Organizing Jack's Chain

I am writing this post for my record of how I organized this quilt project.  Please don't think me crazy - that is if you read through all this.

So I really like organizing my projects - keeps me on track and knowing what I am doing.  Do I go overboard - maybe, but then it works for me :)

Here is my schedule of blocks I need to make for the Jack's chain - the first page.  There are 46 whole blocks, and when you add the border blocks, you have a total of 86 block combinations requiring 350 nine patches and 12 half-nine patches

I am using Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC)to help me move along throughout the year and ensure I have a balance of color in the nine patches....each made with different fabrics.  The column is the block #, followed by the # of nine patches needed for that block.  Then there is column for each month in the RSC and I check which month's nine-patch is used in that block.  Still with me?

I keep my nine patches in baggies sorted by month.  I just love these little bags of nine - patches.

I have started assembling some of the Jack's Chains blocks - and have 10 under construction. Each is in their own little bag, which includes that large hexagon center, six connecting triangles (both EPP Prepped) and then the nine patches that go in that blocks.  I include a slip of paper that identifies the block number and what month's nine patches go on that block.  Once one is completed, I start another.



One partially completed Jack Chain block.

I try to complete all the nine patches for the month by the 17th of the month and then in the second half of the month I can start assembling the Jack's Chain blocks.   When I have all the nine patches added to the hexagon, I can remove the paper from the  hexagon and add the connection triangles to the nine patches, completing the block.

All the works in process fit nicely in my project box, ready to be taken on trips, visits with friends or guild meetings.

I taped a picture of the quilt to the top of my box as so many people tell me they don't know what a Jack's Chain quilt is - so I just show them the picture.

So funny...they are talking on TV about people with OCD - surely that is not ME!

Gotta go sew, thanks for stopping by,
Teresa

Triangle Frenzy

 

This week I took a break from the Bali Wedding Star to just work on some fun projects.  I took a class on Monday on how to make this block using a 15 Degree ruler. 

The workshop was taught by Patti Cline and Cindy Page of Quilter's Gallery.

The block was so much fun to make, that I made four of them and turned them into a table runner. The runner is 60" long which is great for my dining table or buffet.

 
 

When I had the four completed, I discovered one was considerably bigger than the other three - at least 1 inch.  Now how did that happen?? It was pretty obvious too, as the edges of the "spokes" were right on the edge of the fabric, while the others were about half an inch in from the edge.

My solution was to add a white border around all the blocks and then square them up to 15 inches....worked good and it is actually difficult to tell which is the larger of the four. 

I also chose a simple linear quilting pattern, alternating between horizontal and vertical lines to hide the fact that the borders are different sizes.  All in all, I think it is ok.

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From here, I moved to a 60 Degree triangle and made this cute table runner, using The Triangle Frenzy Hexagon pattern by Bunnie Cleland.  This was fun and easy to make. 

I am thinking of donating this to my guild for their auction, but am concerned about the black binding...not sure people will like that black.  But it was the only color I thought looked good with the fabric.

The backing is fabric with all over poppies that I just love.  I machine quilted it with a simple linear pattern following the pattern of the hexagon.

Also  with the 60 Degree ruler, I made a Christmas Tree Skirt.  Once again, not sure about that black binding for Christmas, but the greens and reds I tried just did not work for me.

 

So now, its back to the Bali Wedding Star - this week was productive and fun and not nearly as tense as that Bali quilt. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Teresa

 

 

Blue Four Patches - moving right along

Moving right along on the Rainbow scrap challenge.  Working on blue this month and only have 5 more to do and July patches will all be made.  Hoping to start putting together some Jack's Chain block this month as well. 

I broke my toe a couple weeks ago, and would think by now it would quit hurting.  But when I try to sew on my machine, seems like the little bit of pressure it takes to press the foot pedal inflames my foot.  This is not good.....I have a Bali Wedding Star to finish!

Star of Bethlehem Top Completed !

I finished the Star of Bethlehem quilt top this morning.  I can't count the number of times I rearranged these blocks.  The blues are actual two blue and two teal.  The darker pinks are also two different shades of pink.  No matter how I rearranged them, they ended up close - so just going to be satisfied with it as is.   Its a square quilt, which I normally do not make, so I can decide later which side is up.

 I am happy to have this done, now to figure out how to quilt it.  I am taking a machine quilting class in August, sure hope Linda Hungerford can give me some good ideas.

I

 Also finished blocks 18 and 19 of the Moda Blockhead 2017 challenge. 

Up to date - Yeah!!

July RSC is BLUE and other stuff

Its the first of the month and time for a new color in the RSC!  I just love the first of the month, but it does seem the year is flying by faster since I started this RSC.

July is blue, probably the most frequent color in my stash.  Coming up with 33 different blues was no problem whatsoever.

I completed blocks 11 and 12 of my Star of Bethlehem quilt in June. 

I have the hour glass blocks already completed that will join the blocks as well as the border blocks -----soooooooooo, one good day of sewing and I should have this top completed.

In August, I will be taking a machine quilting class from Linda Hungerford (Flourishing Palms blog) and she has offered to give us ideas for quilting patterns for our projects.  I can hardly wait to see what she suggests for this quilt!

The blocks are all hand pieced using English Paper Piecing and I am tempted to hand quilt the top, but I am still handquilting my Dresden plate Irish Chain, so I need to either get busy and finish hand quilting that one, or just machine quilt the Star of Bethlehem.

I also finished my first complete star in the Bali Wedding Star quilt I am making for my daughter and her husband.  I am right pleased with myself for getting this far, as these instructions are so involved.  I have learned to take it one step at a time. I do believe the instructions are excellent, just lengthy.

The only thing I am not doing that the instructions say to do, is using glue on my fabric.  I just have never gotten comfortable with putting glue on fabric, so going with pins and in some cases I quickly thread baste pieces together before I sew them. 

And finally, I sadly report the demise of my all time favorite rotary cutter.  I have been using this cutter for at least 25 years now and while working on a Blockhead Challenge block, it just fell apart.  The brown part setting to the side cracked in several places, so I don't think it can be repaired.  It has been dropped many times and I am sure that must have created some cracks in it over time.

So sad....I get attached to my sewing tools.

Thanks for stopping by,
Teresa