Make-A-Quilt Weekend #2

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Quiltmouse
Friday, Day #4 of Make-A-Quilt Weekend – Part #5
 
Wednesday I took the "scenic" route home from Preschool and went to WebFabrics in Purcellville, VA.  OK, it wasn’t exactly ‘on-my-way-home,’ but it was a nice drive!. I came home across White’s Ferry in Dickerson, MD, and stopped at Lewis Orchard’s Farm Market before heading home.
 
I picked up batting, Moda Marble Flannel for the backing, and some nice blue fabric for the borders.  I also picked up some blue marble fabric for another quilt top’s borders (but that’s another story!).
 
So, yesterday I cut the border fabric – 4 strips 5-1/2" x LOF (Length of Fabric), and 7 strips 2-1/2" x LOF for the binding.  Today, I measured/cut the side borders and stitched them on; then measured/cut the top & bottom borders and stitched them on.  The finished top is 56" x 72" (this will be a bit smaller when finished, because quilting tends to ‘pull-in’ the fabric a bit; but it will be close).  It looks nice.  I’ll get pictures in the morning.
 
I’ve got the Flannel in the Washing Machine.  One reason I went to WebFabrics was the quality of material they have, as well as the good selection.  I knew I could get cheaper flannel at Joann’s or Hancock’s, but the quality would not have been the same, and I’m sure I would have had to purchase more than I really needed because it would probably shrink alot.  I spoke with the owner of WebFabrics about the shrinkage — let’s face it, it IS flannel and will shrink!  She told me she wasn’t sure but she thought only about 1% — we’ll see.  I didn’t want to stitch it onto the back of the quilt and then everything shrink badly!
 
 
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Make-A-Quilt Weekend

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Quiltmouse
Monday, Day #3 of Make-A-Quilt Weekend – Part #4
 
After checking with some friends and looking at the quilt top, we decided that it needed to be modified.  It needed less length and more width.  So I removed the bottom row of blocks, cut the last sashing in half.  I took half the sashing and stitched to the top.  I took the blocks from the bottom row I removed and added to the side.
 
Now the quilt top is 13 blocks wide and 5 rows + 4 sashings long.  The top now is 45.5" wide and 62" long.  I plan to add a 5" border all around.  This will make the completed Quilt Top 55" x 72" (twin size mattress is 39" x 74").  So this will be larger than a lap quilt (52"x78") but a smidgen smaller than a twin (64"x86").
 
Next Step – Purchase fabric for Borders, Flannel for backing & Batting – Will do on Wednesday so the Make-A-Quilt Weekend can continue next week.
 
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Make-A-Quilt Weekend

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Quiltmouse
Monday, Day #3 of Make-A-Quilt Weekend – Part #4
 
After checking with some friends and looking at the quilt top, we decided that it needed to be modified.  It needed less length and more width.  So I removed the bottom row of blocks, cut the last sashing in half.  I took half the sashing and stitched to the top.  I took the blocks from the bottom row I removed and added to the side.
 
Now the quilt top is 13 blocks wide and 5 rows + 4 sashings long.  The top now is 45.5" wide and 62" long.  I plan to add a 5" border all around.  This will make the completed Quilt Top 55" x 72" (twin size mattress is 39" x 74").  So this will be larger than a lap quilt (52"x78") but a smidgen smaller than a twin (64"x86").
 
Next Step – Purchase fabric for Borders, Flannel for backing & Batting – Will do on Wednesday so the Make-A-Quilt Weekend can continue next week.
 
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Make-A-Quilt Weekend

Posted on August 30, 2009 by Quiltmouse
Sunday, Day #2 of Make-A-Quilt Weekend – Part #3
 
I got this finished late last night so waited until this morning to take pictures.  I made some changes from (1) the pattern, and (2) what I originally thought I’d do.
 
One change, was the pattern called for 11 blocks per row and I did 12 which created a width of 42-1/2" (1/2" will be used in future seams, so the "finished" width of what I’ve made so far is 42").
 
Another change, was the pattern called for 5 rows of blocks separated by 4 strips of sashing — I did 6 rows with 5 sashings.  This created a length of 70" (minus 1/2" seam allowance, the "finished" length will be 69-1/2").
 
So, the pattern was designed to finish at 39"x58", and my top (so far) is 42" x 69-1/2".
 

I have decided to back it with flannel (to keep it from slipping and add warmth), and I will probably fill it with thin batting for warmth.  I am still deciding about borders.  If I add a 5" border top/bottom/sides, it will make the finished size to be 52"x79".  I need to pick a color to complement it – am thinking a dark blue?  Maybe a dark blue ‘piping’ with a medium blue border?  I will bind it with the fabric I will use for the border.

So I will do some calculating today.  I will need to go shopping for the backing flannel and border fabric.  So Make-A-Quilt Weekend has been recessed until next weekend.

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Make-A-Quilt Weekend

Posted on August 29, 2009 by Quiltmouse
Saturday, Day #1 of Make-A-Quilt Weekend – Part #2
 
Busy Afternoon – Sewing
 
Step #3 – Using the Pattern stitch together the blocks alternating fabric and make 5 rows of 12 blocks each.

Stopped for dinner and to do some design calculations.  Once I add the sashing strips this section will be approximately 42" x 58" and I don’t think it will be big enough.  So I am thinking of adding a small ‘inner’ border (1") of a complementary color and a larger ‘outer’ border of a darker color, maybe solid navy (5-6").  this will make the top approximately 54" x 72" – not quite a twin bed size, but a bit larger than a lap-quilt.

Next, I have to decide how I will finish the quilt – not sure I want it too heavy, and would like it not to slip.  So I am thinking about using flannel as the backing (fleece may be too heavy).  Flannel should help keep it from slipping and give it a feel of warmth.  Next, I need to decide if I want to use batting or keep it light and just have the two layers (top and flannel).  Decisions, Decisions!

I think I’ve decided to layer the pieces and finish it off with binding – that makes it look more ‘finished.’  I will probably use the same fabric to bind it as is used for the larger, outer border.

 
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