Friday, June 24, 2022

Carla's Blocks Are Now a Finished Flimsy

When I last wrote about Carla's blocks they looked like this on my design wall: Sewn together with side triangles added. But at only about 37" wide and 49" long, this top is much smaller than I had anticipated. Faulty math on my part. 


The solution of course is to add borders. First, a tangerine border to float the center. Then, with so many scraps and leftovers of black and white strips, it only made sense to add a piano keys border. 


Finally, to finish it off and contain all those seams at the edges, an outer tangerine border. Now it measures about 53" wide and 65" long, a much better size for a throw. 


I have to say, I'm really glad this worked out the way it did, for several reasons. One, I learned how to calculate on point block sizes in EQ. Two, the problem forced me to get creative and find a solution. And three, I really like how the whole quilt looks so much better with the borders than if it were just blocks. 

Even better, included in one of Carla's boxes of goodies was a perfect backing fabric, a black and white wallpaper print. With a little piecing - and careful pattern matching - there's just enough for the backing. 


The back is pieced, the batting is cut, and everything is ready for quilting. Maybe this will be a finish pretty soon. 


Link ups: Alycia Quilts, TGIFF


12 comments:

  1. Good job Jan. On point and the piano key border were wonderful choices. I am impressed you were able to match the print for the backing!!

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  2. I agree, it looks terrific with the borders, so a mistake that led to a design improvement :)

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  3. I am glad that you had to enlarge this - the result is wonderful! (Quiltdivajulie)

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  4. Oh, I really like the way the quilt looks, too. And what a perfect backing. I hope you have fun quilting this one. Do you have a plan for what you will use for the binding?

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  5. I know what you mean about the math. My go-to measurement for on-point blocks is the width is half again as wide as when set square (or width x 1.5). But when I get to the odd-even row arrangement smooshed together I lose it!

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  6. Chrisknits-Such a striking quilt top! The back is perfect.

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  7. The borders really set it off. Looks great!

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  8. SEW much more dramatic with the piano key border and everything floating in the background fabric!! You did an excellent job on the creative problem solving, Jan.

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  9. I agree with all these comments. It does make a wonderful throw or at least it will when done. And double bonus points for finding enough fabric for the backing.

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  10. LOVE it!!! I agree - that border just made that quilt more stunning!! Love the bold colors!

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