the blue blog archives: time to make the squares

To close out a week of green here at the blue blog, we've got my big green self-healing mat. We spent some time together last night cutting strips so I can start making a quilt!

We're strip piecing in my quilting class, which means that we're sewing two long strips together first, then cutting them into smaller pieces. The paired pieces are combined with other pairs to make four-patches, which make up the majority of the quilt top.

I wish I was one of those random-is-best, just-grab-two-and-put-them-together types, but I'm not, so I've sort of planned out all my little four-patch squares ahead of time. Ooooh, I just love 'em! After the four-patches are sewn together, they'll be framed by more strips. And I'll have to plan those out too. It sounds a little fiddly and annoying, but I'm really enjoying it so far. Playing with the fabrics is definitely a big part of it. It's like putting together 20 of my favorite yarns from my stash. When do you get to do a knitting project like that?!

posted by alison at 10:34 am | in are you going to start quilting now?!

Comments

I love strip quilting!I haven't done it in awhile.Most of my time is spent knitting.I must break out the sewing machine and give it a work out again.I love how it all comes together like a big jigsaw puzzle.Have fun!

Posted by: LaVerna at October 5, 2007 11:08 AM

Oooh! This is just beautiful! What fun this must be. I've always told myself that I would never dare to start learning how to do quilts. I recognize that I have an obsessive side to me. I own lots of yarn. 'Nuf said. ;)

Posted by: Chelsea at October 5, 2007 11:16 AM

Congrats on entering the wonderful world of quilting. Fabric is just as addictive as yarn. And I'm currently thoroughly enjoying stashing up on fabric. After all, the fabric stash should be as big as the fiber stash, right? I love the fabrics you have going...so much fun!

Posted by: Suzanne at October 5, 2007 11:43 AM

What fun fabrics! Quilting is something that has long fascinated me, but I just don't think I have the room for it. Someday!

Posted by: Marlena at October 5, 2007 11:48 AM

I think being random is one of the hardest things to do. I'm still working on it. If you want to get some tricks to being random, check out Liberated Quiltmaking by Gwen Marsten. Pretty much changed part of my quilting life. Loving the freedom. Love your fabrics and love how your un-random 4patch is coming together!

Posted by: CanaryJen at October 5, 2007 12:27 PM

I don't understand - what is the point of sewing the long strips & then cutting them apart? Why not just sew 2 squares together several times & then sew the 2's together into 4?

Posted by: Donna at October 5, 2007 1:11 PM

I LOVE those fabrics - that quilt is going to be adorable!!! :D

Posted by: Meg at October 5, 2007 2:04 PM

Good question, Donna. Sewing strips together in pairs before cutting small squares just makes things go a little bit faster. I think it's good for beginners because there's a little bit less upfront cutting and the first batch of sewing is really simple and not so fiddly. I'm actually going to sew a few separate squares together to bring in a little variation and a little more of fabrics that I like more. Yup, I want even more control! ;0)

Posted by: ALISON at October 5, 2007 4:18 PM

Alison, thank you for taking us on the journey with you.

I've flirted with the idea of quilting but haven't taken the plunge yet.

My sister got the sewing gene, I didn't. I got the language gene instead, she didn't.

Posted by: Anita at October 5, 2007 5:18 PM

Very cool looking! I am working hard at resisting the temptation. I sew, but have not quilted much.

Posted by: Lee at October 5, 2007 5:43 PM

Again, I'm so happy to see you sharing my two passions, quilting/sewing and knitting! I have been taking classes as well. With such a little girl, you'll have so many great things to make.
Have you checked out Wee Wonderfuls?

Posted by: Marcia at October 5, 2007 6:12 PM

Oooh, I've been wondering how hard it is to make those Wee Wonderfuls softies. I love that robot guy!

Posted by: ALISON at October 5, 2007 6:23 PM

I hope you keep posting about your adventures in quilting - it's something I've been interested in for a long time & never had time for (actually, while I was working I didn't have time for much else besides my kids &, with luck, working out & the occasional knitting project). Now that I am retired I'm thinking about it again but I have a bunch of knitting things to finish & my grandson's Halloween costume - then maybe. But I sure would like to hear how you like it, etc.

Posted by: Donna at October 5, 2007 11:27 PM

Oooo, congratulations! I love quilting! =) It was my most ferocious passion until I began knitting again.

Posted by: Carrie at October 6, 2007 11:41 AM

Just a thought-now that sockapalooza 4 is finished can you close down the blogspot group?
Thanks.

Posted by: Sheri at October 6, 2007 7:55 PM

Speaking of dolls, Martha Stewart has a free pattern for making your own dolls here.

Posted by: Anita at October 7, 2007 5:58 AM

I love your choice of fabrics! I'm trying to teach myself quilting, and it's coming along nicely. Just not enough hours in the day to knit as much as I like to, and quilt :-(

Posted by: Bette at October 9, 2007 4:41 AM