Saturday, June 27, 2015

New York Beauty Progress

Here's my current progress on the New York Beauty blocks. I'm making haste slowly. Somehow the colors in this photo are a bit off. Older posts here and here.

New York Beauty blocks in progress

I started them in a workshop with Karen Stone at the Quilters Guild of Dallas... sometime around the millennium. I made a spreadsheet of the colors to ensure they were spread across all the different parts of this block. Unfortunately it wasn't working as the quilt got larger. I threw it away and simply grabbed some fabrics to expand the conversation.

Trimming the seams from the back really helped get these pieces to fit properly. Here are three steps in a row.

Trimming seam allowances from the back.

Line up the seam allowances of two fabrics with right sides together. Set them along the dotted line so the one closest to the paper completely covers the lower numbered wedge. Check that the other fabric will cover the higher numbered wedge when it's turned then sew. Fold the paper back along the sewing line and trim the fabrics to 1/4". Then you can align the seam allowance of the next piece properly.

Trimming the seam allowance on paper piecing.

Enjoy the day, Ann

20 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

LOVE NYB blocks ...

gayle said...

Your blocks are gorgeous and inspiring!
NYB is on my list - you just nudged it up a few places closer to the top...

Angie in SoCal said...

Oh what beauties in your NYB! I, too, have it on my list. I have about 7 done that I need to add to. I invite you to link to WIPs Be Gone, Ann, to show off your colorful progress.

Ann said...

Me, too!

Ann said...

They are always beautiful... just take a while to finish. I look forward to seeing yours.

Ann said...

Good start, then. I look forward to seeing your NYBs.

Cathy said...

I've always wanted to make a NYB. Gosh I love your blocks. I'm inspired!!

Mystic Quilter said...

Another glorious quilt in progress- it truly is a beauty! I'm so pleased you added the information for trimming as I have a Karen Stone NYB pattern with papers and when I get around to making a start your tips will be very helpful.

Ann said...

I hope you make some soon. They sure are fun and always pretty.

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. I had lots of trouble getting the curvy triangular pieces to fit properly; they were always off the paper when I turned them. Then I figured out how to trim the seam allowance and that made it much easier for me. I hope it helps you, too.

Monica said...

LOL, aahh, the spreadsheet as a quilting tool... tried that too. These days I do use Powerpoint sometimes with thumbnails of fabric before I buy them. But I think for me the design wall is the final arbiter, even if it's tiresome. I love these blocks and all your fabrics. There's so much energy, it's going to be spectacular!

Ann said...

Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. In fact, counting did help me realize I was limiting the placement of certain colors. Lots of red teeth. So it was helpful for a while. But you are correct, the design wall is the best way to lay them out.

Kaja said...

Oh, I'm' so glad you've got back to this one. I think it's my all time favourite. I have always like the NYB blocks and your colours are calling ny name!

Teresa Duryea Wong said...

It is going to be stunning. Good for you for coming back to it after all these years. I just love the pallette and the lovely pieceing work!

Ann said...

Thanks, Kaja. I was initially surprised you like this one but then realized I especially enjoy other quilters' work that is different from my own. They are fun, bright colors.

Ann said...

Thanks, Teresa. I always liked this pattern and colors, too. No idea why I stopped working on it.

Anonymous said...

Your blocks are beautiful! I love the fabric combination you have chosen. I have a New York Beauty on my "some day" list, and a Rattlesnake WIP based on one of Karen Stone's books that I started because I thought it would be an easier first paper piecing project than the NY Beauty quilt. It was set aside when I took a long break from quilting, but when I picked it up a few months ago, I discovered that I have used up all my originally-intended background fabric in other quilts. I need to get some replacements and finish that up, then maybe I can begin a slow process of making a New York Beauty. I hope mine turns out half as well as yours looks like it will be.

Ann said...

Thanks so much. I was fortunate to start this in a workshop with Karen where we all got great pointers. Like you, when I picked it up this year I found I'd used most of the fabrics chosen for this project. It's turned out to be a lucky break; I expanded the color scheme and now like the new fabrics even better. BTW although it has taken a while, it isn't as slow as it seemed when I was first working on it. I hope to see yours soon.

Lorna McMahon said...

What gorgeous scrappy beauties! Your design wall looks fabulous. You go, girlfriend!

Ann said...

Thanks, Lorna. I'm having fun with them.