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)






 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 11

Here are the latest contributions to the Nearly Insane Quilt production line, posing for a group photograph, Blocks 37, 63, 67 and 96. 

When they are put next to each other, you can see the variety of reds that I have used - some warm, some cool.  As with most scrappy quilts adventures I have been on, when you focus in and see the blocks like this, their tones can seem quite different and odd, but once the whole thing is put together they tend to blend together.  To help it along, I am increasingly trying to incorporate the cream calico fabric I am using on the sashing, and the reds from the cornerstones, to bring in some unity.


Cream Bias Check, Mama Said Sew, Sweetwater, Moda

You can also see that I have gone a bit crazy on the Mama Said Sew Cream Bias Check, this time around.  As I do each draw there is often a fabric which is flavour of the month, which is why my random draws are working so well.  If I did it in order, the fabrics would show up like strata on a rock face! ... the draws mix them up well.
So here are the latest blocks

6 - 17 - 42 - 97

I have started to design and cut out the fabric for these, and some of them are quite complex, with lots of pieces - not a problem, just more time consuming to do.

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

Clover Clamshell Accessories Case

Clover Clamshell Accessories Case

I am still enjoying doing a few small projects, for a quick quilting thrill.  Today I am sharing my Clover Clamshell Accessory Case.  This is a neat little purse which opens and shuts by squeezing the ends.  It shuts quite firmly, so it is ideal for carrying small pieces of jewellery when you are away. When I was fabric shopping in the USA at Cottonwood Quilts, Hutchinson, Kansas, there was a sample on the counter of one of these, which looked so cute that I had to throw one of the kits in to my purchases that day.

Clover Clamshell Accessories Case - Small, Medium, Large

The template kits for these little cases are sold by Clover.  They come in three sizes: small, medium and large.  In the kit are the instructions, three heavier weight plastic outer templates, and three lighter plastic inner templates.  I have to admit, that when I bought it I expected it to be a template which you could copy and use again, but they are sold as the actual templates, or forms.  With a bit of research I have discovered that plastic covers from notebooks, and various weights of acetate sold at stationers will do a similar job.  Like a clamshell, the case snaps shut with the flex in the plastic, so getting the right weight is quite important.


Cutting Fabric for Clover Clamshell Forms

The fabric needs to be cut around the templates with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, as the seam is gathered taut around the form template, and the inner which is slightly smaller.

Sticking wadding to plastic templates - Clover Clamshell Case

To add softness to both the inner and outer plastic forms, you stick on some wadding.  Luckily, I had just trimmed a quilt, and these little bits were just the job.  Being patient, I left them overnight to dry, and then trimmed them exactly the next day.


Lacing fabric around Clover Clamshell Plastic Templates

Next, you stitch a running stitch around the edge of each piece of fabric, with a long, strong thread, which will allow you to put in the template (wadding facing down on the back of the fabric) and gather the seam allowance around it.  Without cutting the thread, you then need to lace the seams together to make the fabric taut around the form. It is a bit fiddly at the points, but don't fret too much, as it won't be seen.

Stitching the outer and inner templates together, with the help of Clover Wonder Clips

With the inners and outers covered, pair them up, wrong sides together.  With the wadding, gathers and plastic, they are quite bulky, so using these little Clover Clips is a neat way to keep them in place whilst you sew them together.  Match up your thread, and using your neatest ladder stitching, fix the inner to the outer, so they become a single side.


Squeeze Opening - Clam Shell Accessories Case

The final shape is like a three-sided rugby ball, so the three flat sides need to be manipulated and sewn to become three-dimensional.  The first two sides are easy enough, but the third, in particular,needs good stitching as it is being done under tension and will have to sustain that tension during its lifetime.The fabric I have chosen for the outside is a jade Ginkgo Tonals by Kona Bay Fabrics, and the inside is a matching colour with a subtle metallic dot.


Clover Clamshell Accessories Case for Jewellery

Joining up with Whoop Whoop Friday! and Crazy Mom Quilts.
 

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


 

Pets On Quilts Show 2013

Cat On Quilt Category - Princess Suzi on Red and White Pinwheel Quilt

This is our entry for 2013 for the 'Cat on Quilt' Category in the Pets on Quilts Show 2013, hosted by LilyPad Quilting.  It is a picture of Princess Suzi looking cute and cuddly on the Red and White Pinwheel Quilt.  Yes, it is back from the show, and now it can be smothered in cat hair, just as all good quilts should be!

This competition journey has not been an easy one.  Earlier in the week, I faced an all out strike, by both cats.

Where has Suzi gone?

Then, once Suzi realised the Red and White Pinwheel was finally in circulation, I think she misread the brief - and did Pets Underneath Quilts.

Suzi under the quilt

Once enticed onto the top of the quilt, realising the importance of the photo - ie: to win fabric for owner, she spent over an hour cleaning herself in preparation.  The clock was ticking, but finally, we managed the photo at the top of the page, which is our official entry.



Suzi choosing fabric for Easy Street Mystery Quilt

A bit of background: Suzi is about 8 years old, and joined us from another home last year, and having never done any sewing in her life before, has become a keen quilter in a very short time. Her first major project was the Easy Street Mystery Quilt, and she particularly enjoys machine piecing.  She has also won fabric for her owner before. 

Sparky taking a rest from Quilt Inspecting

Not to be missed out, above is a snapshot of Sparky on one of his quilted cat mats.  He is about 17 years old, and was adopted from my sister.  He has always been keen on testing out the quilts, especially at the 'design floor' stage.  Dedicated to his work as a Quilt Inspector, he actually wore one of his eyes out earlier this year - talk about dedication!

 

Cats. Quilts. What is there not to like? Pop over to Lilypad Quilting to see lots of other cats, almost as cute as mine. Judging this weekend!

BEWARE: there may be some dogs there too.

 

 

Pets On Quilts? Pets Not On Quilts!

Cats not on quilts ....

I was away over the weekend, and my parting words to the cats as I left were "Don't forget it is Pets on Quilts Week, next week!"

I have returned in readiness to capture a prize winning photo only to find that the cats, Sparky and Suzi, are making a rare united protest, by both sitting in the same room, NOT sitting on any of the three quilted items that I have provided for their comfort and enjoyment.  No fear, as a team, we have until Saturday 17th August to submit our entry over at Lilypad Quilting, where you can find all the details of how to enter and all the lovely quilty prizes available.

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!