Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 93

Nearly Insane Edge Blocks: 88, 93, 96, 97

Another round up of the more recent Edge blocks from the Nearly Insane Quilt, featuring 88, 93, 96, and 97.  As I have said before, there are two of each for these, but I have found that they are all very similar anyway, and they don't have the complexity of the full blocks.  They are great to do if one of the more 'meaty' blocks have taken a long time.


Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 93

Despite its name, my Nearly Insane Quilt is actually the one thing keeping me sane, as it is the only stitching I am managing to do at the moment.  I have a few projects I would like to do, but in the back of my mind I am reserving some time around Christmas ( ... yes, I said Christmas) to do Bonnie Hunter's 2013 Mystery Quilt - has anyone heard if there is one on the cards?


NUMBER OF PIECES: 12
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle 4 1/4" (108mm) x 3" (77mm) x 3" (77mm) 
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 1 (25mm) x 3/4" (18m) x 3/4" (18mm) 
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Calico
Holiday Treats Red Packed Peppermints by Timeless Treasures
Polka Party Petite" (Buttercream) Lakehouse Dayz Collection by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (LH05037)

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 7 at Coronation Exhibition at Buckingham Palace

Block 7, Nearly Insane Quilt visits Buckingham Palace, London

Here is Block 7 of the Nearly Insane Quilt on a trip to Buckingham Palace. 

We took a trip up to London at the weekend to visit the Coronation Exhibition, which was part of the annual Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace.  The main attraction for me was knowing that Queen Elizabeth II's  Norman Hartnell designed Coronation dress was going to be on display, along with some of the jewels.  The dress was absolutely breath-taking, and it was lovely to see the construction and embellishment on a couture dress from the 1950's. Most of the pictures from the time are in black and white, so it was lovely to see it in technicolour - there was also a colour cine film of the behind the scenes being shown. No photos allowed unfortunately, so use the links in this post to see the official photos.

As a young girl I used to pour over a book we had on the Queen's clothes, which included colour photographs of the embroidery samples that were used on her dresses.  As the Queen, I *assumed* that her dresses would be covered in diamonds and pearls.  It was only a few years ago, when I visited Buckingham Palace for the Dress For the Occasion exhibition that I realised that the dresses were not decorated in real diamonds and pearls, but in the same bugle beads and mother of pearl that we all can buy in the shops.  Some of the dresses from the 1960s even had plastic shapes for decoration! What an anti-climax.  Nevertheless, it is always a pleasure to see beautifully hand crafted couture gowns, and there was also a display of the real bling that she wore to accessorize the dress on the day.

The Coronation dress had plenty of fine embroidery on it, including beading and goldwork done by the Royal School of Embroidery.  The Royal School of Embroidery still exists and is based at Hampton Court Palace in London.  One of the Fabadashery Blog Followers, Emily, is lucky enough to live nearby and often shares the progress of the embroidery workshops she attends.


Block 7, Nearly Insane Quilt

Back to Block 7.  I was lucky enough to be a passenger on the journey to London, so I managed to get the block stitched together, which is why I was able to take the photo in Buckingham Palace gardens.  Not a tricky block, only 36 pieces.

As always linking up with Connie at Freemotion By the River, where she hosts a lovely friendly Linky Party.

NUMBER OF PIECES: 36
DIFFICULTY:3 /10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 3" (76mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 1" (26mm) x 11/16" (18mm) x 11/16" (18mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Little Spots Red, Pierres Famous Travelling Circus, Michael Miller
Tangled Threads in Apple Red on Cream, Mama Said Sew, by Sweetwater for Moda
Spraytime (Scarlet) by Makower #2800-R06
White spots on cream

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 83

Block 83 Nearly Insane Quilt

Can you believe it - this block marks the half way mark with the Nearly Insane Quilt blocks.  In my original plan I worked out that there are 25 draws, with 3 full and one half block, to get the quilt top complete, and as we are on Draw 12, and this the second block .... yes, we are half way through. The pieces of paper in my Nearly Insane Bowl are gradually diminishing!


Nearly Insane Draw bowl

I am really trying to get the light , medium and dark fabrics into each block, as they work better in the overall quilt.  I am also looking forward to when I have enough blocks to start sewing it together.

Lately, I have been in a hurry to get these blocks done. To be honest it has been a struggle to get just this block done this week, with one thing and another - well, mainly work, it really felt like I was stealing time to get it done.  Nonetheless, it is a finish.


Joining Up with Crazy Mom Quilts

NUMBER OF PIECES: 65
DIFFICULTY: 4 /10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 3/8" (10mm) x 3/8" (10mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 4" (100mm) x 13/16" (72mm) x 13/16" (672mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Red Sprig on Cream (Unidentified)
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Spraytime (Scarlet) by Makower #2800-R06
White on Cream Print
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 42

Block 42, Nearly Insane Quilt

Gradually the number of pieces in each draw seem to be increasing.  Last time, the most pieces in these 6" blocks was 110, Block 42 has 120 pieces.  It was easier to do that its neighbour, Block 43, which had 100 pieces and got 9/10 for difficulty. It took time to do, but the finished result is worth it.  I like the colour combinations, with the dark, medium and light fabrics, and the complex pattern which makes the block look more interesting. I hope you appreciate all my matching points - I spend a lot of time coaxing the little bits together.

Suzi the Cat - My Nearly Insane Helper

Fortunately, I had Suzi the Cat helping with the cutting - she helped me cut out the 56 little cream triangles for this block.


120 pieces in a 6 inch block - Nearly Insane Quilt

In fact, there were lots of components in this block: 32 different flying geese units, Ohio Stars, 4-patch's, and I used 5 different fabrics, so there was quite a lot to check as I went along.   The components reminded me of Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street Quilt which I did last Christmas, which then got me thinking, maybe  I could make a miniature Easy Street Quilt using English Paper piecing ..... insane.

Block 42 Reverse - Nearly Insane Quilt

Moving on, here you can see the reverse of the block as I was giving it a good press with the steam iron. I am not too concerned that it will distort because of the paper, and this block, in particular, has a lovely malleable feel to it with all the paper pieces still in it.

Another great addition to the overall Nearly Insane Quilt.

NUMBER OF PIECES: 120
DIFFICULTY: 5/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1/2" (32m) x 1/2" (32mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Designer Beads (Red) Freespirit for Westminster Fibers
Quilters Basics, Stof
Polka Party III by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods #03035
Apple Line Red Swirl by Alice Kennedy for Timeless Treasures  #C5710
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224

Joining Up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 6, Ohio Star Variation





Block 6 , Nearly Insane Quilt, Ohio Star Variation



Here is another Ohio Star variation representing Block 6 of the Nearly Insane Quilt.  It feels like deja vu.

 

Only 21 pieces in this one, which classifies it as EASY. As I do most of my stitching whilst travelling, these 'easy' blocks do not take too much of my concentration, and there are some that I don't even remember doing, as they come together so quickly - this is one of them.    I know the next one has a few more pieces ...

 

I have used a Scandinavian style fabric in the centre, where the pattern looks like it has been pieced, to add a bit of complexity to this block.

 

150th Anniversary Dear Jane Quilt Bag

Since my trip to the 150th Anniversary Dear Jane Quilt Exhibition in Nantes, France, in April, my Dear Jane bag has been my storage of choice for the fabrics I am using for the Nearly Insane Quilt.  It is lovely and big, and they have been piled in and piled out many times.  The bag is also inspiration for perhaps the next project ....

NUMBER OF PIECES: 21
DIFFICULTY: 1 /10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1/2" (12.5mm) x 1/2" (12.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 2.5" (63mm) x 2.5" (63mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Red and White Scandinavian Snowflake Fabric 
Red and White Floral (Unidentified, purchased from The Shuttle)
Prairie Paisley by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
White on Cream swirl print (unidentified)

Linking Up with WIP Freshly Pieced

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 17

Block 17, Nearly Insane Quilt

Block 17 from the Nearly Insane Quilt is a very satisfying one.  The pattern is symmetrical, the pieces are evenly distributed, and I like the visual effect is has.  It also has 109 pieces, which I think is the most pieces I have done so far for one of these 6" blocks.  It was the August Bank Holiday this weekend in UK, and so I had a bit of time to just sit down and sew, which meant I could get this one finished.


Block 17 - Close Up, Nearly Insane Quilt

One of the quandaries of doing a red and white quilt, is deciding whether to stitch in red thread or white thread, particularly when the two colour are sitting directly next to each other in the quilt.  I tend to use the red thread the most, as it appears to blend into the white, whereas the white appears to pop out from the red fabric.  Naturally, the aim is not to see the stitches at all .... 

These blocks are going to look great without all that green tacking thread!

NUMBER OF PIECES: 109
DIFFICULTY: 5/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 11/16" (18mm) x 1/2" (12.5mm) x 1/2" (12.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1" (2.5mm) x 1" (2.5mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Calico
Friendship (Tonal Red) by Howard Marcus for MODA (Collections For a Cause) # 46130
Red Sprig print (unidentified)






 

Pies and Tarts - In A Quilt Sandwich!

Pies and Tarts Quilt, with navy background

It is a month since I finished hand quilting the Red and White Pinwheel Quilt, so yesterday I decided it was time to prepare the next quilt waiting in the queue.  Back in January, I told you about how I had finished the top to my Pies and Tarts Quilt. Yes, it has been hand stitched, and this time, the English Paper Pieced Pies and Tarts have been appliqued onto the navy background.  It was quilt sandwich time!


Millefiore GP92, Kaffe Fassett for Rowan

I am backing the quilt with a Kaffe Fassett fabric, Millefiore GP92, which is nice and busy to hide the quilting stitches, and also because of the circular patterns mirroring the circles on the front. It's a bit deeper in colour in actual life v. internet.


Quilters Dream Poly Batting - Midnight Black

In the middle of the sandwich I am using Midnight Black Quilters Dream Poly.  One of the first quilts I ever made was a small Wedding Ring Quilt, in navy and Japanese fabrics.  I had hand stitched it and had put a 100% cotton wadding in the middle.  Once I started the quilting, I realised to my horror that every stitch pulled out a beard of white cotton onto the navy top. I had to abandon the hand quilting and do it on the machine.  I was not happy, but the lesson was learnt - dark fabrics need a dark wadding.

Making a Quilt Sandwich - Laying the Top onto the Wadding

This is a double quilt, 75" x 75" square, so I knew it was going to take the best part of the day to baste.  Over the years I have done a few of these, and my technique improves slightly each time.  Having unpacked the batting, I unfolded it and let it 'relax' overnight.  Then, the first stage is quite simple, you just need to lay the quilt top onto the batting, smoothing it out, so it as flat as a pancake.


Making a Quilt Sandwich - Rolling Quilt and Wadding onto a tube

Using a long tube, I roll just the top and the wadding onto it, making sure any wrinkles are smoothed out, and then put it aside.


Fixing the quilt backing to the floor with masking tape

Now for the backing.  I lay the backing onto the floor face down, and using masking tape, fix the backing fabric to the floor, making it a taut as possible.  This stage will save you hours of trying to line up the three layers.


Making the Quilt Sandwich

Once fixed, line up the roll with the quilt top and wadding, and unroll. Easy Peasy! All you need to do now is fix them together ...

I had toyed with using the quilters safety pins, I even bought some.  But being realistic, when you are hand quilting, you really don't know how long the quilt is going to be in this state - it could be years, so I opted for the tried and true basting it together with tacking stitches.

Pies and Tarts Quilt, Brights on Navy

The task was an opportunity to admire all the colour combinations I had chosen from my stash for the Pies and Tarts Quilt. I love the quilt, and I enjoyed making it.



Sparky the cat on the Pies and Tarts Quilt

It took the majority of the day to get this done.  My fingers hurt.  My whole body hurts from sitting on the floor. But it was nice to have some moral support from Sparky, the cat, and the good news is that I even have the quilting pattern planned ready to get stitching over the winter months!

Linking with Freemotion By the River and WIP Wednesday!
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 96

Edge Block 96, Nearly Insane Quilt

I have got a bit of a spotty theme going on with this Nearly Insane Edge Block, as there are dots on all the fabrics, including the cream, which is that pearlescent Polka Party III, I have raved about before.  I am also using these pretty flowers by Stof for the first time, which have a dotty centre.

I have done another version for the Edge Block 96 before, back in May.  

On another note, for the past week there has been a Hexie Queen Blog Hop going on in Blogland.  As you know, I am a keen English Paper Piecer, but not necessarily hexagons.  One of the 'Hexie Queens' was Lixie, who gave my blog a 'Shout Out', so to reciprocate the kindness, I am highlighting her FREE Lixie Charm Pouch Tutorial (PDF), which she offered when she was Hexie Queen, a handy little bag for special little things.

That's all for now ...

NUMBER OF PIECES: 14
DIFFICULTY: 2/10SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 11/16" (18mm) x 1/2" (12mm) x 1/2" (12mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 1 1/2" (32mm) x 3 1/2" (54mm) x 2 1/8" (89mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRIC: Polka Party III by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (#03035)
Quilters Basics White/Red Small Flowers, Stof
Designer Beads (Red) Freespirit for Westminster Fibers

Nearly Insane Quilt - 6 Month Progress Report

Nearly Insane Quilt - 6 Months Progress Report

Can you believe it is 6 months since I started this Nearly Insane Quilt journey?
When I look at this picture of all the blocks done so far, I can't decide whether I am making good progress or not. My tally so far is

30 Blocks

10 Side blocks

23 Cornerstones

69 Sashes

It works out about one and a half blocks per week, plus all those other bits and bobs, so we have an estimate of getting all the blocks done August next year....  All the blocks, edge blocks, and sashings are on track, but I haven't done ANY cornerstones since last time.  There is also a 'edge' cornerstone dilemma which has been ongoing that really needs to be addressed.

Nearly Insane Quilt - English Paper Piecing

From the Electric Quilt picture below, you will also see the zig zag border - I think I have decided that it will be a red zig zag set off by the calico I am using for the sashing.  I am expecting there to be a thin red border between the main quilt and the zig zag border.  This Electric Quilt image is on the sidebar, and I usually update it when I have completed each random draw.


Nearly Insane Quilt - Electric Quilt Software, August 2013 Update

I would really love to have a whole week just sitting doing this quilt, but then I think of another load of projects I would love to do.  Before the next 6 month Report, in February 2014, we will have done Christmas ...

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 37

Earlier this month , when I announced Draw 10, I put up a few different design options for Block 37.  With the votes in, the results were pretty evenly spread, and as I had the casting vote, like JoAnn and Lynette, I went for Option 3.
Isn't it pretty?

BTW - if you enjoy voting, don't forget to vote for Suzi, No.71, over at the Pets on Quilts Show before Saturday 24th August 2013. She would love your support!


Block 37, Nearly Insane Quilt

I have just added up the number of pieces in this 6" block and it comes to 97. For 97, this one was not too bad.  Naturally, it takes more time to cut 97 little bits, and sew them together, but now it is complete, it is my latest favourite.

Cutting patchwork pieces for Block 37, Nearly Insane Quilt

It has got some of those teeny weeny triangles in it, and some of those half inch strips, but for this project, I would much rather have a 97 piece block than a 20 piece block.  I don't think I have tipped over 100 yet - ask me how I feel about them when I get there ....


Foundation Piecing - Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 37

For the first time I have used some foundation piecing for the centre of the block.  I am finding that the little pieces in the middle of some of the blocks are bulky, so I thought if I foundation pieced them (by hand!), it would remove some of the bulk, and it has done the trick on this occasion.
As I said, this is my latest favourite.


NUMBER OF PIECES: 97
DIFFICULTY: 5/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1/2" (12.5mm) x 5/16" (9mm) x 5/16" (9mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/16" (27mm) x 1 1/16" (27mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Calico
Cream Bias Check Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5495 11
Tangled Threads in Apple Red, Mama Said Sew, by Sweetwater for Moda
"Christmas Past" (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda


 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 63

Block 63 - Nearly Insane Quilt

I gained some unexpected sewing time the other day, and it meant I could get Block 63 of my Nearly Insane Quilt done in one single session.  That was a bonus, after the protracted  time recent blocks have taken.

For a bit of variety, here is a picture of the reverse of the block, with all the paper still in it.  As usual, you can see all the green basting thread, and that I label each piece of paper, so that I know what shapes belongs to which fabric.

Block 63 Reverse - English Paper Piecing

After my trip to The Sewing Studio in Redruth, it was going to be hard not to include my *new* red and white fabric, 'Red Packed Peppermints', into one of the next Nearly Insane blocks.  By their definition, novelty prints come in all shapes and sizes, and taste - there is pretty much something out there for everyone.  I don't have many, but when one comes along that I really like, I rarely pass it by.  I usually go for the food / fruit related ones.  Which novelty prints do you usually go for?

NUMBER OF PIECES: 37
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1/2" (12.5mm) x 1/2" (12.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 2" (49mm) x 2" (49mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
"Days Gone By" Exclusively Quilters
"Christmas Past" (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
"Holiday Treats Red Packed Peppermints'"by Timeless Treasures

Joining Up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Whoop Whoop Friday!

Nearly Insane Edge Block 88 - Basket Block

Block 88 - Basket Block, Nearly Insane Quilt

You may remember that one of the first blocks that I did for my Nearly Insane Quilt was a whole Basket Block, Block 41.  That was an Apple Basket, this one is a Flower Basket, well, at least half of one. On that post, I showed you how I put it together, and how I made the bias strip for the handle. 

There is the other half of this block yet to do in the future, please remind me that I need to do the reverse of this one, as it will be on the opposite edge of the quilt ....

NUMBER OF PIECES:  19
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 5"  (126mm) x  3 1/2" (90mm) x 3 1/2" (90mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 1"  (25mm) x  11/16" (18mm) x 11/16" (18mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Somerset Shirtings c 1890 by Julie Hendrickson and Nancy Gere, Windham Fabrics # 35205
Memories (Hearts), Stof 
Red Sprig on Cream (Unidentified)

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 9

Block 9 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Somehow with all the hand quilting going on, I have managed to complete Block 9 of the Nearly Insane Quilt.  In fact it was finished off on the journey whilst delivering the quilt for the NEC Festival of Quilts Exhibition.
 
It was not too difficult a block, though I did have to concentrate to get the red stripe (Redwork Rendevous) all going in the same direction. Also I keep sewing the HSTs in the wrong direction.  If you have ever done pinwheels, I expect you may have come across the same problem.  In your head you think, this block is so simple, how can it go wrong?  Then you start sewing, and some pinwheels are turning in an opposite direction to the rest.....


Block 9 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Also, there is a subtle Cherry fabric theme in this block.  The "Days Gone By" fabric is a cherry pattern and some of the cream scraps I have used have a white cherry print on them too - probably hard to see via the internet, but they are there.  There is a bit of the Mama Said Sew range in there too - if you pop over to the Fat Quarter Shop today, they have the range on sale.
Linking up with Freemotion By the River

NUMBER OF PIECES: 
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle,3/4" (18mm) x 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle, 2 1/2" (64mm) x 3/4" (19mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
"Somerset Shirtings" c 1890 by Julie Hendrickson and Nancy Gere, Windham Fabrics # 35205
"Days Gone By" for Exclusively Quilters
"Redwork Rendevous" by Alex Anderson for P&B Textiles
"Cream Zig Zag Stripe", Mama Said Sew, Sweetwater for Moda
Cream scraps

 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 72

Block 72 Nearly Insane Quilt

I am very pleased with how Block 72 of my Nearly Insane quilt has come out.  I like the mix of tiny prints I have used, and they way they have a subtle tonal graduation. 
As you may have realised, I am doing the Nearly Insane quilt using the English Paper Piecing method (EPP), and like covering hexagons, covering the papers is the first stage of the process.  It is pretty mindless work, which is great to do if you want to keep your hands busy whilst watching TV, or travelling.  You can see that I am tacking it with green thread, which I like to leave in until I have got the whole quilt together.


Block 72, English Paper Piecing Nearly Insane Quilt

I am very aware that when you see images on the internet, it can be difficult to gauge its actual size.  The completed block above is 6 inches (15 cm square), or the size of a very large slice of bread. With the pieces laid out, you may be able to make out some of the tiny pieces I am working with.  In this block there are some strips only 1/4 inch wide, and some more of those little triangles in the centre.

Miniature Pinwheel Block, Nearly Insane Quilt

At the centre of the block is a tiny 1 inch square pinwheel, which grows and grows, until it becomes this very attractive 3 inch block, below, which has 24 pieces in it.  I must admit at this stage, I was really smitten with it, and was imagining making a whole quilt made up of 3 inch blocks. This Nearly Insane Quilt is right up my street, as I love working on these small complex blocks.


Centre 3 inch block, Nearly Insane Block 72

I know the Dear Jane quilt has 4 inch blocks, but does anyone know of any other sampler quilts which are made up of small pieced blocks?

NB #1: Just a note on this block.  In Liz Lois book, the size of the edge strips are irregular widths, which is how the Salinda Rupp quilt is made - I have tidied it up in my Electric Quilt software, making my own contribution to the design! 
NB #2: Just checked again, and I seem to have created the centre pinwheel too, which was originally a tiny four-patch

NUMBER OF PIECES:  56
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle,11/16" (18mm) x 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Quilters Basics Red and White, Stof
Somerset Shirtings c 1890 by Julie Hendrickson and Nancy Gere, Windham Fabrics # 35205
"Polka Party III" by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (#03035)Tiny Red Sprig print (unidentified)

 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 28

There was a point when I thought the next Nearly Insane block would never get finished.  As you may know, all my stitching time at home is currently dedicated to hand quilting the red and white pinwheel quilt, which has left little room for the Nearly Insane blocks.  After finishing so many blocks whist on holiday in the USA, I was beginning to get withdrawal symptoms.  However, by adjusting my travel plans over the past week, I have managed to finish the next block on the train to work.

Block 28 Nearly Insane Quilt

This is Block 28.  I really like it - but I seem to be saying that about all the blocks these days!  I think I particularly like this one because I have included stripes.  Whenever stripes are added to a block / quilt,  I think they add a dynamism and pizazz, like no other pattern, and I really like it.

The little half square triangles (HST's), in the centre, are about 3/4 inch square, and not too insane for me to handle, so even if a whole block was made up of these little HST's, that would be 128 pieces in a 6 inch block.  However, the most pieces in any one block is 229...

In Liz Lois book she mentions how after doing her first block for this quilt, she was hooked, and that she just had to do more.  I know exactly how she feels.  SHE reckoned it was better than chocolate ( .... however, I think my long-standing relationship with chocolate has been established far too long to be challenged).

Sparky the Cat with Nearly Insane Quilt Block 28, June 2013

We have had a few hot days here in the UK, and Sparky has been enjoying the warmth on his old bones, and kindly offered to pose with the new block outside.

 

NUMBER OF PIECES: 53
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle 7/8" (22mm) x 3/4" (19mm) x 3/4" (19mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 1 3/8" (35mm) x 1 3/8" (35mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
"Berry Falling Snow" by Kate Spain for Moda #27127-11
"Quilter's Memory" Stof Quilter's Basics #4517-118
"Polka Party III" by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (#03035)
Red and White Stripe (purchased from Hobbycraft)

This one needs a Whoop Whoop!, a Finish Up Friday, and a Feline Friday link.