Thinking Out Loud

So, today I've been fiddling with blocks in my Quilt Design Wizard software. (This is like a beginner's version of Electric Quilt.) There are a lot of options for setting my scrappy star blocks, so I tried several layouts.

There are enough diamond pieces to make 25 blocks. So that is where I started (Ignore the odd piece that is wrong colored. I started with a red white & blue layout):

Hmmm. This would work up to about 90 inches square. Don't think I want to go for that size. I have 12 blocks now, so how about something smaller?

Oh, much better. About 70 inches - but I'm still not quite sold. Let's try something different.

Well, now. I think we are getting somewhere! This particular layout takes 30 blocks to make up 58 x 66 inches. I would have to cut out 5 extra sets of diamonds. Ha! Like I don't have scrap bags overflowing!

That's a lot of blocks! I think this quilt just became a WISP - Work In Slow Progress!

Edit: OK, those numbers do NOT make sense! It's been nagging me all day - why would I be making more blocks? So Quilt Wizard had these as 8-inch blocks when they are more like 11-inches. That makes this layout 73 x 84! If I change the layout to 20 blocks (4 across, 5 down), then the size is 62 x 73. So that's what I'm doing. Hey, I'm an artist, not a mathematician!

Wednesday WOW July 15

Time for some decisions. . .

I have twelve blocks.  Do I go for sashing and borders?  Or do I keep making stars?  Standard setting, or on-point?  Think I'll fire up Quilt Design Wizard.

Coming Up For Air . . .

Well, I finished the Hoffman entry yesterday and today I cleaned my worktable.  Whew!  So glad that's over!! 

This week I have Quilt Guild and Doll Club - and I have the program for both of them!  How did I manage that?  Note to self:  check the calendar before you agree that July will be fine!  So I will be pretty busy for the next few days, but should be able to show you some fun stuff after that.

But I won't leave you hanging without something to look at!

I'm sure you recognize what this is.  Trimmings from squaring up blocks for a quilt.  So, what do you do with this?

No!  Don't throw it away!  Make this . . .

Trimmings sandwiched between 2 layers of BadgeMaster and stitched with metallic threads.  It's laying on a white towel, so all the white areas are voids.  This will become an insert in something one of these days.  Not sure what - or when!

Wednesday WOW July 8

Still working on Hoffman challenge.

Getting closer! 

Ruffles

I suspect I could come up with any number of puns using this word.  Like "I'm forever sewing ruffles" or "R-r-r-ruffles have r-r-r-ridges" or "Houston, we have ruffles."  But I'll spare you all that.  (Oops!  Too late!)

What I really want to do is show you my new toy tool!

This is the Bernina ruffler foot.  It looks pretty complicated, but the action is pretty simple.  Every so many stitches, the contraption in front pushes a bite of fabric under the needle to make a little pleat.  You can adjust all kinds of things so that the pleats are small or large, close together or far apart.  Plus, you can pleat at the same time as attaching to a straight piece of fabric.  What a time saver!

And look how neat and even.  I've always wanted to add ruffles to my dolls, but it was such a lot of work.  I'm too lazy for that, you know?  But I can foresee lots of ruffles on future projects.  At least until the excitement wears off!  LOL!

Yes, that is the Hoffman challenge fabric.  I'm finally working on that doll!  Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

Christmas????

I know there are a lot of people who are making plans for Christmas now.  They are the ones who will have all the sewing and shopping DONE by the first week of December.  Don't you just hate people like that?!?

But . . . isn't this the cutest, happiest, coolest quilt for Christmas?  It is so yummy I could even imagine ME (!) working on this for six or seven months (it's a 7 month BOM pattern).   Hmmm.  I don't think I can see me actually finishing it for Christmas, though.  Let's not get carried away, shall we?

This quilt was designed by Helen Stubbings of Hugs from Helen and she is going to give away a copy of this pattern.  Oh, oh!  I've got all my fingers and toes crossed!  (Does that really work?)  If you don't feel lucky, there is also a link to buy the pattern.  Just click on my link above.

Good luck and Merry Christmas y'all.

Wednesday WOW July 1

Another Wednesday at the quilt shop therapy session.  I now have 9 stars!