Goldsmith - Bullseye Quilts from Vintage to Modern: Paper Piece Stunning Projects

Publisher: Amy Marson Creative Director: Gailen Runge Acquisitions Editor: Roxane Cerda Managing Editor: Liz Aneloski Editor: Lynn Koolish Technical Editor: Linda Johnson Cover/Book Designer: April Mostek Production Coordinator: Tim Manibusan Production Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi Illustrators: Becky Goldsmith and Linda Johnson Photo Assistant: Mai Yong Vang Photography by Mai Yong Vang of C&T Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted Published by C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549 Dedication I saw a photo of an antique Bullseye quilt many, many years ago in the book Glorious American Quilts by Elizabeth V. Warren and Sharon L. Eisenstat, published by the Museum of American Folk Art in 1996. Of all the quilts in the book, the Bullseye stayed with me. I came upon the photo again in 2016 and had an Ah ha! moment.

I could finally see how to make my own Bullseye quiltoh, happy day! I am a reasonably skilled draftsman, but this pattern pushed me to the limit. I would have given up except that I really, really wanted to make this quilt. To this day, I dont know how the original maker did it, and my hat goes off to this unknown quilter and to so many other quilters who left us their legacy of amazing quilts. Thank you so much! Introduction This quilt is easy to makeI promise! Sew on a solid line and piece with an accurate seam allowance, and you will have great success. As I worked on the first quilt, Blue Bullseye, I realized that I could stop at any ring and make a smaller quilt or a smaller block. Once I figured that out, I couldnt stop.

In fact, if I hadnt had to stop and write this pattern, there would be more than three quilts. So, fair warning, you may not be able to make just one Bullseye quilt. General Instructionsnote To ensure your success, I encourage you to follow the directions for foundation paper piecing in this pattern, even if you have used a different method in the past. Fabric FABRIC PREPARATION Prewash your fabric to wash out excess dye, finishes, and sizing, and to shrink the cotton fabric. ABOUT THE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS Fabric requirements are based on a 40 width and include a little extra for shrinkage from prewashing. COLOR AND DESIGN Because of the way the rings are constructed, you cant mock up the quilt (or blocks) on your design wall.

However, you can audition your fabric choices to see how they work together. It is the contrast between the colors and values in each ring that makes this pattern so dynamic. I looked at the vintage quilt and noted the placement of lights and darks, and then I chose my fabric. I pinned enough of each fabric on my design wall, so that I could see how they worked together. I encourage you to color your quilt differently from mine. Blue Bullseye fabrics on design wall About Foundation Paper Piecing PREPARE THE FOUNDATION PAPERS Foundation paper piecing is faster and more precise when you can see through the paper, and that is why I use translucent vellum, such as Simple Foundations Translucent Vellum Paper (by C&T Publishing). Blue Bullseye fabrics on design wall About Foundation Paper Piecing PREPARE THE FOUNDATION PAPERS Foundation paper piecing is faster and more precise when you can see through the paper, and that is why I use translucent vellum, such as Simple Foundations Translucent Vellum Paper (by C&T Publishing).

Make the required number of copies of each Center and Ring for your project (see Fabric Requirements and Cutting). (For Bullseye Center and Ring patterns, go to: http://tinyurl.com/11326-patterns-download .) Cut out the foundation paper-piecing patterns on the outer dashed lines. Cut foundation paper-piecing patterns on outer dashed lines. Keep the foundation papers for each Center and Ring together with clips or in plastic bags. TIP: Staples Are Your Friend I learned this from a student who probably learned it from Judy Niemeyer, who is a very talented quilter. If your copies are precise, staple 24 of the same page together in several places to keep the pages from shifting so you can cut several pages at the same time.

Cutting through multiple pages at once saves time. MAKE THE CORNER TEMPLATES Choose the corner pattern that fits your project. (For all printable patterns or digital content: http://tinyurl.com/11326-patterns-download) Tape the pattern sheet to a table to keep it flat and in place as you work. Cover the corner pattern you need with self-adhesive laminating sheets. Let the edges of the laminate sheets overlap. Refer to Using Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets.

Cut out the template along the center of the outer dashed line. Carefully store the remaining patterns in case you need them later. TIP: Using Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets Tape the corner pattern sheet to the table to keep it flat and in place. I prefer Essential Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets (by C&T Publishing). It will take 1420 sheets (2 packages of the 9 12 sheets) to cover all the corner patterns, depending on how you place the laminate on the paper. After you peel the backing sheet off of the self-adhesive laminating sheet, hold it sticky side down, above the right side of the pattern sheet, cupping the laminate in your hands.

As you move the laminate toward the paper, dont pause. Place the laminate on the paper in a smooth, steady motion. Overlap sheets of laminate until the pattern is covered. If you hold the laminate flat and close to the paper, the two can jump together, causing wrinkles in the paper. Cup laminate to apply in smooth, steady motion. Sewing and Construction Basics SEAM ALLOWANCES All machine piecing is designed for seam allowances.

SEWING ON FOUNDATION PAPER Always sew on the solid line, with the printed side of the paper up, facing you and the fabric next to the feed dogs. If the solid seamline goes to the edges of paper, sew to the edge of the paper. If the solid line stops at a circle, backstitch. Sew with printed side up. TIP Construct one complete ring at a time. Look to see how your fabric choices are working and make changes if necessary.

Photocopy onto vellum the number of paper-piecing patterns needed for your project (see Number of 8 11 Vellum Copies). Compare the copies to the original to be certain that your copies are accurate. (For all printable patterns or digital content: http://tinyurl.com/11326-patterns-download) Cut out each paper pattern along the outer dashed line. Do not leave excess paper around your foundation papers. Sew with strong, fine, cotton thread. I use 50-weight Masterpiece (by Superior Threads) or 50-weight cotton Mako thread (by Aurifil). Use a large needle (size 90/14) in the sewing machine and it will be easier to remove the papers.