Plaid-A-Thon, Part One

 This QOV project idea is brought to you via Harriet Hargrave's book, "The Art of Classic Quilting Making."

And, of course, Dolly.

You'll notice on page 124, an all plaid quilt using 1-1/2" strips.

My version uses 2" wide strips, which is what I had a lot of.  So I'll be giving all measurements accordingly.

Begin with a dark colored 2-1/2" square.  I chose black.

Forest green, burgundy, or navy blue would work just as well.

From a dark plaid, cut the following:

2 - 2-3/4" long
2 - 5-3/4" long

Assemble according to the picture, creating the center of BLOCK A.  Trim to 5-1/4" square.

For BLOCK B, cut the same pieces from light colored plaid or just plain muslin.

I decided that my quilt will be 7 squares wide by 8 squares long.  Therefore, I'll need 56 squares.

Finished measurement will be around 70" x 80".

I will need 23 squares with light colored centers (light, dark, light rows)

And 23 squares of dark colored centers (dark, light, dark rows).

The finished size of my block, after trimming, when sewn together, will be 10-1/4"

I'll post the next step soon.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Thank You Veterans!

For keeping our country FREE.

We're having a parrrty! A QOV party, and you're invited.

This weekend starts off the November QOV Plaid-A-Thon !  Woo hooo.

So get out that pile of plaids that has been hiding in the closet for 20 years.  Or cut up some shirts, whichever you prefer.

Stack up some 2" strips.

And get ready for further instructions on assembling.  This is just the beginning.

Whomever makes the most blocks gets the chance to win a bunny!

Here's the latest picture of last week's project.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin'

ah we gonna do what they say can't be done

 We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there.

I'm eastbound, just watch old bandit run.

Actually, it's been a re-organizational race.  Lots and lots of fabric . . pulled out, snipped off, or re-folded.  Here are my 4 stacks all needing ironing and starching.  Lots of starching!  Two of them are as high as the sewing machine.

This box is full of fabric for a particular quilt.  I still need to work through this one and put away the extras.

This stack will get measured and put on empty cardboard bolts.  I do that with big pieces.

This stack is ironed, starched, and ready for trimming up.  There's a table under there somewhere.

I had Monday off unexpectedly, so I was able to finish up reorganizing several things, including all 5 bins of lights to tans.

Oh yeah, we're truckin'!

As promised, the final instructions.

Are you ready?  Gather 36 trimmed triangle units, along with the medium and light prints.

From the medium print cut 9, 5" squares.  Then cut into 4ths on the diagonal.

Assemble units according to the picture above, press seams open to decrease bulk.

Trim each side evenly.  Allow a very fat 1/4" seam allowance along each edge, outside of the dark triangle points.

From the light print, cut out 6 rectangles measuring 7-1/2" x 8-1/2".  Fabric needs to be heavily starched before cutting.

Align your pieced triangle units accordingly and pin face down onto the light rectangle.  Leave room in the center and along each side for trimming later.

Sew a 1/4" seam along the top of each triangle unit.  Do this by sewing all the top pieces down in a chain piecing fashion, clip apart, reverse units, and sew on opposite triangle unit.

Remove pins, cut apart evenly along top of 1/4" seam, press center seams open, trim blocks up.  They should measure around 6-3/4".  Ta Da!  Easy peasy.

Dolly sniffing for snow.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .