Balzer Designs

Flying Geese Tutorial: Four at a Time

The two quilts I shared this week both contain one of my favorite classic quilting patterns: flying geese.  Flying geese are super easy to make, especially using the classic no-waste technique of four geese at a time.  Consult this chart to see what size to cut your fabric and then here's the how to:

And once you have a pile of these rectangle blocks, you can stitch them together to create magic!

It's an easy technique, even for a beginning sewer!  I hope you'll give it a try!

Thanks for stopping by!

My Finished Improv Tree Quilt

I hope you're still in a quilting mood because I am delighted to share my finished Improv Tree Quilt:

Instead of doing an overall pattern, I quilted each section of the quilt with its own pattern of lines.

I really love how this quilt turned out.  Originally I had thought about selling it, but I'm not sure if I can part with it.  This was a super gratifying quilting project because I enjoyed the process sooooo much and I love how it turned out. That's the best, isn't it?

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Modern Baby Quilt

I made a quilt for some friends who are also expecting a baby boy!  I wanted to create something that was in their style, which is a lot more minimalistic than mine.  They definitely have an urban, modern, sleek vibe and I hope that this quilt reflects that:

Some of the quilting on this quilt looks great and some looks...less great.  But I am continuing to practice and get better.  And the most important part is that it's done, didn't fall apart in the wash, and did I mention that it's done?  Also, the recipients love it (which is really the best part).

You can see some of the quilting in these detail photos:





Because I wanted the quilt to be baby-friendly for use (and not a wall quilt), I made the back a little bit special.


I used a facing to bind the quilt:


I had some issues squaring up the quilt...which led to me coming very close to cutting off the edge of the "Y."  The facing ended up covering a bit of it up, so I hand appliqued the part of the letter that was cut off:



I don't think anyone but me is bothered  by this fact.  And, I suppose, it makes it even more hand made!  Imperfectly perfect and I'm okay with that.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tree Quilt: Listening To Yourself

A few days ago, I posted these blocks on instagram and facebook:

And here is the caption I wrote:

"Yesterday, I stitched together a bunch of tree blocks in varying sizes. Today, I’m trying to figure out how they should go together to form a quilt? I know I need sashing. But how fancy or how simple? And what color? I’m going to sit here and stare at them until they tell me!"

I got a lot of advice from people on how they would put the quilt together.  A small sampling of that advice:

• "Narrow sashing in the orange or magenta would be stunning."
• "You don't need sashing. Sashing can be a detractor imo. Play with them without and see what you like."
• "No sashing. Maybe add a non-tree block somewhere."
• "I’d make each into a little art quilt and arrange them on a wall in a grouping."
• "Love the tree blocks. I would go with a simple sash since several of the backgrounds in the blocks have busy patterns. It does not have to be a plain sash. Just not too busy."
• "A simple sashing to show off the blocks. I would make the green and brown the featured block and made 3 more blocks to go to the right of those already done. But I like things orderly. They are good blocks and pretty. Hope to see the completed quilt."
• "Some sort of mini dainty Asian motif in a yellow pink silver ect plum flowers poke a dots stars etcc. ....no black orange or green...i think a solid would take away from the movement."
• "Pull out your leaves stencil - fallen leaves surround the trees in golden yellow."
• "No sashing!"
• "No, you do NOT need sashing!
  Try it without first. 
  You need more blocks tho.
  Good start!"
• "What about making a big border of white and they are all surrounded by white."

I found all the suggestions interesting to read even though I vehemently disagreed with about 85% of the opinions offered.  However, I felt the experience was a good reminder to me of two important art principles:

1. The art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. It’s what makes it “you” and not like what other people make. It doesn’t mean that other people’s opinions aren’t interesting or worthy, but they’re not you.
2. Everyone makes art differently. And that is so wonderful! I think we could all start with the same supplies, same theme, and end up with hundreds of wildly different compositions and isn’t that exciting!!

Finally, I think it's really good and healthy to see other artists' work and have opinions about how you would remake a painting the different choices you would make in putting together a quilt, because that means you are aware of your personal style — what you aesthetically prefer.  The flip side of that is that I think it can be creatively draining and artistically damaging to take other people's opinions into your studio with you.  Let's face it, I don't need critics and doubting voices beyond the ones that already exist in my head!

Here's the current state of my quilt:

I don't think it's quite done yet.  It needs a strip of flying geese on the right side to pull it all together -- now, you may agree or disagree on that point (which is great), but I'm clear that, for me, that's the solution to finishing up this composition!

Here’s to our differences, they make for a world full of unique art!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Adventures in Shibori

I've fallen down a shibori rabbit hole.  In case you don't know, shibori is the ancient Japanese art of indigo dyeing.  Patterns are created by artfully placed folds, stitches, clamps, etc.  I have not ventured into real indigo dyeing quite yet.  I'm keeping it simple with dyes I already have on hand and practicing my various folds and pleats and wrapping techniques.  For this experimental phase, I'm using very small pieces of PFD (prepared for dyeing) muslin.  By working small, I find that I am able to test out numerous variables with a limited commitment of time.  Here's a peek at the samples I've made so far:

I'm excited to keep going down this path and see what else emerges!

If you're curious about shibori, here are a few resources:

• Shibori How-To Book
• Shibori Dye Kit
• Wood Pieces for Shibori
• World Shibori Network

The thing I really like about shibori is that it is both incredibly simple and incredibly complicated at the same time.  You can do it -- like me -- in an afternoon with household supplies.  Or you can spend years mastering folding and stitching techniques and end up with amazing art cloth!  It's the kind of art form that you can spend a lifetime trying to master, but also enjoy dabbling in!

Thanks for stopping by!