athenagwis

I personally don't think of ToTs as solids only because even if you step back, you can still see movement in the fabric if you know what I mean. I will often use ToTs in place of solids, like a large applique quilt I am working on has different sized blocks, and I am using a variety of ToTs white and creams as the background fabrics. I could use one solid, but I wanted a hint of movement behind the appliques, and using a variety of colors anchors the blocks instead of making it look like the appliques are floating there. I could have gone with ToTs for Wall-E, but it would have been hard to find 5 that are different shades and read as solids when you step away, so I just went with Kona cotton solids this time.

I am getting better at combining fabrics too. I have used a large scale print before without heeding what color was in the background and had that background color match up with another piece of my block, so when you step away it blended and created a weird shape. LOL Hard to explain, but you really do have to step back and look at everything from afar or things can get a bit crazy! I envy people who can do this with ease.

So far as the large scale printing, I am actually going to use my freezer method of paper piecing, so it's actually not as complicated as I made it seem. LOL. The hardest part is trying to decide if I should cut 8.5 x 11 pieces off my roll of freezer paper or buy the 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper. EQ7 allows me to print the line drawing out and it will automatically split it on 8.5x11 sheets, so I will just print it on 12 sheets and then iron the freezer paper to itself on the edges to create my full scale pattern, then I will cut along certain pattern lines to make my individual sections, it's actually going to be quite simple. I cannot even begin to imagine how I would do it if I regular paper pieced!! If you are curious about how my freezer paper method works for paper piecing, you can go to my blog (link in signature) and click on "PP W/Freezer Paper " under Tutorials on the right sidebar.

Cheers!
Rachel

huntersgrammie

thank you so much for showing me the picture of your kokopelli pattern. i have gone to the company and ordered it as well along with a few others i may add. it is beautiful. i hope i can do it. as i have stated i have only been sewing for about 8 months now. wish me luck.

Jenniky

Rachel - I love your blog site. You have done some awesome tutorials also. I am going to try the freezer paper in the printer the next PP block I do. Thanks for your insights.

Huntersgrammie - Im glad you like the Kokopelli pattern... If you need help just ask here if you run into questions or problems. There is a massive amount of knowledge on this quilting board. Keep us posted also with pictures of your fabric selections and progress.

Will post a picture later of Mikey's Ghoulfriend.

shayzamn

This is Little Moo. He is the centerpiece (and focus) of a Texas-themed quilt I am almost finished with! Forgive the slight blurriness of the pic, please. Apparently I was a little shaky! All in all, he will be standing in the center of a field, under a mesquite tree, keeping company with the prickly pear and bluebonnets.

Shay

Jenniky

Shayzamn - Lil Moo is so adorable. Welcome, Glad you are joining in.

QuiltE

AthenaGwis ... sorry, I wasn't saying you use TOTs all the time. There are times they are right, and times where they are not. And yes, mixing them with "real" solids works too. As is oft said ... there are no rules with quilting. I'll check out your blog!

Jenniky and AthenaGwis ... I'd be worried about putting freezer paper thru a printer. Could the wax not melt and cause problems?

Jenniky ... lookin' forward to seeing this ghoulfriend!

HuntersGrammie ... you CAN do it! Length of time sewing does not matter ... it's the desire to do that makes all the difference. And you have what it takes or you wouldn't be here!!!!! Let us know when you get your pattern and Jenniky and I (and I'm sure others will too) will be here to hold your hand as you get it done before you head south this winter!

Welcome Shayzamn!! ... Little Moo is a perfect one to join this challenge. Please show us more!

athenagwis

I think you said you have a laser printer, so it could be an issue. i know others have done it successfully with a laser printer though. if you are interested, you can google some tutorials about how to do it. I use an inkjet, so there is no heat involved so no worries about that. Though sometimes when I use the freezer paper from the roll, I will get a jam if it doesn't feed right.

I am so happy to see others joining us. I cannot wait to see what everyone creates. I will just be happy when I have my center done, I have no clue right now what I will do after that!!

Rachel

QuiltE

Thanks AthenaGwis ... yes I have a laser to there is the heat and it's a no-way thing for me!
I didn't realize there was no heat in an inkjet.
Just thinking thru your feeding problem ... does the wax of the paper prevent it from feeding properly? Or is it because of the paper not being somewhat curled? Wonder? could you beat that by cutting your paper and then set it aside with heavy books/weights on top to get it good and flat until you need it.

athenagwis

I think it's a combination of not cutting the edge straight and the curl. I have had luck ironing the paper to fabric and peeling it off and having it flatten out. But that's why I am considering buying the sheets because then I don't have to worry about either of those things.

Rachel

huntersgrammie

well your a brave one you have know idea what you are getting into with me. lol thanks so much nice to know i can holler for some help