Thursday, June 27, 2013

Time's a wastin

As much as I would like to keep Coastal Lily on my design wall, forever, there's a Schnibbles calling my name and time's a wasting.  The June Schnibbles for Sherri and Sinta's sew-along is Dulcinea, and I've had this pattern on my To Do list for ages, I'm not going to miss out on being in the parade, especially a parade full of Dulcineas.



As a kid, I loved those cheap plastic pinwheels you would pick up at fairs or birthday parties.  I liked to put them on my bike and watch them spin as I rode, I also liked to swing my arms around as fast as I could to make them really spin.  I was pretty hard on my pinwheels, they usually only lasted a day.  So when I saw the pinwheel blocks in this pattern I immediately thought, "those pinwheels need sticks", just like the pinwheels I had as kid.  So I decided to add them.



I also thought the top would look like it had more movement if the pinwheels were going all different directions.



I'm using some Minick and Simpson fabric for my Dulcinea, American Banner Rose and Prairie Paisley II.

My favorite part of this pattern, you make the pinwheel blocks larger then square them up, they come out perfect every time.


The center is all done, and it only took one afternoon.



See that little green dot in the pinwheel block in the upper left hand corner?  That's a pin I use to mark the top of the quilt, like it would even matter with this pattern, but once I decide which side is the top of a quilt, I make sure it stays the top until I'm done.  And a lot of time, once the quilt is quilted and that pin is long gone, I can still pick out the top and hang the quilt or put the quilt on the bed with the top up!  I'm just funny that way.

All that's left is the border, I think it's looking good for me and that parade.




39 comments:

  1. Well, you've designed your own pattern, and it looks great!

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  2. These bring back many memories....and just sooooo cute! What a happy looking top. You have such wonderful ideas and just love seeing what you come up with.

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  3. Wow!!!! Love what you did with the pattern! Can't wait to see what you do for the border!

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  4. Love your addition to the pattern...makes me smile and remember those bike riding days as a kid too. Great job.

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  5. Genius! The sticks are Genius! I love how you altered the pattern to fit your needs. Just beautiful!

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  6. Love it! I have a red, white, and blue mini plastic pinwheel in the pot of red vinca and white licorice on my front porch. Your quilt just says Summer, Childhood, and the 4th of July!!

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  7. I love the secondary pattern created by the sticks. It's a charming quilt.

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  8. I love this version of the Schnibbles! You have such a wonderful 'take' on this pattern!

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  9. Well done! What an inspiration you are!
    Karen L.

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  10. Oh how super! I love your variation. It opens the pattern up so that you can see each individual pinwheel. Lovely!

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  11. I love the way you did your Dulcinea! And the fabric you chose for the sticks is PERFECT!!! I love it!

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  12. Love your pinwheels and the sticks!! You always add your personal magic to these patterns, whether it be color or design :-)

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  13. You are so talented.. love your creativity ... the stripes for the sticks are perfect. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

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  14. I read the comments and can only say ditto, ditto, ditto, etc! I love how you have created your own quilt. Thanks for reminding me of those pinwheels as a child, putting them on the wheels of the bike - oh, how I had forgotten all that fun. Thanks for sharing!

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  15. those are so cute you will have to give up how you make the stick size
    i found a quilt pattern awile back that was pinwheels and she made them so the were 3 d so cute ill have to see if I can find that again I have to assemble my coastal lily almost done yaaa!

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  16. WOW!! Thelma, you just kicked this one out of the ball park!! LOVE IT!!
    P

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  17. Oh just stinkin' kyoot! The striped stems remind me of pixie stix!

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  18. Fabulous Thelma! You never fail to amaze me with your creativity. Love your blog!

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  19. I really like your version with the sticks and direction change....wonderful idea !!! Patty E

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  20. I love what you have done with the pattern!

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  21. I absolutely love the way you changed this pattern. Terrific! Laura ninepatch@hotmail.com

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  22. You've done it again, Pattern Whisperer!!!

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  23. When I first saw the pattern, I thought it was way too busy and couldn't imagine wanting to make it. What you have done is splendid!

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  24. Thelma, I love it. The addition of the sticks is a terrific idea.

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  25. pinwheels ... i LOVE pinwheels ... they NEEDED those little sticks and i love that they are striped!

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  26. LOVE the little stripe in your white block!

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  27. It looks fantastic...so fun! It was "Thelma-ized"!

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  28. Another fabulous design change. I absolutely love your version with the sticks!

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  29. You as so talented! I'd never think of that, it looks so much better than the original pattern. Great job, tell us how you did it,

    Gloria
    gyates625@bellsouth.net

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  30. I how you make every one of your quilts your very own. This is such a cute idea. Love the colors - perfect for this time of year!

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  31. LOVE the addition of the sticks AND the way you oriented the blocks. This is a real winner! As for the "top of the quilt"? I feel like I need to stand on my head if it's not the right way up--MY way up! Love your blog!!

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  32. Brilliant adaptation of Carrie's pattern! I'm sewing the binding down on my quilt today.

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  33. Patterns are good jumping off points. Yay for you!

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  34. Great idea to add the little sticks...those pinwheels are moving! Gorgeous quilt!

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  35. Wow, never would have thought of that! The setting is perfect and adds a whole other element, love it all :)

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  36. You are so creative and clever-- my friends and I are "Thelma wannabees"! Honestly, I would have never felt the need to make that quilt and now I want to make it like yours! Wouldn't it be cute as a baby quilt?
    gigi

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  37. I remember loving those pin wheel whirlies from fairs when I was a kid, and when we took my daughter to her first fair we bought her one too. I love the addition of the sticks to your Dulcinea. And the colours. You're already for July 4th!

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