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 ...

BIG FINISH - Red and White Pinwheel Quilt, Hand Pieced, Hand Quilted

Red and White Pinwheel Quilt - Hand Pieced, Hand Quilted

Well, here at Fabadashery it is not often you get to see a BIG FINISH like you will today.  Usually you have to satisfy yourself with the little 6 inch Nearly Insane blocks that I am working through.  But my efforts of recent weeks have paid off, and I have completed my Red and White Pinwheel Quilt, in spite of the little trauma of washing it. 


Completed - Red and White Pinwheel Patchwork Quilt

It is a single bed quilt, hand pieced and hand quilted. I devised the design myself, with the assistance of my Electric Quilt software, and inspiration from antique quilts on the internet.  I love the look of red and white quilts like this, and would have loved to have seen the American Folk Art Museum exhibition: Infinite Variety, Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts, but it was just too far away, but I have downloaded the App onto my iPAD, and now I have my very own.


Back - Red and White Pinwheel Quilt

The backing is a piece of red spotty Laura Ashley fabric which has been in my stash for years.  I started the quilting at the beginning of this year, and it was completed 26th July 2013, (having an exhibition deadline definitely helps to get this sort of thing done....)

I probably started making the little pinwheels at the end of 2009, as I remember it being my hand piecing project whilst we were building our house.  The top was complete by January 2011, and the sandwich put together ready for quilting.  Having known this quilt for so long, there are a few things I may have done differently, and it is by no means perfect, but it is a finished quilt!  Anyway, no sooner had I stitched the last few stitches, and the quilt had to be packaged away for delivery to the NEC for the Festival of Quilts.  There were a few disappointed cats in the house, as they have been waiting, and waiting to test it out, but that will have to wait.

If you are heading off to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham 8th-11th August 2013, you can see my quilt among the Traditional Quilts section, No:660.  I can't wait to see it there!

  

Statistics
Dimensions: 150cm x 190cm (approx)
Piecing Method: English Paper Piecing. Hand Pieced
Quilting Method: Hand Quilted
Dates: 2009 – July 2013

Joining up with Sarah, Crazy Mom and Feline Friday today!


Nearly Insane Quilt Edge Blocks - Block 92

Suzi the cat helps out with the hand quilting

It's that time of year. It reminds me of the days when I would be sitting doing revision for exams.  The sun would be out, you would be working to a revision schedule, and your life seemed paralysed, knowing that every waking moment HAD to be dedicated to doing what you could to prepare for the looming examinations.  To add to the pain, ALL you could do is  think about all the things you will do once the exams were out of the way!
This time around I am hand quilting a quilt for a show.  The delivery deadline is one month away, and every spare moment is focussed on sewing, and even just a few stitches a day will bring it closer to its completion.  I have noticed, as I surf the internet, that I am not the only one in this predicament. As you can see, I am getting a lot of help from Suzi, who can't wait until it is back from the show and in full circulation. All I REALLY want to be doing is more of my Nearly Insane Quilt, or to use the fabric, and to do some of the small projects I brought back from my trip to the USA, but this self-imposed deadline has taken over my LIFE!

Nearly Insane Quilt Edge and Corner Blocks

Nonetheless, I have used my usual tactic of taking the train to work to get my Nearly Insane Quilt blocks done (... the quilt is too big to take on the train!).  For a quick win I have focussed on an edge block, Block 92, which was originally meant to be the corner blocks.  In the top picture you can compare Block 92 (top), to the corner blocks Block 87 (bottom), ( ... I think I might choose another block to do the final two corners, just to mix it up a bit).  This block was done on my train journey and during my lunch break, whilst I sat outside in the sun by the canal.  I'm not sure that I quite got the fabric choice right, but it soon came together.

Nearly Insane Quilt Block 92 (Edge Block)

This block was simple enough, but you may overlook that it had two little TINY pieces in it, very similar to the ones in Block 1.  In small groups these tiny pieces look harmless, but I am starting to be on the lookout for the blocks where they appear in greater numbers.

So it is back to quilting. However, this weekend is offering up some good television entertainment, which is VERY good for quilting.  We have the start of the Tour de France, the British Formula 1 Grand Prix, and even the new series of Top Gear.  I hope to get a lot done.

Joining up with  Crazy Mom Quilts AND Feline Friday!

NUMBER OF PIECES: 24
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 3/84 (1.9mm) x 1 1/16" (27cm) x 1 1/16" (27mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 1 1/4" (32m) x 1 1/4" (32m)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Rural Jardin by French General (Leaf Trail Rouge) for Moda
Quilters Basics (Memory) Stof
"Polka Party III" by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (#03035)
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 90

Nearly Insane Quilt Block 90

Here is one of the completed edge blocks, Block 90, for the Nearly Insane Quilt that I am currently hand piecing using the English Paper Piecing method.  Only ten pieces, so it took no time at all. It uses that fun apple fabric again.

With my random draws, it ensures that I am doing the Nearly Insane Quilt components in equal quantities, at each stage.  It usually means 3 full blocks, 1 edge block, 7 sashing pieces, and 3 cornerstones.  The blocks are always different and interesting to do, and offer a new challenge, but the cornerstones (which I chose to do ...) are a bit more repetitive and fiddly.  Each one has 9 pieces, and there are 95 in total.  In this little stack of the 23 which I have completed, it adds up to 207 pieces alone.


Canoe block Cornerstones - Nearly Insane Quilt

I am also meant to be doing a zig zag border as well, but I am dithering whether is should be a red zig zag, or a cream zig zag, and I am not sure whether I will decide until the main top has been put together.

Don't even ask how I am going to quilt it - that is WAY OFF!


NUMBER OF PIECES: 10
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 3/8" (9.5mm) x 3/8" (9.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 4 1/8" (107mm) x 3" (76mm)  x 3" (76mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
"Polka Party Petite" (Buttercream) "Lakehouse Dayz" Collection by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (LH05037)
"Friendship" (Tonal Red) by Howard Marcus for MODA (Collections For a Cause) # 46130
Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, Benartex
Apple Fabric - 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.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 48, Hand Stitching on the Move

Block 48, Nearly Insane Quilt

I stitched this Nearly Insane quilt block waiting in airports and on the flight back from my holiday in the USA to London, UK.  People are often amazed when I say I hand stitch most of my quilts, such as my Butterfly Quilt, my Pies and Tarts Quilt, and my Single Irish Chain Quilt, but with a project like this, I actually look forward to time waiting for planes, trains and appointments, as I know I am going to get a whole load of stitching done.  Yes, with my stitching nearby I am even happy for a flight delay! On the other hand, if I needed to find a chunk of time to sit at the sewing machine at home, I would find it more difficult.


Travel Stitching Projects - English Paper Piecing

If you don't have a portable hand stitching project on the go, I would recommend that you get a project together.  Don't have any expectations of how long it is going to take you, just enjoy the process, you will be amazed at how much you can achieve.  Hexagons are a really popular starting point, and over at Sarah Did It! on the 17th of each month there is a Hexi -aholics Link Up, if you are looking for some company.

Hand stitching aside - I have found that I am really enjoying doing the Nearly Insane blocks with stars in them and in the back of my mind I have a few 'Star Quilt' projects I am thinking about doing.   You can see my ever growing 'ideas' collection by visiting my Pinterest page (the button is on my sidebar).

BTW: In many of my blocks I am using cream fabrics which have a white print on them - you can just about make out the swirls in the corner of this block.  There are loads of these on the market, but do they have a special name?

So that is Block 48.
Joining Up with Finish it off Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts (PS: Don't forget to visit That's Sew Julie, where she is sharing a lovely Bonnie and Camille quilt she has made and also has a Jelly Roll Giveaway!)

NUMBER OF PIECES: 29
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle 1 1/16" (27mm) x 3/4" (19mm)  x 3/4" (19mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 3/4" (45mm) x 1 3/4" (45 mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
"Friendship" (Tonal Red) by Howard Marcus for MODA (Collections For a Cause) # 46130
"Days Gone By" Exclusively Quilters (Cherry Print)
"Days Gone By" Exclusively Quilters (Rose Print)
White of cream swirl print

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 53



Block 53, Nearly Insane Quilt, at Yosemite National Park, California

Another landmark, another quilt block.  Here is Block 53, showcased at Yosemite National Park in California, as part of our Road Trip.  We camped here for two nights, did a lot of walking, and managed to keep my stitching safe from the bears.


Block 53, Nearly Insane Quilt

This block features a heart fabric.  I have fussy cut it, only in that I have got all the hearts going towards the centre.  The hearts were too big to do anything clever with.  I am not big on heart / valentine fabric, but by choosing red and cream as my colour scheme, they were hard to avoid completely.  The other main fabric is from the Cabbages and Roses, Northcott Range which I used in Block 47.  Both of these fabrics have a bit of pink in them, which is slightly 'off piste', but with nobody watching, I think I can get away with it.
Linking with Freshly Pieced

NUMBER OF PIECES: 29
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1/2" (13.5mm) x 1/2" (13.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 3" (76mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm)  x 2 1/8" (54mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Northcote Range, by Cabbages and Roses #35204 -21 by Moda
Red with White Pindot (Unidentified)
Heart Fabric (Unidentified)

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 36

Here is another Nearly Insane Quilt block which I completed whilst on holiday in the USA. And yes, I did stand out in the 100F heat of Death Valley to take this picture for you ...


Nearly Insane Block 36 - Death Valley, California, USA

I am not sure whether this is the most attractive block, but I really enjoyed doing it.  It went together nicely, and I enjoyed the challenge of choosing the fabrics.  The central square has a diagonal direction, so it was a bit tricky to find fabric combinations that would work with this pattern, but I think I got there in the end. In contrast to Death Valley, I took the picture below when we returned to the UK - yes, summer has arrived and the garden was verdant and blooming.


Nearly Insane Quilt Block 36

This block has 78 pieces, and that seems to be about the right number for a block to turn out nicely, with large enough, even size pieces to keep it interesting.  There are some to come which will have at least twice as many.  To be honest, when there are less than say, twenty five pieces, I find them a bit boring


NUMBER OF PIECES: 78
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle 1 1 1/16" (46mm) x 3/4" (19mm)  x3/4" (19mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 2 1/8" (53mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm)  x 1 1/2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
"Christmas Past" (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
"Days Gone By" Exclusively Quilters
White on cream sprig print (unknown)
Red with white pindot (unknown)

Joining up with Design Wall Monday!

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 57

I must have tried about 50 different fabric combinations for Block 57 for my Nearly Insane Quilt, using my Electric Quilt software - probably the time it would have taken to make the block in the first place.  There is another Ohio Star in there somewhere if you look closely.
In the end I have used the same pretty Apple fabric that I used for the Basket Block, Block 41, along with some French General fabric and a red daisy print, 'Kimono Ditzy' which I haven't had the chance to use yet.
It was easy to put together as most of the pieces were similar sizes and shapes, I just had to take care that everything was put in the right place.
Another block finished, ready for Draw 6.
Linking with Finish Up Friday!

NUMBER OF PIECES: 45
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1" (25mm) x 1" (25mm) x 1 3/8" (36mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 1 3/8" (36mm) x 1 3/18" (36mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Kimono Ditzy (843) by Henley Studio, Makower UK
French General Favourites - Pearl  for Moda #13526 14
Apple Fabric - unidentified

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 87

Back when I was doing Block 92, I announced my change of plan to swap a few of the blocks around, replacing Block 92 with Block 87 as the corner block for the quilt.  Well, Block 87 has come up in the draw this time round, so I get to do a corner block for the quilt.  I have shown it with one of the 6" sash pieces, to illustrate its size.
Only eight pieces in this little triangular block, and not so much time committed to choosing the colours as I know I have four more to make, which I will do in different colourways.

NUMBER OF PIECES: 8 (Corner Block)
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 15/16" (22.5mm) x 15/16" (22.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Little Spots Red, Pierres Famous Travelling Circus, Michael Miller
Scattered Red Stars on White (Unidentified)
Red and White Stripe (unidentified)

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 5

Here is the block selection for Draw 5. Again, nothing too bad here - when will those 'insane' blocks make themselves known?
 

10 - 57 - 62 - 87

 

Nearly Insane Blocks 4, 30, 61 with Spring Polyanthus

Above are the set of blocks from my Nearly Insane Quilt Draw 4, Block 4, 30, and 61 .  I thought I would showcase my blocks against our Spring polyanthus. We have had a few warmer days this week, and I just managed to take this picture before the rain started again.  My posts have got a bit out of sync, due to having more time to sew, and less time to update my blog, but I think with this post I have pulled it all back into order.



Nearly Insane Quilt, English Paper Piecing

I have started to gather a good pile of blocks, along with other bits and pieces for the Nearly Insane Quilt, but overall, it only represents about 17% of the total.  As you can see, I have made good headway with the pile of sashing strips, but the cornerstones are falling slightly behind.   So this is a review of my 'Design Wall', and so joining up with Patchwork Times today.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 4

Block 4 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Another block completed for the Nearly Insane Quilt. Block 4 seems to be another Ohio Star 'variation'.  It was an easy block to construct, but choosing the colours for it seemed to take ages, and I am still not sure if I quite got it right.  It is amazing how much of your life you can waste on Electric Quilt!
On another note, whilst out and about at the weekend, I came across this card, which I just had to have  - I think it is a great ' Mission Statement' for my current project.


NUMBER OF PIECES: 33
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/16" (27mm) x 6/8" (17mm) x 6/8" (17mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 3" (76mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Gingham by The Henley Studio for Makower #920
Red Pinwheel Cream Apple Red Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5496 11
"Christmas Past" (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Kona Cotton (Solid Red) by Robert Kaufman

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 95

Edge Blocks - Nearly Insane Quilt

I thought I would give the Nearly Insane Edge blocks a little showcase of their own in this post.  As you can see four are now complete, including Block 95, which is the latest to the collection.

Block 95 is one of the edge triangles for the Nearly Insane Quilt.  I admit I have 'innovated' with this one (AGAIN!).  I was struggling to make the centre work, so I have adapted to make my own design, which involved more pieces.  Is this cheating?  (Note: I have just checked in Liz Lois book to see HOW much I have cheated.  It looks like I have innovated on the little nine patch too.)   There seem to be some Chinese whispers between the book, the Electric Quilt software, and me actually making it.  It works for me, and the Scarlet Spraytime is REALLY red and adds some punch to this one!

NUMBER OF PIECES: 26
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1/2" (12.5mm) x 1/2" (12.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Strip 1/2" (12.5mm) x 6 " (152mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Pom Pom de Paris by French General for Moda #13575-13,
Spraytime (Scarlet) by Makower #2800-R06

 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 30

Block 30 - Nearly Insane Quilt

What I am enjoying most about the Nearly Insane Quilt, is that there is no time to get bored with repeating the same block, as each one presents a fresh challenge.  When planning this block I was going to change the direction of the HSTs, but once I remembered that the block would be on point, I changed my mind back.  I really like the use of stripes on this one.

I am really pleased that I loaded all my fabrics on to the Electric Quilt software, as it allows me to indulge in choosing the fabrics for each patchwork block.  The software has really worked well with this project because of this,  and I get to use it at least once a week.  Before, my experience of it was limited to designing a quilt, and then spending the next year making it!

PS: I have just done a really SILLY thing. I measured the finished size of the block.  It has turned out 6" x 6 3/16"  - that is a problem for another day!

NUMBER OF PIECES: 34
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle,3/4" (19mm) x 3/4" (19mm) x 1 1/16" (27mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 1/2" (12.5mm) x 6" (152mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Roc-Lon Unbleached Muslin
Kona Cotton (Solid Red) by Robert Kaufman
Red with White Dots, Makower
Weekend Rail Stripe Red by Swirly Girl Designs, for Michael Miller # 45533
Red pattern with white dot (unidentified)

Joining up with Connie at Freemotion by the River

Nearly Insane Quilt - March 2013

Nearly Insane Quilt, Progress March 2013

Since February 2013 when I started on the Nearly Insane Quilt journey, I have been drip feeding you progress on my work, so as an Easter treat I thought I would share with you an update of the overall progress.
All the tacking stitches and paper templates are still in place, which makes the overall look at the moment a bit strange, but I know when I finally sew all the components together, it will transform the work I have done so far.  I am always tempted in the back of my mind to sew a few together, or remove the papers, but ultimately I see it as the incentive for completing the first stage of making the blocks.  It is also fun playing with the bits and pieces, like I have done here, to get a taste of what the overall quilt will look like in the future. 
You will know from my Random Draws, that this is not the final layout of the blocks, the actual layout can be seen in a very small format on my sidebar.
The completion statistics so far:

10 Blocks

3 Side blocks

7 Cornerstones

25 Sashes

 

Thanks to everyone who takes time to stop and comment.
Joining up with Patchwork TImes.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 61



Block 61 - Nearly Insane Quilt, March 2013

Happy Easter!

 Another lovely quilt block from the Salinda Rupp, Nearly Insane Quilt.  Part of the fun on this journey has been searching the internet to see how others have approached each block - it is amazing how differently they all turn out.  I like this block, mainly because I have used the Solid Red for the centres.  I think it is just a perfect red, and has a real intensity, especially when placed next to other reds.  It is the remainder of the solid red fabric I have used in my red and white pinwheel quilt.

For difficulty I have given  quilt block a 5/10.  I believe this block is known as a Snowball Block, which is made up from an octagonal shape, rather than hexagons.  Despite being a long time English Paper piecer, I have never really got myself involved in hexies, and actually I found them a bit fiddly.  I was always having to change direction, and when wrapping the fabric around the paper template, one seam always ended up much smaller than the other, by the time I had gone around the octagon.  Also, it was only once I started to piece the block together that I noticed the sides of the octagon were not the same length, and this meant a bit more concentration when  putting it together.  The biggest headache was deciding whether to stitch in red or off-white thread - in the end there is a mix. So it gets 5/10.

On the original pattern there are more pieces, as the centre squares are made up of four triangles, but I have chosen to keep it as a solid square.

As well as this block, I have also been preparing some of the cornerstones and sashing for the quilt.

I hope you like my seasonal photo of Block 61 of the Nearly Insane quilt. (I thought the green grass would tie in with my green tacking stiches nicely...).

NUMBER OF PIECES: 41
DIFFICULTY: 5/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1" (25mm) x 1 11/16" (17mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 1" (25mm) x 1 11/16" (17mm) x 1 11/16" (17mm)TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:  Kona Cotton (Solid Red) by Robert Kaufman
"Polka Party Petite" (Buttercream) "Lakehouse Dayz" Collection by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (LH05037)
"Quilter's Memory" Stof Quilter's Basics #4517-118

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 4

With Block 1, Block 11 , Block 12 and Block 92 complete it is now time for Draw 4.  These are the numbers that have been drawn

4 - 30 - 61 - 95

Nothing to ominous here, so with the holiday weekend ahead of us, I hope to be making some good progress, as I have seemed to struggle to find time to do much this week.  I will keep you updated.

 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Cornerstones and Sashing

Cornerstone Sample, Nearly Insane Quilt

Now that I have started gathering a good set of blocks for the Nearly Insane Quilt, I have been putting my mind to the other elements in the quilt.  This past week the cornerstones and sashing have been the focus of my attention.  The original quilt has solid squares of colour at the point where four blocks meet on point, but with such little blocks, I felt it deserved something more delicate.

Crossed Canoes Block, Nearly Insane Quilt

Using my Electric Quilt 5 software, I searched for a block that would link the corners of the neighbouring blocks and came across this Crossed Canoe Block, which I have slightly adapted by making a completed square in the middle, rather than four triangles.  The cornerstones for the sashing, are just 2" square, and I will need to make 85 in total, plus a further 28 half blocks for the edge. I do like these little blocks, and imagine a quilt made of these, alternated with plain blocks?  As you can see I have only made one, so perhaps ask me about this idea once I have completed the other 84!

Nearly Insane Quilt Sashing 2" x 6", Unbleached Calico

For the sashing I have kept it simple, by just using the unbleached calico for the 2" by 6" strips.  I think there are about 196 of these to do, so I intend to do a few as I go along, rather than a load at the end.  So with the cornerstones, sashing, half blocks and full blocks, this is the layout of how the quilt will be set. 

Cornerstones, Sashing, Blocks Setting, Nearly Insane Quilt

Joining Up with Design Wall Monday! 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 11

Block 11 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Another block has been completed towards the Nearly Insane Quilt. This is basically a log cabin block, and perhaps easier to do if using foundation piecing, but I thought I would give it a go using English Paper Piecing. I know that there are some very similar blocks to come. On this occasion, I think, yes, it would be easier foundation pieced, as I had to squeeze the block together to make sure it finished up at 6 inches.  Also, the red spotty fabric on the very edge is only 1/4 inch wide, so with the two 1/4 inch seams it is already 3 layers thick.  Hopefully I will have forgotton this by the time I decide to quilt it!  In the centre I have used up some strips from some Moda Candy Bars, the Bliss Collection by Bonnie and Camille, using up some more of my red / cream odds and ends.  When I started this quilt, I was thinking I wanted it to look controlled and use just a fixed set of fabrics, but the more blocks I do the more fabrics I want to include, mixing in a wider range of reds. Scrappy is this weeks theme.


Sparky the Cat helping with fabric choices

When I was cutting out Block 11, I had the company of Sparky in the sewing room.  He was happy just to sit and watch. Being older and wiser than Suzi, Sparky knows to keep his tail close to himself when the Rotary Cutter is out.  By managing to fit in a picture of one of the cats, I think we deserve a link with Feline Friday.

Another set of blocks done for Draw 3, time to reach for my Lucky Dip Bowl for Draw 4!  You can see my progress on the right sidebar.

NUMBER OF PIECES: 24
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Rectangle 1/4" (6mm) x 5 1/2" (139mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 1" (25mm) X 1" (25mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Roc-Lon Unbleached Muslin
Designer Beads (Red) Freespirit for Westminster Fibers
Check The Bias Apple Red #5495-11 Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda
Red Dot on Cream - unidentified
Hearts on Red (567-R5) Makower
Bliss by Bonnie and Camille for Moda