Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 51

Block 51 - Nearly Insane Quilt

This is Block 51.  Does anyone know its proper name?  I think I saw it called something related to anvils or hammers, but seem to have lost the reference.


Block 51 - Nearly Insane Quilt construction

For those of you who are doing (or thinking of doing the Nearly Insane quilt), you need to be a bit careful when putting this one together.  There is in an inner border, and the pieces on the corner are not symmetrical, with one having a 1/8" edge which needs to be accommodated.  I wondered why the bits weren't fitting ....

Red and white patchwork fabrics - Nearly Insane Quilt

It has seven different fabrics in it.  It has some 'neutral' calico, which flows through most of the blocks, some medium tones and some solid reds.  It pretty much has it all, and each fabric plays its role to make this block look balanced.

Electric Quilt 5 Software

More and more, I am spending a lot more time on choosing the fabrics for my blocks, and playing around with ideas in Electric Quilt.  Not all of my earlier blocks are pleasing me and I am determined to get the remaining ones spot on first time.  I must say that my Electric Quilt software has been a perfect partner for this project.  With each new block I have needed to return to the software to audition fabric combinations, and through this repetition, I have really become comfortable with it.  My previous experience of using it had been designing a quilt over a few hours, printing out the details, and then not returning to the software until I had finished hand piecing the quilt, months (or even years!) later.  It was because of this irregular use that I never chose to upgrade to Electric Quilt 7.

Also, I have just spent a bit of time tidying up my Inbox, and I was taken back by all the kind and supportive comments that many of you have made about my Nearly Insane quilt blocks since I started my journey over a year ago.  From this end the creative juices don't always flow when I am writing about 'another' red and white, English paper pieced, hand sewn quilt block.  Thanks for sticking with me - we are heading for the home straight!

Joining up with Slow Stitching Sunday and EPP Link Party.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  41
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Rectangle 1" (25mm) x 7/16" (12mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 1 3/8" (35mm) x 1 3/8" (35mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Bear Essentials by P & B Textiles
Christmas Past  (#14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Hearts on Red (567-R5) Makower
Little Spots Red, Pierres Famous Travelling Circus, Michael Miller
Red pindot on cream (unidentified)
Calico

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 27 LeMoyne Star

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 27

If I am honest, the star blocks in the Nearly Insane quilt have not been my favourite.  Block 27, a Le Moyne Star, has just 16 pieces, but I still managed to mess up cutting out the asymmetric star points, not once, but twice!  I am hoping to learn by my mistakes ...   Putting it together was fine, and in keeping with the new regime, it has been labelled and logged.


Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 27

You may be able to see that I have also used the pearlescent spot Holly Holderman fabric as the neutral to add a bit of interest.  It had temporarily moved out of my Nearly Insane fabric stash to join my Celtic Solstice stash, and it took the recent sort out to bring it back to the fold.

As you know, I always keep statistics for each of my blocks, stating the largest and smallest piece.  Whilst there are different shapes in this block, they all have exactly the same area, so are all the same size.

I am enjoying a bit of an Easter break, so we all get to benefit from more sewing and more blogging from Fabadashery.  I am keen to do a non-Nearly insane project - I will keep you posted.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  16
DIFFICULTY: 5/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Chloe's Closet 30's Playtime - Red Flowers
Polka Party III by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (#03035)
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics 

Spring Quilt Festival 2014 - Exeter Westpoint

'Brick Lane' Medallion Quilt by Village Fabrics

At the weekend I made a trip to Exeter to visit the Spring Quilt Festival at the Westpoint Showground.  It's a small show, but when you need a quick quilt fix it is the ideal tonic.

'Delft Floor Tiles' by Alice Webb

This blue quilt was a small hanging by Alice Webb.  It caught my eye as it reminded me of my on-point Nearly Insane quilt, and little projects that could emanate from it in the future.  I often have a small 3" block in my hand as I construct the full block and think how cute it is.


'Enchanted Garden' Quilt by Rhianon Taylor

Every time I go to a quilt show, I am usually at a certain stage in my quilting thoughts, and different things appeal to me amongst the exhibits. This time around it was quilting.  In terms of quilting on quilts, there was a lovely display of quilts by Rhianon Taylor, also blogging as the Nifty Stitcher. 


Detail - 'Enchanted Garden' Quilt by Rhianon Taylor

Just look at this amazing machine quilting. A full display of her work can bee seen on her blog, and no doubt it will be touring in future Grosvenor Exhibitions coming up throughout the year if you want to see it in the flesh.

'Baby Jane' Quilt by Sheila Lloyd

After my trip to Nantes last year to see the 150th Anniversary display of Dear Jane quilts, it was lovely to see another.  Sheila has pretty much stuck to the style and fabrics of the original Dear Jane quilt by Jane Stickle - it looked lovely.

Naturally I made a few purchases at the stalls.  I added a few fat quarters to my stash of neutrals from a charity stall, and bought the 'Little Black Dress 2' layer cake by BasicGrey.  The Japanese fabric was from a rummage bin - it has a striped design which I though had lot of potential ...

Cat Coaster - Giddy Sprite Designs

Also, whilst I was out and about at the weekend I also picked up this little cat coaster by Giddy Sprite.  Suzi the cat seems to have this expression on her face permanently at the moment - the birds outside are driving her to distraction!

 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 2

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 2

Presenting Block 2.  In the latest blocks, my Michael Miller Rail Stripe has featured quite heavily.  This is where the regular Draws do their duty in mixing up the fabrics.


Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 2

The number of pieces has increased from 21 to 36. The original pattern has 1" square blocks in the corners.  I have turned the into HST's (Half Square Triangles), and the same in the middle.  I am at the point with this project where if a block looks too dull, I just HAVE to spice it up a bit, to create visual interest.  I am keen to make as many blocks scrappy, so this block has 15 different fabrics featured in it.


Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 62 (Redone)

I have also made some alterations to another block. Whilst I thought I had included dark, medium and light fabrics in the original Block 62, from a distance you couldn't read the light, so the centre square has been changed to a light neutral.  It looks a bit too light in this photo, but once the neutral sashing is lined up beside it, I hope it will calm it down.

Linking up with Freshly Pieced and with Freemotion by the River today.  Earlier in the week Lee at Freshly Pieced was part of Jennifer Sampou's Shimmer  Blog Hop with a chance to win a Charm Pack of some gorgeous fabrics.  I'm in - I'm just spreading the love!


NUMBER OF PIECES:  36
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1" (25mm) x 11/16" (17mm) x 11/16" (17mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 1" (25mm) x 4" (102mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Rail Stripe Red, Michael Miller Fabrics
Scraps
Calico

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 86

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 86

Just a quickie to tell you about one of the Nearly Insane edge blocks, Block 86.  I think the flowery 30's reproduction fabric from the Chloe's Closet range really makes it look cute.


Canoe block cornerstones - Nearly Insane Quilt

I have also had a bit of sewing time to catch up with some of the cornerstones and edge cornerstones, and have managed to get these few done lately.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  14
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 1" (25mm) x 1 11/16" (17mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 1 1/4" (31mm) x 3 1/2" (89mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Rail Stripe Red, Michael Miller Fabrics
Chloe's Closet 30's Playtime - Red Flowers
Solid Red, Kona
Calico

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 - Edge Block 89

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 89

Over recent weeks I have managed to complete quite a few Nearly Insane blocks, and edge blocks, so over the next few days I hope to give them each their own '15 Minutes of Fame', whilst I catch up with my blogging. These edge blocks are usually quite quick to complete - (this one has just 13 pieces), so they often get overlooked when I blog.  This one shows more evidence of fussy cutting on that Michael Miller Rail Stripe fabric.  Yes, I seem to listening to myself ...


Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Blocks 89

Here is the block shown with its twin Edge Block 89.  When you see the blocks together it is a reminder of how patchwork allows the creation of infinite combinations of fabrics for different results. Today I am spending some time in my workroom preparing some of my Nearly Insane blocks, cutting out the fabrics pieces ready for stitching - a good excuse for playing with my red and white fabric stash and enjoy choosing those combinations. The clocks have gone forward today - for once I have excuse for where the time has gone!
 
NUMBER OF PIECES:  13
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
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:
Rail Stripe Red, Michael Miller Fabrics
Hearted Vine Red, Midwinter Reds, Minick & Simpson, Moda  14763-11
Mini red flower sprig - unidentified
Calico

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 46

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 46

There are several blocks in this style in the Nearly Insane Quilt, where the block is made up of diminishing squares (see Block 11, 39).  They are quite fun to do in terms of choosing the fabric combinations.  However, depending on the complexity of the English paper piecing in the centre, it can tend to make the straight edges bulge. This one isn't too bad. Altering the original block, I have added the cornerstones to the outside border, as it made it easier to negotiate the stripe on the corner. I was also careful to 'fussy' cut the outer striped fabric, so it is the same on each side - I think I am gradually learning ...

Block 46 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Originally the central star of Block 46 was going to be all calico, but at the last minute, I popped in a little red pindot - who doesn't like a little red pindot?  When choosing fabrics for each block I easily fall into the trap of just sticking to a few favourites, but in this scrap quilt, the more the merrier, so the pindot is a welcome addition.


Giant sweet jars filled with fabric scraps

Talking of scraps, my scrap jars have recently multiplied.  For this project I have been storing my red and white scraps in a giant glass sweet jar.  Even though this project is meant to be using up scraps, I seem to have created more in the process.  These jars are lovely for seeing what you have, and you can dip your hand right inside to pull out what you need.  Knowing how much I love them, my husband picked another one up for me as a gift from Baileys Home near Ross-On-Wye. What a great husband I have :)

NUMBER OF PIECES:  40
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle  11/16" (18 mm) x 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle  6" (152 mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Christmas Past  (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Reunion Cherry Sally's Skirt by Sweetwater for Moda #5473
Rail stripe Red, Michael Miller Fabrics
Cream with red pindot - unidentified
Calico


 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 25

Block 25 (revised) - Nearly Insane Quilt

In the Nearly Insane pattern book by Liz Lois, each block is presented 'square', but in the actual quilt, the blocks are 'on point'.  Sometimes, what looks OK in the book, sometimes gets tipped off balance once it is transferred. 

Original Block 25 - Nearly Insane Quilt

The original Block 25 is one of the more 'individual' patterns of the Nearly Insane quilt, with points going here and there, which I quite liked, but once 'on point' not as much.  Therefore it has undergone a bit of makeover in my Electric Quilt software - you can compare the changes below (.... you will need to tip your head to understand what I mean!)

Revised Block 25 - Nearly Insane Quilt

I think overall it has added more pieces to the block, but I quite enjoy making the blocks my own.


Block 25 in progress - Nearly Insane Quilt

I completed this Nearly Insane block whilst enjoying International Quilt Day with the Quilt Show. Here is a photo of my little work station I use whilst I sew watching the television.  At the top you can see a pile of 'light' cream corner squares which I abandoned midway for a 'midtone' red ... this block really was a work in progress, going through many changes on its journey.

I have also had the assistance of Suzi the cat whilst completing this block.  She is perhaps a bit more interested in the plastic bag than the sewing ... I think she is trying to tell me it is dinner time.


Block 25 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Lots of blocks finished lately - surely it deserves a Whoop Whoop?

NUMBER OF PIECES:  101
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle  3/4" (18mm) x 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square  1 1/16" (27mm) x 1 1/16" (27mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
"Friendship" (Tonal Red) by Howard Marcus for MODA (Collections For a Cause) # 46130
Ivory on Red Cameo Bud Yardage # 14764 Midwinter Reds by Minick and Simpson, Moda
Cream Heart Paisley # 14766-15, Midwinter Reds by Minick & Simpson, Moda
Red pindot (unidentified)
Kona Red solid
Calico



Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 22



Nearly Insane Quilt - Blocks 24, 73, 79

Crikey, we are on Draw 22!  I think that this means about 75% of the blocks have been done.  You can see from the Electric Quilt image below that there are more red squares than white ones, which can only be a good thing.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Electric Quilt 5 Software

Here are the next blocks that have been drawn

23 - 25 - 46 - 89