Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 23

Nearly Insane Quilt Blocks - 23, 25, 46

Here are the latest blocks from Draw 22 of my Nearly Insane Quilt.  They always look so pretty lined up in a row.  I also love how they all look so different.  Why do they look so different?  Because of my growing red and white fabric stash!



Red and white fabric stash

Since I started my Nearly Insane Quilt blocks back in February 2013, I will admit that my red and white fabric stash has grown.  Even now as I approach the final stages, my eyes are always on the look out for suitable fabrics.  It certainly justifies future red and white quilt projects, and over at SewCalGal she is continuing her celebration of Red and White Quilt Challenges.  The aim is to get this quilt top together for Part 3 - The Make It! Challenge.  Wish me luck!

The next blocks that have been drawn are

2 - 27 - 51 - 95

 

Joining up with Crazy Mom Quilts

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 23 + Giveaway Info!

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 23

I am really squeezing in every bit of sewing I can at the moment.  A few weeks ago I prepared quite a few Nearly Insane blocks, by cutting out the templates and fabric - it really pays off having them ready to go.  I have come to learn that the actual preparation of each block is quite a time consuming part of the Nearly Insane quilt.  There are no repetitions, there are very few opportunities to cut in bulk, and each block is like doing a mini- quilt on its own.  I have mentioned that I am thinking of doing the Dear Jane quilt in the future, and I can see that that quilt has the same issue.


Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 23

This is another block where I have featured the Mama Said Sew fabric range.  When I first saw it over a year ago, it was the inspiration for the colour scheme of this quilt.  This block also features the red spotty fabric which is in the cornerstones and which make up the zigzag border.

BTW - One of my recent blog visitors who stopped by to comment was Cathy Daniel, an artist who creates patchwork-inspired homewares and handmade ceramics in the UK - she has a GIVEAWAY (closing 22nd March 2014) to get your hands on some of her lovely stuff.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  61
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square  3/8" (9mm) x 3/8" (9mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle  3" (74mm) x 2" (52mm) x 2" (52mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Red Hoops (5493-31) Mama Said Sew Collection by Sweetwater for Moda
Apple Red on Cream Sewing Guide Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5490 11
Christmas Past  (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Calico
                                                  

Christmas sewing stuff

I haven't had time to update you with some of the goodies I received at Christmas which I have added to my sewing stash.


'Floral Gatherings' Layer Cake, by Primitive Gatherings for Moda

Firstly, I managed to finally get my hands on a 'Floral Gatherings' Layer Cake, by Primitive Gatherings for Moda.  These are available in the USA and Australia, according to the internet, but have yet to reach UK shores.  It is one of those ranges that I have had my eye on for months, and I think my Mother picked them up in a flash sale at the Fat Quarter Shop, which helps a bit with the international shipping.  There is also a 'Floral gatherings Shirtings' range, again, which seems to be taking an age to get to the UK, which I am still waiting for.  Both sets have small floral prints on them (as the name suggests!).  In particular there are some red and white prints which I was keen to get my hands on.


Book - Civil War Sewing Circle by Kathleen Tracy

My SIL gave me a book by Kathleen Tracy, 'Civil War Sewing Circle', which has lots of projects in it.  There are lots of small projects in this book which have caught my eye, which I could use the Floral Gatherings for and other Primitive Gatherings prints.


Miniature Quilt Display Stand

Back in the summer at the Festival of Quilts I bought myself a present, a stand to display miniature quilts.  It would hold a quilt 12" by 12.5".  As yet I don't have any miniature quilts to display, but as you can see from the above, everything is in place to make it happen.

Day 11 - Twelve Days of Sewing at Fabadashery

Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt scraps

In the aftermath of completing my Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt top , I have started to tidy up.  Here are the scraps that I have collected over the past six weeks as we prepared each block.  I am thinking of making some small strip blocks and putting them together for another cat mat, similar to the one I did last year after completing the Easy Street Mystery quilt.

30's Playtime (Moda) & Quilters Basics (Stof)

Whilst very little actual sewing has happened, I have been busy preparing some Nearly Insane blocks.  It seems quite a while since I had a day on my Electric Quilt software, planning, designing and cutting out.  Since then, a few more red and white fabrics have slipped into my stash.  I have seen this red flowery fabric from the Chloe's Closet 30's Playtime range by Moda, as part of Jelly Rolls and Charm Packs, and I finally found it at Cowslips Workshops as yardage.  As a latecomer to the Nearly Insane party, the random draws will ensure that this fabric gets mixed up nicely with the previous blocks.  The other fine red stripe is a Stof Quilters Basic.

1/4 inch seam allowances - even on the smallest of pieces

BTW, I have also had a query asking how big my seam allowances are on some of the smaller pieces.  I hope this picture illustrates that they still need a 1/4 inch seam, even though the seams are more than the fabric that will be visible.  Once I have covered the template, I usually trim off any excess dog ears.

I have also spent a bit of time catching up on everyone else's blogs.  Lots of quilters have reviewed their quilting year, and set up plans for 2014.  My plan is to just keep going and fit in as much stitching as I possibly can. BUT Oh dear...  I found some eye candy.  At the Fabric and Flowers blog I saw a lovely medallion quilt, Midnight at the Oasis, a Jen Kingwell pattern published in the July / August 2013 Quiltmania magazine.  I have seen it before, but I decided that I really fancy doing this one. 


Suzi taking a well earned rest after the Celtic Solstice marathon

And here is today's photo of Suzi.  She hasn't done any sewing either, but she is at least sitting on a quilt.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 65

Block 65 - Nearly Insane Quilt

After the 243 pieces of the last block, it was great to whip this block of quickly. Nice big pieces, and easy to put together on the journey to work.  A pretty addition to the pile of sampler blocks that are accumulating.

I am trying to get as many of these blocks done as possible in the next few weeks, as Bonnie Hunter over at Quiltville is, as I write, putting together her 2013 Mystery Quilt, ready for its launch on Wednesday 23rd October.  I did the Easy Street Quilt last year, and had a ball, so the 2013 Mystery Quilt has been pencilled in my diary for quite a while.  Will any of you be joining in?


Midwinter Reds by Minick and Simpson, Moda, have arrived in the UK!

Also, I have been out and about today, and just happened to pop into a LQS, where there was a new display of Midwinter Reds by Minick and Simpson for Moda (did I mention that I met them both in the Spring ...).  This fabric line has been advertised for months and months in the quilt magazines.  It was due in the UK in September, and I have been checking online constantly, so it was a nice surprise to walk into the shop and see all the pre-cuts sitting waiting for me.  I have just bought a charm pack for now, so I can see if any prints in particular are going to need to join the Nearly Insane party.

To celebrate another finished block, I am joining up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Whoop Whoop Friday!

NUMBER OF PIECES: 41
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square 1/2" (12.5mm) x /2" (12.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Pointed Rectangle 2 1/8" (54mm) x 1 1/16" (27mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Cream Bias Check Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5495 11
Apple Red on Cream Sewing Guide Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5490 11Cream Pin Dot (Unidentified)
Red dot (unidentified)

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 67

Block 67 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Does anyone recognise this block?  This Nearly Insane block looks as if it should have a REAL name, not just a number.  As with all the blocks, I have done this one with English Paper Piecing, and because of the size and shapes of the pieces, it is an ideal candidate.  Just a reminder - EPP can be used for any shapes, not just Hexagons!


Block 67 - Nearly Insane Quilt , English Paper Piecing

This block only has 29 pieces.  They are all easy to handle sizes, and it goes together without a fuss.  In fact Draw 10, has been quite an easy ride so far, which is good, because I have been keen to get a move on with this project.  I need to do a few more blocks before I give you all a full update photo, but we are not too far off.

NUMBER OF PIECES: 29
DIFFICULTY: /10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 2" (50mm) x 2" (50 mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 7/8" (36mm) x 1" (25 mm) x 1" (25mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Check The Bias Apple Red #5495-11 Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda
"Lazy Daisy Red" by "Mama Said Sew" Collection by Sweetwater for Moda (M 5494 21)
"Quilter's Memory" Stof Quilter's Basics #4517-118

 

Joining up with Connie at Freemotion By the River!

 

 

Fabric Stash Additions - The Sewing Studio, Redruth, Cornwall

It is over 6 weeks since I have set foot in a fabric shop, so luckily whilst I was in Cornwall last week, I was introduced to a new quilt shop, where I could get my fix. The shop was on Chapel Street in Redruth, called The Sewing Studio.  As well as a large selection of sewing machines, it stocks lots of the MODA pre-cuts, such as Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes and Charm Packs, at competitive prices, and other lovely fabric yardage too, so do take a look.

'Snowman Gatherings', Primitive Gatherings for MODA

To start with, I have had my eye on the 'Snowman Gatherings' by Primitive Gatherings for MODA for a long time, and with the 10" layer cake sitting there, it just had to come home with me.  I justified it because one of the purchases I made in America was one of the Schnibbles books, which focuses on using pre-cuts in its designs, so once my current hand quilting project is done and dusted, I am planning on making a few smaller projects.


Holiday Treats Red Packed Peppermints, Timeless Treasures

The purchase of red and white / cream fabrics is winding down now, but I am always on the look out for interesting novelty prints, and a fat quarter of 'Holiday Treats Red Packed Peppermints' by Timeless Treasures, also made it into my bag. 

Throughout the Nearly Insane journey, one fabric which I have fallen in love with is the Bias Check from the Mama Said Sew range by Sweetwater, for Moda. I looks really good in the blocks I have incorporated in so far, Block 11,  13, and 96, and I when I saw yardage in black and grey, I thought it would be a great addition to my stash.

The shop also had a good selection of quilting rulers, including my favourite Creative Grids rulers.  As you will see from my Pinterest board, a Star quilt of some sort is going to feature in the future, and I had identified that this ruler would be tool to get it done.


Creative Grids Non-Slip 2 Peaks in 1 Ruler

So as you can see, a good haul.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 87

Block 87 - Nearly Insane Quilt Corner Block

I drew another corner block for the Nearly Insane Quilt.  As you may remember I have mixed it up a bit and changed a few edge blocks around, changing the original corner Block 92, for Block 87.  With just eight pieces, I almost did it in my sleep. It uses the 'Christmas Past' fabric by Minick and Simpson - did I say I met them in Nantes? ;)

Sometimes I think I should have approached the quilt like I would a jigsaw puzzle - seek out the corner pieces, then the edge pieces, then fill up the middle - leaving the sky until the end!

FABRICS: 
Christmas Past (#14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Calico
Red and White Stripe (unidentified)

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 13

After the challenges of Block 43 , it was a relief to knock Block 13 off in a short time, with just nine pieces.  They were lovely BIG pieces, they were also lovely and SQUARE. I guess the variety in this quilt is what makes it so interesting!


Block 13 Nearly Insane Quilt

Another Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater (Moda) showcase.  The red and cream cross hatch fabric is slowly becoming a favourite, having featured in quite a few of the blocks. 

I have made a start on the next block, which is Block 80, but have already made the next random draw, which I will let you know about in my next post, as I needed to get ahead with some cutting out.  It takes a bit of time to decide on the colour schemes, to cut out the paper templates, and fabric pieces for each block, and I tend to have more time to do this at the weekend.  Its great knowing that there is a good stream of hand piecing ready to do for when I am travelling about.

NUMBER OF PIECES: 9
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 6" (152mm) x 3/4" (19mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Apple Red on Cream Sewing Guide Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5490 11
Cream Bias Check Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5495 11
Lazy Daisy Red by "Mama Said Sew" Collection by Sweetwater for Moda  #5494 21

Joining Up with Finish Up Friday!

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 - 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

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 12

Block 12 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Introducing Block 12. I like this one.  I will confess that I have slightly altered this block, by reducing the number of pieces in the edge strips, to make the pattern the same on each side. Like Block 92, it was the symmetry issue.   If anyone is following this Nearly Insane Quilt journey for an 'exact' representation, they need to be aware that I like to make my own mark - and I am finding that the urge is growing! 

Initially, I was struggling with the fabric choice with Block 12 until I made the pattern alterations, and then decided to mix it up a bit by using the different red and white charm squares for the centre of the block - the ones which I pulled out from my fabric stash in my original fabric selection.


Red and White Charm Squares - Nearly Insane Quilt

They are only 1 1/2" squares, and I wasn't sure how I was going to incorporate them when I started the project, but I think Block 12 in the Nearly Insane Quilt is perfect place for them.  They were a neat fit over the bits of paper for the English Paper Piecing, and add a scrappy look to the block.  Against the French General fabric, I think they look really cute. 

3/4 " Red Charm Squares, with French General Fabric, Moda

I have recently been quilting my red and white pinwheel quilt, and although I like the quilt a lot, looking at just the plain red and the plain white has been a touch boring. It has really made me realise that my heart is with scrappy quilts. In fact, as I laid out these squares, which are only 3/4" square, my mind did wander to the idea of doing a whole patchwork quilt in this layout, in a similar vein to my Single Irish Chain Charm Quilt, but with just 3/4" squares.  It would be a simple quilt, but wouldn't it be lovely, especially in the red and white colourway?

NUMBER OF PIECES: 36
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 3/4" (17mm) x 3/4" (17mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 1 1/2" (37.5mm) x 1 1/4" (32.5mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Mix - White on Red Charm Squares
White dot on Cream (purchased from The Shuttle)
White Floral on Red (purchased from The Shuttle)
French General Favourites - Pearl  for Moda #13526 14

Joining up with Finish it Up Friday!

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 33 and Spring Quilt Festival, Duxford

I had an urge to go to a Quilt Show at the weekend, as I will not be making my usual pilgrimage to Quilts UK in Malvern in May.  A quick search on the internet revealed that it was the 2013 Spring Quilt Festival in Duxford near Cambridge at the weekend.  Luckily it was based at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, so I was able to pursuade our weekend visitors to come along too, so they could look at aeroplanes whilst the rest of us looked at quilts.  A double bonus.  I got six hours in the car stitching, and I also got to replenish my red and cream stash for my Nearly Insane Quilt.
The show was a moderate size with exhibits from a few renowned quilters in the UK including some lovely whole cloth quilts by Sandie Lush, and some lovely colourful quilt by Gwenfai Rees Griffiths, including this 'Shades of the Sargasso Sea', based on the Storm at Sea quilt block pattern.


Gwenfai Rees Griffiths 'Shades of the Sargasso Sea'

One of the cutest quilts there was this 'Forget-Me-Not' by Judith Scott.

'Forget-Me-Not' Quilt by Judith Scott

In terms of vendors, there was a good selection, including Creative Grids which allowed me to purchase the large 15.5" square Ruler I have been 'needing' for a while - well since I realised I needed such a large ruler to square up blocks as large as those in the Easy Street Quilt.  Luckily, I checked their website before the show, and there was a discount coupon to download for use at the show - it would have been churlish not to use it. 

Creative Grids - Non slip 15½ Inch x 15½ Inch Square

I also got to spend my £10 voucher I had won from The Quilt Room in their Name a Quilt competition  - they also had a discount voucher on their website.  Red and cream fabrics were purchased and it fulfilled the spontaneous 'quilting fix' I felt I needed.
As for stitching, I managed to complete Block 33 of the Nearly Insane Quilt, and some other bits and pieces, during the journey, which means that all the blocks from the second draw are now complete.  

Block 33 Nearly Insane Quilt

This was another simple block, perhaps not my favourite pattern, but I do like the colours I have chosen.  When making the blocks you need to remember that they will be placed on point, and this influences how you use directional prints and other fabric choices.
Joining WIP Wednesday

NUMBER OF PIECES: 28
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1.5" (42mm) x 1.5" (42mm) x 2 5/16" (59m)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 1/2" (37.5mm) x 1 1/2" (37.5mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Rural Jardin by French General (Leaf Trail Rouge) for ModaFa La La by French General (Floral L'Arbre De Noel Red 13587-11) for Moda
Tiny Flower Print (Unidentified)
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 47

Block 47 Nearly Insane Quilt (Red and White)

Another  block completed.  I am really pleased with the colour choices I made for Block 47 of the Nearly Insane quilt, I think they are so pretty.  Not a difficult block, but yet again, no name. The more blocks I do, the more particular I am becoming about my colour choices and what contibution it will make to the overall quilt.

Sparky wearing Elizabethan Collar, helps with Block 47

I am really enjoyed sitting down and doing some hand piecing.  I have also had the company of Sparky whilst I cover my papers.  He is wearing a rather stylish 'Elizabethan Collar' (popularised by Elizabeth I, and Lady GaGa, no less!), as he has recently been to the V-E-T.  Sparky has always had 'special' eyes, so special that the V-E-T has decided to keep one for herself.  He is coping really well with his new monocular vision, and is much brighter than before his visit to the V-E-T.  He is keen to scratch the healing wound, so until we are confident it won't be harmed, the fashion accessory remains.  Nevertheless, his company is always welcome whilst I am sewing. Joining up with Feline Friday. 


NUMBER OF PIECES: 36
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1/2" (12.5mm) x 1/2" (12.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 3/8" (35mm) x 1 3/8" (42mm) x 2" (50mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, Benartex
Northcote Range, by Cabbages and Roses #35204 -21 by Moda
Check The Bias Apple Red #5495-11 Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for  Moda
Tiny Flower Print (Unidentified)
 

Single Irish Chain Charm Quilt

As I am at the beginning of my Nearly Insane Quilt journey, I thought I would share another of my completed hand pieced, hand quilted marathons with you.  This is my Irish Chain Charm Quilt. It is hand pieced, using the English Paper Piecing method, and hand quilted.



Single Irish Chain Quilt

The start of my patchwork and quilting journey started when I inherited a fabric stash from a friend.  Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of fabric and thread in my life, just not the 100% cottons used for patchwork and quilting.  Some of the little gems in the collection were bags of  small charm squares, which were less than 2" square. 

Fabric Charm Squares, 1" - 2" square

I believe they were from the era before the internet and online fabric databases, when mail order shops would send out small samples for customers to select their quilt colours from.  These little pieces intrigued me, and quietly laid down the gauntlet 'find a project to use us in'.  An Irish Chain quilt was the solution.  Also, we were expecting the arrival of a camper van, so I decided to make a quilt for use in the van.



Single Irish Chain Patchwork Quilt

Obviously the size of the charm squares put a limit on the size of my shapes, so each small square was 1" big.  I made up the English paper piecing templates using the Table function in MS Word, where I could set the size of the cells to be 1" x 1", print them off and cut them out.  From the charm packs I selected the deep and warm toned charm squares, which have a jewel like effect, and sought out a light background fabric that would add a subtle texture.  I had already started to cover these little squares with the charm fabrics on the train to work, before I found a suitable background fabric.  In the end I chose a little tan, tone on tone sprig print, "Bound to the Prairie" #9195 by Kansas Troubles for Moda (some of you may be familiar with it - it was the neutral in my 2012 Easy Street Mystery Quilt).  It also matched the woodwork in the camper van perfectly.

Single Irish Chain Quilt - Ideal for a Camper Van!

I remember pouring the squares out onto the shop counter to match up this co-ordinating fabric as the assistant looked at me in disbelief, commenting ,"You do know there is an easier way of doing this, don't you?" Yes, there might have been, but at the time carrying a sewing machine on the train each day was not an option! This portable hand piecing project went with me everywhere, and often or not, a stray square would turn up in the boot of the car, down the side of the sofa - I often wonder how many got left on the train...


Irish Chain Patchwork Quilt

The Single Irish Chain pattern is made up from a 9-patch, alternating the background fabric and the main fabric.  In this case, the 1" squares made up a 9-patch 3" x 3", and that was the same size as the alternating 3" x 3" background fabric square.

Detail of hand pieced 9 patch block, Irish Chain Quilt

The quilt is hand quilted, firstly by quilting around the coloured squares, and then by adding a further cross-hatch pattern in the centre.  The border is also cross-hatched.  On this particular quilt, I think this simple quilting pattern works well with the Irish Chain quilt.


Scrappy Border - Irish Chain Quilt

To add to the scrappy nature of the quilt I decided to make up the binding from further scraps, which are also 3" long.  The background fabric was also part of the Kansas Trouble, 'Back to the Prairie' range.  Up close it is a very pretty print, and although it disguises the quilting stitches on the back nicely, from a distance the colours tend to blend into a muddy colour.  I used a small piece to make a quilt label using my Husqvarna Designer 1 Embroidery Machine, using Isacord embroidery thread.  I didn't use a strong contrasting thread, as I prefer a more subtle label, but it does the trick.


Quilt Label - Single Irish Chain Quilt

This quilt tends to live in the camper van, getting used regularly if we head off on a trip during the winter months.  I love spotting all the different fabrics as I am cosied up in bed!

There are still plenty of these charm squares in my fabric collection, any ideas for the next project?

Joining up with Crazy Mom Quilts.

Statistics
Dimensions: 150cm x 178cm (approx 5ft x 6ft)
Blocks: 3” x 3”
Piecing Method: English Paper Piecing. Hand Pieced
Quilting Method: Hand Quilted
Dates: Autumn 2006(?) – March 2009

Competition Entries:
2009 Traditional Quilts, Quilts UK , Malvern