This past week has been my week of OPS – Other People’s Stuff. I’ve had such a fun time sewing other people’s patterns – first there was Jane’s Bob Box and now I have my version of a pattern by Peta from She Quilts A lot. It’s called True North, and I’ve made the mini version (finishes 18″ x 18″).
Peta is such a top chick and I’m lucky enough to have her living 10 minutes away. As a result, the poor woman sees me often. The last time I saw her she showed me the paper version of her mini pattern (because I’m contemplating making my patterns available in hard copy too) and I slipped it into my bag when she wasn’t looking. Just kidding, I asked first.
It’s a great little pattern and I really enjoyed making it. I was a little worried how I’d go with the small pieces, but it actually wasn’t bad at all. Peta gives pressing instructions so that it all fits/nests together nicely which makes a huge difference. Yay for well-written patterns!
I decided to use some left overs from a quilt I’d made with Carolyn Friedlander’s Doe line. It’s such a lovely line and this mini shows how you can pick and chose to make your work as vibrant or as subdued as you like, because there is a range of colours to choose from. I quilted it in free-hand, kind of wavy diagonal lines. I chose a thread fabric that would make the quilting stand out a bit.
Peta’s True North mini (on the pattern cover) is a scrappy version that gives equal attention to all the ‘compass blocks’ within the pattern. I decided that I wanted to make the centre block pop and have the surrounding ones recede a little. I love how changing fabric colours and values can make a pattern look so different.
(Photo nicked from Peta’s website)
If you love Peta’s True North pattern, too, you can find both the full size and the mini version in her shop!
I’ll be back again soon with another OPS finish.
(Linking up with Sew Can She and Crazy Mom Quilts)
Wow they both look so different!! Love them both. Your middle stands out so well in the orange. I can imagine it looking smart on a little table. How lovely to have a quilting friend so close by.
You’re top chick yourself Kirsty and welcome here absolutely anytime to steal patterns, drink wine or se.. Thanks again so much for sewing this patter, I absolutely love what you’ve done with it. Careful though because I might just nick it myself when I’m at your place! Mum sent me a text alittle while ago to ask if I’d seen it, she’s beyond excited to see it and loves it too. You are super clever -:)
I love the subtle change in colour from vibrate orange through pale blue and back to a strong blue really make this mini shine! And how different does it look to the pattern cover! You really do know how to use colour to great effect Kirsty!
Your little mini is wonderful! It still amazes me what color changes and a different eye can do to the same pattern. And I think that it really speaks well of a pattern that it can be interpreted in different ways. Anyway, that’s something I like so that I can use a pattern more than once. And I’m so jealous that you have a quilting buddy ten minutes away! It makes me want to start going up and down the streets, ringing doorbells to see if I can find one, haha!
Beth
This looks amazing Kirsty! Love the Doe fabrics and how you have made a focal point of the centre block!
Very cool project! I like the wavy lines for the quilting!
lovely quilt in great fabric!!
Kirsty, I love this! It is really striking in the Doe fabrics! And I love the wavy quilting in light blue. It really is the perfect complement to the piecing. Gorgeous.
And I know I’m way behind, but I just have to say, the new web design looks amazing!