Typecast of Characters Blog Tour and Behind the Scenes

Typecast of Characters Blog Tour hosted by Whole Circle Studio

Over 20 years ago, I designed my first typeface as a graphic design major earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. At that time, I thought that quilts were blankets that you bought at Caldor. I didn’t really know it was something that people made. Given at the time that I didn’t even know how to sew, I never would have imagined that years later I would be designing and making my own quilt blocks that incorporated typography. It’s amazing how connections are made and things can come full circle.

It was almost two years ago and I started sketching and thinking about designing my own quilt block typeface.

Design process for developing Typecast, an English Paper Piecing pattern. Make all 26 letters of the alphabet and incorporate then with other quilt blocks to make custom project including quilts, bags, table runners and more!
  Early prototypes that led to Typecast.

I experimented with a number of piecing techniques and finally landed on EPP (English Paper Piecing). It allows for combining straight and curves to achieve this smooth and legible typeface.

I cut the first prototypes on my Cricut Maker. Once it became clear that this was a pattern that I could indeed explain and share, I needed to decide how to produce the papers required to make the blocks. Mass producing them on my Cricut just wasn’t feasible!

Early Typecast EPP prototypes cut on my Cricut Maker.
Early Typecast EPP prototypes cut on my Cricut Maker.
Sewing early prototypes for Typecast to test and adjust the pattern.
Sewing early prototypes for Typecast to test and adjust the pattern.

Last fall I made a trip to Paducah, Kentucky and met with Paper Pieces, the leader in all things English Paper Piecing. After a great meeting and tour, we decided to work together. I am so excited to team up with @paperpiecesepp who is producing the paper pieces (and optional acrylic templates). I also published a Typecast guide you can pick up as a PDF or printed booklet with lots of tips so piecing is a breeze. Seriously, even beginners can English Paper Piece this pattern! You’ll meet some makers on the Blog Tour who have never EPP’ed before making letters with Typecast.
Typecast, an English Paper Piecing (EPP) Pattern Make all 26 letters of the alphabet. Each block measures approximately 6” x 9”. This fully tested pattern guide contains detailed instructions, tips and diagrams to walk quilters through the variety of EPP straight line and curved piecing skills they will use while making Typecast blocks. Required English Paper Pieces and optional acrylic templates not included. Pattern by Whole Circle Studio

Typecast is a tribute to my love of typography. I have fond memories of my early undergraduate graphic design classes and tracing typefaces. While it certainly would have been quicker to use the computer, my professors knew that their students would gain a greater appreciation for typeface design by drawing characters by hand. Later, I had an opportunity to design my own typefaces in advanced Typography classes.

Full alphabet made with Typecast, an English Paper Piecing (EPP) Pattern Make all 26 letters of the alphabet. Each block measures approximately 6” x 9”. This fully tested pattern guide contains detailed instructions, tips and diagrams to walk quilters through the variety of EPP straight line and curved piecing skills they will use while making Typecast blocks. Required English Paper Pieces and optional acrylic templates not included. Pattern by Whole Circle Studio
Aloha mini quilt made with Typecast, an English Paper Piecing (EPP) Pattern Make all 26 letters of the alphabet. Each block measures approximately 6” x 9”. This fully tested pattern guide contains detailed instructions, tips and diagrams to walk quilters through the variety of EPP straight line and curved piecing skills they will use while making Typecast blocks. Required English Paper Pieces and optional acrylic templates not included. Pattern by Whole Circle Studio Makers Gonna Make modern quilt made with Typecast, an English Paper Piecing (EPP) Pattern Make all 26 letters of the alphabet. Each block measures approximately 6” x 9”. This fully tested pattern guide contains detailed instructions, tips and diagrams to walk quilters through the variety of EPP straight line and curved piecing skills they will use while making Typecast blocks. Required English Paper Pieces and optional acrylic templates not included. Pattern by Whole Circle Studio
I Heart EPP mini quilt made with Typecast, an English Paper Piecing (EPP) Pattern Make all 26 letters of the alphabet. Each block measures approximately 6” x 9”. This fully tested pattern guide contains detailed instructions, tips and diagrams to walk quilters through the variety of EPP straight line and curved piecing skills they will use while making Typecast blocks. Required English Paper Pieces and optional acrylic templates not included. Pattern by Whole Circle Studio Quilt Star mini quilt made with Typecast, an English Paper Piecing (EPP) Pattern Make all 26 letters of the alphabet. Each block measures approximately 6” x 9”. This fully tested pattern guide contains detailed instructions, tips and diagrams to walk quilters through the variety of EPP straight line and curved piecing skills they will use while making Typecast blocks. Required English Paper Pieces and optional acrylic templates not included. Pattern by Whole Circle Studio

I wanted to design typeface blocks that all of you quilters out there could use to express yourself and customize YOUR own quilted projects. I am having a blast making lots and lots of letters, words and phrases. I hope you’ll give English Paper Piecing and Typecast a try.

What word or phrase will you make with Typecast?

Get started with the complete paper pack + pattern guide (and save $10).
You can the same letters in the paper pack over and over to make lots of custom projects!
Typecast, an English Paper Piecing (EPP) Pattern Make all 26 letters of the alphabet. Each block measures approximately 6” x 9”. This fully tested pattern guide contains detailed instructions, tips and diagrams to walk quilters through the variety of EPP straight line and curved piecing skills they will use while making Typecast blocks. Required English Paper Pieces and optional acrylic templates not included. Pattern by Whole Circle Studio
Want just a few letters? Pick up the pattern guide here and individual paper pieces here.

 

Typecast of Characters Blog Tour hosted by Whole Circle Studio

Get ready for LOTS of inspiration and weekly giveaways!

The Typecast of Characters Blog Tour kicks off on Monday and will feature an all-star line up of quilters! Each day (Monday-Thursday) through the middle of May, a different quilter and their letter project will be featured. You’ll definitely want to check in daily to what everyone is up to, plus there will be lots of English Paper Piecing tips and tricks along the way.

You’ll also want to check back here on my blog every Friday for a weekly wrap up AND a giveaway with prizes from these generous sponsors:
Art Gallery Fabrics
Aurifil

Havel’s Sewing
Paper Pieces
Precision Quilting Tools
Sew Fine
Soak
Tulip Needles
The Warm Company

TYPECAST OF CHARACTERS BLOG TOUR hosted by Whole Circle Studio:

• Wednesday, March 27: Tour Introduction by Whole Circle Studio
• Monday, April 1 — A: Kate Brennan of Aurifil
• Tuesday, April 2 — B: Mathew Bourdreaux of Mister Domestic
• Wednesday, April 3 — C: Tara Curtis of Wefty Needle
• Thursday, April 4— D: Leah Day of Free Motion Quilting Project
• Friday, April 5 — Week 1 Wrap Up featuring A-D and GIVEAWAY at Whole Circle Studio
• Monday, April 8 — E: Erin Bay of Paper Pieces
• Tuesday, April 9 — F: Sylvia Schaefer of Flying Parrot Quilts
• Wednesday, April 10 — G: Giuseppe Ribaudo of Giucy Giuce
• Thursday, April 11— H: Hilary Jordan of By Hilary Jordan
• Friday, April 12 — Week 2 Wrap Up featuring E-H and GIVEAWAY at Whole Circle Studio
• Monday, April 15 — I: Kim Soper of Leland Ave Studios
• Tuesday, April 16 — J: Yvonne Fuchs of Quilting Jetgirl
• Wednesday, April 17 — K: Karen O’Connor of Lady K Quilts
• Thursday, April 18 — L: Kristy Daum of St. Louis Folk Victorian
• Friday, April 19 — Week 3 Wrap Up featuring I-L and GIVEAWAY at Whole Circle Studio
• Monday, April 22 — M: Molli Sparkles of Molli Sparkles
• Tuesday, April 23 — N: Nicole Daksiewicz of Modern Handcraft
• Wednesday, April 24 — O: Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios
• Thursday, April 25 — P: Pat Sloan of Pat Sloan
• Friday, April 26 — Week 4 Wrap Up featuring M-P and GIVEAWAY at Whole Circle Studio
• Monday, April 29 — Q: Joanna Marsh of Kustom Kwilts
• Monday, April 29 — Q: Lindsay Széchényi of Lindsay Széchényi (and Patchwork Threads)
• Tuesday, April 30 — R: Andrea Tsang Jackson of 3rd Story Workshop
• Wednesday, May 1 — S: Sarah Thomas of Sariditty
• Thursday, May 2 — T: Rachel Rossi of Rachel Rossi
• Friday, May 3— Week 5 Wrap Up featuring Q-T and GIVEAWAY at Whole Circle Studio
• Monday, May 6 — U: Kitty Wilkin of Night Quilter
• Tuesday, May 7 — V: Jenn McMillan of Fabric, Ink
• Wednesday, May 8 — W: Jenny Meeker of Bobbin Roulette Studio
• Thursday, May 9 — X: Stephanie Kendron of Modern Sewciety
• Friday, May 10 — Week 6 Wrap Up featuring U-X and GIVEAWAY at Whole Circle Studio
• Monday, May 13 — Y: Debby Brown of Debby Brown Quilts
• Tuesday, May 14 — Z: Nisha Bouri and Kim Martucci of Brimfield Awakening
• Wednesday, May 15 — Week 7 Wrap Up featuring Y-Z, Tour closeout and GIVEAWAY at Whole Circle Studio

Pick up your Typecast Guide and Paper Pack and make something great with us,


You may also like