Dec 18 2009
Finished Size vs. Unfinished Size
I have internet access here. Yay! Finally a Friday update. This is an EQ6 drawing of Streak of Lightning. I’m using scraps of plaids from a few FQ collections from long ago and some men’s shirts from the thrift store. I plan to add some applique — funky stars or flowers or something. I haven’t quite figured that out yet.
Here it is starting to come together. But wait… It’s not really coming together. It looks kind of wonky. Those large setting triangles aren’t fitting in so well. UGH. I did something wrong here, I’m sure…
This is The Setting Triangle ruler. I really like this ruler. I don’t have one yet, but I used one at the last place I was house sitting. (There are great advantages to house sitting for fellow quilters…) When my setting triangles weren’t fitting just so, I suspected the ruler… but no, it was the person wielding the rotary cutter that was in error. Yup, four yards of fabric all miscut because I didn’t read closely enough where it says UNFINISHED SIZE on the ruler. I used the markings based on the FINISHED SIZE of my square not the unfinished size. DOUBLE UGH. This one project will now become two. [I certainly need more projects in my Parade of Projects lineup, don't I?] I’ll continue making the scrappy triangles and get some more fabric (maybe I can find a black I like this time) and I’ll make smaller HSTs to put together to go with the setting triangles I have cut from the brown fabric. [sheesh]
On a somewhat related but different quilt topic, the EQ6 design above morphed into another idea while I was playing around with the orientation of the HST. Here’s a glimpse of the progress of that project. I’m calling it Bold Streak. And, yes, the setting triangles for this project are cut correctly.
While I’m sewing together these two tops, I’m working on the blocks for a third top made with Variable Stars. These work perfectly as leader/enders as I only have to pin the last two seams. The picture shows the first 16 blocks. I’m making this Variable Star and several other quilt tops with the same scraps as Streak of Lightning above. I actually have 25 or 26 done now… more than half of what I need. Soon I’ll have another project to the point of putting the top together. I have three others in my Parade of Projects (listed in the post below) to that point. I am making progress!
I purchased one of the latest Inklingo collections shortly after it became available — The Deluxe Orange Peel. The blocks that can be made — Improved 9 Patch, Alabama Beauty & Orange Blossom – were just too tempting. I printed some shapes and am hand piecing a small project. [Still adding to that Parade of Projects!] This is the start of the first Improved 9 Patch block.
And because I like when Cathi shows them, the back:
I love the bold streak as well as the one with all the little triangles. Too cool!
I did something similar with a ruler. It was only 6″ wide and I was thinking it was 6.5″ – after cutting out the pieces twice – I finally realized it was not my cutting, it was the ruler!
I love your designs and colors, I have no idea how to quilt but I have always been fascinated by them. My grandma made many quilts and I have only 1 and I love sitting with my daughter and being able to talk about my grandma through that quilt :)
Anyways I just came across your blog and had to say how beautiful it all looks :)
I love both of the Streak of Lightning quilts. Sorry the setting triangles are cut wrong. That sound like a trick I’d do!
Erin, i have a question for you. could you email me? thanks
never mind. I’m set.
Love your colours Erin – and the back is as good as the front :)
Your blog is terrific…wish I could work out how you did it all. Look forward to more of your work