Tuesday, July 20, 2010

quilt along week 7

I'm running behind this week. I hate that feeling and I have no one to blame but myself. I suppose I could blame it on my bickering children (heaven, help me!) but I don't suppose that would do any good, would it?

Ok, for this week's quilt along....

Sew together two strips that are 22 segments long. Sew them to the top and the bottom of the quilt.


Sew together two strips that are 26 segments long. Sew them to either side of the quilt.



Then, sew on the borders that measure 52 1/2" to the top and bottom.
Sew on the borders that measure 56 1/2" to either side. Press well.


Take a photo and add it to the flickr group. :)

It was a little tricky for me this week to get everything to match up. With so many seams in each strip, if you are off by even a little bit (i was), it multiplies with each seam. My strips ended up longer than they needed to be. So, I used the borders as they were cut and tried to ease in the bulk of the pieced strip. I really need to perfect my 1/4" seam allowance. It sure would make things easier!

A few other bits of business....

Tammy was selected as my scrap challenge winner. I'm looking forward to seeing what scraps I get to play with. Due to the overwhelming positive response to this crazy idea of mine, I just might make it a regular thing around here. I don't have the time or energy to organize a swap of this nature, but someone should! That would be great fun.

Also, thanks so much to the generous ladies that have sent me plaid squares. I'll be posting more about that project soon!

23 comments:

Live a Colorful Life said...

I'm a little behind. I'll try to get caught up. :) And I think the scrap swap would be fun.

And great that so many could "spare a square." Anxious to see what you are doing with that project.

Anonymous said...

It just keeps getting prettier and prettier.You could always send your kids to my house and they would be put in my husband's boot camp. (no whining and lots of hiking).

Peggi said...

You might try starching your pieces before assembly. I've had the same problem and found that starch helps a LOT.

craft-crazed said...

I love this!!!! I think I may do one on my own and use purple for the solid!

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

This is looking great! I'm thinking about making this sometime with my Sweet fabric. It's my prized possession that I have been hording for entirely too long. I just can't cut those cute little peeps, especially the pink ones. Can't wait to see the scrap project and the plaids too.

hilltopmom said...

Beautiful. It's looking great. My good intentions didn't get me very far. I think I'll make the 9 patch instead.

Melissa said...

I'm having the same problem with the strips being longer than the sashing.

Thimbleanna said...

Hmmm. That quilt is looking awesome. Different somehow from what I had pictured in my mind from your drawing and I love it! And a swap? Hmmmm some more. Much Hmmmm'ng going on around here!

Chartreuse Moose said...

Aw shucks, blame it on the kids...you know down the road they'll blame everything on you! ;-) The quilt is looking great...fresh and charming!

susan@tickledpaisley said...

Beautiful! And I'm glad to hear someone else's kiddos bicker too!

Jessica Christensen said...

I had the same issue. I had to ease in my pieced strips. I am working on Jill's machine, though, so I'm a little off my game. It's still working out.

Unknown said...

i love this and have done it from the first one thanks to Deanna (Wedding Dress Blue ) who told me about it..but i have stopped with the last step and now will catch up with that in another block like it and put the two together and go around from there..for my daughter's table--a tablecloth with lightweight batting inside--warm and natural maybe--

i love your colors..mine are more creamy and fall looking..

anyway i too am having trouble getting it all to come together..like you said i have to work on my 1/4" seams..

mary

Melodee said...

The true beauty of a quilt along is learning that others are having the same challenges you are, it's so comforting. I too not only need to work on my perfect quarter inch, but I need to be sure the pieces are perfectly matche up too.
My kids are teenagers and not around much due to jobs and hanging out with friends, and I still can't find the time to quilt as much as you do. You are my inspiration!

Bec said...

Oh it looks Fabulous!! i might try and make one.. i love it. I recon little squares always stand out so will with complemented with white!

Yvette said...

That's why I'm terrified of pieced borders! :D But I have to say that this is a beautiful quilt. I probably will just use LOTS of pins, so to ease in all the extra length. Can't wait to see the scrap challenge project too! :D

Mary Lou said...

Well, I am now caught up with week 6, starting week 7 today. No bickering kids here (they are all off to college) but July is always a busy month with the garden.
I too have trouble with the 1/4 inch seam being consistent which is why I didn't cut my borders to specifications. I should probably try to make sure that I'm still square though. Glad to know even super experienced quilters still have trouble with the 1/4 seam

Joy said...

Once you master the 1/4 inch seam with your machine you will never look back. The quilt looks great anyway.

Nancy said...

I am having that same problem as well with the strips being longer than the sashing. I am easing in also. :)

Regina said...

Everyone's progress looks great! I'm losing hope of catching up. This move has really thrown me for a loop. I've only had a few moments to set up my machine so I used it to throw together a picture frame wall hanging for the kids. I needed a fast project. Keep up the good work!

Princess Martha said...

I have finally caught up! Yay. Have joined Flickr, just cant work out how to add my photo to your Flickr group...I am a bit silly I know, and its prob really obvious, but I need help :-)

Princess Martha said...

Oh, btw, I am loving the fact that my sashings are fitting my quilt perfectly!! That has NEVER, must I repeat, NEVER EVER happened for me before. EVER. I am doing a few happy dances every time I add a sashing :-) Maybe I shouldn't speak too soon???

kaye said...

I adore quilts with lots of little squares. This one is particularly lovable.

Helen C. said...

What great 1/4 practice! I finally put a strip of painters tape on my machine at the 1/4 mark, it's helping a lot. Also, I find myself saying, "when I quilt it and wash it, that will never show." (I'm a newer quilter- in the first class I took the instructor said, "Only you will notice it and if anybody else notices and says something they are NOT your friends and you should not have them over for dinner." I take it to heart- I still strive for that perfect seam, but I don't sweat the small stuff)
I had a knee surgery right after the quilt-a-long started... but I'm back in action and almost caught up! YEAH! This will be the largest quilt I've made in my small quilting history- thank you for being the guide through it all.