"Window to my world" Quilt

3 block sizes is all you need

The quilt looks more complicated than it is. There are only 3 block sizes, and the middle-sized block is mirror imaged to achieve the final globe effect.

Printing the pattern

We chose the 16-block design on pages 11 to 16. It makes sense to print out the whole pattern as your guide to see the 3 pattern pieces you need. Use the test square to check if it's in the original size. 

The Quilt is designed by Geta Grama and the pattern for all sizes can be purchased here.

This is a great project for using up smaller pieces of plain fabrics, as you only need a maximum of 7”x 8” (18 x 20 cm) square maximum for each shape.

Coloring is a good way to decide on what colors to use on the quilt. Try out different combinations until you find the one which appeals to you.

This quilt uses 16 different colored fabrics, but less can be used depending on your choice of color combination. Colors from the Amanda Murphy cotton shot range from Benartex work well. 

Number the fabric colors and the pattern to keep track of all your pieces.

1. Spray all the fabric pieces with spray starch and iron dry.
2. Mark the right side with chalk if it is not obvious.
3. Iron fusible webbing on to the back of each piece.
4. Create paper pattern templates for the 3 block patterns.
5. Don’t worry about the fabric grain when positioning the pattern piece.
6. Use the template, a ruler and the rotary cutter to cut the outside lines. Then carefully cut out the centers, taking care not to cut into the corner, and use sharp scissors to finish if necessary. It is important to take time with this and handle the applique pieces as little as possible.
7. Cut out the following fabric pieces in the colors as you laid them out for your blocks: 4 small pieces, right side up 9" x 4" (23 x 10 cm), 4 large pieces, right side up 7" x 7" (18 x 18 cm) 4 medium pieces, right side up & 4 x medium pieces, right side down 7" x 6" (18 x 15 cm).
8. Place immediately on the pattern and number them also, so you know where they should go, so you don’t get mixed up.

1. Mark the center of the background fabric with a cross hare running from top to bottom and from side to side using a chalk marker.
2. Position the blocks as in the picture of the finished quilt. Do this part on or near the ironing board (as you don’t want to move the project any more than necessary, as the shapes will move).
3. Remove the paper backing and place the shapes into correct position. Make sure they are butted together.
4. Take time to be very accurate. This is very important as you don’t want the black to peak through between the shapes. Trim if necessary.
5. Press shapes in position work from the center outwards and press lightly to start and when everything is in position press again to secure.

• Thread the machine with a dark pink decorative thread a neutral thread in the bobbin.
• Attach sew table, knee lifter and Foot #20C. Confirm in the foot selection screen.
• Use 0-9 to select the Single Blanket Stitch #1309 SW 2.5 x 2.5, needle position far right.
• Turn on the laser.
• Do a tension test on a scrap fabric – make sure you don’t see the bobbin thread, adjust if necessary.
• Stitch around the whole circumference with the single blanket stitch in one color. The block should be on the left.

• Use either the knee lifter to turn or the green start stop button to hover and turn, or pattern begin if necessary (symbol in the middle of the stitch on the screen).
• You will get used to the stitch and be able control (by pulling it ever so slightly if necessary) so that it fits nicely in the space.

• Don’t worry, by the end of this stage your blanket stitching will be perfect and if there are little mistakes, nobody will notice on the whole piece.
• Stitch over a couple of stitches at the end of each part. Cut your threads longer to pull through to the back and tie off. The quick alternative is to use the knot button to secure. This can also be programmed in the Set up.
• The insides of the blocks (windows) are stitched in the same way.

• Stitch all other “across” seams with the double blanket stitch #1313 – SW 5.2 in the same color.

Basting

• Attach the Reverse Pattern Foot #1D and select straight stitch with stitch length 3mm.
• Create the quilt sandwich and baste it together. Stitch in the ditch around the circle with the pink thread. It is recommended to stitch through all the center lines too. The inside squares can be done when you quilt the background.

Large Block

As the blocks are not symmetrical, the Morph tool and the laser are the perfect pair for positioning the design. Our quilt design is a BERNINA Quilt Machine Design with special characteristics to change the size while retaining the desired stich length SPI. By the end of this section, you will be a pro at using the morphing tool.

Either the Midi hoop, Maxi Hoop or Clamp hoop can be used for this project, as the large block is too big for the large oval hoop. Mettler silk finish 60 weight thread is perfect for the machine quilting. You can use a contrasting, a matching color or play with both.

• Attach the embroidery module and hoop the quilt sandwich with one of the large blocks in the center. Try and keep it as square as you can in the hoop, running parallel to the X-Axis. The template is only used in the picture to demonstrate.
• Attach the hoop to the machine and attach the Embroidery Foot #26 L.
• Select design #72. Reduce the design to 6 inches/ 15.25 cm (this is approximately the size of the block).

• In the hoop screen select center, close the hoop screen.
• Center the design over the block to be stitched.
• Select Pinpoint Placement and 4-point placement and then Morph.
• Make sure the Laser is turned on.
• Select a corner and morph it to fit inside the block. Continue with the 3 remaining corners.

• Select each point, positioning it correctly on the block with the multifunction knobs. Use the inside edge of the blanket stitch as a guide.
• Optional: select 1/8^” margin – this stops hitting the blanket stitching, as it happened on this test piece.
• Exit the i menu and turn off the center function in the hoop screen.
• Use absolute check to see if it fits. The zoom helps to select the outside points of the design.
• Fine tune if necessary.
• Go to the stitch out screen and stitch the design.
• Save the design and use it for the other blocks of the same size. Rehoop the next large block and stitch.

Medium block

• Rehoop if necessary so a middle block is in a good position to stitch.
• Select center in the hoop screen and move to center of the design.
• Go to morph and position the points correctly on the block.
• Optional: Select the 1/8” margin.
• Exit the i menu.
• Turn off the center function in the hoop screen

• Check the boundaries with absolute check.
• Exit the screen and go to the sew-out screen.
• Stitch the design.
• Save the design and use it for the blocks of the same size. You will need to mirror image 4 of them.

Small block

• We will first create a combined design, place it with morphing and remove the smaller part before stitching, as it is too small to stitch out.
• Select design #73 and change the size to 6" (15cm)
• Duplicate and rotate 180° until the design is opposite the original to create a square.

• Move one of the designs until it is just touching the other. Select the combined design – layer 1.
• In the hoop screen, select center. Center the design over the block to be stitched.
• Select morphing and select each point, positioning them correctly on the block with the multifunction knobs. You can also use the touchpen for this step.
• Select the 1/8” margin.
• Exit the screen and turn off the center function in the hoop screen.
• Use absolute check to see if it fits.
• Tip use the zoom to select the outside points.
• In i go to group / ungroup. Ungroup the design and remove the tiny part.

• Go to the stitch out screen and select as a Single motif so it is stitched in a single color.
• Stitch the design.
• Save the design and use it for the other blocks of the same size.
• Use rotate and absolute check to position it correctly.

• Draw a straight line with chalk through the center of the whole panel from top to bottom.
• Select a straight stitch with a 3mm stitch length.
• Attach the Foot #1D and seam guide 1" from the needle.
• Decide if you will use a securing stitch and thread cutter or pull the threads to the back to tie off and bury.
• Working left and right of the center line, sew 1-inch rows above and below the globe.

• Mark the corresponding lines on the inside of the squares and stitch them. At the same time you can also stitch in the ditch the outline of the inside square/window.

• Bind the quilt with your favorite method.
• Make a label using the multi row lettering. The font Deco Block was used for this label.