Studio 180 Design Tool

/ quiltinggail

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The August Challenge for Island Batik is “Try a Tool” using a Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design tool.

k3EWP6d7S0KZUv%%KB1Vfw_thumb_38c6In my July box, I received the 4 Patch Square Up tool.  This tool gave me the choice of 4 Patches or Offset 4 Patches.  No pattern was provided.  We were to make a quilt with at least 16 of the “units” made with the tool.

I have never used any of Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design rulers before (except for the Quilter’s Magic Wand for one marking half square triangle).  As you read through this post, you’ll discover how delighted I was to use this ruler!

Mesa Verde

⇐  Mesa Verde

I received a fat quarter pack in my July box.LtNbwkzxQmuDcK0US99P3g_thumb_38c1

Designing

EQ7 was used to design my quilt using the “Mesa Verde” fabric collection, along with Island Batik’s solid black.  The black just seemed so right with this line of fabric! I had several layouts to choose from.  It was fun to manipulate the quilt by changing the block orientations with a click or 2 of the mouse!

But in the end, this is the quilt I decided on:

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Of course the location of where the fabrics ended up in the quilt is totally different than in the EQ version!

Sewing the Creation

I used Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 tool “Four Patch Square Up.”  I made the Offset 4 patches.  There is no accompanying video -yet – for the Offset 4 patches … but after watching the video for the 4 patches and reading the directions for the Offset 4 patches – it was easy to make.  Really easy!!!

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38e7Here is the back of the first unit I made.  The instructions teach you how to “spin” the seams.  If you’ve taken a class from me, you know how much I LOVE to spin the seams.  It certainly makes the quilt lie flatter.  But, you do need to be consistent when sewing your unit blocks together.

I was able to spin ALL of the seams when I put the quilt together.  It certainly made it lie nice and flat!

I readily admit that I am NOT a perfect quilter!  I learned to fudge A LOT when I was learning to quilt … in the last century!  BUT … with using this ruler … not to boast or anything … but each block is perfect!!!  It sewed together like a dream.  PERFECTLY!!!

OH MY!!!  Now, I get why people like to have perfection in their sewing!!!

YUP … I’m in LOVE  ♥  with the 4 Patch Square Up ruler and can’t wait to try some of the other Studio 180 rulers!

Anyhow … on to the quilt I made!

The Quilt

Here it is on the clothesline. I made the largest Offset 4 patch block: 5″.  The smallest is 3/4″ … that’s a super mini size!  The quilt measures 43″ x 53″ …  The binding is scrappy and used the every scrap of the green fabric that was left from the small blocks.

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I used my walking foot with an olive green Aurifil thread #2887 to quilt,  Hobb’s Heirloom 80/20 Black batting, and Schmetz Microtex Chrome 80/12.

The quilting is super simple: I just did diagonal lines through the black rectangles and then straight lines through the Mesa Verde fabrics.

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I like how the quilting looks pretty funky on the back.  I backed this quilt with the same black I used on the front – but with the sun shining, the colour certainly isn’t true!

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I love the earthy tones in the Mesa Verde fabrics and this tree said “lay the quilt here for a picture.”

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And the wooden fence said the same thing …

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Disclaimer: All of the fabric and supplies (other than my sewing machine and iron) were given to me by Island Batik and the industry partners!  Thank you! 

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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34 thoughts on “Studio 180 Design Tool”

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    • Thanks, Sally!
      I’ve been spinning seams for awhile now … and I was thrilled when the 4 Patch Square Up ruler instructions had instructions to do it! It just makes sense!
      Happy Quilting! 🙂

      Like

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  6. What a lovely quilt! And to think how easy and perfectly it went together. This was meant to be. Perfect pairing of a great design with blovely fabrics. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Jennifer!
      It’s hard to go “wrong” with Island Batik fabrics! And using the 4 Patch Square Up was fantastic!
      Thank you for hosting Wednesday Wait Loss! 🙂

      Like

  11. I really like that fabric. I also love the design. It reminds me of a disappearing nine-patch that I made back in December of 2010. (I had to look it up to see if it really was that similar.)
    The black that you used for the background really makes those colors pop.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Gene!
      Yes, Mesa Verde (the fabric line) is really nice! And the quilt is very similar to a disappearing 9-patch. But I must admit, using the Studio 180 ruler made the block absolutely perfect! (Something very rare for me!)
      Happy Quilting! 🙂

      Like

  13. I love this! I think that ruler is going to go on my wish list (and probably a bunch more, too!) This line would be great for a new quilt for my hubby, it has a great masculine look to it with the black background.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. LOVE those off-set 4-patch units! And Mesa Verde looks fabulous with the black background. I am also not perfect (I really don’t try to be) but I do like how easy it is to pretend with the tool I used. Really love this on the tree trunk that spoke to you!

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