Showing posts with label English Paper Piecing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English Paper Piecing. Show all posts

Saturday 15 February 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - 1st Anniversary Review

Fabadashery - Nearly Insane Quilt , February 2014
Fabadashery - Nearly Insane Quilt , February 2014
It is exactly one year since I started my journey on the Nearly Insane quilt.   This morning I have laid out all the pieces on the floor, so I can get an overview of how I am doing.  I have done 59 blocks which represents nearly 70% of the quilt. Doing a few sums I reckon I have another 6 months to go on the quilt - so August 2014.

Red and white Nearly Insane Quilt
Red and white Nearly Insane Quilt
You would think that I would be tempted to lay it out more often, but it took ages to place all the bits and pieces.  As soon as I can, I hope to start sewing some blocks together, but at the moment there always seems to be a piece of the puzzle missing. For now, just having a photographic record will suffice - I know my photos will be the source of much contemplation over the next few weeks.  
Electric Quilt EQ5 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Glass half full? Glass half empty?
You can see from this photo how much I have left to do - all English paper pieced.  I am pretty much up to date with the sashing, but even with my 12 Days of Sewing over Christmas, I still have lots of cornerstones to do.  Part of me is pleased with the progress, the other part is frustrated with how little time I have to work on it, so I can move onto the next project.

Sashing, cornerstones and blocks - Nearly Insane Quilt
Sashing, cornerstones and blocks - Nearly Insane Quilt
Here are the statistics for the quilt so far ....
Blocks = 59
Edge blocks = 20
Cornerstones =44
Half Cornerstone = 11
Sashes = 135
Border Units = 13

And here are the sums for how many pieces I have done so far. 
Blocks and Edge Blocks = 3424
Cornerstones = 396
Half Cornerstones = 66
Sashes = 135
Border Units = 52
TOTAL = 4073
Electric Quilt EQ5 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Electric Quilt EQ5 - Nearly Insane Quilt
From the Electric Quilt image, you can see that the quilt is filling up with the blocks.  I have also spent a bit of time adjusting the borders, so that the chevron border appears less heavy. I think this stage is the hardest part. 

I can see the end in sight, but currently I feel in a hurry to get it done.  Lately my sewing time has really been curtailed by my day job, and I am eager to be working on other projects, but I am quite disciplined when it comes to finishing projects, before starting the next.  I could really do with a sewing retreat.
 

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 94

Edge Block 94 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Edge Block 94 - Nearly Insane Quilt
The two most recent draws have both pulled out edge block 94, so I will showcase them together in this post.  In the quilt, a block is split in half to make up two separate edge blocks, which are placed on opposite sides in the original quilt.  
Edge Block 94 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Edge Block 94 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Again, these blocks have been done whilst watching the 2014 Sochi Olympics. With only 18 pieces each, they were quick to do, and after a slow few weeks, I finally feel as if I have moved this quilt along.
Edge Block 94 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Edge Block 94 - Nearly Insane Quilt
It is almost a year since I posted my first block on my Nearly Insane journey. I think we are due an Anniversary review ...

NUMBER OF PIECES:  18
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle 3/4" (18mm) x 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 3 " (77mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, Benartex
Polka Party III by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods #03035
Redwork Rendevous by Alex Anderson for P&B Textiles
Quilter's Memory", Stof Quilter's Basics #4517-118

The Block in Apple Red Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5491-11
Apple Line Red Swirl by Alice Kennedy for Timeless Treasures  # C5710

Homeschool Mini Mono Floral Red, LB Krueger for Windham Fabrics SKU# 35182-3
Solid Red

Sunday 9 February 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 8


Block 8  - Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 8  - Nearly Insane Quilt
Thank goodness for the Winter Olympics.  It has been an excuse to sit in front of the television, stay inside from the rain, and catch up on some hand sewing.  I finished this block watching Jenny Jones win bronze for the Ladies Slopestyle for Team GB.  In blogland, there is a lot of talk about the patchwork logo being used for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, and if you pop over to the Patriotic Quilter, she has also given details about the patchwork designs on the USA snowboarders outfits - great stuff!
It feels like a long time since I finished a block.  I will give you the full details when I tell you about Block 45... Block 8 has almost 200 pieces in it - 193 in total.  When I had the whole pile of pieces in front of me, I knew I had a long job ahead of me, but it was fun seeing the blocks within a block emerge.  There are little pieces in this one, the smallest being 3/16th (9.5mm) square.  When designing this one, I have added pieces here, and taken them away in other parts.
Block 8  - Nearly Insane Quilt reverse
Block 8 (reverse)  - Nearly Insane Quilt
This photo shows the back of the block, so you can see the English paper piecing. The blocks with lots of tiny pieces in them, have a lovely malleable feel to them when they are complete.  This block does not feel as if it has stiff paper in it, but as if I have created a beautiful soft new fabric.  I'll enjoy it whilst I can, I know I will need tweezers to remove the paper!


Block 8 - Nearly Insane Quilt Salinda Rupp
Block 8 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Lots of pieces, but lots of detail  - I love the block like that.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  193
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square  3/16" (9.5mm) x 3/16" (9.5mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square  1" (25mm) x 1" (25mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Red and White Stripe (Unidentified)
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics 
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, Benartex
Christmas Past  (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Polka Party III by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods #03035

Thursday 30 January 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 20

I have done NO sewing this week.  I have been busy at work.  In a spare moment, I have indulged in a bit of Pinterest.  I have a board 'A Lifetime of Quilts To Make' to which I have added a few quilts. However, with the progress I have made this week, I am going to need more than one lifetime! Oh well ... back to the latest Nearly Insane update. 
Red and White Nearly Insane Blocks - Draw 19
Red and White Nearly Insane Blocks - Draw 19
This round has been one of the easiest, especially Block 31 which only had twenty pieces in it.  It was almost like a normal quilt block!
6" quilt block Nearly Insane
6" quilt block

It is always difficult to portray the actual size of things on the internet, so here is one of the 6" Nearly Insane blocks adjacent to my 6" square ruler.

The next blocks are as follows

3 - 8 - 45 - 94

 No promises when these will get done.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 38

Block 38, Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 38, Nearly Insane Quilt
It has just gone 16:30 here in the UK, and I rushed outside to take a picture of the latest Nearly Insane block before the natural daylight faded completely.  As I write this the sun is just setting. Miraculously, the photo doesn't look as if it is mid-winter here! The red cherries in this block certainly cheer up the gloomy days. The blocks lately have been quite easy to do, with less that fifty pieces in them.  I think the next one only has about twenty pieces.

Block 38, Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 38, Nearly Insane Quilt
Sometimes it is only once I have put the block together that I think that a bit of fussy cutting on some of the fabrics may have improved the overall look.  However, when I am actually cutting the fabric, I am desperately trying to use every last inch, which isn't always compatible with fancy cuts.  Also, I want to thank you for tolerating the green tacking thread in my blocks as we go along the journey.  For some reason I feel this block in particular will be greatly improved once the tacking thread is out, but there is still a way to go before that momentous occasion.


NUMBER OF PIECES:  45
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square  1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Calico
Fine red stripe, Stof Quilters Basic
Days Gone By for Exclusively Quilters
Cream Pin Dot (Unidentified)
Gingham by The Henley Studio for Makower #920 

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 22


Block 22 - Nearly Insane Quilt Block
Block 22 - Nearly Insane Quilt Block
It feels like this block has taken a long time to do.  The six inch block has about 133 pieces in it, so it is not surprising it took time.  As it was coming together it was looking a bit messy, but now it is completed and pressed, I quite like it (do I say that about all of them?).


Block 22 - Nearly Insane Quilt Block Flying Geese
Block 22 - Nearly Insane Quilt Block
When I was making the colour selections in my Electric Quilt software, I wanted to create a different pattern from the traditional flying geese look.  I think the result is quite interesting, a bit like an optical illusion. The border is made up from flying geese blocks which are just over half an inch deep, which you can see from the detail, but the impact of the pattern is quite different from a distance.
 
BTW: Did you see that Bonnie Hunter is on her way to England?  The trip she is on covers most of the key quilty places in the UK, and ends up at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, where I exhibited my Red and White Pinwheel quilt last year.  Knowing she will be there in August I feel the pressure to get one of her mystery quilts quilted and entered into the show!

NUMBER OF PIECES:  133
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Strip, 1/2" (13mm) x 2 1/2" (77mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Calico
Cream Bias Check Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5495 11
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224

Somerset Shirtings c 1890 by Julie Hendrickson and Nancy Gere, Windham Fabrics # 35205
"Berry Falling Snow" by Kate Spain for Moda #27127-11

Monday 13 January 2014

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 74

Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 74 Salinda Rupp
Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 74
What a difference a week makes.  After all that lovely sewing time of the holidays, I am now back at work, struggling to get just a bit of sewing done on my Nearly Insane blocks in my spare time.  Even finding time to blog seems difficult.  Anyway, here is Block 74.  I actually finished it on Day 12 of my sewing marathon, but only now have had time to take a picture in the daylight and note down the details.  This was a relatively simple block, with some pretty pinwheels, and I always like to add stripes.
Reverse - Block 74, Nearly Insane Quilt english paper piecing
Reverse - Block 74, Nearly Insane Quilt

Here is a reminder that I am making these blocks using the English paper piecing method.  This is a view of the back, and you will see that I baste through the paper and I will keep all the paper in until I have at least added the sashing pieces to each block.  I know there are different ways of doing this - this method works for me.

I am currently working away at block 22.  It has lots of flying geese in it and has over 100 pieces in it, but I don't have much more to do.

Also the Nearly Insane plan on my sidebar has been updated, and is a reminder that I am approaching the year anniversary on 16th February 2014.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  53
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Strip, 3 3/16" (80mm) x 3/8" (18mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Calico
"Prairie Paisley II" by Minick and Simpson for Moda (14739 21)
Spraytime (Scarlet) by Makower #2800-R06
Scattered Red Stars on White (Unidentified)
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics 
Red and white stripe - unidentified

Friday 3 January 2014

Day 9 - Twelve Days of Sewing at Fabadashery

Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013 - Block Layout
Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013 - Block Layout
As I said yesterday, a lot of my sewing time at the moment is being taken up with Bonnie Hunter's 2013 Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt.  Whilst I took a bit of a break from sewing today, I still managed to layout the blocks on the floor, and start to put them together.  It is happening quite quickly, but still a way to go.  At least you get to see a bit of a REVEAL of the final look.

Nearly Insane Quilt - English Paper Piecing
Nearly Insane Quilt - English Paper Piecing

Whilst out and about today, I managed to prepare some of my English paper piecing templates for the next Nearly Insane block. All this was done whilst travelling in the car, and am pleased with the progress on this.  Over Christmas, this project has kept a steady pace, but as always, you wish it was going quicker.
Suzi hasn't much time for sewing today as the weather outside is wild and windy.  There are so many noises and sudden movements going on that she has found a spot to keep an eye on developments. See other busy cats at Feline Friday at Sarah Did It!

Monday 30 December 2013

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 69

Block 69 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Block 69 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Here's another pretty block, mostly done on Christmas Day.  I think I have cracked the formula - include the cream neutral of the sashing, include a solid, and include a midtone, and use as many different fabrics as possible - I bet there are a ton of quilting books that could have told me that! Thanks to Zeynep Maule for identifying the little circle print as 'Homeschool' by Windham fabrics.  I just had a look at the whole range, and it is quite cute.

English paper piecing - tiny bits!
English paper piecing - tiny bits!
Here are some of the pieces that outline the central squares, they are only 1/8th" wide and 1" long, but I really like the detailed effect they give as part of the block.
Block 69 - Nearly Insane Quilt Salinda Rupp
Block 69 - Nearly Insane Quilt
The only decision now is which way to place it in the quilt ...

NUMBER OF PIECES:  54
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Rectangle 1/8" (6mm) x 3/4 (19mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Strip, 6 3/4" (170mm) x 7/16" (11mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Calico
Homeschool Mini Mono Floral Red, LB Krueger for Windham Fabrics SKU# 35182-3
Spraytime (Scarlet) by Makower #2800-R06
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics 
Red and white stripe - unidentified


 

Sunday 29 December 2013

Day 4 - Twelve Days of Sewing at Fabadashery

Canoe block cornerstones - Nearly Insane Quilt
Canoe block cornerstones - Nearly Insane Quilt
It seems like I was busy in the sewing room today, but have little to show for it.  Firstly, I managed to get three more canoe blocks done for my Nearly Insane quilt, so I think that makes a total of seven, so far.

Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013 block trimmings
Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013 block trimmings
The rest of the time was spent trimming the remaining blocks for my Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt.  It seemed to take me ages.  Since I hand piece most of my quilts, mainly using English paper piecing, trimming for accuracy is not something I ever need to do, as the paper templates inside keep an accurate shape.  The quilt may be quick to sew on the machine, but other bits of the process sure take time!
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 98

Edge Block 98 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Edge Block 98 - Nearly Insane Quilt
Here is a photo of Block 98, one of the half blocks that go around the edge of the Nearly Insane Quilt.  I emphasise that it is a photo, because somewhere between taking the photo and now, I have misplaced it.  It is the only evidence that I have that I completed it.  I am hoping it will turn up between some papers, or in a 'safe' place that I might have put it.

As you will know, I always add the statistics of a completed block to the end of the post.  In it, I have a difficulty scoring.  So far only a very few have been beyond 4/10 (Block 43 sticks in my mind ...). To be honest using English paper piecing I have found these Nearly Insane blocks easy to put together.  As each one is different, it is like making a fresh 6 inch quilt each time. I have found process most enjoyable.  Yes, some pieces have been very small and difficult to handle, but they have only represented a tiny part of this quilt.  I know that if I had been doing those on the machine I would have given up a long time ago!

NUMBER OF PIECES:  15
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1" (25mm) x 11/16" (18mm) x 11/16" (18mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 3" (77mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm) x 2 1/8" (54mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Little Spots Red, Pierres Famous Travelling Circus, Michael Miller
Hearts on Red (567-R5) Makower
Tangled Threads in Apple Red on Cream, Mama Said Sew, by Sweetwater for Moda

Monday 23 December 2013

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 85

English Paper Piecing - 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.
English Paper Piecing - Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 85
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
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
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

Monday 16 December 2013

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 39

Block 39 - Nearly Insane Quilt
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
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
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

Saturday 14 December 2013

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
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 Salinda Rupp
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

Monday 2 December 2013

Nearly Insane Quilt Update - 100th Follower Edition

Nearly Insane Quilt - December 2013 Update
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
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
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 2013v
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!