Thursday, June 03, 2010

Apple Core Table Runner Tutorial using the GO! Cutter

The Applecore has always been intriguing to me...and daunting.
I have thought for a few years that I could try it with English Paper Piecing, but never got around to it. Cutting the shapes myself was out of the question.  I didn't even know where to find a template.
A few weeks ago I was approached by the awesome people at Accuquilt about doing a feature on my blog about my GO! cutter. I chose the Applecore die to feature because I have been really wanting to try it.
I have had my GO! for about 8 months now.
As you know I have made a rag quilt with their dies but I really hadn't explored using it more than that.
Since quilt market I decided I was going to put my GO! to the test.
This is a tutorial on how I used the GO! to cut the Applecore shape and create a simple table topper.
I started with a Fat Eighth bundle of Sandy Gervais' new Moda line Lollipop. I confess I did get this at Sample Spree at Spring Quilt Market.
I have been so tempted to delve into my sample spree stash and this project seemed the perfect one for it.
Supplies:
9 coordinating Fat Eighths or scraps 7" X 9"
fat quarter 18" X 22" backing
batting 15" X 15"
1/3 yard coordinate to make bias binding
Coordinating thread for quilting (Aurifil)
 GO! Applecore die.
In case you haven't see the GO! cutter, here it is unfolded.
I layered 3 fabrics at a time and using the opaque mat designed to use with the dies...rolled the die through the machine.
Wait, I mean my 3 year old rolled it through.
Yep, that is how easy it is. She kept begging to help me.
I finally gave in. Standing (hovering) near her, I let her turn the handle.
She was soooo happy that she did it.
She cut all 9 shapes.


Here are the shapes on the design wall.
Notice the notches in the centers of the concave and convex curves.
These are very important for piecing your cores together.
Also note, that the curves do not appear to be the same length when they are laid beside each other.
Now here's where the magic occurs. Match up the notch of one convex curve to a concave curve.
And glue.

what? glue?
Yes, using the Sewline glue stick I glue-tacked the notches together.
Then I proceeded to glue the ends and ease in the rest of the curve.
I did not pin.
Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance and press towards the convex curve.
Be consistent with pressing. Try not to iron or stretch the fabric.
Continue to piece the cores into 3 rows of 3.
Then piece the rows.
And again I used glue.
 I found that pins caused more tucks in my piecing and ended up seam ripping.
This shows lining up the notches.
The pieced applecore top
.

I chose Aurifil thread to quilt this project. I was able to purchase this Kit Art set at Sample Spree. I am anxious to try the other colors soon.
I layered the backing and batting and quilted with a 1/4" outline of the applecores.
Using bias binding to bind.
This photo is keeping it real here. I really used that many clips on the binding.
It was a HUGE challenge. When I make my next applecore I am going to piece the top and square up the edges to avoid binding this curvaceous edge.

Here's the finished topper.
Even with the "keeping it real bias binding"...I finished this on Memorial Day in about 3 hours. The binding took the most time at at least an hour and a half.
The GO! made cutting the applecore with accuracy and precision...easy peasy.
Piecing was a dream with the glue pen technique.
I absolutely can not wait to make another Applecore quilt. I think I am going to make one with 1930's fabrics. Eek..I want to go home at lunch and start it today.
Seriously, I would love to go home and sew today :)
How about you? Do you have a GO!? do you like it?

20 comments:

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

I do have a GO! cutter. Got it for Christmas. Used it once, was disappointed with the result and haven't used it since. The 5" square die that I purchased DOES NOT cut a 5" square! Cuts it 4 7/8. The place where I purchased it tested my die and the last one on their shelf... same result. I was bummed and AccuQuilt has no answer for me but to "stabilize" my fabric with paper. Who's going to pay for all that paper???

But I haven't given up hope. I bought another die and I'm going to try it again. Someday. My husband is bummed too since he's the one who gave it to me.

I love your table topper though. So cute!! And love that glue idea too!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

I wish I had a GO! I'd love to make an apple core quilt, but have always dreaded the cutting~ it looks so fun and easy that I have a serious case of envy here! ;-)

adnohr said...

I've seen this advertised but I have to ask... how do you make sure you are cutting with the grain? I've seen dies for cutting jelly roll or honey bun strips but how does it keep the fabric from slipping off grain? For the odd shapes I suppose it won't matter as much, but for charm squares and the like, I'd worry that it goes off-kilter.

Vickie E said...

to Adnohr....
I could not respond to you via email...so this is the best I can do.
I understand your concern about being on grain. I followed the instructions that the Go! comes with. I made the applecore with bias edges and found little stretching. I use pre-cuts for quilting daily and I see no difference between pre-cuts being on grain vs. accuquilt cut fabric. I have found that the accuracy of the dies enables me to cut and piece my patterns more accurately than using a rotary cutter.

Unknown said...

Way to GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sherry said...

Well that looks like a tricky quilt to do. You did a great job.

Cara said...

Hi Vickie! Love your little apple core topper! I have the paper pieces to make an apple core by hand but the Go looks way more fun! May have to check that out- thanks for a great tutorial!

Sherri said...

I would love a go cutter!!! Love this table topper too!

Betsy said...

Vickie thanks for the tutorial.

Unknown said...

Great table topper! As you know I have the Studio Cutter, but I don't have the apple core die, yet! You noticed I said yet! I am hoping to get it some day and you might just have been the catalyst for me. And oh can I see this in 30s!

AnnieO said...

I would love to have a GO cutter and make one of those adorable applecore projects! Sandy's new line is so fun. I also covet the tumbler die and the square...but the machine is pretty pricey plus the dies so it's a "wish" for now!

I agree, I would rather stay home from work and sew too!

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Once again...you ROCK! This time your rocked the CORE :0)

Love the colors and your Little Helper did a great job.

Thanks for sharing.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I don't have a Go! cutter...yet. I have been wanting to do an apple core quilt. I think I will wait until I have a Go! cutter. Love the idea of gluing instead of using pins. I always get stuck by the pins. Plus, with gluing you don't have to constantly stop to remove pins. A big time saver!

Anonymous said...

You lucky duck with the Go cutter! I've had my eye on those who are posting about them. I've heard of a few bloggers receiving them to put word out to others...guess I'm not that lucky! Hee
I was really interested in cutting my own 5" charms....but as I type this "PunkiePie's" comment is next to me and I see she is disappointed with the result. Have you tried it? I'm curious.

Vesuviusmama said...

Very pretty! An applecore quilt is definitely in my future, probably a little cutie like yours while I figure out how to do it. Thanks for the tutorial!

Teresa Marie said...

Cute, cute, cute!

Sabrina said...

nice!

Flossysmom said...

Your three year old was able to turn the handle on the GO-cutter? I am thinking there is something wrong with mine. I put 4 layers of thin cotton through, and found it very difficult to roll.I tried just two layers it is easier but not easy.

Bolts and Bobbins said...

Cute! Cute! Cute! I've just used my Go Cutter for the first time. I'm making a memory quilt and have cut all the half square triangles and it worked great. Can hardly wait to try something else! Will be posting a picture - come see it - www.boltsandbobbins.blospot.com.

Kari @ The Purple Quiltapotamus said...

Oh my goodness, what a cute little topper and a fabulous tutorial! I have a GO and just got the applecore die last week but haven't tried it out yet. I love the idea of glueing the pieces, I think that looks way easier than pinning.
I think an applecore quilt would look awesome in 30's prints!