Showing posts with label Nearly Insane Quilt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nearly Insane Quilt. Show all posts

Thursday 24 July 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 20

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 20
Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 20
Another day, another stripy block.  As I have said before, I think stripes always add something to a quilt block.  I haven't used this stripe before, despite it lingering in the red and white fabric pile for over a year, so I thought I had better squeeze it in before it was too late.

I have been asked a few times whether I am tired of red and white.  Well, no.  Over the course of this project my red and white collection has grown a lot.  I have had my favourites and I have some that just never cut the mustard - for this project. I wonder what are the chances of Bonnie Hunter doing a red and white colour scheme for her Mystery Quilt will be this year?


NUMBER OF PIECES: 52
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1/2" (12.5mm) x 1/2" (12.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 2" (50mm) x 2" (50mm) x 2 13/16" (71mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Chantilly by Lauren and Jessi Jung for Moda
Days Gone By for Exclusively Quilters (Cherry Print)
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics
Counting Sheep - Cherry, Calista from Blank Quilting
Polka Party Petite (Buttercream), Lakehouse Dayz Collection by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (LH05037)
Kona Red

Red and White stripe

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 32

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 32
Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 32
After over eighty red and white quilt blocks I feel I have finally got the hang of these Nearly Insane six inch squares.  The original design of this block had lots of half square triangle in the centre in which there was no specific design, so I have jigged them about a bit to make a nice red pinwheel in the middle.  I also fussy cut the zig zag border from the Mama Said Sew fabric collection - the one that was the original inspiration for the colour scheme.  So overall a  good balance of dark , medium and light fabrics.

Suzi the Cat inspects Block 32, Nearly Insane Quilt
Suzi the Cat inspects Block 32, Nearly Insane Quilt
Suzi has been my helper throughout the journey of the Nearly Insane quilt and has had the job of inspecting for quality control.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  40
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square 3/8" (9mm) x  3/8" (9mm)

LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 1 3/4" (45mm) x , 7/8" (22mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:

Homeschool Mini Mono Floral Red, LB Krueger for Windham Fabrics SKU# 35182-3
"Prairie Paisley II" by Minick and Simpson for Moda (14739 21)
Chantilly by Lauren and Jessi Jung for Moda
Days Gone By for Exclusively Quilters (Geometric Print)
Pinking Shears Cream Apple Red, Mama Said Sew, Sweetwater, Moda
SSS-Silly Safari, Red by Cheri Strole for Moda
 

Monday 21 July 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 93



Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Blocks
Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Blocks
As I mentioned in a previous post all the edge and corner blocks for my Nearly Insane Quilt are complete.  Here they are in all their glory waiting for the moment when they get sewn into the whole quilt.  Individually they don't look all that special, but with the whole Nearly Insane quilt 'on point' it will be these blocks which complete the overall effect.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 93
Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 93
This is edge block 93 the last one to be completed.  As I have said before, they don't take long to do and this one was no different.  In the picture above they are laid out in 'pairs', so most have been done twice.

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: 

Quilters Basics (Memory) Stof

Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, BenartexCream Bias Check Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5495 11

Friday 18 July 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 28

Nearly Insane Quilt Blocks cat sleeping
Nearly Insane Quilt Blocks
Suzi the cat is tired of waiting for me to finish these Nearly Insane quilt blocks.  I promise that there has been lots of sewing this end, it is just the blogging that is suffering.  Between us we have hatched some other projects that we want to do and she knows they will involve lots of sewing time in the sewing room - her favourite activity.
Tour de France 2014 - stitching as I go
Tour de France 2014 - stitching as I go
A few weeks ago I updated you on the other 'elements' of the quilt - the sashing, cornerstones and zig zag border. I set myself a target of getting these done whilst I watch the 2014 Tour de France this year - I meant to tell you about it earlier.  Today it is Stage 13 of 21 and I have completed all the sashing, all the half cornerstones and am now wading through the remaining cornerstones.
Draw 27 - Nearly Insane Quilt Blocks 34, 35, 76

To catch up with myself, I will bring you up to date with the blocks from Draw 27 which are finished, which deserves a little link up. The next blocks are

20 - 32 - 84

You may notice that there is not a half block on the list.  It is because they have all been done!
 
Feline Friday, Whoop Whoop Friday Crazy Mom Quilts

Saturday 12 July 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 34

Block 34 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 34 - Nearly Insane Quilt
I have often mentioned how much sewing you can do when you have your bag of sewing with you.  My husband is very considerate of this and when I arrived home last week and he said he thought he may have strained his ankle and needed to go to Accident and Emergency, my bag was ready and waiting.  Six hours later and a broken ankle, I manage to complete Block 34. 

It looks like there will be several trips to the hospital ahead of us, so today I have prepped some blocks. Not much blogging at the moment, but the sewing continues and the completion of the Nearly Insane Quilt blocks is fast approaching.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  37
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Rectangle, 3/16  5mm) x 11/16 (17mm)

LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 3"  (77mm) x  2 1/8"  (54mm) x  2 1/8"  (54mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:

Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Christmas Past  (#14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Prairie Paisley by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Chantilly by Lauren and Jessi Jung for Moda
Days Gone By for Exclusively Quilters (Cherry Print)

Friday 4 July 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 35

Block 35, Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 35, Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 35 has been enjoying the summer sunshine in the garden.  In these last few blocks I have enjoyed using some of the new fabrics I have sourced lately, as well as the old favourites.


Block 35, Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 35, Nearly Insane Quilt
In my recent post I mentioned how close I am to completing the blocks for the Nearly Insane quilt, but that I am a bit behind with the sashing and cornerstones.  With a major sporting weekend starting here in the UK (Tour de France - Le Grand Depart, British F1 - Silverstone, Wimbledon Tennis Final), naturally the rain has now set in, so it looks like a good weekend to make the most of the television coverage and move these other components of the sampler quilt forward. 

Joining up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Whoop Whoop Friday!(PS: No cats in this post, but pop along to Feline Friday anyway!)


NUMBER OF PIECES:  69
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1"  (126mm) x 3/4" (18mm) x 3/4" (18mm)

LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 2 1/16"  (54mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:

Counting Sheep - Cherry, Calista from Blank Quilting
Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, Benartex
Wishes Red on Vanilla Doilies SKU# 5531-14  by Sweetwater, Moda
Christmas Past  (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Scattered Red Stars on White (Unidentified)
Cherry Sally's Skirt by Sweetwater for Moda #5473
Red with White Dots, Makower
Calico

Sunday 29 June 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 76, visits Giverny, France

Monet's Garden, Giverney, France
Monet's Garden, Giverny, France
Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 76
On the journey back through France to the UK we stopped off at the village of Giverny, the former home of the impressionist artist, Claude Monet.  Behind the block you can see the water lilies, the inspiration for many of his most famous paintings. All I can say is that it was extremely busy.  The poor block had been folded up in my pocket for quite a while and is looking a little the worse for wear in the photo. It was a great relief to get it home and give it a good press.
Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 76
Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 76
Most of the strips are are just 1/4 inch wide. To make my life easier I should have foundation pieced the quilt block, but EPP is a hard habit to break, especially if you are travelling whilst you sew.

This is the last of the blocks which I completed whilst on holiday. Thinking about it, these photos were taken four week ago.  I am catching up on the posts slowly!

NUMBER OF PIECES:  37
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Strip, 1/4"  (6mm) x 1" (25mm)

LARGEST PIECE: Strip, 1/4"  (6mm) x  6" (152mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:

Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics
Wishes Red on Vanilla Doilies SKU# 5531-14  by Sweetwater, Moda
Tangled Threads in Apple Red on Cream, Mama Said Sew, by Sweetwater for ModaSSS-Silly Safari, Red by Cheri Strole for Moda
Prairie Paisley by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda


Sunday 22 June 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 27

Nearly Insane Quilt Blocks 5, 52, 82 - Draw 26
Nearly Insane Quilt Blocks 5, 52, 82 - Draw 26
Here are the Nearly Insane blocks from Draw 26 which I completed whilst I was on holiday.  Gauging how much you will get achieved whilst you are away is always difficult.  I would hate to be in a situation where I had run out of sewing!  The build up to the holiday is always combined with preparing the Nearly Insane blocks and the other bits and pieces that go with the quilt, and if I am honest this is more of a priority for me than what actually goes in my suitcase.  I usually cut plenty of cornerstone pieces as I know they can occupy me for hours, but take up very little room.  I usually choose to tack the sashing pieces when we are travelling on the more bumpy and windy roads ...

Zig Zag Border, Sashing and Cornerstones
Zig Zag Border, Sashing and Cornerstones
Along with the blocks are the sashings, the cornerstones, the half cornerstones which go around the edge, as well as the zig zag border.  I have phases where I have a bit of a push of these, knowing I will need them to get the actual quilt together, but I have not kept up with them as well as the blocks.  I hope you don't mind if I use this post to get a grip on this ...
At the moment I have done
162 / 196 (82%)  - Sashings
57 / 87 (65%)  - Cornerstones
18 / 28 Half (64%) - Half Cornerstones
21/80 (26%) - Zig Zag Chevron

So still a bit of a way to go on this, but enough bits to get over half the quilt together.  However there are still blocks to do too.  Here are the next ones in draw
 
34 - 35 - 76 - 93

After these are done there are just 4 blocks left to do of the 85 total.

Linking up with Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts

Friday 20 June 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 52


Block 52 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 52 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 52 of the Nearly Insane quilt was one of the lucky ones to travel with us on our tour in Europe.  Sadly, it never got to have its picture taken by a landmark as when I put it together I realised that I was one tiny square of fabric missing.   It had to wait until we got back home to be completed.

Block 52 - Nearly Insane Quilt EPP
Block 52 - Nearly Insane Quilt
If any of you have done the Nearly Insane quilt, I don't expect you will recognise this block.  At its heart it is based on the original block used by Salinda Rupp in the 1870s, but nearly 150 years on it has evolved into this, at my hands.  I won't even go into the details of how I changed it - it is completely transformed thanks to my Electric Quilt Software. If the Nearly Insane Quilt Police arrive - I'm busted!
Reverse Block 52 - Nearly Insane Quilt

It seems a while since I have done a picture of the back of a block, so here is one for your inspection.  The papers are still in.  The papers are still in because I know in the next few months I will be putting this beauty together, on point, and I have a *few* concerns about bias.  The papers will keep it rigid enough until that is sorted. 

It feels like I have been on this journey a long time, but I am still surprised when people write to me only just realising that it is all hand pieced using the English paper piecing method (EPP).  Sometimes it feels like the only way I know.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  85
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1/2"  (18mm) x 1/2" (18mm)

LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 3/8"  (36m) x  1 3/8"  (36m)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:

Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Homeschool Mini Mono Floral Red, LB Krueger for Windham Fabrics SKU# 35182-3
Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, Benartex
Cream Heart Paisley # 14766-15, Midwinter Reds by Minick and Simpson, Moda
Christmas Past  (#14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
"Prairie Paisley II" by Minick and Simpson for Moda (14739 21)
Cream with iridescent stars

Joining up with Crazy Mom Quilts

Friday 13 June 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 5 visits Mürren and Piz Gloria, Switzerland

Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 5 visits Mürren, Switzerland
This photo of Block 5 of the Nearly Insane Quilt is taken in the alpine village of Mürren, Switzerland.  The only way to reach the village is to take the mountain narrow gauge railway up from the village of Lauterbrunnen.  This means that there are no cars in the village, which makes it a great place to have a drink, admire the view (and take photos of quilt blocks ...) in peace and quiet.
View of the cable car from Piz Gloria, Shilthorn, Switzerlabnd
View of the cable car from Piz Gloria, Shilthorn, Switzerland
The block had actually just been on a visit in the cable car up to Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn (2970m).  Piz Gloria is the location chosen in one of the 007 James Bond movies, ‘On Her Majesties Secret Service’ (1969). It is amazing that anyone would think to build something in such a remote area, where there is nothing about besides mountains. Today you can enjoy a meal in its revolving restaurant, and even in May there was some fresh snow if you have the courage to ski down.  I meant to take the picture of the block up at the peak, but forgot as I was preoccupied by keeping warm, and not slipping over on the ice .
Nearly Insane Quilt , Block 5
Nearly Insane Quilt , Block 5
Back to the block. I have used lots of dotty fabrics in this Nearly Insane block which seems appropriate with the all the snow we were surrounded by in Switzerland.  Again, quite a simple one with just 37 pieces.

I have updated the image on the sidebar, so you can see that there are very few blocks left to do.
Suzi  the cat reducing my WPM!
It seems to be taking me longer to write these blog posts than I had hoped.  Even now I have finally had the chance to sit down and update you on another Nearly Insane block, Suzi the cat is doing all she can to stop me!

Joining up with Feline Friday, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and as usual Crazy Mom Quilts!

NUMBER OF PIECES:  37
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 3/4"  (19mm) x 1/2" (18mm) x 1/2" (18mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 1/2"  (38mm) x  1 1/2" (38mm)

TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:

Polka Party Petite (Buttercream), Lakehouse Dayz Collection by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (LH05037)
Counting Sheep - Cherry, Calista from Blank Quilting
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics
Days Gone By Exclusively Quilters
Red with White Dots, Makower
Calico

Sunday 8 June 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 82 visits the Matterhorn, Switzerland

Nearly Insane Quilt Block 82 - View of the Matterhorn from Zermatt
Nearly Insane Quilt Block 82 - View of the Matterhorn from Zermatt
From my last post you will know that my Nearly Insane quilt has been on tour in Europe.  The first stint of our vacation involved a ferry crossing from the UK to St Malo, and then travelling leisurely across France for a couple of days until we reached Switzerland. Whilst it was a lot of travelling, for me it was a hand stitchers dream, meaning I was able to get a lot of my Nearly Insane quilt sewing done.  I wanted an easy start so Block 82 with just 29 pieces was the quick result I needed.  Here it is visiting Zermatt, with the Matterhorn in the background (shrouded in clouds ... ). 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 82
Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 82
Even though there are just 29 pieces I still managed to squeeze in 7 different fabrics. This is the first block I have used the 'Wishes' fabric by Sweetwater, which I brought a few weeks ago at Hanson fabrics.  I think the fussy cutting of the red 'doilies'  really makes the corners of the block more interesting.  I also fussy cut the centre square from the  Minick and Simpson ' Midwinter Reds' range.  Fussy cutting seems to be the way forward.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  29
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/16"  (27mm) x 3/4" (18mm) x 13/4" (18mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 1/2"  (38mm) x  1 1/2" (38mm)

TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:

Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics
Wishes Red on Vanilla Doilies SKU# 5531-14  by Sweetwater, Moda
Somerset Shirtings c 1890 by Julie Hendrickson and Nancy Gere, Windham Fabrics # 35205
Cream with Red Geometric, Midwinter Reds, Minick and Simpson, Moda
Designer Beads (Red) Freespirit for Westminster Fibers
Calico

Tuesday 3 June 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - On Tour

Nearly Insane Quilt on Tour, 2014
Nearly Insane Quilt on Tour, 2014
You may have found it a bit quiet around here lately.  This is because we have been on holiday in our campervan.  As you will guess, my Nearly Insane blocks came with me and got to travel to some of the highlights of Europe.  I hope to share my adventures with you in the forthcoming days.
 

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 26

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 25
Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 25
With Draw 25 of the Nearly Insane quilt complete, 88% of the full blocks are now done.  There are just 10 left to do.  The end really is in sight. I am starting to think about putting it together, removing the papers, and putting together the borders. I am also starting to worry about what I will have to blog about once they are all done!

Here is the next draw

5 - 52 - 82 - 87


Nearly Insane Quilt - Lucky Dip Bowl
Nearly Insane Quilt - Lucky Dip Bowl
You can see that there are literally just a few lone blocks waiting to be chosen - my little lucky draw bowl is almost empty! 

Monday 19 May 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 70

Block 70 - Nearly Insane Quilt Saliinda Rupp
Block 70 - Nearly Insane Quilt
I feel as if I have really started the countdown towards the end of the Nearly Insane Quilt blocks now. I am even thinking that my next update will be when they are all complete!  Over the past year all this experience has helped me fine tune my design skills using tone, and I have really gained specialist knowledge about red and white fabrics on the current market!
Block 70 - red and white fabrics
Block 70 - red and white fabrics
For Block 70 I have managed to squeeze eight different fabrics into the 6 inch square, covering all shades from dark to light (all listed at the bottom of this post) - a real exercise in tone.  Even so, now it is finished there are still changes I would make ...
English Paper Piecing - Nearly Insane Quilt
English Paper Piecing - Nearly Insane Quilt
This is another star block, all done by English paper piecing.  I will admit that if I had been doing this project on the sewing machine there is no way I would have got this far.  As you know some of the pieces are really small, and I wouldn't have been able to even handle them under the machine.  EPP has made it a very pleasant journey. It doesn't just have to be hexies!

Block 70 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 70 - Nearly Insane Quilt

NUMBER OF PIECES:  53
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle 3/4" (20mm) x 9/16" (15mm) x 9/16" (15mm)

LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 3" (76mm) x 2  1/8" (53mm) x 2  1/8" (53mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Polka Party III by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (#03035)
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics 

Spraytime (Scarlet) by Makower #2800-R06
Apple Line Red Swirl by Alice Kennedy for Timeless Treasures  # C5710
Homeschool Mini Mono Floral Red, LB Krueger for Windham Fabrics SKU# 35182-3
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
White floral on red (unknown)
Days Gone By Exclusively Quilters