Saturday 25 August 2012

Practically Paper Pieced Potter and a {GIVEAWAY}!!

I've really enjoyed seeing all the amazing paper pieced projects during Kristy's Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop... and today it's my turn to show you what I've pieced!

I decided to make a coordinating cushion to go with the Harry Potter quilt that I made for my son's birthday..

There are some great Harry Potter paper pieced patterns available from Fandom in Stitches, so although I received a copy of EQ7 for my birthday I just couldn't work out how to put my own paper pieced Harry Potter pattern together in time and went with what was already available!
The original pattern, which I then cut in half and trimmed down so I could enlarge it.

I decided that I wanted my block to be ~10 inches though, so I had to blow up the pattern using Phillipa's fancy multifunction printer's copy function. Perfect! I also coloured in my pattern so that I could keep all the pieces straight... 
The original size versus my enlarged (coloured in) version.

My fabric choices - scraps from the Harry Potter quilt, a gorgeous black swirly fabric I bought for the August QCA Bee block, and some charm squares from one of the rainbow swaps.

... but I forgot to take into account that the pattern would end up backwards and I had to unpick and redo the blue section (because my husband was insistent that I couldn't just swap the Hogwarts crest around.. Bean would notice!).. once I'd fixed that up though it was relatively smooth sailing with only occasional unpicking required when I was being a bit too stingy with my fabric... it really does pay to be generous and then trim back - taking "short cuts" and being "thrifty" NEVER works with paper piecing!


Block complete.. So in love!

With the block complete I decided that I wanted to add an additional ~1" border in the black so that it made the crest stand out a little more. To make the cushion cover I wanted a 15" front panel, so I used 3" strips in the blue mosaic print from the Harry Potter quilt to border the Hogwarts crest (this gave me plenty of room to trim back). 

Using plain white homespun as backing fabric, I then quilted with a simple outline/ditch quilting around the "H", the crest (Aurifil 50wt #2130) and between the black & blue fabric (Aurifil 50wt #2620 - which I also used to piece.. I love this colour, it's so versatile for everything). 

I made a simple envelope backing (2 panels 15" x 10" - both lined with the white homespun for strength and one with pretty binding, incase you wanted to know) for the cushion using the blue feedsack from the Harry Potter quilt. Simple, but effective. Not to mention that it helps coordinate the cushion with the quilt!

The cushion turned out beautifully - Bean is so excited and wants to have it on his bed straight away, which kind of scuttles my plans to give it to him for Christmas! So much for planning ahead. I guess I'll just have to learn how to use EQ properly so I can make him another cushion (it looks so lonely by itself!) as a surprise. I think I'll attempt to design a Gryffindor crest of my own.. but we'll see!
The cushion and the quilt meet for the first time.
So there you have it! You could make a cushion like this with any stray paper pieced block, all you need to do is add a border to make it the finished size you want.

Oh.. I mentioned a GIVEAWAY, didn't I? It just so happens that next week is my 1 year blogiversary, AND I'm about to hit 100 followers.. all of which coincided beautifully with The Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop Party!

Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways

So to celebrate, I'm offering up an AURIFIL Thread Colour Card.
Image Source: Aurifil.com
To enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment. About anything really, but you could always tell me what kind of fan-related paper piecing you would love to try.

For bonus entries (which are entirely optional) you can:
* Follow my blog
* Follow me on Facebook or Twitter
* Tweet, Blog or share my giveaway and leave me a link.

The giveaway will be open until Tuesday, September 4th at 7pm Western Australian Standard Time. International entries are welcome.

If I manage to hit the 100 follower mark, I might even throw another giveaway on my actual blogiversary date :)

Meanwhile, back to the Practically Paper Piecing Blog Hop.. don't forget to check out the other projects still to come:

27th August - Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches
28th August - Anorina from Samelia’s Mum

And you can find the list of the other blog hop stops at Kristy's PPP page :)

116 comments:

  1. I've done the backwards thing too. Your pillow looks fantastic.

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  2. The pillow is wonderful. It is perfect with the quilt. Thanks for sharing how you made the block larger.

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  3. I follow you both by email and Google.

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  4. like your blog thanks for the giveaway

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  5. I'm new to paper piecing but thanks to the hop I've found some great patterns and tutorials!

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  6. My husband would not let me off with getting things backwards either ;-)
    well done on creating a really stunning cushion.
    Congratulations on 1 year blogging AND reaching 100 followers!

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  7. This would be quite lovely, I'm happy to have a chance to win.

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  8. I am keen to try some the hobbit patterns from fandom. I d love to see some Star Wras ones created too.

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  9. Wars * and I am a believer in the teacup.

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  10. I love blog hops! thanks for joining this one. I find so many interesting blogs!

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  11. I haven't tried any paper piecing yet... but your pillow looks fabulous! :) Thanks for a chance to win! :)

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  12. Your cushion looks awesome Tracey!! Now you'll definitely have to get busy and make your own pattern for another one for Christmas ;)

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  13. I'm a new follower via gfc! :) Congratulations on passing 100 followers!!

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  14. I tweeted...
    https://twitter.com/CGeates/status/239496975412768769

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  15. I've only done a little paper piecing but someday I'll try more! been admiring some of the simple ice cream cones I've seen around blogland.

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  16. I love the Harry Potter Pillow!

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  17. I'm a beginner, and not quite sure what paper-piecing I would like to try first. I'll get there, though!

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  18. I'm following you on Twitter!

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  19. I tweeted! https://twitter.com/giddy99/status/239549787622473728

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  20. I've never done paper piecing, but it is some thing Iwould like to try.

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  21. Thanks, Tracey. I love to PP but don't seem to do it too often.
    I am a new follower and thank you for following on my blog. Good luck in the drawing.

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  22. You did a great job on your paper piecing!!! I love all kinds of projects that use paper piecing - it's so precise and easy, well once you get the hang of it, that is :*) I'd love to win the Aurifil thread card - thanks for the giveaway!

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  23. Oh thank you for the giveaway! I have only done paper piecing a couple of times so far, but I do want to make something Harry Potter for my MIL, Im a fan but she's a BIG fan.

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  24. I follow your blog in google reader :)

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  25. I love that you've made a cushion to match the Harry potter quilt! I'm going through a similar process of making quilts and coordinating cushions for my kids beds. I feel the same, one cushion is never enough... :)

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  26. I'm most proud of my Mariner's Compass PP project! It is going to be quilted soon and a Aurifil colour card would be perfect in making my thread selection!

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  27. I'm really happy to see paper-piecing making a comeback...I first learned it about 10 years ago. That HP crest is fabulous! I'm new to your blog and will be having fun reading some older posts.

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  28. I'm a huge fan of Harry Potter too, so any related to that!

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  29. I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsJennieBobbins/status/239632338592616448

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  30. Wow, that's incredible Tracey!! It's perfect for the quilt!! What a lucky son :)

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  31. And I thought I was already following you, but I wasn't :( I am now!

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  32. I already follow you on Twitter, but now on FB too :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  33. I love your Harry Potter pillow - what a great idea!

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  34. I want to try paper piecing with freezer paper.... But they dont sell freezer paper in my country! Maybe i should improvise....Great pillow btw!

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  35. I have p/p and recently made a mini snail trail quilt.Love the cushions you have made. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  36. Awesome pp !!! PP is so much fun !!Enjoying your blog !

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  37. I have not tried to paper piece before though their are many things I would like to make that can only be done that way and I am thinking to start a project soon. I bought a couple patterns and now just need to work up the nerve to do them.

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  38. I haven't tried it much but fan related love to have Star Wars Youda my grandsons favorite. Your quilt and pillows are beautiful! Very mondern looking!

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  39. Paper piecing... I've not done much and what I have done has been a disaster - so I guess I would LOVE to be able to do anything!

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  40. I need to try any paper piecing! I did a circle of geese block recently and would love to try some others!

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  41. I would like to learn to paper piece. It's on "to do" list.

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  42. Your paper piecing is amazing. Great job.

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  43. The thread color card is terrific!

    Deborah
    homemakerhoney @gmail .com

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  44. woo hoo - you've passed the 100 mark - congratulations :) thanks for the fabulous giveaway as well - I'd love to win the aurifil colour chart :)

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  45. I just recently stumbled upon Fandom In Stitches, Harry Potter quilts and blocks. I was so thrilled to discover sewers who are also science fiction fans. I'm a Huge HP fan and would love to try some of the blocks (I'll have to add it to a growing list of projects!) Thanks!

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  46. thank you for the giveaway
    im new to your blog!

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  47. I have really enjoyed doing various animals but I also love the Harry Potter pieces as well!

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  48. I love Aurifill thread. What a great giveaway. Thanks for your generoisity.

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  49. I'm a new follower. I found you through the hop and signed up to follow you by email. I'm looking forward to your posts.

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  50. I (@quiltydoodads) tweeted this post.

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  51. I'd love to try a Twilight themed paper pieced block

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  52. You did a great job with your cushion. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  53. I'm a new follower.:-) Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary.

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  54. Lucky son - your Harry Potter renditions are great! My grandson adores Superman so I may have to try something for him in a Superman pattern. I guess a nice pillow might go with his Superman sheets :) Thanks for a chance to win.

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  55. I am a new follower of you blog! great postings.

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  56. I love peonys. Thanks for the chance to win. greetings from northern British Columbia, Canada

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  57. I am a new follower of your blog. Happy to meet another Aussie. Cheers, Karen.

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  58. I love freezer paper foundation piecing. Cheers, Karen.

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  59. I am just a new blogger and love it. Thanks for the give away

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  60. We are getting ready to do a block swap in our Modern Quilt Guild and my friend has chosen a paper pieced pattern. Wish me luck.

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  61. I'm following your blog. Congratulations on your anniversary and reaching over 100 followers.

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  62. I think that something to do with Firefly (The TV show) would be cool...I'm not sure what would really work though

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  63. The Harry Potter is seriously adorable.

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  64. I love flower paper piecing. hugs

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  65. I love paper piecing and did a hello kitty face

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  66. gosh I need to learn to paper piece... although, this one looks a bit rough for a first timer! thanks for sharing!

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  67. tweet tweet :) https://twitter.com/AmateurQuilter/status/240861248026193922

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  68. following your blog on gfc and your pinterest :)

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  69. I've never done paper piecing but it's on my list of things to learn. I love the colors of your cushion!

    Happy quilting!
    Cassandra

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  70. Great giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity
    bonnielarson58@gmail.com

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  71. I follow your blog by email. Thanks for the opportunity
    bonnielarson58@gmail.com

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  72. Great job with the pp! Thanks for the giveaway. I love aurifil thread and how nice to have a chance at a thread card.

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  73. I love paper piecing . I need to check out the hop. I've been missing it. Nice giveaway

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  74. Your quilt and the pillow are just awesome. I'd seen the Fandom of Stitches and all those amazing paper pieced patterns for the Harry Potter things. Some of those are just amazing looking. I'd love to try some of those myself but first, I need to do some paper piecing. I've read many tutorials but haven't done any yet. I'm still working on learning to do the basics in quilting. We have a few friends that are Potter fans so it would be fun to make some of those for them as gifts.

    Thank you for the wonderful prize. I'd love that color card.

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  75. I am a new follower now with the GFC as well as via email notification. Thank you again for the wondeful prize. It looks like you went over the 100 followers too as it shows I was 118. YAY! Congrats on breaking the first 100 mark.

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  76. I've only tried paper piecing a couple times, and definitely have some learning to do. I think I would love it if I could get proficient at it. I don't really do fan things, but I did see a paper piecing pattern for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer that I'm definitely going to try - who knows, maybe for this Christmas? Thanks for the chance!

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  77. The pillow is amazing. I just finished paper piecing a tea cup set. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  78. Happy blogiversary! I haven't yet tried paper piecing, but someday soon I would like to give it a shot. I've had my eye on an awesome bowler hat design from Fandom in Stitches.

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  79. Great cushion! I'd love to be able to work out my own patterns :)

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  80. I am following your blog - and that makes 121, congratulations!!

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  81. I love your HP block! I am new to pp... it is addicting!
    I am not a designer, but love to use patterns already made for me.

    susie
    legato1958@aol.com

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  82. wonderful prize. I've yet to try paper piecing - it's on my list!

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  83. Awesome prize!!! I follow your blog.

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  84. I haven't tried paper-piecing yet, but I bookmarked your tutorial, so I can try this out in the future!

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  85. I liked your facebook page-karrie smith

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  86. And I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/KarrieSmith3/status/242438416229335040

    as@karriesmith3

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  87. New follower. Don't do a whole lot of paper piecing at the moment. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  88. Wow. Your Harry Potter piece is incredible. In the area of fan paper piecing, I'd like to see a Blues Brother piece. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  89. Thanks for being so generous and participating in the blog hop. I enjoyed my visit.

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  90. I tweeted. https://twitter.com/nonna_mahoo/status/242465208927395841
    Congrats on your blogiversary!

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  91. I would love to try paper piecing but I need to find the time to do it without distractions.
    I love your Harry Potter cushion. I would love to make witch quilt.

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  92. Love the Harry Potter Quilt! Are you on the Fandom in Stitches site? My current favorite fan block would be Doctor Who...I'm working on a design for a Doctor Who quilt. (We're big fans in our family as well as HP fans!)

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