Squiggles, Dots, and Lines

Featuring a Tucker University Block Design from the Birds of Paradise class.

Required tools:  Studio 180 Design Wing Clipper I and Large Square Squared

Required Studio 180 Design Technique Sheets:  Birds of Paradise and Stacked Squares

 

A Tucker University Design Sheet offers 20-30 different design ideas featuring a Studio 180 Design tool and/or technique.  I wanted to feature the Large Square Squared tool because of the many different techniques that can be applied to just that one tool.  Another reason I picked the block I did was because I could create an impactful block with just a light, medium, and dark fabric.  When I use the Tucker University blocks, I can determine the size of the block and units.  I had some empty wall space so I decided to make a 20” finished block or a miniature wall hanging.

Once I had my block selected, I had to do some figuring.  I broke the block down by units and then by what cuts or pieces I needed for each unit.  This block required Flying Geese, Stacked Squares and Birds of Paradise in addition to a few solid pieces. 

I determined the unit size by knowing that the finished project would measure 20”.  There were five units per row so that meant each unit was to finish at 4” or 4 x 5 = 20.   Some units were a single Stacked Square while other units were a combination of a Flying Goose and a Birds of Paradise.  This is what we call Block Diva at its best—being able to break down a block or layout by units and sizing.   The hard part was now done.

The first units I made were the Flying Geese.  I followed the written instructions that came with the Wing Clipper® I to construct units that would finish at 2” x 4”.  The body of the unit would be light fabric and the wings would be medium fabric. 

The next unit I made was the Stacked Squares units.  This took a lot more thinking because I wanted three rounds of squares plus the center square.  When referring to the Stacked Squares Technique sheet, the chart only allows for two rounds of squares for a finished 4” unit.  There is a way around this dilemma.  I had to wrap around the cutting chart and back up to the 2” finished unit sizes to start with a center square that would be trimmed to precision for a 2” finished unit.  Then I could continue to add rounds building up to a finished 4” unit.

Check out Block Busters—
They’re FREE

If you have not checked out the numerous FREE Block Buster Patterns available through Studio 180 Design, you are missing out!  Go to the Studio 180 Design website at www.studio180design.net and click on Free Downloads.  There is enough there to keep you busy for weeks.

I played with Block Buster #71.  I made three blocks and put them together in a simple table runner.  I did not think there needed to be any sashing between these blocks because the design flowed from one block to the other. 

I thought it was going to be a bit short for the table, but it worked perfectly.  It measures approximately 40” x 16”.  This allowed plenty of room on the table for individual placemats. 

My fabric pull was a background, 2 darks and 2 mediums.   These fabrics came from Deb Tucker's new fabric line called Chromatic from Island Batik.  These are only a few of the fabrics from the entire line. 

The beauty of this technique is that after every round, I trimmed the unit to precision.  This meant every round was perfect.  Otherwise, if I made a mistake on an early round the problem would have only gotten bigger with each additional round. 

If this is your first attempt at making Stacked Squares, I would encourage you to make some practice units until you become familiar with reading the sizing chart especially when wanting to create additional rounds.  And don’t forget to watch Deb Tucker’s You Tube videos on this technique.  She always has a few extra pointers.

 

Now for the Birds of Paradise.  These units are not difficult, but they do require your best cutting and stitching skills.   When determining the fabric requirements and cutting, remember that for every set of pieces and parts that are cut, four Birds of Paradise will be created.  This project required 16 Birds of Paradise.  This allows for plenty of chances to master this technique.  However, I would once again encourage a practice set of Birds of Paradise before attacking the first set. 

The best tip I can provide for making Birds of Paradise is to lay out each piece so that you can evaluate the placement before you stitch.  With all the triangles involved with making a Birds of Paradise unit, it is easy to turn something only to have to unstitch it.  (Unstitch sounds so much more sophisticated than rip.)

Finally, the magic could begin.  I put the entire block together in rows.  That meant I had to stitch together some combinations of Flying Geese with Birds of Paradise or solid rectangles.  I could consider placing this block on point.  It looks a bit different then. 

 

Enjoy these and other Tucker University Design Sheets at www.tuckeruniversity.net.  And check out our online class offerings.

 

Phyllis
March 2024

 

 

Construction Phase

This project required the Tucker Trimmer I, Squared Squared, and Quilter’s Magic Wand.  I also used the Shaded Four Patch Technique Sheet, as well as my favorite, the Eight at Once Technique Sheet for making Half Square Triangles.

The required units were Half Square Triangles, Hourglass units, Shaded Four Patch units, and Square Squared units.  These are all fundamental units, but when they are put together in the Block Buster layout, they look complex. 

I had the option of making a 6”, 12” or 18” block.  I went with 12” blocks. 

As I was making each of the units, it felt as if it would take forever to come together, but then, suddenly, I was assembling the blocks.

To keep things organized, I like to use my portable design wall.  This makes it easy to transport my block to and from the sewing machine and pressing area.  A good reason to have to stand up and move.   

My portable design wall is really a piece of foam board covered with batting with a binding glued around the edges.  My board measures approximately 15” x 18” so there is plenty of space to lay out a 12” block with lots of pieces and parts.

Check out the Block Buster patterns for yourself and send Studio 180 Design your photos.  You just might be somebody’s inspiration.  www.studio180design.net

Don't forget to check out the 2024 class offerings from Tucker University at www.tuckeruniversity.net



October 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full Spectrum made with Exuberance

March 30, 2023
In keeping with the idea of using precuts, I decided to use the pattern, Full Spectrum by Sarah Furrer of Studio 180 Design.  It's a modern design that looks complex, but was very relaxing to piece.  The hardest challenge was laying out all of these beautiful fabrics.

Full Spectrum uses the Wedge Star tool from Studio 180 Design and a Fat Quarter Bundle.  I did all of the cutting from the start which allowed me to sew and enjoy the process.  


I had to make some simple wedges and some complex wedges.  Then all of  sudden I was ready to create the blocks and put them on point.

I love the way Sarah wrote the instructions for cutting the very large side setting triangles.  She made working with a 30" square of fabric a breeze.  

The bonus was that I had plenty of leftovers that I was able to use my scraps to make the Hopscotch table runner from Tucker University.  The Hopscotch pattern has 7 different potential layouts from the table runner up to a queen size quilt.

Hopscotch requires the use of my favorite Studio 180 Design tool, the Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star.  I put this table runner together in about 5 hours from start to finish.  It was a perfect way to use some scraps from the Full Spectrum project.  Plus I was able to practice some ruler work on the long arm.  A perfect extra project and a learning tool.

Triangle Pizazz using
Modern Opulence by Deb Tucker

This is Triangle Pizazz, a project in the Tucker University's Junior year curriculum.  It requires the use of the Tucker Trimmer to make Triangle Pizazz units and Shaded Four Patch units.  As well, as the Triangle Pizazz technique sheet and Shaded Four Patch technique sheet.

Pick up the Tucker University Design Sheet for fabric requires for a table runner or twin size quilt.  Plus check out some of the other junior year projects as well at TU's Online shop

This project was made with Deb Tucker's Modern Opulence fabric line. 

I started by making some Triangle Pizazz units using both the A and B angles.  I had to make some Shaded Four Patch units for the blocks as well as the pieced side setting triangles. 


I assembled the inner blocks using the above named units.  I also pieced the side setting triangles.  The side setting triangles are made slightly oversized to allow for precision trimming.

I arranged the blocks and pieced side setting triangles in an on-point position.  I sewed the rows together in a diagonal fashion.  I used a long, straight edge ruler to trim all four edges of the top, leaving 1/4" for seam allowance before adding the inner and outer border. 

 
And here is the final table runner product.  It goes together quickly, but it looks like it was difficult.  
Here is another colorway option when adding additional fabrics.  

Order your Triangle Pizazz project tool and technique sheet bundle for $53.75 (10% savings) while it's on sale. 

You will get:  a Tucker Trimmer, Quilter's Magic Wand, Triangle Pizazz Project Design Sheet, the Triangle Pizazz Technique Sheet and the Shaded Four Patch Technique Sheet.  

Inspiration is All Around Us

12/16/21
Like many quilters, I like to give a significant gift to my loved ones at milestone points in their life. For my youngest niece, I wanted to make her a quilt for her high school graduation; which I did, however, she got it at Christmas time. Imagine that. A late gift from a quilter. When Deb Tucker introduced the Wish Upon pattern, I loved the stars and how they interlocked.


I wanted to do that quilt for Becca, but I had this added challenge—what to do with her favorite pair of childhood jeans. None the less, Becca was picked out the fabrics, so she knew she was going to get something. What she did not know was that her favorite jeans would once again appear. She wore her favorite jeans when she was about 6 or 7 years old. They had some small, embroidered flowers on the legs. For whatever reason, she referred to these as her firecracker jeans. She wore them until they became capris. When she and her mom were cleaning out drawers and rotating clothes, Becca had to come to the reality that she no longer fit in her favorite jeans. She wanted to save them for a future niece of her own, but she was only getting nephews for several years. Her mom finally broke the news to her that her jeans needed to go to another little girl. Becca parted with her jeans. Her mom scooped them up and promptly passed them on to me to “do something” with them. I hid them in my sewing room for over 10 years.

Must Haves....

12/02/21
Over the years I had hosted several quilt retreats and classes. It always amazed me how quilters came up with some of the best ideas for storing all the notions and other goodies that we take with us. I have tried so many different ways to keep all my sewing tools organized and finally have found what works for me. I really needed to be organized when I had my quilt shop. I would pack everything up so I could sew at home and then pack it all so that I could sew at the shop if I had time. So organization was the key! Here are just a few items that I have with me at all times no matter if I am sewing in my studio or on the road. Micron pens are my favorite marking tool. The point is fine enough that once you stitch on the line it will be hidden and you don't have to press hard at all for it to be visible. The micron pens just glide across the fabric making the drawn line easy to see. I've tried the mechanical pencils, but I found they tend to skip across the fabric and don't mark as easily as the micron pens and sometimes the line just isn't dark enough for me to see it. I am all about trying to work smarter and not harder. Micron pens come in a variety of colors and thicknesses. I use the brown more than any other color in size 01.

One "must have" I believe is using a container to keep your rotary cutter safe and secure. The Lock-n-Lock containers are perfect for keeping the rotary cutters, seam rippers and other sharp items from causing injury. I also keep my marking pens and other small items in a container so whatever I need is at my fingertips. Things can shift so easily when we are packing things up and on the move. It's just better to be safe than sorry.

This little gem was just what I needed to store all my goodies. The plactic container with my rotary cutter fits perfectly down the center pocket. I fill the other cubbies with my pin cushion, extra needles and rotary blades, band aids (just in case) and pretty much everything I need. The handles makes it easy to just grab and I am ready to go!

Last week I mentioned my Sew Steady extension table. I take it with me wherever I am sewing. Once you get used to all that extra work surface, it's hard to sew without it.

So much to be thankful for!

11/25/21
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from Tucker University! We hope that you are getting to enjoy some family time, great food (and maybe a little (or alot of) sewing time) this week. How did it get to be November already? I have know idea where this year has gone. It's starting to feel like Winter here, so it's the perfect time to hunker down in the sewing studio. This week I wanted to share a little tip for piecing the Corner Beam units for this quilt project. The Corner Beam is one of my favorite Studio 180 Design tools. So of course, I added it to our newest design (we still haven't named it yet - any suggestions would be appreciated) I swear that's the hardest part of designing quilts.

Bellingham Bay Challenge

11/11/21
One of the things that I enjoyed most when I was teaching Tucker University classes at my shop was seeing all the blocks that we could create just by mixing, matching, spinning and twisting units. It was mind blowing!

Some of my students were asking if we were going to learn the Rapid Fire Hunter Star blocks. I explained to them that everything we make in TU finishes at 4" units. The smallest blocks that the Rapid Fire Hunter Star tool will make finishes at 5". But then I got to thinking - the tool will make 8" finished blocks! That got the creative juices flowing - so all we had to do was combine four units to create an 8" finished block. That's were the fun began. Just think of all the possibilities....

Earlier this year, the Studio 180 Design team presented a challenge to the Certified Instructor’s to design a quilt (or six, it was really addicting) using the Bellingham Bay collection, the Rapid Fire Hunter Star tool along with other Studio 180 Design tools. Look at those yummy, rich colors.

Meet Phyllis Fay

11/04/2021
Why is it so hard to talk about yourself? If Beth can do it then so will I. I am Phyllis, the educational side of Tucker University. My first career was in the field of education. I taught Business Education at a public high school followed by a couple of years of teaching 6th grade before I entered the administrative arena. I was an assistant principal for 19 years and loved just about every day.

In the summer of 2013, I was preparing to return to the classroom in an alternative education program determined to take that program to a higher standard and contemplating my future retirement when I received the announcement from Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design to apply for Certified Instructor (CI) training. I considered it fate and within hours had completed and submitted my application. I was going to continue teaching, but in a different field.

During CI training, I was assigned a roommate by the name of Beth. We spent the next 7 days together as if we knew each other our entire lives. By 2016 Beth was sharing an idea with me to create handouts for shops to teach technique classes using the Studio 180 Design tools. I told her the handouts needed some direction such as a lesson plan to teach the entire class. I offered to write a, as in one, lesson plan.

Between Beth’s ability to create interesting patterns and my ability to provide detailed lesson plans for teaching those patterns a unique product in Tucker University was born. Our mission remains the same--we want to support quilt shop owners and quilt instructors with the materials to teach the Studio 180 Design tools and techniques properly and with minimal preparation time.

My sewing journey started at a young age learning to make garments under the watchful eye of a mother with very high standards. My quilting started with scraps that needed a home. I was self-taught prior to taking a few classes where I learned that things needed to be square and flat. I have come a long way in my piecing skills mainly due to the discovery of the Studio 180 Design tools.

We love watching quilters learn and impress themselves with their new skills. Join us in spreading the good word about how well the Studio 180 Design tools work for everyone.

Phyllis

Welcome to Tucker University's Blog

10/30/2021
It's a little intimidating to start your first blog post and to know where to begin. So let.'s just jump right in. But first, we should introduce ourselves. My name is Beth Sidley, and my business partner, Phyllis Fay, are the co-authors of Tucker University.

Several years ago, my husband and I had built a new home. The dining room wall was huge and I decided that it was a perfect spot for a quilt. The problem was that I didn't sew and didn't know anyone who quilted. No worries! We live in Northeast Ohio, just a hop and a skip from Amish country. I was sure that I could find something there. We scheduled a girl's day out for my mom, my daughter and myself and we headed for Holmes County, Ohio. We found lots of beautiful quilts but still nothing that would work in my home. The solution - I would just have to make my own quilt.

Once I signed up for my first class, I was absolutely hooked! I loved all the fabrics, the colors and the endless designs that were available. Who knew that this would all lead to me opening up a quilt shop in the near future. If you had told me someday I would own a quilt shop, I would have told you that your cheese has slipped off your cracker! It's been an amazing journey ever since and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. I have met some of the most amazing people over the years.

In 2013, Phyllis and I met when we both were becoming Certified Instructors for Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design. We became close friends instantly. The Certified Instructor training was amazing and sparked so many ideas. One that would eventually become Tucker University. I had owned my shop for several years at that point. Phyllis was still teaching school. So much has changed in the eight years since Phyllis and I have met. It's been an amazing journey that we look forward to sharing with you and getting to know you better. We hope that you will join us often and that we will inspire you to create and love quilting as much as we do.

We have lots of goodies in the works that we are exited to be sharing with you so I had better get back to work in my studio. We'd love to see what you are working on, what inspires you and get to know you better. Enjoy & Create!

Beth & Phyllis