Making a little progress

Well I have sewn and cut enough strip sets to make a few test blocks.  These blocks are P13.  They turned out pretty good.  Blogger flipped the picture. I have 2 more strip sets to complete and then I will be ready to really get busy on making the blocks.  I decided to use a dark blue with hints of purple and green as the dark celtic stripe.  I like the way they look.  Keep sewing.

We have Stripped and Sub- Cut, now what? Let's Make 9-patches!

I seriously suggest you have an area dedicated to this part of the project.  There are several ways to keep track of your 9-patches.  I labeled folders with the "P#" and the amount.   If you are using different colors then the pattern make sure you use your 'colors' when you label.  
I have also used paper plates to keep each section organized, baggies would work too.  The "KEY" is to do what works for you.

Of the 6 gals who live body started this, one is on to the 9-patch stage, 3 are still sewing strips, one was a NO SHOW- lol and the other just bought her fabrics last night.  (I am not going to admit how far behind I am- lol)

Good news is:  You are done with cutting, it is chain sewing from here on out-  whooo whooooo!

Disclaimer:  Several of my gals are doing yardage of four fabrics (three color and a background)  I have the GO cutter and Strip Dies and have helped cut out the strips.  I will do a separate post showing how to  use yardage.  I think we will have some beautiful quilts to show off soon.

progress, slow but sure.

there sure is a lot of prep work in this method!  i know that once i get to start making some 9 patches (today!!!)  i am gonna be thrilled, but until then i am feeling like i am spinning my wheels and using lots of time in the organization stage.

i have all of my strip sets sewn, and now sub cut as well.   all went back into their little baggies.  nice and together and organized!  love it!

i sure would encourage you to do the sub cutting a bit at a time or you could really do some carpal tunnel damage!  i used the june taylor fringe cutting ruler.  you know, the one with the slots every half inch?  but it is only about 7 inches high, so it is REALLY manageable.  LOVED using that.  i cut many sets of 4 stacked, but it was really easier on the cut with sets of 3 stacked instead of 4.

i have started bundling my P sets now.  they are nesting in a basket.  on a little snip of paper, i put P1 and how many i needed.  i put what S's i used and how it looked.   and pinned all the bits together.  i think i have thru P6 batched up and in the basket so FINALLY i am gonna get to make some 9 patches today!!!  YEAH!!!!!!  can't wait!

lynne

I am off and running...

Well, there is a whole lot of cutting and stripping going on.  I have made some strip sets and cut the subsets.  This is a lot of work and the urge to rush through it is strong.  But I need to take my time with this and work in a consistent pattern or I will get bored and you know what happens then.  Bundled up and thrown in a basket until whenever.

So, this is a wedding quilt for a family friend, who actually got married last October.  She asked for a quilt and was willing to wait for it, but I want to get this made for Jennifer. It will be a scrappy quilt with primarily purples and greens.  The background is going to be made up of various neutrals.  I am still trying to decide on the dark color for the celtic stripe.  Deborah used black in her pattern, and that would work for me.  I have enough of the Michael Miller blackest black to do this but some of the purples are dark and I want the stripe to standout with the other colors.  Any ideas for a different color???  Here are a couple of pictures.  The first picture is turned around - don't know what happened, but you can see some of the fabric.  They show some of the color variations as well.  I think this is going to be a very pretty and colorful quilt.  I am excited.   Thanks Cheryl for sharing.  I had no idea what I was going to do and when you posted about this quilt, the light bulb went on!  Robin

can i just start already??!!

i'v finally got my baggies of strips all done and set up for my starting to sew them together.  they're  just sitting there mocking me while i have to go about normal life and birthday parties and st. patricks day stuff still (a family of irishmen and women lol) and...and...and.  today started spring break and besides my own 5 kids, and my 2 grandsons (ages 4 and 2) i will be having another 2 and 4, 5 and 6 yr old join us for the week.  you think i am gonna be getting to get those strips together?  you bet i am!!!  where there is a will, there is a way, and boy howdy, i have the will!!!

we are also on the switch of winter to spring clothes duty.  like that isn't an enormous task in and of itself!  BUT, now that the extra 4 are gone for the day, and the grands too, it is FINALLY my turn!  i am going to go lock myself away in my room and sew at least a few sets together.....there are just so pickin many of them!  and, when i add that i am making the center 21 or 23 blocks square (i forget how many) so that i can make a matching baby quilt to go along with the wedding quilt--oh my gosh!!!  why do i do these things to myself??!!

the big pile of zip locks looks daunting, but it is never gonna get smaller if i don't get off here and get started on the sewing is it???  my problem is committing to which sewing machine that i want to use.  i just got a new to me 1948 singer 15-91 and it is just begging me to stitch with that.  the problem there is that i have to move stuff around to accommodate it, and that also postpones my stitching.....what's a girl to do?  make a cuppa lemon lift tea and mull it over whilst eating some amazing homemade shortbreads.  that's what!

Let's get started..... Are you ready?

First as a disclaimer, this Knot A Long will not help you if you don't have the pattern.  It is not my intention to give away Deborah's hard work.  I am going to assume that everyone participating has the pattern in hand and is ready to start.  (Nice thing about blog posts is they are forever and late comers can just jump in anytime.)

Here we go-  On the back of the pattern we are given fabric requirement for three different sizes.  You choose what size strips you want to work with.  For this quilt I am going to use 2 1/2"  strips.  I am also going to go scrappy.

Things to remember- this is based on a fat quarter (18 x22)  Width of Fabric strip will be 22"

I had my class write down what 'colors' they were going to work with.  Then they found the # of fats needed.  Everyone was encouraged to shop from their stash.  Several have decided to use yardage and just three prints and a background.

One of the things I LOVE about class quilts is each is so different.  If you choose to use yardage, figure out which size strips you want and purchase accordingly.

I have the GO (and BABY) die cutters and strip dies for 1 1/2, 2" and 2 1/2.  Of the 9 quilters present tonight 4 of us have our strips cut, the other gals were waiting to see this step before getting their fabric.

On page 3 of the booklet the strip sets are explained.  For our Home Work this session we are going to sew strip sets.  Students are encouraged to make a system for keeping their sets organized.
I prefer to used a piece of copy paper for each group S1 through S11.  I label the page as follows:
S1.  (color- hers was Blue, mine will be Purple), next is Two (2) background- hers were cream, mine will be also, then you need to figure your number of groups by what size strip you are using.  In my case my first page would be:      S1    Purple,  Cream, Cream   (11sets)   88 sub-cuts      For our group class the gals are encouraged to get their 3row (strip sets) sewn and we will sub-cut next meeting.

I have found that having a separate piece of paper labeled for each strip set (3row) helps.  I first deal my colors out to get random in each page.  For example on S1 I need 11 groups with purple, cream, cream so I will use many different purples to get my 88 3rows (sub-cuts)

You can't tell from from this  photo but here I used 1 1/2" strips and needed 7 different reds to get my sets.

I use the same papers for organizing my sub-cuts.



I found it helpful to use a card table to keep myself organized, I found that after I dealt out the strips, I could just pick up and sew sets when I had time.
Then when I had all the sets for one page done I could iron and sub-cut.

Working on this in different phases helped keep me from getting board.  I also found it moved pretty quickly b/c I wanted to see each page go from strips to sets and then to sub-cuts.

Read your direction pages at the front of your booklet and get use to the terms.  Keys to remember are make a chart of what colors you are using so you don't get confused.  Find a way to organize your strip sets and/or sub-cuts so you can pick up where you leave off.

On Page 3 items S12-S16 only need a few of each, you really can do these with the left overs from S1-S15.  I would suggest that you do NOT make these the same. (It is tempting to just use the same material  for each BUT it will look better if you scrappy even these few sets up.)

Our group is meeting 2nd and 4th Tuesdays,  next time we get together we will sub cut and work on stage 2.

I hope to have pictures to share of our progress.  (I apologize I forgot my camera tonight)

Pick your fabrics, (I hope you can bust some stash!!) Cut your strips, Sew your sets (S)

Next time we will sub-cut our 3rows and start our 9 patch-units.

Leave a link to your blog post on Celtic Knot in your comments.  I will figure out how we can play along together,  I am looking forward to see many beautiful future heirloom quilts.

Welcome to the Knot-A-Long!

I am a little slow getting this going.  I know there will be many new beautiful quilts using Deborah's pattern!

I have already made three and have a couple of others strip cut.
My quilting group has ordered patterns and we will start next Tuesday.
I hope to get a few of the gals to start blogging and join us.

I have two more patterns to give-a-way,  one entry for joining this new group, another entry for taking time to be guest poster and a third for doing a link on your blog inviting your friends and readers over to this Blog.

and.... just to make it fun,  in one of your comments, let me know what colors you are planning to do, who your would make the quilt for OR if you are just following to see the fun.

If you are in SW MO and need help finding the pattern my friend Pam has ordered  them to sell at local quilt shows.  Her e-mail is pdubsquiltstuff@centurylink.net