3D Folded Blocks

[Granola Girl]

As per your request, Jen! A new thread about 3D folded blocks...

My friend Geesje and I are both a little fabric crazed , so after years of getting together once a week or so to stitch, design, dye, paint ... we started writing a book... 70 3D blocks based on traditional 2D block designs, plus a dozen or so projects to use them in... and then, lots and lots of late nights later...

The book will be released next May by AQS, a full 2 years and 5 months since we starting brain storming for project ideas! Feels like forever!

Anyway, here's one of my favourite projects, a bell pull... I always loved the woven, cross-stitched and embroidered ones hanging in the corners of my mother's, grandmother's and aunties' homes, so I decided I'd try to make my own version. This is a pic of the top three blocks, so you can see the shadows the folds make...



And here's a picture of a little purse that we'll hopefully be teaching at an AQS show next year, fingers crossed!

I didn't have much in the house for a strap, but when I was sorting through closets last week, I came across an old pair of suspenders that I'd had since... well forever! I knew right away what I was going to use the clips for!



Anyway, to make the blocks, you start with a base square and then fold squares, triangles and rectangles to create the shapes needed to reproduce the layout of a 2D block. The more layers involved, the thicker the block, so they're quite sturdy, especially with a quilted layer behind them. We even made a little box with a hinged lid ... perfect for the new challenge!

We're working on a new batch of projects while we're waiting, and looking everywhere for places to put new blocks!

Anyway, Jen, ... and anyone else who pops by... pretty soon my darling offspring will start peeping, so it's time to make snacks and start thinking about dinner...

[DrDebby]

This is lovely. I like the purse. I'm not such a good quilter, but this looks intriguing. You going to post the box over in the challenge thread?

[blestlady]

This is lovely work! Thanks for the eye feast, beautiful!

[Granola Girl]

Thanks Debby & Bonnie!

If by quilting you mean the step before binding a quilt, Debby, I know what you mean!

Before we started this book, I just couldn't get the knack of machine quilting and didn't have the time or patience to hand quilt (I just had Geesje quilt my stuff! shhhh ). So quite a few of the projects that I designed didn't involve a stitch of quilting! Eventually I did have to buckle down and learn how, but because the blocks are too thick to quilt, lots of the book is quilting free, like the bell pull. The purse too, but it's not in the book.

To make a block, the block pieces are pressed and positioned layer by layer, and you only stitch around the outside edge. Quite simple. But there are a few tricks to passing bulk like that through your machine without the layers shifting, especially once you get beyond the 4-step blocks. But it's definitely not hard to learn... we even tested the class on some guinea pigs!!!

[Aral]

Lovely work Esther
the bell pull ( klukku strengur ) is just abfab.
Looking forward to the book

[Granola Girl]

Thanks Sigrun! I think it's the colours of the klukku strengur that do it for me... plus I love that top block. It's called Sandhills.

By the way, Debbie, if you want to give that purse a try, I could post the pattern... once I've written it, that is And sure, I'll post the little box too, over in the challenge thread!

Time to put the kiddies to bed... first day back to school tomorrow (I know, we're a day behind everywhere else for some reason).

[rue d'oak]

Esther you are a marvel!! This is fascinating work. And congratulations on the book. Such work. Probably far more than you ever imagined!

These are both beautiful pieces. The 3D effect is intriguing. And of course the harmony of the colors in both. The suspenders is a GREAT idea!

Yes, please at some time, if you are willing, share a pattern. I say this with all respect of you and others selling, and rightfully needing to protect, their creative talents, be it finished works, workshops, patterns or publications. Be comfortable saying no, too.

Wet Canvas is interesting in that as a community we encourage sharing and want to learn from others WIP and patterns and advice. We like to celebrate and support the success of our friends here online, and yet we must avoid sales aka promoting and soliciting or direct links per the User Agreement. Sometimes it is a paradox, and a balancing act!

I really hope the AQS workshop happens... and it will be exciting in May when the book comes out. In the meantime anything you are up to share here would be wonderful. Or want to try us out on us as guinea pigs.... squeak squeak You have a built in audience here, for an online workshop!!

And now I am looking forward to your box....

Jen

[Granola Girl]

A marvel? Aw shucks! But truthfully, it was a survival technique. Kids can keep you busy caring for them, but working on a book kept my brain busy too, which kept me from worrying and over thinking things! Writing and creating are soooo therapeutic!

I thought about the pattern thing yesterday, but the purse isn't in the book and the design isn't anything most sewers couldn't figure out on their own, so I can't see why AQS would object, though I'm not an expert at contract law . So I have no problem sharing it, with the usual condition that no one uses it to make profit for themselves... teach a friend, give one away, even use it as a Girl Guides project... but they shouldn't be popping up at craft fairs

As for the regulations bit, luckily AQS takes care of marketing, so I don't need to, thank goodness. I just read through my opening message though... I hate reading my writing. I always sound so stiff when I'm trying to make sense and include everything the pressure My intent was to give Geesje credit for this thread too. Is there a way to edit it at this point?

(For the challenge, I think I'm going to try to make a new box, since I didn't construct the book's version.)

[The Wag]

I'm so glad I found you by accident. I was gifted the 3D Folded Block book and have been addicted ever since. I entered 2 Christmas ornaments (folded blocks) in the co. and state fair and won 1st place in both. Since I am new to this WC I have no idea how to share a picture of the ornaments. If someone will walk me thru the process I share. The Wag

[rue d'oak]

Hi wag, and welcome.

Once you have made a few initial replies, you can post pictures. Use the icon that is yellow with the mountain and sun. Images are limited to 800 x 800 pixels.

It would be great to see your folded blocks!

Jen

[The Wag]

Jen,
Happy Valentines Day. I found the yellow icon with the mnt. & sun but could not send. A note says there is a problem with the Wetcanvas database. I got up early frosted my sugar cookies and drizzled with chocolate. I also made chocolate covered strawberries for a shower I have with my quilt group. Have a wonderful day.
Sandy

[Ancient Artisan]

Oh wow so beautiful! Gives me an itch to get back into quilting.