How is everyone? I feel that I've been 'missing in action' for a while.
Do you remember my post about joining in a quilt-a-long without really owning up to it?
Well I'm still plodding along, getting bits and pieces done.
I've cut all the fabric out now.
(A few cut out pieces...)
I've definitely played around with laying fabric side by side....
I've been sewing blocks together..... it's such a simple but effective block pattern.
I love the way the fabric looks in this little layout.... When I first saw Good Folks I thought it quite a dark collection but over time I've changed my opinion. I think it's the golden yellows, tangerines and intense pinks that make it sing. That yellow is quite exotic... very warm.
As I've sewed more blocks I've begun to relax a bit about which fabrics go together because there doesn't seem to be an 'awful' combination... but there are definitely some that sing particularly loudly.
I should point out that I need 80 blocks to make the complete quilt... and I have about 20, but that's a 1/4 of the way there isn't it? I don't want it in a hurry, which is really just as well. Making this quilt for me is really just about enjoying the process. I'm wondering if perhaps I should settle for a throw sized quilt.
(A few blocks laid out on the table... just to admire the colour)
Instead, I'm focusing on my piecing. I'm trying out Elizabeth Hartman's suggestion of pressing the seams open instead of pressing them to one side as is more usual in patchwork. (The traditional pressing of the seam to the side is supposed to make a stronger seam by protecting the stitching from wear and eventual splitting.) Elizabeth's method ensures that a block which is intended to be six inches in size actually ends up as a six inch block. Providing of course you've sewn an accurate seam allowance :)
Others I know argue for using a 'scant' 1/4 inch seam, to ensure your blocks end up the size you wanted them to be. This means that you have to make allowances when piecing for the fact that pressing a seam to the side actually takes up the width of the thread. (Multiply those thread widths over an entire quilt and it can add up to make a surprising amount of difference. But I suspect that loads of us have made up that difference in the border.... Who me?)
Elizabeth's method is certainly simple enough but I'm wondering what will happen when I actually quilt it.... we'll see.
Speak soon.... I should have a few more blocks by then.
That's looking good Julia. I particularly like the colour combinations in your top row of blocks - very yummy. I'm getting in a right muddle with seams with my crazy nine-patch so very interested to know how your experiment pans out!
Posted by: Ali at Very Berry | January 15, 2011 at 09:50 PM
Oh don't stop and make a lap quilt, they are looking amazing laid out like that, I know its more work, but it will be totally STUNNING as a quilt - good luck!!
Posted by: gtlady | January 15, 2011 at 08:43 PM