Happy Christmas

Patchwork Christmas Tree

Happy Christmas!

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 85

English Paper Piecing - Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 85

Here is a detailed photograph of Block 85 of the Nearly Insane Quilt.  I hope it shows how the block is constructed, compared to the final effect.  You will see that I have used scraps of different fabrics to make up the square inside a square effect, using English paper piecing.

Block 85, Nearly Insane Quilt

Again, this block is my latest favourite.  The more scraps I can use, the more I love it, and I like the way the triangles make up the red square.I like the bright red square in the centre, I like the midtone half square triangles around the edge, and the white space.


Construction - Block 85 Nearly Insane Quilt

I am very aware that the Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt eats up a lot of my sewing time at this time of year, so I make sure that any time watching Christmas TV is productive, and Nearly Insane gets moved on.

Canoe Block Cornerstones for Nearly Insane Quilt

After Christmas I have hatched a plan to get a few more of my canoe block cornerstones completed.  I hope to do a "Twelve Days of Christmas Project" where I aim to get just one cornerstone done a day.  That will be twelve more done for the start of the New Year.  They are only small.  It should be easy enough.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  49
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1/2" (13mm) x 3/8" (9mm) x 3/8" (9mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 2 1/2" (63mm) x 1 3/4" (44mm) x 1 3/4" (44mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Scraps

Part 4 - Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013

Part 4 - Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013

After sewing all those 4-patches for Part 4 of Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice 2013 Mystery Quilt, it is always fun to play with the blocks and guess the layout.  I must admit I am ready to pull out the green and neutral again, to calm down the overdose of orange, pink and yellow.  It took several sessions to get the 4-patches required for the small quilt, and after the third go, I still have the final count to do.  I hope I have enough - I have presents to wrap! I have presents still to make!


4-Patches for Part 4 Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013

My 4-patches are made up from pink and orange fabrics from my stash, which don't have a lot of contrast, unlike the colour combination of Bonnie's colour scheme.  I hope it works out.  Last year, Bonnie threw a rapid fire finish at us, and it caught me unawares, so I am determined to make sure all my blocks are trimmed and in order as we approach the end of December.


Part 4 - Celtic Solstice Quilt, Twosies

Bonnie shared a quick method to pair up the twosies for this stage, but I must admit I like to pretend I can mix the pairs up manually to avoid any repeats, so I did it the old fashioned way.  Obviously, there will be repeats....

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 39

Block 39 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Here is another attractive block for the Nearly Insane quilt.  Stripes, scraps, and a bold pattern. A good mix. However, it didn't go as smoothly as I thought it would (especially for just 29 pieces and mainly square shapes!)  I had mixed some pieces up and I was trying to line up two pieces that clearly didn't belong together - something was wrong.  I put it away for a few days until I knew I had the time and patience to unravel what had happened. All sorted now.


Block 39 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Also at the weekend I had a 'shout out' over at the "in hand EPP link party",  where you can see lots of English paper piecing - lots of busy people using found moments to get a bit of stitching done, creating wonderful masterpieces.  I always carry my stitching with me, as you never know when you may have some time on your hands.  A traffic jam, getting stuck in a lift, waiting for a train - all of these are attractive scenarios when you have your stitching at hand. Today for the first time in AGES, I left the house without my little bag of sewing.  Once I realised, it made me feel quite anxious.  I know Sarah had a similar experience a few weeks ago.


Clover Clamshell Case

BTW - Did any of you see the 'Great British Sewing Bee - Christmas Special' last night?  Stuart made one of the clamshell accessories cases that I made a few months ago.  He was using it as a hanging Christmas decoration - a great idea!

NUMBER OF PIECES:  29
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 11/16" (18mm) x 11/16" (18mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square,  5/8" (16mm) x 5/8" (16mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Scraps and Calico

Part 3 - Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013

Part 3 - Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt - Pinwheels

Are you enjoying Bonnie's Mystery Quilt as much as I am?  I can't believe we are into week 3 already.  This week it has been half square triangles and pinwheels.  I love pinwheels, as you can see here, and here.  Also, I am enjoying my cheerful colour scheme, especially on a day like today, when it has been so dark and dreary.

Part 3  Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt - HSTs

These are the only four pinwheels I have done so far.  I dithered over the number of pieces I had to cut out.  I must admit that cutting out the pieces and lining them up is my favourite bit.


Cutting from strips - Celtic Solstice Quilt

Bonnie is always referring to queries from her reader about how long the strips should be when cutting out, so I thought I would show you my selection.  You can see that they vary - a lot! Some are charms squares, some are the width the fabric comes off the bolt.  There is no science to it, I just make an estimate of how many strips I need, and cut more if I am short.

Part 2 - Celtic Solstice Quilt - Chevrons

I got really behind last week, and even though I had cut out the pieces, Bonnie had published Part 3 before I had really started sewing Part 2.  I was determined to keep up, so this weekend has been a bit of a catch-up, but all my chevrons are now complete.  I took time to press each piece in the right direction and it paid off when I started sewing them together.


1 1/2" triangles - Off-cuts

After all the trimming of the chevrons of Part 2, I have accumulated the inevitable pile of 1 1/2" triangles.  I still have the off-cuts from a similar exercise we did for the Easy Street Mystery Quilt. What did I do with them?  I would love to say I have converted them into placemats for Christmas gifts, but no, they have gone in the bin. One less thing to worry about in 2014!

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 59

It was almost a month ago since I asked for all your opinions for the colour choice of Block 59. It is only now that I have finally got around to getting it together.  Thank you for your thoughts.  In the end I went with Joann, Carole and Tubakk, and have made No 4.


Block 59, Nearly Insane Quilt

Today, I have just started getting ready for Christmas.  The Christmas decorations have been taken down from the attic and the Christmas cards are finally in the pipeline.  I would love to be doing more blocks for this quilt.  I would love to be catching up with Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt, but at the moment there are other priorities.


Block 59, Nearly Insane Quilt

There are only 33 pieces in this block.  It was easy to make. Just not so easy to find the time.  Roll on the Christmas break.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  33
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 11/16" (18m) x 11/16" (18mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square,  1 13/8" (36m) x 1 13/8" (36m)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Ivory on Red Cameo Bud Yardage # 14764 Midwinter Reds by Minick and Simpson, Moda
Apple Red on Cream Sewing Guide Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5490 11
Zig Zag Chevron Stripe Fabric in Cream Red 5498-31, Sweetwater Mama Said Sew, Moda
Calico

Part 2 - Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013

Part 2 - Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013

I have been away over the weekend, so getting Part 2 of Celtic Solstice done has not been so easy.  It felt like an age waiting for the second part to be released, so to avoid disappointment, I took my fabric with me and I managed to get most of the pieces cut.  Most of the fabric is prepared, but these are the only four units I have sewn together so far.  I have already learnt that you need to concentrate to sew the right side of the line, that the diagonals have to be in the right direction and that you need to sew the two neutral triangles together.  Let's say its a job that needs a bit of concentration.


Part 2 - Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt - Chevrons

Now, my hunch is that theses chevrons are for the border.  I only say that because I am working on a similar one for my Nearly Insane Quilt.  Following this gut feeling I felt that the chevron pattern needed to stand out, so I have switched my yellow and orange around from my original plan.


Part 1 & 2 - Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt

I must admit, I am finding it quite refreshing to have some different colours on the blog besides the red and white of my Nearly Insane Quilt.  It is great that we have  used all our colours already, and I can't wait to see it all come together.

Don't tell Suzi, but I had the help of some old friends.  This is Tiger resting his head against the pile of cut pieces for Part 2 of Celtic Solstice.  Good company, but not as keen on quilting as Suzi - so far.  Below is Pod.  I don't think he moved from this spot all day.

BTW, my sister has decided to join me this year for the Mystery Quilt.  She is using Inklingo.  She showed me what it involved.  She also showed me the shapes of the pieces to come!  Yes, Inklingo users get an insight of all the shapes in the quilt up front!  I am pretending that I never saw it.


Terry's Chocolate Orange

It was lovely to see so many people linking up last Monday at Quiltville.  The blue and orange units reminded me of one of my other favourite things over Christmas!  I hope to get the rest of the units sewn up during the week, ready for Part 3 on Friday.
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 17

Blocks 14, 29 and 56 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Another few blocks done, and time for the next Draw.  The next blocks are ...

39 - 59 - 85 - 98

Nearly Insane - Edge Blocks

Here are some of the recent edge blocks

With the paper still in them, the blocks have an attractive crunch to them, which made them hard for Suzi to resist.
Joining up with Feline Friday.

Nearly Insane Quilt Update - 100th Follower Edition

Nearly Insane Quilt - December 2013 Update

I am pleased to announce that Fabadashery has its 100th Follower!  Welcome Tina, and ohh look, here comes the 101st, Jennifer.  Since 90% of this blog is about the progress of the Nearly Insane (Salinda Rupp ) Quilt, as a treat for all the Followers, we get to have a Nearly Insane Quilt update.


Nearly Insane Quilt - December 2013 Update

I don't have a design wall (I don't think the EPP blocks would stick anyway ..), so I use a design floor.  I had to stand on the table, lean at an awkward angle, and hope for the best when taking the picture. When I do the updates, I don't place them in their final spot, it is a bit of a free for all.  However, this time I have laid it out showing its final width, which is about 7 blocks across.  Do you notice anything different since last time?  A few weeks ago I changed Block 30, as I felt it was not fitting in.  I think it is looking better this time around.


English Paper Piecing - Nearly Insane Quilt

I am also building up quite a collection of blocks, and the total so far are looking like this

48 Blocks

17 Edge blocks

30 Cornerstones

10 Half Cornerstone

105 Sashes

09 Border Units

And here are the sums for how many pieces I have done so far. 

Blocks and Edge Blocks = 2682

Cornerstones = 324

Sashes = 105

Border Units = 31

TOTAL = 3142

Electric Quilt - Nearly Insane Quilt, December 2013

This is how the Electric Quilt design is looking at the moment, and as always, it is updated on the sidebar regularly.  It still looks like there a lots of gaps to fill, but according to my sums, we should be 3/4 of the way through in the next few weeks - Celtic Solstice allowing!

Part 1 - Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013

Well we're off!

I can't begin to tell you how excited I have been in anticipation of this quilt. I enjoyed doing my Easy Street Quilt last year so much, I have pretty much been counting down the days since the Easy Street Big Reveal back in January!  

Part 1 Completed - Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt

As I write I have stitched all the units for the star points for Part 1 of Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt, I just need to trim the rest of my blocks to tidy them up, so they look as neat as the blocks above. 

Bonnie has offered us plenty of options on how to approach this quilt, and I have opted to use the speciality rulers. I am using the Creative Grids 2-in-1 ruler to make my blocks, which does the same job as the two Tri-Recs rulers. The cutting was quite straight forward, and if you have any problems, visit Bonnie's website to see her videos.  

Creative Grids 2-1 Ruler - Tri Recs alternative

The only difference I have notices with the Creative Grids ruler is that it does not have the same special 'notch' as the Tri-Recs for alignment. 

So far we have had to cut strips in the neutral, pink and green, and then using the ruler to cut the appropriate shapes.

Front - Aligning Star Point Triangles

I had a few goes at aligning the pieces without much luck, but then finally got into my groove.  I found that if you align them, with the tip of the green piece filling in the missing tip of the pink triangle, making sure there is a VERY tiny bit overlapping at the bottom, everything was OK. 

Reverse side - Aligning Star Point Triangles

You can see this more clearly by looking at the reverse side, as I have shown above.  My finished block is only just the right size, despite checking my seam allowance, and placements carefully.

For the record - I am going for the smaller version, and as you can see, I have switched the colours around for my Celtic Solstice Quilt, with my colour choice listed below on the right

BLUE - GREEN

GREEN - YELLOW

YELLOW- ORANGE

ORANGE - PINK

NEUTRAL - NEUTRAL

 



Suzi - Celtic Solstice Quilt Assistant

Suzi is joining in - just a bit camera shy today.