Friday 11 July 2014

Word on the Street

 Once upon a time, not so very long ago, a charming young quilter requested a pattern. Well, flattered by such lovely words as “amazing designer”, “incredible block designs”, “just plain fabulous”, how was a girl to say no? Okay. So I totally embellished there and may have exaggerated slightly on the compliments. But regardless. The result was the same. Molli Sparkles requested a pattern, Molli Sparkles got a pattern.

If you haven’t yet succumbed to Molli’s charm and way with words, then do pop over to visit the very sparkly blog. You’ll quickly discover our friend Molli has quite the love for Converse shoes. Not being a cool kid like Molli, it had never once crossed my mind to design a Converse shoe pattern, but I’m always up for a challenge. And so. Here it is my friends. Pink Converse High Top shoes – designed and made just for Molli.

Paper Pieced Converse Shoes by Quiet Play

I went with my favourite textured print ever – Sketch – in a delightful shade of pink. I had in mind that I wanted a texty background and was starting to panic when I couldn’t find enough of my texty prints (generally need around a fat quarter or 1/4 yd cut for background fabric for a paper pieced block like this). There may have been a squeal of delight when I found this one hidden away at the bottom of my black/white stash!

Converse High Top Paper Pieced Shoe by Quiet Play

I was tempted to go with the traditional black and white colours like my original sketch for this pattern….

Converse High Tops

… but I mean this is Molli we’re talking about. Nothing traditional or standard there! So pink and texty it was! And I’m thrilled with the result! (Ok a little part of me wishes I had done black detail like most Converse shoes... but by the time I thought of it, it was too late - besides I used this pic from Molli's blog for inspiration!)

Okay so I will admit that little star logo nearly brought me to tears. Oh the unpicking, and the swearing, and the repeated unpicking, and the repeated less creative swearing, and then there was the unpicking… not to mention the swearing… But it got done. It did however, dear readers, make me decide that it would be wise to include a second version of the pattern that does not require unpicking and swearing and gnashing of teeth to complete. So this pattern has two versions. The completely paper pieced version for the very brave, and the less paper pieced version (no logo) for the still brave but perhaps more wise.

conversenostar

Please note that I have not included applique templates for the star logo in the pattern. I design foundation pieced patterns, not applique. I am fortunate that I know how to spell applique and that is about the extent of my experience. I trust you clever people can work out how to add an appliqued logo if you so desire.

So dear friends – you may now find this pattern for purchase in my Craftsy shop. And expect me to be posting pictures of it like… everywhere. Because I’m stupidly pleased with how it turned out. Oh and do pop over to Molli’s fabulous blog and offer thanks for the inspiration for this block!

One more picture for the road Winking smile Posed with the only Converse shoes we own – my daughter’s baby shoes which sadly… no longer fit her. She did try Cinderella style and she was most disappointed that baby shoes do not fit her 4 year old feet. So was I.

Pink Converse Shoes

So... Molli... challenge accepted and completed! And I fully expect this pattern to start you on your own downward spiral into paper piecing. Have fun and I'll cheer you on from the sidelines! ;)

26 comments:

  1. Wow! you are very creative and made it exactly :)

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  2. As I said on Molli's blog, I think this is your best pattern yet! Brilliant, I can just see it in all sorts of fabrics.

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  3. These look so rad, Kristy! This is the coolest paper pieced pattern I've ever seen.

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  4. Your shoes are just beautiful...my grownup son loves to wear colored tennis shoes when he directs his HS choir...what a fun block to make for him...he won't expect it. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Great job! I'd probably try the fiddley one myself :)

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  6. SO fabulous Kristy, they are awesome!! xx

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  7. Wow! I NEED to make this one.

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  8. Think I may make this for my sister (her birtthday is next week though so I may have to make it a delayed present)! Am I crazy enough to paper piece the emblem though?!

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  9. Woohoo! Thank you so much and I hope this is your most successful paper pieced pattern in the history of the universe, amen. All I can think about now is soaking my feet from standing all day! haha

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  10. I am so glad you did design them! I have a very studious, smart, piano playing, somewhat geeky, smart nephew who happens to loooove Converse (and makes me feel like I'm back in my teenage years)! This will make a great pillow for his room!

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  11. Did you crash Mollie's site? I can't get it to open? Love Love love the shoes!

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  12. Love your work! Now all I need is a teenager to make these for!

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  13. i don't know...i have always considered you one of the cool kids and you sure do make cool patterns :)

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  14. What an awesome block!! As usual, you put the right fabrics and colors together to make the pattern come to life!!

    Susie

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  15. Absolutely fabulous! Great work! I love the fabrics and that you went with pink!

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  16. Simply ahhhhmazing!! These are the absolute cutest shoes ever. I'm not sure how you do it, but I am in love with your work.

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  17. Great pattern . Definitely love the logo. My 21year old tomboy daughter has a wardrobe full of converse which she wears to her software engineering job every day! They also play table tennis at lunch time! Great job she has. Might have to make this pattern for her when I get next spare minute :) Have a feeling she won't go for pink Though . lol.

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  18. Couldn't help myself. I bought the pattern. Yay :)

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  19. hahaha! Another fabulous post!! And that pattern! to die for!!!! XX!

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  20. These are just FABULOUS! AMAZING! I am addicted to the chuck and this just makes my heart to little flips of joy! Great work!

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  21. Ohhhh, these are so cool! I just love it!

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  22. I couldn't find the pattern on craftsy. Is it still available?

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    Replies
    1. All my patterns are listed in payhip now :) The shop address is payhip.com/quietplay

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