Crystallography

This is going to be kinda long, because I took a bunch of pics along the way- first I have to give a shout out to my pal Karen Stone http://www.karenkstone.com  who started me paper piecing years ago with her genius patterns.

ooh my favorite thing- a blank piece of paper-

I begin sketching the lines, stepping back often to make sure everything flows

Then I put some rough sewing lines in- they don't need to be accurate because I will make it up as I go along. 

each shape is numbered and also given a directional arrow-this entire piece of paper will be cut apart and become my pattern.

fun picking fabrics!  it's great to delve into my batik stash for a change.

each shape is cut from the main pattern and sewn individually

then they're reassembled with all of their edges folded under- this will be turned edge machine appliqué 

I sew them all down on my trusty Bernina

and then quilt it

voila-

Crystallography 40x45"

detail.

my theme this cycle is macro, I thought I would get inside the poky world of crystals instead of organic shapes for a change.