As you’ll know if you are a regular visitor to my blog, I am very committed to trying new things so I love TNT with Melissa Cory at Happy Quilting.
If you visit her gallery or The Spiromandalas Blog and The Spiromaniacs Blog you can get an idea of the amazing potential of this technique.
The books come with CDS containing templates (although I have yet to work out how to ’tile’ them to print a larger size than A4) and they give really clear step by step instructions to either make the projects presented or design your own spiral quilt from scratch.
Whilst the theory is very accessible and straight forward, though, I was rather daunted by the idea of working with so many and such tiny pieces of fabric.
I wanted to do something a bit more unusual than snail trail so I decided to start with the next most simple option (in terms of using the largest pieces of fabric) and I went for a pentagon and a Baravelle spiral. You can learn more about Baravelle spirals and see how to draw them here.
The foundation piecing worked out more easily than I expected, although I was very surprised at how much fabric and thread this used for a smallish block.
I found it next to impossible to appliqué a small enough star to go in the centre though and I’m not sure the hand stitching really adds anything.
I certainly would like it better it in another colour scheme. But onwards and upwards!
I think I’ll try a hexagon next…
Have you tried something new this week?
Melissa Corry
It looks fabulous!! Way to go on the foundation piecing!!! Love the pattern you choose ;)
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Pat
Oh, I just love those books. I love your spiral pentagon!
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Cindy
Wow😲 that is amazing!
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Karen
That is awesome!
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Dresden Quilter
I love this!
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Benta At SLIKstitches
That really lovely, well done for sticking with it!
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Patti
I'm so impressed that you are always pushing yourself to try something new, and it turns out fantastic!
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Lucy @ Charm About You
I love the hand quilting and it's so colourful, the star is a great addition :)
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M-R
Oooh, I love it Janine! I love the curve the colours make as they move outward and the star at the centre! Great job!
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Kristy QP
Oh this looks fabulous! The bright colours really make it pop!
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Amanda
I think that the colors you choose are great! Congrats on the piecing.
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Deborah
Oh my goodness! Your choice of fabrics is smashing!!
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Celtic Thistle
What a great block for your first attempt at foundation piecing, you certainly didn't make life easy for yourself, but it turned out really well.
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Crafty Bags
Love the design and the bright colours.
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Archie the wonder dog
It's fabulous!
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Katie
This is amazing, Janine! I like mandalas as well so I will be looking into those books.
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