Dreaming

I just bought the book "Magnificent Spiral Mandala Quilts", by RaNae Merrill. I also have her book "Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts". These quilts are absolutely amazing, but they look really difficult. If you have made one, how hard was it. I'm determined, but I was just wondering what your experience was like and if I could possibly see a picture. Thanx.

sewgull

Sounds interesting, keep us posted.

Dolphyngyrl

I just got that book and wondered the same thing. Her quilts seem so intricate. Paper piecing is tedious anyways and with so many small pieces I was wondering the difficulty level as well

MTS

The overall effect is stunning - I LOVE the quilt on the cover of her first spiral book.
I stumbled across it at a show in Dulles, Va. before the book even came out. I was mesmerized.

But when you break down the pieces, it's really small, manageable blocks to paper piece.
Sure, you have to keep everything straight color-wise for placement, and being keeping your fabrics organized would be helpful.
I'm sure there will be a mis-sewn piece here and there.
But that pretty much happens with any PP project, right?

Start with one of her patterns that she provides - the hard work is already done.
Do it in your own colors to make it yours.
Then you can think about designing your own sprial.

raedar63

I have admired these as well, I would love to preview a book before I buy one though.

MTS

RaNae has two blogs:
http://www.ranaemerrillquilts.com/blogs
Sometimes they have the same posts, sometimes not.

You can see the current top post on the blog is a tote bag - perfect way to see if you're interested in the process.
Or here's an older post from Sept 2009.
http://spiromaniacs.wordpress.com/2009/09/

There used to be another blog where you could really follow each person's progress on her own spiral quilt. I don't have the link to that anymore. Maybe it's no longer public.

Yes, it's paper piecing. If you hate pp, then this is probably not the quilt for you. You don't have to do a king-size quilt as you can create the spiral in the smaller projects in the links above. Heck, do a mug rug.

Here's her EQ interview. The book does come with a CD with ready made designs.
http://www.electricquilt.com/Users/N.../2008_10_3.asp

I have my spiral quilt all designed and color coded.
I just need to finish another quilt (also not started) as the leftovers from one will make the spirals. I figured since I spent all the time and money getting together nine different gradiations with 10 fabrics each, why waste time to do it again. And the first quilt isn't for me so it's not like I'd have two in the same colorway.

One of these days. :roll:

Lobster

I did make a spiral quilt, but it's something I designed myself. I pieced it using the Ruth McDowell freezer paper method, and I still haven't quilted it. I've got a pattern lined up but it's fallen behind in the quilt queue, plus I'm dreading quilting through all those seam allowances. The quilt top is 22" x 25". It was definitely challenging piecing, but then I was doing absolutely tiny curved piecing, with the smallest curved pieces being about 1/4" x 1/2".


Shell quilt top by Elettaria, on Flickr

I gradually built up my skills in piecing using this particular method, starting off with a basic quilt I designed myself and then working through the exercises in McDowell's book. Is there something similar you can do, if you're not sure whether you have the skills yet or not?

amma

WOW Lobster!! This quilt is spectacular :D:D:D