Slice & Stitch Challenge

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

I am thrilled to be this month's Slice & Stitch challenger! Slice & Stitch challenges are a combined effort between Aurifil and Olfa, and this year Michael Miller stepped in to provide the fabric! Each challenger is given fabric, thread, and an Olfa tool to create something fun! I jumped at the chance to try something new!

Slice and Stitch challenge with Aurifil and Olfa - March 2020


In preparation of the challenge, I received Aurifil's Dolomite Green Color Builder box (with 50wt spools in colors #2908 Spearmint, #1147 Light Leaf Green, and #2890 Very Dark Grass Green), Olfa's Chenille Cutter, and three green fat quarters of Michael Miller Cotton Couture solids (Spring, Lime, and Leaf). I have never used the Olfa Chenille Cutter before, but I love adding texture to quilts! I was excited to try it out!


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Be sure to check out the feature of this project on the Aurifil blog! Pat Sloan is featured this month too! See what she made with the Olfa chenille cutter on her blog!

When thinking about what I wanted to make for the challenge, of course I wanted to make a quilt! But I only had three fat quarters! That caused me to think about using the Olfa Chenille Cutter to create something unique!


Olfa, Aurifil, and Michael Miller


I immediately started thinking about how to utilize chenille strips within quilt blocks to make the most out of the green fabric. I also knew I would be creating this project in March as spring was just trying to emerge out of winter. This was exactly the inspiration I needed!


Making a modern slice and stitch quilt with the Olfa chenille cutter


This tutorial makes four 20" quilt blocks that when sewn together make a 40" x 40" baby or lap quilt. To make a larger quilt, create more blocks! 

What you need:

(3) 1/2 yard cuts of Michael Miller Cotton Couture solids in Spring, Lime, and Leaf

1 3/4 yards Michael Miller Cotton Couture solid in Bright White

Aurifil's Dolomite Green Color Builder box with 50wt thread in colors #2908 Spearmint, #1147 Light Leaf Green, and #2890 Very Dark Grass Green

Olfa Chenille Cutter

Crib-sized batting (I used Hobbs natural cotton batting)

1 1/4 yards backing fabric (I used Michael Miller's Abloom First Blush Garden print)


Michael Miller, Olfa, and Aurifil



Cutting:

From each of the solid fabrics, cut 1" diagonal strips. I used the 45 degree line on my acrylic ruler as a guide, and cut strips from the entire piece of fabric. 


Michael Miller and Olfa

Cutting bias strips

Bias strips


From the solid white fabric, cut the following quantities and sizes of WOF strips:

(2) 8 1/2" x WOF strips
(3) 6 1/2" x WOF strips
(4) 4 1/2" x WOF strips

Subcut the 8 1/2" x WOF strips into:

(4) 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" squares - A
(8) 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles - B

Subcut the 6 1/2" x WOF strips into:

(4) 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles - C
(8) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" squares - D
(4) 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles - E

Subcut the 4 1/2" x WOF strips into:

(8) 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles - F
(16) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares - G


Olfa, Aurifil, and Michael Miller


Let's sew it!

Layout all the white squares and rectangles to make one block following the diagram below.


Block layout diagram



Now here's where you get to "slice & stitch!"

Choose one white square or rectangle from the layout and lay it right side down. Lay THREE layers of the 1" strips at an angle from the top to the bottom. Trim the extra from the strips so that it extends just a bit beyond the block. Vary the angles for each one! Make some really slanted and others almost straight up!


A modern slice and stitch quilt


Using coordinating Aurifil 50wt thread, stitch along both sides of the strip to secure it to the white piece. I used about a 3/8" seam allowance.


Sewing quilt blocks

Sewing quilt blocks

Sewing bias strips in preparation of using the Olfa chenille cutter


Repeat for all squares and rectangles in the block. Then repeat for the other three blocks too.

Using an Olfa Chenille cutter


Place a fabric square right side up. Using scissors, carefully snip through the top three layers of fabric. Be sure to center your snip between the two stitched lines. Do not cut the bottom green layer!

Using an Olfa Chenille cutter

Using an Olfa Chenille cutter


Place the Olfa Chenille cutter into the channel. Choose the setting size that fits with the size you sewed your channel. I set mine on the medium setting, but large or x-large might work too! This setting helps the cutter to remain centered along the channel as you cut.

Using an Olfa Chenille cutter


Hold onto the fabric behind the cutter with one hand, then use your other hand to slide the cutter to the other side! It works just like a letter opener!

Using an Olfa Chenille cutter

Using an Olfa Chenille cutter


Repeat!


Using an Olfa Chenille cutter


Remember not to cut through the bottom layer!

Using an Olfa chenille cutter


Trim the extra colored strips from the squares/rectangles.

Trimming the quilt block

Trim the quilt block

Trimmings


Now it's time to sew them into blocks!

When sewing, make sure that all the layers of fabric lay flat. After sewing two pieces together, press the seams open to help reduce bulk.

Sewing pieces together to make a quilt block


Use the diagram to lay out all the pieces for one block again.


Block layout diagram


Use the diagram and sew the pieces together in the following order. The block assembly is generally from the top left to the bottom right.

G ---> G
GG ---> F ---> A ---> F

Set unit GGFAF aside.

E ---> G ---> G

Set unit EGG aside.

B ---> B
BB ---> C

Now sew:

BBC ---> EGG

Next:

D ---> D
BBCEGG ---> DD

Then sew unit GGFAF to that.


Repeat to make four blocks. Sew four blocks together to make the quilt top.


A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


The back looks quite different than the front!


A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


Now it's time to quilt!

I quilted mine on my longarm, but quilting on a domestic or hand quilting would work great too!


Hobbs batting

1989 Gammill longarm


I quilted a medium sized meander on the quilt using Aurifil 50wt #2908 Spearmint, but never quilted over the top of a slice!

Meander free motion quilting on a longarm


I quilted right up to the stitched lines of each block.

Meander free motion quilting on a longarm

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


I trimmed off the excess batting and backing fabric, then bound the quilt by machine. (Tutorial for that HERE.)

Machine sewing binding


Machine sewing binding


One last look before the magic happens!

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


Washing the quilt causes the amazing texture and effect of the chenille cutter to happen! I always toss in a Color Catcher when I wash a quilt just to be cautious.

Washing a quilt with Shout Color Catchers


The quilt came out so soft and cuddly!

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


All the green fabric that was cut at a 45 degree angle doesn't fray at all! So cool! But the white fabric does fray when not cut at that same angle. 

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


A quick trim removes all the loose threads and looks just the same as the green fabric!

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


Here you can see how much a difference that the angle on the white fabric makes. The strip on the left is more vertical, but the strip on the right is about a 45 degree angle. Lots of fraying of the one on the left, but none at all on the one on the right!


A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


Our weather has *just* started to warm up and there is the slightest hint of green in the grass and buds on the trees. This quilt reminds me of exactly that time of year!

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


The quilt is a happy peek of spring, and the chenille texture is a really fun and unexpected element!

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter

A spring inspired modern quilt using the Olfa chenille cutter


Thank you Aurifil, Olfa, and Michael Miller for the fabric, thread, and tools to make this quilt possible!!

Olfa and Aurifil


Let me know if you make a quilt inspired by this tutorial! And thank you for pinning it on Pinterest!

Using an Olfa Chenille Cutter to make a modern quilt


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5 comments:

  1. The wash really is the magic step in this process, isn't it? I love your creativity and how this quilt came together!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm always amazed at your creative thinking! The texture and dimension you've given this quilt is awesome! Perfect work...as always!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a neat baby quilt this would be in bright happy strips! The baby would love the textures! Wonderful

    ReplyDelete
  4. So subtle but so fun! Love the tutorial and looks like something fun to try, but I need a looser weave white than what I have (at the moment). Oh, and if you want my tips/tutes linky is open till the end of the month, love to have you there... https://www.kathleenmcmusing.com/2020/03/tips-and-tutorials-on-the-22nd-3-ttot22.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for posting it too!!

    ReplyDelete

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