ark today. Limited spots available.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Blocks of the Month, Fabric and Thread Clubs

At Cynthia's Ark our Block of the Month's, Fabric and Thread Clubs are growing. Have you visited our website recently and seen we now have a section that holds these Clubs together for ease of locating them. Previously they were all of the place. Now they are at your fingertips.
Since I am here let me tell you about them.

At Cynthia’s Ark we have 4 Clubs on offer for you to join. Please feel free to ask questions if you have any or if you have a theme you would like to suggest, we would love to hear it.

Batik Fabric Club – In our Batik Fabric Club you receive a colour themed pack of hand dyed Batik Cotton fabric which contains 4 x 30 cm width of the fabric. Plus there will be a bonus surprise in your parcel in January, April, July and October. Each month is $30 plus postage.

Stashing Building Club – In our Stash Building Club you receive a themed packed of quilting fabric which contains 5 x 30 cm width of the fabric. Plus there will be a bonus surprise in your parcels in January, April, July and October. Each month is $38 plus postage. This is the perfect way to increase your stash, add variety to your stash or if you are only starting on your quilting journey to build a stash.

This is April's Selection from Leonie Bateman's Harrington range. Also I have a surprise planned for May and you are going to want April's pack once it is revealed. Join today so you will receive the surprise next month.

All Over The Octagon Fussy Cutting Fabric Club - It is a 10 month English paper piecing program with fabric, template and papers each month that make octagons when pieced together.   It is $38 per month plus postage for the first month only.  It is starting mid May 2016. With the first month you will receive a Cynthia's Ark Fussy Cutting Starter Pack for free. It includes a Sue Daley glue pen, needles, thread and a fussy cutting mirror. (Valued at $36.50) 

Cynthia’s Ark Batik Brights Thread Club – In our Batik Brights Thread club you receive 6 x 200m spools of specially selected Aurifil 40 wt sewing cotton which is perfect for all your machine piecing and quilting projects. As a bonus you receive a personalised storage case with your first month parcel. Each month is $39 plus postage. This Club only runs for 12 months.

 The Thread club has a set 12 month plan and you can start when you like.   The Batik Fabric Club and Stash Building Fabric club has no set time plan, they are both ongoing clubs, stay for as long as you like. If you choose to leave a club please email Cynthia’s Ark and giving me 1 month notice of cancellation. Our email is sales@cynthiasark.com.au 

Look out for the post on the Pemberley Block of the Month starting in June if I have my way. 

Plus a new Stitchery Club for all those stitchery lovers out there. A few details to iron out still but it is looking great.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Cotton Carnivale 2016 Round Up #1

Heading home from Cotton Carnivale 2016, my head is full of ideas and plans. I hope everyone is going join in in the fun we are going to have over the next 12 months.
This year Carnivale was held on the cruise ship Carnival Spirit on a three day cruise to nowhere.

We had lectures and workshops. Lots to learn and try. We had a play with  some fussy cutting octagons with Sue. We are going to run the All Over the Octagon club. It is a 10 month English paper piecing program with fabric, template and papers each month that make octagons when pieced together.  $38 per month plus postage. Starting in May.

This club is perfect if you love fussy cutting or if you haven't done fussy cutting before. With the first month you will receive a Cynthia's Ark fussy cutting bonus pack to get you to start. It will include the Sue Daley glue pen, needles, thread and a fussy cutting mirror. To sign up pop over to Cynthia's Ark today to reserve your spot and your Cynthia's Ark Fussy Cutting bonus pack. (Valued at $36.50) 

Join us today for some fussy cutting fun.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia