Sunday, March 28, 2010

Klosjes

I have put together my 4" klosjes ..... and gosh darn it, but it sure looks good (do you agree?). In the end, a few rows got knocked off and I went with this number of blocks instead. Now, I have gone ahead and am making 6" klosjes. Do you think I'm crazy ..... no, don't tell me that, please! :o) In the photo below, you can see the difference between the sizes. They are a lot easier to make and quicker to do.

In my last post, there were two comments about how my klosjes were made and what is English Paper Piecing. The following gazillion photos are all about these subjects. So, if you are not interested, bye, bye and see you later, aligator.

English Paper Piecing and how my klosjes are made.

A - I have EQ6 and Block Base software program and printed out the templates (for those of you who do not have EQ, my next post will show you how you can make a template for these klosjes). There is no seam allowance for these templates and I have cut around my templates leaving excess material for turning back. When I pin my templates to the material, I try to make sure the straight of grain is up/down.
B - the excess fabric has been folded over to the back of the paper template and basted. This is what they look like at the front.

C - This is what the back looks like. Looking towards the bottom of the photo, can you see blue arrows showing the direction of sewing? The pieces are whip stitched together in the direction you see. The blue broken lines just indicate where the thread is just passing through the back layer to get to the next seam to be sewn down, and so on. This way, I'm not stopping to secure, cutting and re-knotting the thread to start sewing the next seam. A little bit of a time saver. :o)

D - shows the direction to sew on the next piece.

E - you will have to do a bit of folding and pinning for the next section.

F - The last seam and the direction to sew. Secure your thread at the end of this seam.

G - sew in the last piece.

H - this is what your klosjes should look like now.

I - and this is the back. Do not remove your paper templates or basting stitches.

J - My klosjes will finish at 6", so I cut out a 6-1/2" square piece of background fabric and mark placement lines from corner to corner. I used Crayola Washable Markers and these blocks will be hand washed (and dried on a towel) to remove the lines before the blocks are sewn together and ironed.
Using the diagonal lines on my klosjes, move your klosjes around until all lines match up on the diagonal. Another thing, make sure your fabric is on the straight of grain when you pin your klosjes to the fabric, regardless if your klosjes are placed vertical (as shown below) or horizontal.

K - This is what my klosjes looks like after the circle has been appliqued onto the background fabric. My light backgrounds will have the klosjes sitting vertical and my dark backgrounds will have the klosjes placed horizontal.

L - This is the back, with the excess background material removed and all the paper templates and basting threads.

So, now you know how I do my klosjes.

Have a great day!

23 comments:

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Fantastic tutorial and the top looks so good Rose Marie...

Quilter Kathy said...

Oh my goodness...when I see how fiddley these pieces are and how much work goes into it, I must say I think you ARE crazy! LOL I'm crazy too :)

Janet said...

The quilt looks fantastic. Great tutorial for those wanting to have a go.

May Britt said...

Love your way of putting this together. Thanks for the tutorial.

antique quilter said...

very pretty! I love the way you made yours.
thanks for the tutorial, love all the pictures!

Teresa said...

I just love these and want to make some. I have EQ6, but what is the block name you use? Thanks so much for the tutorial - its great!

Would you mind if I printed out your tutorial to share with my quilt club if I teach them a lesson on how to make a klosje? Is klosje the name of the block or the name of the technique?

Yvette said...

What a great tutorial! You make it look so easy. They look great!

pajudie said...

Your quilt looks great and the tutorial is really helpful. I might just have to try it!!!
Judie

Karen said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial. What an original idea for these. I haven't jumped in yet, but as soon as I finish this project, I will. Your finihsed little quilt is wonderful.

Deb said...

what a great pattern thanks so much for sharing your wonderful tutorial.. I think we are going to start calling you the "paper pieced queen" you always have hand work on the go and get so much done!!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Looks awesome...what a pretty block!

Chookyblue...... said...

your klosjes quilt looks great.......

Sue-Anne said...

Your Klosj quilt looks fantastic.
What a great way to show them off.

Irene said...

I love your variation on klosjes! Teresa, "klosje" is just the Dutch word for "little spool" and apparently it's a very old pattern. I think I'm coming down with the klosje virus also - 13 made, and me not a hand-quilter till now! Thanks for the great tutorial.

Barb said...

Wonderful -
thanks for the step by step photos!

Unknown said...

lovely!!! I love your blog. thank you for your siggy. hugs from Italy Alessandra

Karen said...

Gosh darn it, it does look good! Really good!

Gamawinkie Renea said...

I think it looks great! thanks for the tutorial...

Moneik said...

Wow! These are amazing. Thanks for the tutorial.

Unknown said...

This is a lot, lot of work.

Sandra said...

What a great tutorial! I was wondering how you made those. Nicely done:)

Carrie P. said...

Great pictures of the job you do. Lots involved but they sure do come out great looking. I love the circle idea.

Simone de Klerk said...

What a great tutorial!!! I think I will start it once I am back from vacation. Hetty gave the link to your blog (O: