Almost Done...

Well I have 2 more rows to add on and the top is complete! Unfortunately my design wall is not big enough to accommodate the size of this quilt so I had to get a little creative in order to take a halfway decent photo.  It is draped over the sofa.  I don't know how I am going to take a picture when I add the last 2 rows.  I don't have that much wall or floor space.  The blocks for the last 2 rows are up on the design wall and will get attached before the weekend is done.  I am going to put 2 borders on it instead of 3.  I purchased 3 yards of 108" backing because I just didn't want to piece the back.  The top is going to finish at about 96".  I think that is a record for me.  So this is the last photo before the big finish.

Can you see it?

I was doing so well...trying to keep all of the 9-patch blocks organized and labeled.  My 3 year old grand daughter came to visit and one of us tossed the box that I stored the blocks in while playing around and I had to reorganize the entire thing.  It took a while but I got it done.  So I started on making the chunks again.  Thought I had the top half of the quilt done.  I put the top right hand side up on the design wall.  I was really proud of myself and was looking at it in awe when I spotted it.  I stitched one of the blocks up side down...  Block B5... row one...first block.  At first I thought it was an optical illusion, so I kept looking  from afar and then I got up close and yep...My right side told me to leave it...no one would notice.  My left side (totally anal side) said are you kidding?  Take it down and fix it! What can I say...I am kinda anal that way and it is a gift.  So I fixed it.  The difference is noticeable ... to me it is.  Can you tell the difference?

 The Mistake

The Fix

Now I See Progress...

What a difference 2 completed blocks can make...I can see it coming together slowly.  I am going to take a pic of each block, because I can see myself sewing a block together backwards or upside down.  So please bare with me as I go through this challenge.  I am not going to bore you with a picture of every single block, but will wait until I do a few more chunks.  I was worried about the flow of the purples and greens and the dark purple-blues, but there seems to be enough definition going on.  And it is definitely scrappy.  I think if I decide to make this again, I will stick to just 3 or 4 fabrics.  So here is A-2 and B-2 together on the design wall.

My First Big Block

I made a commitment to stay in today and work on completing the S blocks.  I have been dragging my feet a little, but now I see light at the end of the tunnel.  I am still constructing P blocks but I had enough to put the first block for me together - B2.  Having this up on the design wall will give me incentive to get busy...I am off to complete more blocks.

Are you Ready to get Chunky?

 

1. Hopefully you had a fun time sewing the 9-patch units together.  I found it went pretty fast if I powered through the larger sets first then 'rewarded' myself with sewing the smaller number sets.  (Don't know "WHY" sewing fewer units is a reward but hey if it gets me going who am I to argue with myself!)     Now the real fun begins.  When you get to this stage it is amazing how fast the quilt top sews itself together- all by itself, seriously just kidding.  I did have one that seemed to come together by magic but in reality it was late night sewing.

My Hints/Suggestions for this part:

I start by making the units for the middle first.  I know it is more normal to make all of one's blocks before assembling the top but..... I have made several of these and don't like to wait.  I make the "C" row first so I can hang it up as inspiration (or it can mock me into sewing the rest)

Then I do the "B" rows (both same blocks at the same time) sew the row and then attach to the middle row.

Again the top grows up a bit and it is easier to add one row to each side.

I suggest if possible that you take a picture of your block/row BEFORE joining additional blocks/rows.

I swear you can see mistakes easier looking a photo then you can in real life.

Ask me how I 'Know"

 

I have been dying to show off this oopsie, funny part is I didn't see the big block out of place first.  I found a smaller section where I had a 9-patch in wrong.  My grand daughter (age 4) pointed out the biggie.  I 'see' it now in the photo, I swear it wasn't there in real life--lol

Take your time on the chunks they are just sewing larger 9-patches together.  We can all do that- Right!!

The last one I made I did the borders per instructions.  I really like how it turned out.  My first quilt I chose not to border and I like how it turned out too!  My third one I improvised and used fabric I had on hand and I like how it turned out also.  Point is do what you want.  I am making one now that is 2 1/2" strips and I will do an applique border of some kind on it.

I have cut kits to do at least 3 more (in my life time, not necessarily right now)

I am a fan of the strip dies for the GO, so maybe there is a 3in scrappy in my future.  No plans to border that one-  I may do the math and change my mind-    cw

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.

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

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