Friday, July 13, 2012

Solve for X


[ ( { [ (30 * 16) / 2 ] / 2 } / 4 ) / 30 ] = X

What?  Algebra?  Well, yep -- sort of (with a disclaimer to those of you who remember your algebra that I'm keenly aware that I haven't written this formula correctly but I was too lazy to go research the proper way to express it).

So, what is X?

Well....

30 jelly roll strips cut into 2.5" squares = 480
480 squares sewed into 2 patches = 240
240 2 patches sewed into 4 patches = 120
120 4 patches sewed into 16 patches = 30
30 16 patches sewed into six rows = 1 QUILT TOP  -- finally

I know you have gotten a bit tired of hearing about this top that started as therapy to get my quilting mojo quick started.  I'm happy to say it has worked.  I'm not sure what the next big project is but I have to say that this little top makes me smile and will be put away for the fall trip to Chicago for another quilting marathon.  That is -- unless a need comes along and I'll figure out how to quilt it on my Bernina.

There may be a few questions about why I chose to sash each block on two sides as a starting point.  It would have been much easier and faster to have sewn the rows together with a sash between each square and then just used a single strip between each row.  Yep -- it would have been and it would have driven me crazy.

I don't know if you have ever put together a checkerboard top before but it is SO easy to for the squares to get off square from row to row.  Creep is hard to avoid.  This approach gives me a lot more control and I pin at every intersection where two sewn seams meet.  Since I wasn't in a hurry -- the extra time spent cutting sashing, sewing and pinning them, and ironing seams open was fine with me.  This was intended to give me joy as I worked with fabrics I loved.The top is small -- 50.5" x 60.5" -- but I don't plan to put a border on it.  I like the simplicity of the design and don't really want to change that.

My birthday confetti quilt (below) was made the same way but with much wider sashing -- and I'm pleased that the squares line up as well as they do.

And finally, I'm rich this week.  Look what my FedEx guy left on my porch.  I've been piecing battings and using up lots of scraps -- which I love.  But some quilts I prefer not to piece.  I'm a little uneasy about using a pieced batt when the quilt top has a lot of white.  I'm concerned the strip of lightweight interfacing will show through when it's quilted.  That would not make me even close to happy!!!
I hope you are rich in some way this week --- and finding time to create!  Jan

48 comments:

MarneyMay said...

the colours in the jelly roll quilt are awsome and your birthday quilt looks bright and fresh. Well done

M-R Charbonneau said...

LOVE that top! So clean and crisp. Thanks for sharing your way of doing the checkerboard -- I wouldn't have thought of that! Thanks for linking up with TGIFF!

JanetK said...

Wow - I knew I would love how this top came out. Thanks for the tip on the methods too - I would have skipped to long sashings, but creep sounds more frustrating than the extra piecing!

What Comes Next? said...

great quilt top - and I know just what you mean about creep! Your method is a great solution. Love the look of the birthday confetti quilt, too. Hmmmm - I've got a charm pack or two kicking around....

Bouts Choisis said...

Lovely quilt in gorgeous colours. Fabulous!

Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts said...

Ohhh... that's a BRILLIANT idea to prevent "creep"!! But man, I would've gone nuts sewing all those little bits and pieces together >.< Respect to you for that!

Ellie Q said...

Yes, thanks for sharing the creep avoiding method--will definitely try it out! Love the quilt! And the math! :)

Ellen said...

Gorgeous quilts - very fresh and crisp looking!

Laura said...

They both look amazing! And wow to all that batting! You will have to do a countdown on how it's going!

LuAnn said...

Oh I love this quilt with all of those Kaffe fabrics. It's great!

Amanda said...

I totally agree on the long sashing. I made a quilt with a bunch of squares and it pretty much cured me of long sashing. Your's is the same method I use.
Quilt top looks great. Love the little squares.

Tamera said...

So pretty! Just the right amount of white!

Kristy QP said...

Fabulous quilt top! You did a great job lining up all those squares!

Kim said...

I had to come by and see your quilt of many squares....Lovely. Nothing like working with fabrics you love to get your mojo back!

Happy sewing

Judy Snider said...

Love your little quilt!!! Now I want to make one, and I would do it the same way you did. To me your way is easier and more accurate and it keeps me from being bored.

Can't wait to see your next project.

Judy S.

Becky G said...

All lovely! I said it right out loud when i saw your package... "Wow!". Yep your rich, in many ways; your colors absolutely sing! Thanks for sharing! B

scraphappy said...

Congratulations! Glad you found your inspiration. The white looks great and the squares are all perfectly lined up.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

Both of these are great!

Etcetorize said...

Wow, your quilt turned out wonderfully! All of your little squares line up perfectly. Looks aweomse! Thanks so much for sharing at Etcetorize this week~

KatieQ said...

I love the look of crisp white against all of the colors. Both of your quilts are beautiful. It's so cool that varying the size of the sashing makes them look so totally different.

Kristie said...

I love how you put this together! I may have to try this next time instead of using long strips.

Btw...I am also from KY, actually Eastern KY.
Kristie

Cathy Tomm said...

I love the quilt you got done. Hope you can keep your mojo. it is not good to loss you quilting mojo. I lost it for a while too.

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

I am richer for seeing this quilt top and seeing.knowing the logic to how you pieced it. Clever stuff. More managable sized chunks too I reckon. Nice - I love both of those quilts. Yum!! [hate math]

Jill said...

Oh my - that quilt is incredible! All those little squares working together to make such a beautiful work of art!!


Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

KendasCrafts said...

holy cow! That's a lot of squares!!! looks great, though!

Sue Daurio said...

wow that is a beautiful quilt top!

Mary said...

Nice use of a Jelly roll. I like the sashings, both quilts are winners. You will have fun quilting them with the Warm Batting!

Lynette said...

Wow! Boy, I love the colors you used. Very simple design, but super effective with the fabrics. :D

Claire Jain said...

Sweet! I love the sashing on two sides :-) I've never tried it before, but I definitely done it the other way. It is so maddening when your rows become askew while you're piecing. I'll have to try this sometime!

Carla said...

So much work, but worth the effort ! Lovely
I saw you over at Quilting by the River

Alex said...

what a clever way of doing the checkerboard pattern! love it.

Foolish Feathers said...

Go mojo! Very nicely done, I really love both of those quilt tops! Keep up the great work!

Holly said...

That's a great way to keep the blocks lined up and your results are beautiful! I made a quilt with a similar design but the pattern said to use sashing in the regular way and I found it a challenge to keep everything in line.

Great delivery from FedEx!

jjthor said...

I love your quilt!! I have written down your pattern to make myself a lap quilt with my jelly rolls. I bought a bunch of them awhile ago and didn't know what I would do with them really loved your quilt!!

Taryn V. said...

This is such a great quilt! I really like the colors and the thinner sashing. I love the technique you used for the sashing. I haven't ever done a quilt like this before, but I can definitely see how keeping all those squares aligned could drive a person mad! Thanks for linking up to WIP Wednesday!

Cathy said...

Wow! Love your quilt top, and am jealous of your batting wealth!!!

Jackie @ Fred-and-Cissy said...

Love your quilt top, it'd be a great way to use up small scraps too.

Ginny said...

Beautiful! Love the deep blues and greens against the thin white sashing. I have not done one of these but I think you have inspired me to put it on my wish list!

Melissa Corry said...

So I love quilt math!!! So fun :) When I lay in bed at night that is what my brain is putting out :) Love your quilt top :) The colors are stunning and so serene :)

Sara said...

Not a huge fan of math,but you kept it light and interesting! Your quilt is terrific!!

Hope you got a great deal on your batting too! I need to get some more too. I bought 5 yards of Pellon on sale for 5.99 the other day,but I will need more soon I bet:)

Angie in SoCal said...

Love both your top and quilt. Gorgeous in their simplicity!

kathy said...

Beautiful job - you gotta do what works for you!

jjthor said...

Hi there, I have been trying to find your e-mail address so I could contact you but I can't find it!! I wanted to ask your permission to use the pattern idea you posted this week to make a lap quilt for a x-mas gift. I didnt feel right using it without your say so . my e-mail is celticmist797@yahoo.com

thanks
Jennifer

giddy99 said...

GOOOORGEOUS!

barb said...

How wide are your sashings? babscorbitt@gmail.com

Jana@Transformations From the Heart said...

Beautiful quilt top!! I've wanted to make a large quilt for some time now, just never seem to find the time. Love yours though. :0)

Unknown said...

Both quilts are beautiful!! I LOVE, LOVE them! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.

Nancy said...

I love your birthday confetti quilt. I think it's fabulous.