Several weeks ago, I took another class at The Calico Cat. This one, Tessellating Pinwheels, was taught by Sandy Corbin who lives in California but comes over here twice a year for vacation (and to teach classes).

One of the tips Sandy told us to try was when sewing two pieces right sides together, have the piece that is on the straight of grain on top (under the presser foot). If the stretchier fabric on on the bottom, the feed dogs feed it at a faster rate than the top piece and they will usually fit together easier. What I found was that EVERY SINGLE intersection in this quilt fit exactly without any distortion at all. It was one of those great "AHA!" moments.

The fabric is the Sweet & Sour collection with Connecting Threads. The CT website also had quilt labels available for free download that match their fabric.

Today I gifted this quilt to a coworker who is retiring in a few weeks. She was so surprised and thrilled. Today was a good day.

Learn something new every time I drop by here...Beautiful quilt..thanks for sharing.

A very nice gift.

awesome, thanks for sharing!

I just retired!! I like the quilt very much I can pm my address if you want :lol: :lol: :lol:

This is beautiful - I love the colours. Is this the pattern where you sew a load of square patches together into a top then slice them up again using a special template?

Edited to say, I just googled and came up with your Blog! Where I see that it is indeed this technique. :-D It's definitely something that interests me!

Oh, that is so pretty!!!!!!!!!!

What beautiful work, a retirement gift made with love.
I loved your story, it's fun learning new hidden skills...you make the learning a adventure.

What a beautiful gift! Love the colors. :thumbup:

Beautiful! I really like anything tessellating. I would like to learn more about the technique.

Great tip. Now to remember to do it when sewing. :roll:

Thanks for the tip. I'm trying that one. Your quilt is beautiful. Don't you just love Connecting Threads fabrics.

Very nice quilt and great tip. :thumbup:

This quilt is beautiful!! Now I have another on my ever-growing list of quilts to make!!!

Beautiful quilt!! What a nice gift. She will treasure it.

lovely quilt.
I was also taught this at my lqs baggy on the bottom
and whenyou pin two 2 sqs together at the corners then pick up and see which side is the baggy one.
Gale

Beautiful. Especially love the colours

I had forgotten the baggy bottom. Thanks for the reminder. One tip I learned waaay back in home ec. was staystitch plus. If your bottom is too baggy to correct with feed dogs, you can run a scant stay stitch line (3/8), putting your index finger tight against the back of the presser foot keeping the fabric from moving through very much as you sew. It crimps the fabric between your finger and the presser foot just enough that when you sew the pieces together it has reduced the length enough to make it fit without causing any tucks. The crimps iron right out. I have used it for years and it really works when one of those seams just won't fit. It falls between baggy bottom and rip it out.

Very nice!

I love it! Have always been a fan of MC Escher. Drawing this one right now on the graph paper. Thanks for sharing!

Well, I've been trying to draw this for awhile and I guess I'm stumped. I'll keep working on it but my mind reels with the "cutting six inch" patches and sewing and cutting and re-sewing parts. I can usually figure these things out. Maybe someday I should take a class but I haven't yet! 35 years later....

Awesome job!

Gorgeous quilt!!! She is going to love it!!! :D:D:D

Gorgeous quilt. I returned 2nd of June, no quilt, Beautiful flowers, mini rose bush and cards.
Oh well, I can make my own quilt, I have about 6 of them, guess I don't really need anymore.
She will love it and will always remember you because of it.

Very pretty quilt!

I have been to the Calico Cat. Busy little place isn't it? Love your quilt.

That was very nice of you. I know she was in shock. I would have been. You did a very good job.

What a beautiful gift!! She will cherish it, I am sure.
Love all the colors, front and back! Great Job!

Thank you for sharing that information. I love that we all learn something new everyday on this board

I love it. There just something about pinweels that I love.

This is a very nice quilt and I am sure she was thrilled to get it. What a neat design. By the way, tesstalations are not my favorite type quilt to make. LOL!

Very nice. :thumbup: I have never taken a class at the Calico Cat, only at Bernina and Kuni's. I will have to try their classes sometime. 8-)

I struggled. I tried all kinds of sizes and ways and angles. But last night while watching the Celtics/Lakers game - I finally got the pattern that I needed. Thank you for making me exercise my pattern drawing brain. I'm thrilled with it on paper. Gonna be awesome. Thanks for the inspiration!