Thursday, June 30, 2011

Fun With The Go! Baby (Lots of Pics)

I have to tell you that I've been having so much fun playing around with my Go! Baby and have managed to crank out a couple projects in short order!  This machine is addicting!

The first project (well really the second project - I'll get to that in a minute) is a fun baby quilt that I made out of Riley Blake Designs, Quite Contrary line.  I used the Go! Baby Tumbler die:

Excuse the folds - I didn't have anyone here to hold it up for me!  This was so much fun and easy to do with the Go! Baby.

Here's a brief tutorial of what I did.  First I placed a layer of fabric on the die (you can layer up to six layers - I was doing a test run):

Placed the cutting board on top:
Then I gave the handle on the side a crank so that the die goes from one side of the Baby Go! to the other,  and look what I ended up with:

And TA-DA!
Simple, huh?  And in about 15 minutes, I had this:

Enough Tumbler blocks for my quilt - about 168 Tumblers!  Amazing!  Do you know how long this would have taken me the "old fashioned way?  Hours of tracing and cutting!

So now it's time to sew and it was so easy!  Because the corners are notched the pieces fit together perfectly:

Which results in such perfect piecing:

You just gotta love when your seams match up so well!

From there it was just making rows:
Sew the rows together, add some borders and you have a great quilt.

I also cut out some repros!  I have a ton of left over fabric from my Farmer's Wife quilt:

I'm not done with the quilt yet, but I couldn't resist putting a few repro tumblers together.  Woo Hoo!  I'm well on my way to the Tumbler quilt that I kept putting off because I didn't want to cut out (by hand) all those Tumblers!  With the Baby Go! it was so fast and I'm well on my way to having the quilt I've wanted for a long time.


The first project I actually did was a pincushion.  I know that you've all seen them here and there.  I did them with the Hexagon Die, and again, it was short work!  Unfortunately, the pictures flew into cyberspace somewhere due to operator error (thank goodness the Go! Baby has no blades that could cut me because I don't do well with some devices sometimes - LOL), so I recreated a little bit of it.  Anyway, here's the pincushion.  I know that if you're a fan of Blackbird Designs you've probably seen them:

Isn't it sweet:  I used the Go Baby! Hexagon die.  The die comes with three different sizes, 2", 3" and 5" - the seam allowances are built in (sorry for the glare in the picture):

For my purposes, I used the middle size - 3".  Using one size out of the three is not hard to do at all.  I simply laid my pieces of fabric over the die area and cut.  There was no shifting of fabric and the pieces came out perfect.  I had some 2-1/2" hexagon papers and turned the edges over the papers and pressed.  You can also baste your seam allowances down in a more traditional way, but for my purposes with this being a smaller project, I just used the papers and pressed my seam allowance to the inside.  Then I zig zagged the edges together:


When I came to the end of the seam I added another hexagon, swiveled the needle and continued on:

It was so quick and easy.  As I mentioned I don't have pictures of the original one due to operator error, but I just continued adding layers to the piece for a total of three rows.  Here's a partial row just set together:

Once your three rows are completely put together, you cut a circle for the back (this is where the Baby Go! Circle die would have come in handy), trim the edges of the hexies to match the circle, sew right sides together - leaving the seam open enough to turn right side out - stuff your piece and you're pretty much done. I added thin twine and a cute vintage button and it's finished:

I think these would be cute using all three of the sizes that come with the die and using different orange fabrics, making some cute pumpkins for the Fall season - make one of each size and stack them.  How cute would that be?

So there you have it!  A couple projects made with the Go! Baby Tumbler and Hexagon dies.  I still have another die to play with and I'm in the process of figuring out what to do with that one - I'll have that to show when I announce the giveaway!!

I can't say enough about how much time this Go! Baby saves.  And you don't have to be a quilter to make use out of this machine.  There are dies for squares - perfect for pin pillow backings, circles for pincushions like the one above, yo-yo's or a circle qult like the one I made a while ago:



Or flowers or stars - all sorts of things that quilters and non-quilters would get a variety of uses from.  The possibilities are endless.  So while you're waiting for the giveaway, take a look at all the dies available for the Go! Baby at Accuquilt and pick out three that you think you'd love.  And who knows, you may even get hit by the quilting bug.  Cutting out all those shapes for a quilt or whatever project you do would be fast work with a Go! Baby!!!

Have a wonderful 4th weekend!

45 comments:

LiahonaGirl said...

Looks like you're definitely having fun with the Go Baby! I don't have either of those dies -- will have to add them to the list.

Siobhán said...

I love your projects, Deb! The tumbler quilt is adorable. I have three 3 Sisters charm packs sitting here, waiting for DD to trace and cut out into tumbler shapes for her first quilt. It sure would be nice to have the little notched corners, too.

If I were to choose dies, I'd go with the apple core, tumbler & hexagon dies.

Me and My Stitches said...

I love your repro tumblers - so cute! But, I NEED that pin cushion! I have been wanting to make hexies forever. Oh, cute little scissor fob, too (ha ha!). Thanks for sharing!

Laurie in Iowa said...

I'm glad you're enjoying your new quilting toy. The tumbler quilt is sweet.
If I were choosing dies I'd go with the tumbler, hexagon and apple core.
All your projects look good.

Jennifer said...

So, not only am I stalking your blog, but I'm also drooling all over it! My husband had no idea what he was getting into when he encouraged me to start my quilting hobby. Now I MUST have one of these!

What fabulous projects came out of your new toy. Could I twist your arm to pick my name? LOL!

WoolenSails said...

I haven't tried my tumbler yet, but got the small one, like the smaller sizes better, hope they come out with more.

Debbie

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Awesome, Deb! I might actually learn to quilt if I had a machine like that. The cutting out, for me, is the scariest part of quilt making. I THINK I could sew them together.

Love the pincushion - it looks like the one that Cari and Cathy and Joan gave us. Love it!

Bertie said...

Oh your machine is fabulous Deb, thank you so much for showing how it works! I will definately have to have a look at the show in Birmingham UK. Don't include me in the draw, I will have to be a serious quilter first LOL, but good luck to all:))

Hazel said...

Wow you make it look so easy. Beautiful projects. x

Annie said...

My gosh... you are a quilting maniac now! It's great that the winner is making such good use of this. I just love everything you are doing with it.

Catherine said...

It's amazing how much you have accomplished with this machine!! All of your projects look wonderful!

Margaret said...

Nice! Love what you made! I hate cutting fabrics for quilts which is why this sounds so great to me. lol! It's so much faster too! Fun! I'd definitely get the hexie die.

Yvette said...

You are killing me!! I'm loving those tumblers. That pincushion is also fantastic.

Nancy said...

Lovely projects! That pincushion is so cute! Maybe you should offer a service to cut out pattern pieces for those of us who are not quilting because we are afraid of the cutting process! Bet you would get lots of takers!

merumo said...

How fun! I wasn't really interested in the original size one when it came out some time ago, but this baby version seems to fit a lot better with my project's sizes :) Thanks for sharing good pictures!!

KarenV said...

That machine is amazing! Love the pincushion and the Riley Blake Tumbler quilt. I have some of that Quite Contrary fabric and I love how your quilt turned out. Lucky you to win such a useful piece of equipment, it looks like fun to use.

Anonymous said...

I have to say thank you for sharing how you put the hexagons together...you said no basting just ironing and sewing on machine...sounds absolutely wonderful! Thanks for that tidbit!!!

woolwoman said...

Deb - Now I am almost as excited as you about this device - I am amazed at what all you've done and how much help it would be to cut like this. I never learned to rotary cut - I have done some template making and cutting but that is daunting with big projects plus getting it perfect is a worry for someone inexperienced like me. Like you said - even non-quilters could benefit by cutting backs for pin keeps and pin pillows and I have been inspired to make one of those hexie quilts ever since Siobhan kept posting her little hexies - so if I were going to get this - I would probably choose the same thing you did the hexie set, the triangle and the tumbler shape - that quilt is gorgeous using your civil war scraps. Thanks for all the inspiration and for introducing us to that device - I'm off to peruse their website. Mel

mdgtjulie said...

I absolutely love the first quilt you did. It's gorgeous!!! the colors are perfect, and it's right up my alley!! Glad you got so much use out of your Go! Baby!! I bet it saves you loads of time. Can't wait to see what you do next with it!

Michelle said...

OMG I'm dying over your "Farmers Wife" tumblers. Fabulous!!! And the hex pincushion is fabulous too. Wow - what a great device!!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

GO BABY! That's a darling baby quilt and I love that pincushion!!!

Joanie said...

Ya gotta stop, Deb. I want one of those babies now....Watch your mail...goodies are on the way!

Sherry :o) said...

Wow - you accomplished much since announcing you received the Accuquilt Go! Baby Go! I love the hexi pin cushion and your tumblers are cool - I have always loved the look but didn't want to try the angle sewing!

samplerlover said...

OMG Deb, your projects are lovely. I love everything that you have put together. How easy is this wonderful piece. I like the two blocks that you have tried. - Sandra.

Vinniey said...

WOw!! This machine really makes quilting so easy. Beautiful fabrics you've used. Especially love the pink flora-strawberry piece. The pincushion is so darling!

Loraine said...

So great Deb! Love this tutorial, and I think I may need one, because I have the idea that I need a yo-yo quilt someday. :)
Wow, you put that darling quilt together so fast! I love it, and I bet your daughter does too. LOL!
I'm posting right now about our SAL. Yeah! I made it, thanks to your encouragement. You are the best!
Have a great 4th of July Weekend too! Hugs dear friend!

Melody said...

What a cool tool that is. I just love the hexagon pin cushion. That is super cute.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Great projects!

Cyn said...

You've already made a quilt that quick!

I also enjoyed seeing the hexagon pincushion as I want to make one this summer.

Hmmm... I still think I'd pick the Hexagon, Stars, and the Pumpkin dies. Though it's not easy to choose! :-)

Cynthia

marly said...

Wow is that cool. The cuts are perfect! Good idea about the pumpkin pincushions - great design with any fabric!

Lois said...

There'll be no stopping you now! Love the pin cushion and that tumbler quilt is going to be lovely!

Heidi said...

I have never heard of this before and it looks so fun. I am making a tumbler quilt collecting only one fabric scrap for each tumbler but still this looks fun. Of course, my way, I have to place a template on each scrap and trace my lines before sewing them. Oh what fun you must be having!

Thanks for the comment about my FW sampler. I am making two this year as I am using 50 of the blocks for my quilt group. They are making lap quilts but I like the idea of keeping it square and doing two variations of it ... one for me and one for my mother.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Gabi said...

gosh...that's really cool. That pin cushion is SO gorgeous. So is the rest.

Katrina said...

Very cool and I love the pin cushion!!! Fun projects :-).

Nancy M said...

I know nothing about quilting, but this certainly looks like it makes things easier! You've already cranked out some awesome things!

Carol said...

Quilting is all Greek to me, Deb, but what a fun, new "toy" to play with--enjoy!!

Katherine said...

Oh, Deb, you are having too much fun! I still think this little thing is really cool. I love the little hexies - and would probably be practical and get squares and triangles. Maybe I'd finish more quilts with one of these!

Kajsa said...

What a great win! This must be such a neat thing to have if you are a quilter! Pretty quilt finish.

The Civil War Quilter said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I wondered how those things worked. Neat projects.

Kathy said...

What a cool tool! Your projects are gorgeous! I always drool over your fabric choices.

Heidi said...

Wow, this is a cool giveaway! I'd love to try out those hexagons! thank you for showing what you can do with some of the dies!

Winona said...

Oh goodness, after reading this post I am hoping more than ever to win the Baby GO. I love your tumbler quilts.

Pamela said...

Please enter me for a chance!!! The Go! Baby looks like a lot of fun. thank you for the giveaway.
Pam

Karoline said...

Great quilt and I love the pincushion.

Stitchabilities said...

Looks like I need one of the accuquilt thingies!!!