stairway to heaven - geta's quilting · pdf file1 ~ stairway to heaven ~ center...

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~~~ Stairway to Heaven ~~~

Center design size (without the rainbow strips): 30'' x 30''

Quilt size: 45'' x 45''

~~~ "Stairway to Heaven" Quilt Pattern ~~~ 2012 Geta Grama

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1. Materials list

• Fabric for the background of the quilt – 1½'' yards (42'' wide); I chose a neutral color

• For the colored wedges and colored strips - 12 different pieces of fabric about 11''x 18'' (half of a fat quarter)

- solid fabric, small or medium prints work well for this pattern

- for large scale prints or directional prints, see the note at the end of the pattern.

• Binding - scraps of different colors for one pieced strip 2½'' wide and about 190'' long or ½ yard if you use just one fabric.

• Batting - 50'' x 50''

• Backing fabric – 50'' x 50'' NOTE Starch the fabric before cutting, it helps with perfect piecing.

Sew with ¼'' seam allowances.

2. Prepare the templates and cut out the pieces

Print out the two templates in the original size. I used regular paper but if you prefer, you

can use freezer paper or cardstock. The templates include ¼'' seam allowances.

Because these are not regular shapes, it is easier for piecing to transfer all the matching

points (the intersection of seam lines) onto the fabric. Use a push-pin (or a sharp object, like the tip of a pen) to punch small holes in templates.


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To cut out the fabric pieces, place the template right side up on the back of your fabric. Using a marker (washable or not), trace around the template and cut.

You can cut even without marking, using a ruler and a rotary cutter. You can stack up to 6 fabrics for a speedy process.

Using Template #1, cut out the 12-side piece (dodecagon) from the background fabric. Transfer the matching points onto the back of this piece.

Using Template#2, cut out 12 wedges from the 12 different fabrics, one from each fabric.

Transfer all the matching points onto the back of these pieces. When cutting the colored wedges, place the longest side of the template along the lengthwise grain, parallel with the selvage.

You also have to cut out:

from the background fabric

• 12 strips 2'' x 13½'' (cut along the

lengthwise grain, parallel with the selvage)

• 2 squares 8½'' x 8½'' • 2 rectangles 10'' x 16''

from the 12 colored fabrics • 12 strips 2'' x 14½'', one from each

fabric (cut along the lengthwise grain, parallel with the selvage)

The final borders will be cut later from the background fabric. Save one piece about

21" wide, cut on the straight grain, parallel with the selvage.


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3. Piecing the center Arrange your 12 colored wedges in a circle, in the desired order. Start piecing with one of the

pieces, it doesn't matter which one. The second piece will be added to the right of the first piece; the third piece will be added to the right of the second piece and so on, in a clockwise

manner.

Start attaching the colored wedge to one

edge of the dodecagon (background piece), as

shown. Place the dodecagon

over the longest edge of the wedge, right sides

together, matching the points.

Sew the two pieces for about 1 inch (see the red marking).

End the seam with a few backstitches.


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Here is the first edge partially sewn.

Finger-press the seam allowances toward the colored wedge.

The wedge's edge must be in line with the dodecagon's edge (the edge of the new piece

must be straight).

Add the second wedge. The longest edge has

to be sewn to the edge created in the previous step.

Flip the wedge. Use pins and match the points.

Sew from corner to corner.


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In the same manner, add the third wedge.

Always finger-press the seam allowances toward the colored wedges.

Do not use an iron at this stage.

Add the fourth wedge and continue until you attach all the wedges.


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The last wedge is sewn.

Complete the partial seam, matching the points in the left corner and aligning the edges of the two pieces.

Now press the piece with an iron. You can use steam, just be careful not to

touch/distort the outer edges.

The piece should measure about 30½'' x 30½'' (seam allowances included).


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Notice how all the seam allowances are pressed in the same direction (like a

pinwheel).

Trim all the dog-ears.

4. Adding the first row of strips around the center piece

At this step use the strips cut out from the background fabric.

Start adding a strip to one of the edges of the piece.

Place the pieces right sides together. The right

end of the strip must extend past the corner of the large piece by about ¼'' (approximate, it

isn't necessary to measure). Sew for a few inches.

Here is the strip partially sewn.

Finger-press the seam allowances toward the strip.

Pressing is even better, just be sure you don't touch/distort the un-sewn edges. Don't use

steam.

Place a long ruler along the outer edge of the

wedge placed at the right of the strip, as pictured.


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Trim the excess of the right end of the strip.

Working clockwise, attach the second strip. Flip and center it over the edge of the large piece.

Stitch from one end to the other. Finger-press (or press) the seam allowances toward the

strip.

In the same way, trim the excess of the right

end of the strip. Leave the left end as is.

Stitch the third strip/press the seam allowances.


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Trim the excess of the right end as you did in

the previous steps, then trim the excess of the left end. Line up the edge of the ruler with the

edge of the previous sewn strip.

Continue adding the strips …

… until you stitch the last strip.

Trim the right end.


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Complete the partial seam (the strip attached first).

Now you can trim the remaining excess of the strips.

Here is the new piece, with background strips stitched around the colored wedges.


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5. Adding the second row of colored strips

In the same way as described above, add the

colored strips to the edges of the background strips.

Be sure to mach the color of the strip with the color of the wedge.

Here the first strip is partially sewn and the

second strip is completely sewn.

Continue sewing the strips, pressing and cutting the excess…

… until all the strips are sewn.

Give it a good press now, being careful not to touch the bias edge of the strips.

If you like the quilt top's shape, you can add

one more row of background strips – 2½'' x 16'' (or even wider, if you prefer).

Then layer the top with batting and backing, quilt and bind it.


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6. Turn the 12-side top into a square

Step #1 Take the two 8½'' squares (cut from the

background fabric) and cut them diagonally.

Sew the triangles to the edges #3, #5, #9, #11. It doesn't matter which edge you start the

numbering with.

Center the triangle over the edge and stitch. Press the seam allowances toward the triangle.

Place a long ruler over the triangle, aligning the edge of the ruler with the edge of the piece as shown. Trim the excess of the triangle.


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Repeat with the other edge of the triangle and trim the excess.

Repeat for the other three triangles.

The result is a top with 8 straight edges.

Step #2

Take the two 10'' x 16'' rectangles and cut them diagonally as shown (place them right sides up and cut on different

diagonals, it is important if your fabric has two sides).

Stitch the triangles to the remaining edges as

shown. The longest edge of the triangle must be placed over the edge of the piece and the

other long side must be placed on top (respectively bottom).


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Trim the excess of the triangle as show.

The first edge trimmed, then rotate the piece…

…and cut the other edge. Be sure to keep an accurate 90-degree angle.


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Here is the corner; repeat for the other three. Now the top is square. It should measure about 36½'' x 36½'' (seam allowances included).

Don't worry if yours has a different size.

6. Adding borders The top and bottom borders

Measure the quilt top from side to side through its horizontal midpoint. Cut two borders 5" wide to match that length.

Cut the borders on the lengthwise grain, parallel with the selvage. Sew the borders and press the seam allowances

toward the borders.

The left and right borders In a similar way, measure the new piece from top to bottom through its vertical midpoint.

Cut two borders 5" wide to match that length.

Sew the borders and press the seam allowances toward the borders.

7. Quilting and finishing the quilt

Here is the finished top. Give it a final press (I usually use starch).

Prepare the quilt sandwich with the backing on the bottom (wrong side up), batting in the middle and

quilt top on top.

Baste and quilt as desired. Wash the quilt and let it dry. Trim excess batting and

backing even with the quilt top and bind.


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NOTES 1. How to make the quilt in any size – reducing or enlarging the templates

How to reduce the templates Open the "templates.pdf" file. On the top menu, click File/Print Setup then select ''Scaled

printing'' (the location or name of this option varies from printer to printer). Print at your desired size.

How to enlarge the templates Print the template in the original size. Cut out and assemble the pieces. Enlarge the template to the desired size on a copy machine.

IMPORTANT • If you change the size of a template, the seam allowances also change.

After you assemble the resized template, add ¼'' seam allowances around the stitching line (the red line).

• You also have to resize the strips stitched around the center design.

2. Large scale prints - make transparent templates (for the colored wedge and strip) and

place them onto fabric to preview the look of your quilt. 3. Directional prints (for this explanation I placed the templates onto the front of the fabric

so that you can see the fabric design better, but you have to place the templates onto the back of the fabric).

If the templates are placed onto fabric parallel with the selvage (recommended for easy

piecing), the fabric pieces will look in this way.

If you want the design of the fabric to run in the same direction on both pieces, place the strip template parallel with the short edge of

the wedge.

The strip will be cut on bias and a little more care is necessary for piecing.

You need also more fabric (2/3 of a fat quarter and you will have enough for binding too).

4. Fussy cut pieces If you want to fussy cut pieces from your

fabric, place the transparent template with the wrong side up onto the front of the fabric.

Enjoy your new quilt! Geta Grama ----------------------------------------------------------

Geta’s website: www.RomanianQuiltStudio.com

Geta’s blog: www.cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.com

Email Geta: [email protected]

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Copyright Information: © 2012 Geta Grama. This pattern is made for your personal use only.

Copying and distributing (including electronic transmission) of this pattern is prohibited.

stairway to heaven - geta's quilting · pdf file1 ~~~ stairway to heaven ~~~ center...

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stairway to heaven - geta's quilting · pdf file1 ~ stairway to heaven ~ center...