Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Quilt progress report...


Here are 540 blocks I cut out for my quilt.  They are separated by pattern into little stacks.  Each block is 4.5 inches wide and long.  That allows for a 1/4 inch seam all around each one, leaving a 4 - inch block.  I will make 25 strips, each with 22 blocks, and sew the strips together, so that part was a little challenging.  This is going to be a Very Simple Quilt.  I think they look pretty here, with the sun shining in the window yesterday afternoon.


I "collated" the blocks into 25 bunches, each having 22 blocks.  I did not have the same number of blocks of each fabric, as much of what I am using is from leftovers I've accumulated for years.


Here I'm sewing the first strip.  I put two blocks, right sides together, and sew a 1/4 inch seam, then add another and do the same, until all 22 blocks are joined.


Here's one strip ready for pressing.  (Pay no attention to my stained ironing board cover. ;)


I iron the seam allowances all in one direction.  The next strip will have them ironed in the opposite direction.  That way, when I sew the strips together, it will not be too bulky in the seams.  Also, rather than iron the seam open, I do it this way, because it is sturdier.


Pinning the first two strips together for sewing...


Here you can see the wisdom of the pressing technique.  Each seam allowance avoids doubling up with the one it joins.


Another view of the back of the first two strips, joined and pressed.

That's it for now!  I will post again when I get the top all sewn together.  It is a miracle to me how much faster this is than making the crazy quilt.

5 comments:

  1. This looks pretty. I love making simple quilts every once in a while. There is just something about it that makes me feel like sewing is fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Greta. It is fun. I am such a novice at piecing quilts and sometimes I wonder if I will ever get beyond that or even if I WANT to get beyond that! :)

      Delete
  2. Holey frijoles, that's a lot of cutting and piecing, but it's going to be fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :D I use a self-healing mat and a rolling cutter to cut the blocks, so it goes faster than you might think, and really, after what I went through with the crazy quilt, this seems easy and quick!

      Delete