Gravity quilt... How challenging is it?
03-14-2015, 12:45 PM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Fairfield, OH
Posts: 3,694
Welcome to the board. I have been drooling on that pattern for months. I have the pattern and I am waiting for the fabric kit to come in. I don't understand the delays as it is a Kona cottons. The colors are what makes a lot of the design. I don't normally buy kits but did for this one. I was talked in to teaching it as a BOM class at the LQS. According to the pattern it is 2 different blocks. It was originally supposed to be out on Feb 5th but still isn't in yet. I was planning on working on it at retreat. I guess that isn't going to happen as retreat is on Friday and I checked this morning and it isn't in.
I haven't thoroughly studied the pattern but I am pretty sure it isn't as bad as it looks. I would guess it would all depend on how skillful you are at sewing and following directions. There are some members of my guild ho have been quilting for years who would never be able to make it. Others are fairly new and it wouldn't be a problem. Maybe one of the LQS is having a class on it? Can't wait to get started on it.
I haven't thoroughly studied the pattern but I am pretty sure it isn't as bad as it looks. I would guess it would all depend on how skillful you are at sewing and following directions. There are some members of my guild ho have been quilting for years who would never be able to make it. Others are fairly new and it wouldn't be a problem. Maybe one of the LQS is having a class on it? Can't wait to get started on it.
03-14-2015, 01:11 PM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Originally Posted by NJ Quilter
Welcome to the board from NJ. If you are confident in your sewing skills in general you should be fine. The only issue with bias edges is the stretch. Use LOTS of starch. I use liquid Sta-Flo at a 1:1 ratio. I'm not familiar with that pattern but depending on how the instructions tell you to cut/piece the triangles, you could also sew a line of 'stay stiches' very close to what will be the cut edge (between your seam line and the cut edge) to keep the edges stable. Usually best done with larger pieces. Remember to 'press' not 'iron' when working with those cut pieces. Handle them as little as possible until they are sewn into your top.
03-14-2015, 03:33 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 947
There are actually 9 blocks--each diamond shaped. You make 2 of each block, one in each of 2 color ways for every month, with additional months for assembly and the gray to black background. The blocks are not difficult, but if you are an erratic stitcher, you will run into problems with assembling the top-- diamonds need to line up nicely to work out well.
The pillow pattern in the back is a nice way to use up scraps left over from strips cut for the blocks, but it's not really the same kind of construction as the blocks.
I starch very lightly, and have had no issues with stitching the blocks. Keep in mind that the pieces are not tiny, and because they are strip cut, you are not as likely to get distortion of the bias edges as you might if you were cutting many tiny pieces with templates and scissors and handling/ pressing them repeatedly. Also, using the specialty rulers, you cut the angular pieces with blunted tips, which makes precision piecing easier in my experience. Things line up best with this design with pressed open seams, as I mentioned before; not my preference usually, but this is a place where they do work best.
The pillow pattern in the back is a nice way to use up scraps left over from strips cut for the blocks, but it's not really the same kind of construction as the blocks.
I starch very lightly, and have had no issues with stitching the blocks. Keep in mind that the pieces are not tiny, and because they are strip cut, you are not as likely to get distortion of the bias edges as you might if you were cutting many tiny pieces with templates and scissors and handling/ pressing them repeatedly. Also, using the specialty rulers, you cut the angular pieces with blunted tips, which makes precision piecing easier in my experience. Things line up best with this design with pressed open seams, as I mentioned before; not my preference usually, but this is a place where they do work best.
03-14-2015, 04:11 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 996
03-14-2015, 06:28 PM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nevada
Posts: 6,958
Julie (Jaybird Quilts) is actually posting about the Gravity quilt on her blog: http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/search/label/Gravity. I subscribe to her blog, so I saw this when the email came, and that was when I decided to do the Gravity quilt as a BOM from an online quilt shop.
03-15-2015, 01:29 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: my heart is in texas, philly and london
Posts: 4,756
YOU CAN DO IT !! the scariest goblins are the ones we create in our minds. make a couple practice blocks and see if it's really hard or just your fears. i do my best when someone tells me i can't do it! bet you do, too.
welcome from philly!
welcome from philly!
03-15-2015, 06:43 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Harrison, MI
Posts: 8,494
Beautiful quilt! I can see why you want to make it but I think it is a bit ambitious for a beginner quilter. I'm afraid you would get frustrated. One good thing is you have this whole board to help you on it which is a big plus. So good luck if you make the quilt & please post so we can see it
03-23-2015, 07:10 AM
#29
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
It's fun to read your excitement about the GRAVITY Quilt!
I am hosting a GRAVITY Quilt Along on my blog, Busy hands Quilts. It runs from April 17th through November 13th. We'll assemble two blocks every two weeks for a total of 18 blocks over 9 weeks, then have four weeks to assemble the quilt top and eight weeks to quilt and bind.
The prizes are not to be missed! There is $235 in Gift Certificates plus fabric bundles, tools, books, patterns and more! There will be 11 link-up parties in which prizes will be given away. The Grand Prize is a $100 Gift Certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop + other goodies. I'm giving away a prize package from my stash with all giveaways.
You can read about the GRAVITY Quilt Along HERE.
And GRAVITY Quilt Kits are on sale through today at Craftsy!
I hope you join us! It's so much fun to sew along with others and potentially earn prizes!
I am hosting a GRAVITY Quilt Along on my blog, Busy hands Quilts. It runs from April 17th through November 13th. We'll assemble two blocks every two weeks for a total of 18 blocks over 9 weeks, then have four weeks to assemble the quilt top and eight weeks to quilt and bind.
The prizes are not to be missed! There is $235 in Gift Certificates plus fabric bundles, tools, books, patterns and more! There will be 11 link-up parties in which prizes will be given away. The Grand Prize is a $100 Gift Certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop + other goodies. I'm giving away a prize package from my stash with all giveaways.
You can read about the GRAVITY Quilt Along HERE.
And GRAVITY Quilt Kits are on sale through today at Craftsy!
I hope you join us! It's so much fun to sew along with others and potentially earn prizes!
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