I know, I know, I am supposed to be working on my Red and White Snowball Challenge quilt. And I am, really. However, working on this red and white two color quilt got me thinking about a project I started about two years ago.
I adore two color quilts, and back in June 2008 I started a blue and white quilt from an old Marsha McCloskey book called On To Square Two. The inspiration for the quilt was an amazing project completed by Patti of Quilting is My Passion. Here is a picture of the quilt Patti made that so inspired me:
Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? I just had to have one, and since I owned the book and had a hefty stash of blue and white fabrics, I got going and started my own version in blue. And stopped after making 16 blocks. Why? Because the author, a very well known quilting guru, who I respect and admire, favors the most regrettable method of constructing half square triangle and hour glass blocks known to man. She does something called Bias Squares, which involves cutting strips of fabric on the bias and trimming them up into half square triangles. It is a method I find tedious in the extreme.
So, I shelved the project, but it has haunted me and called to me for the past 15 months.
"Niiiii-cooooooollle, we waaaaannnnnnt yoou to fiiiiiiiiniiiiiiisssssh us". Great. Now I am hearing voices.
So, as I said, the Red and White Snowball thing got me thinking about this potentially fabulous UFO. I got the project box down out of the closet, blew the dust off it, and got to thinking about a different approach. I did the math and figured out that to make the 3 1/2 inch hour glass blocks, I needed 4 1/4 inch squares. Great. To get the 3 1/2 inch half square triangles, I used my trusty Easy Angle tool. All I needed to do was take my fat quarters and cut one 4 1/4 inch strip and one 3/12 inch strip. And, I got two blocks out of each strip combination! Instead of butchering my lovely fat quarters with Marsha's method. Sorry, but I think my way is better.
Before I could say "Bob's your uncle", I had made 42 blocks. The block, by the way, is an old classic called Massachusetts Cross and Crown. But I was far from finished.
The quilt calls for a complicated pieced lattice. There are a lot of ways to go wrong with the lattice, which involves 2 1/2 inch light strips and dark strips paired with half square triangles that must be positioned just so. One way for the light strips and another way for the dark strips. Would you think that Marsha would have included a diagram to help out with the placement of the lattice strips? Me too, but she didn't. She does include a black and graph thing that you could color in with your own colored pencils, but please. Just give me a diagram, is that too much to ask? Woeful directions. So that took another hour to figure out.
Then the lay out. Aye yi yi. This is one tricky so and so. Not for sissies. Do not drink any chardonnay while working this out.
My version of the quilt is not so large as Patti's but larger than Marsha's. Patti made 64 blocks to get the design she chose. Marsha made 30 blocks to get the quilt pictured in her book. I believe in quilts that actually fit a bed, so I decided on 42 blocks, a 6 x 7 layout. This block and lattice are conducive to just about any log cabin type layout you can imagine. I liked the sort of off kilter design featured in the book, but just needed it to be a scosh bigger.
I'm at the half way point, and I know this is going to be great, but stay tuned! Back to the Red and White Snowball Challenge in a minute.
96 responses to “We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Program…”
This is wonderful, Nicole. I get irritated with pattern makers who are in such a hurry to get them on the market that they don’t take their time and make the directions clear or explore different ways to construct the components. Good for you for outing her!
This is wonderful, Nicole. I get irritated with pattern makers who are in such a hurry to get them on the market that they don’t take their time and make the directions clear or explore different ways to construct the components. Good for you for outing her!
Lovely – just lovely!! I am inspired.
Lovely – just lovely!! I am inspired.
Lol – I even bought one of those bias square rulers back in the day but never used it – I totally agree with you that those bias squares are a drag! Your blue and white quilt is going to be gorgeous! And take your time with the snowball – I don’t want to be left completely in the dust! (I just got my last swap package on Friday!)
Lol – I even bought one of those bias square rulers back in the day but never used it – I totally agree with you that those bias squares are a drag! Your blue and white quilt is going to be gorgeous! And take your time with the snowball – I don’t want to be left completely in the dust! (I just got my last swap package on Friday!)
I loved this quilt in red and white when Patti made it and I love it just as much in blue and white – the optical illusion is just gorgeous
I loved this quilt in red and white when Patti made it and I love it just as much in blue and white – the optical illusion is just gorgeous
That is looking great! Good for you for tossing the other instructions and making up your own!
That is looking great! Good for you for tossing the other instructions and making up your own!
How fun, to switch it up for a whole day of sewing! Great Idea. I’m normally not a huge fan of blue quilts but I do like the blues you selected for this pattern. Massachusetts Cross and Crown is new to me and I love it.
For some reason, your Toulouse unfinished project is channeling you through me. No kidding, it popped into my head this weekend. You have so many quilts calling your name they are now working through others! So from Toulouse to me to you…”Nicole…we want to enjoy Christmas with you, your husband and those wonderful balls of fur….please hear our call….finish us…”
OK, I’ve done my job, the rest is up to you.
How fun, to switch it up for a whole day of sewing! Great Idea. I’m normally not a huge fan of blue quilts but I do like the blues you selected for this pattern. Massachusetts Cross and Crown is new to me and I love it.
For some reason, your Toulouse unfinished project is channeling you through me. No kidding, it popped into my head this weekend. You have so many quilts calling your name they are now working through others! So from Toulouse to me to you…”Nicole…we want to enjoy Christmas with you, your husband and those wonderful balls of fur….please hear our call….finish us…”
OK, I’ve done my job, the rest is up to you.
Lots of work, but won’t it be satisfying to finish that blue and white beauty?
Lots of work, but won’t it be satisfying to finish that blue and white beauty?
It is so beautiful. I love seeing all the quilts you create.
It is so beautiful. I love seeing all the quilts you create.
Very pretty! I admire your determination. I, too, own a handful of books utilizing the dreadful bias square method, purchased before I knew better. They’re good for ideas/inspiration, but too much aggravation for me!
Very pretty! I admire your determination. I, too, own a handful of books utilizing the dreadful bias square method, purchased before I knew better. They’re good for ideas/inspiration, but too much aggravation for me!
That’s been one of my favorites since I saw it on Patti’s blog. I love your blue & white version!
That’s been one of my favorites since I saw it on Patti’s blog. I love your blue & white version!
It is so pretty in blue and white…I’m with you…I finding Marsha’s way of doing HST very tedious and would much rather use a ruler, sew,press and done!
It is so pretty in blue and white…I’m with you…I finding Marsha’s way of doing HST very tedious and would much rather use a ruler, sew,press and done!
You did what I want to do, only I don’t quite get it. Can you do a little tutorial on cutting and piecing the hourglass block using the easy angle? I don’t understand why there are two sizes of strips used. You sure got a lot done quickly!!
You did what I want to do, only I don’t quite get it. Can you do a little tutorial on cutting and piecing the hourglass block using the easy angle? I don’t understand why there are two sizes of strips used. You sure got a lot done quickly!!
I love a two color quilts and this hidden treasure is no exception. I took a class with Marsha once and she does believe in colored pencils and graph paper!!!
So glad you figured out a way to do the hourglass and HST. I think her way is very tedious and should be reserved for her feathered star blocks.
BTW, did I say how much I LOVE the quilt!!??
I love a two color quilts and this hidden treasure is no exception. I took a class with Marsha once and she does believe in colored pencils and graph paper!!!
So glad you figured out a way to do the hourglass and HST. I think her way is very tedious and should be reserved for her feathered star blocks.
BTW, did I say how much I LOVE the quilt!!??
Wow, I thought I was the only one who didn’t like that Bias Squares method. I swear by the Easy Angle, and feel that not only does it make sewing HST’s fast and easy, but it saves a ton of fabric as well.
I love how your quilt is coming out.
Wow, I thought I was the only one who didn’t like that Bias Squares method. I swear by the Easy Angle, and feel that not only does it make sewing HST’s fast and easy, but it saves a ton of fabric as well.
I love how your quilt is coming out.
Just beautiful! It was well worth the wait and now that you’ve figured out a quicker way to work with the pattern it will be easy peazy! Red and White will wait for you 🙂
Just beautiful! It was well worth the wait and now that you’ve figured out a quicker way to work with the pattern it will be easy peazy! Red and White will wait for you 🙂
I’m going to have to get a Easy Angle ruler or figure out what Easy Angle means….tutorial anyone?? Your blue and white quilt is stunning! Just lovely! I’m so glad it called your name so that it could get finished!
Paulette
I’m going to have to get a Easy Angle ruler or figure out what Easy Angle means….tutorial anyone?? Your blue and white quilt is stunning! Just lovely! I’m so glad it called your name so that it could get finished!
Paulette
Keep going, Nicole! It is going to be wonderful! You can slow down on the Snowball Challenge, you are leaving me way in the dust! Do you have any other ufo’s calling your name? Work on those too, maybe then I can catch up! lol :~)
Keep going, Nicole! It is going to be wonderful! You can slow down on the Snowball Challenge, you are leaving me way in the dust! Do you have any other ufo’s calling your name? Work on those too, maybe then I can catch up! lol :~)
Oh, Nicole – love it! Now I’m going to have to do some blue and white stash busting after the Snowball. Boy, do I need that Easy Angle ruler! You have become very good at improving on patterns and instructions. You must have been an engineer (or an editor) in another life! 🙂 There is a fabric designer that I love but I don’t buy her patterns anymore because they are so poorly written! It makes a huge difference in finishing a project. I see designing in your future!
Oh, Nicole – love it! Now I’m going to have to do some blue and white stash busting after the Snowball. Boy, do I need that Easy Angle ruler! You have become very good at improving on patterns and instructions. You must have been an engineer (or an editor) in another life! 🙂 There is a fabric designer that I love but I don’t buy her patterns anymore because they are so poorly written! It makes a huge difference in finishing a project. I see designing in your future!
Great blog, great quilts and loved the Halloween pictures too. Would love to have the time to blog like you.
Great blog, great quilts and loved the Halloween pictures too. Would love to have the time to blog like you.
I love the quilt . . . and I vote for instructions from you too !!
I love the quilt . . . and I vote for instructions from you too !!
Nicole, lovely quilt as always. I now read the directions for a block, and then look at the units and think, ” now, which method would I prefer to make this”. It has helped me in a number of occasions, I know that I will be successful using my tried and true methods. Thanks for sharing.
Nicole, lovely quilt as always. I now read the directions for a block, and then look at the units and think, ” now, which method would I prefer to make this”. It has helped me in a number of occasions, I know that I will be successful using my tried and true methods. Thanks for sharing.
Nicole,
Reminds me of my Mom who loved that blue.
I know this isn’t your final layout, but I see a block turned incorrectly. Isn’t it blue to blue. I know you will see it when you lay it back out. I just love your quilts.
Dee
Nicole,
Reminds me of my Mom who loved that blue.
I know this isn’t your final layout, but I see a block turned incorrectly. Isn’t it blue to blue. I know you will see it when you lay it back out. I just love your quilts.
Dee
Beautiful quilt! I have to agree with you, the bias square method is not for me. I have tried it a few times and I think it wastes a lot of fabric and is very time consuming. However, I am a BIG fan of the easy angle. Have used it for years.
Beautiful quilt! I have to agree with you, the bias square method is not for me. I have tried it a few times and I think it wastes a lot of fabric and is very time consuming. However, I am a BIG fan of the easy angle. Have used it for years.
What a lovely quilt that will be! And good for you for “doing the math” and making the pattern workable. I was cleaning out my quilting books the other day, and tossed out two of hers instead of passing them on to new quilters…I couldn’t bear to saddle a new quilter with that horrid method of piecing. These were fairly old books…I wonder if she’s changed her method over the years….
What a lovely quilt that will be! And good for you for “doing the math” and making the pattern workable. I was cleaning out my quilting books the other day, and tossed out two of hers instead of passing them on to new quilters…I couldn’t bear to saddle a new quilter with that horrid method of piecing. These were fairly old books…I wonder if she’s changed her method over the years….
Those older books have the greatest patterns in them, but boy have we come along way with our techniques, haven’t we. LOVE the blue and white!!
Those older books have the greatest patterns in them, but boy have we come along way with our techniques, haven’t we. LOVE the blue and white!!
I have that book. Don’t get me distracted. I have yet to even make one block on the red and white quilt. It’s all cut out and ready to go and I have sewn some HST’s but nothing else. I instead worked on a monkey for grandson #1, cut out 2 aprons for DD and DDIL, and cut out a table topped for a friend. The we had pre-Thanksgiving on Sunday since my kids will both be at in laws and now it’s work time. I will never make that deadline.
I have that book. Don’t get me distracted. I have yet to even make one block on the red and white quilt. It’s all cut out and ready to go and I have sewn some HST’s but nothing else. I instead worked on a monkey for grandson #1, cut out 2 aprons for DD and DDIL, and cut out a table topped for a friend. The we had pre-Thanksgiving on Sunday since my kids will both be at in laws and now it’s work time. I will never make that deadline.
That is turning out so beautiful Nicole! I can’t believe that you got all of that done in “no time at all”. I’m with you on that short method and ditching that other way all together…
That is turning out so beautiful Nicole! I can’t believe that you got all of that done in “no time at all”. I’m with you on that short method and ditching that other way all together…
I remember you showing her method and I thought it was crazy then! But I also get distracted, and bored, easily.
I think the blue and white is going to look amazing. But then I think almost anything blue and white looks good.
I remember you showing her method and I thought it was crazy then! But I also get distracted, and bored, easily.
I think the blue and white is going to look amazing. But then I think almost anything blue and white looks good.
I LOVE it, and I agree. There are so many easy ways to make 1/2 sq and 1/4 sq blocks now. Drives me crazy when I see patterns that tell you to cut your sq on the bias, then take 2 triangles and sew back together. Nothing but room for errors. I’m desperately trying to not start anything new, I might have to quit reading your blog for a while…just kidding 😉
I LOVE it, and I agree. There are so many easy ways to make 1/2 sq and 1/4 sq blocks now. Drives me crazy when I see patterns that tell you to cut your sq on the bias, then take 2 triangles and sew back together. Nothing but room for errors. I’m desperately trying to not start anything new, I might have to quit reading your blog for a while…just kidding 😉
Again, Nicole, I shake my head in amazement at how similarly your tastes run to mine (or mine to yours, maybe?). The blue and white quilt is a true beauty and you are an inspiration to show such incredible progress! I am anxious to see the finished Red and White Snowball, but I am so glad you interrupted the show for this blue and white beauty! Jayne
Again, Nicole, I shake my head in amazement at how similarly your tastes run to mine (or mine to yours, maybe?). The blue and white quilt is a true beauty and you are an inspiration to show such incredible progress! I am anxious to see the finished Red and White Snowball, but I am so glad you interrupted the show for this blue and white beauty! Jayne
I love blue and white quilts. I’m going to have to make another one. I have lots and lots of blues.
I might have edited that book. Or maybe not. I edited one of Marsha’s books but I think it was called Quick Classic Quilts or something like that. But I think it had that pattern in it.
I love blue and white quilts. I’m going to have to make another one. I have lots and lots of blues.
I might have edited that book. Or maybe not. I edited one of Marsha’s books but I think it was called Quick Classic Quilts or something like that. But I think it had that pattern in it.
Before I even read anything, I thought the first picture was stunning.
I’m really really pleased with my red and cream snowball quilt. I’ve got the top finished. Need to do an inner border and outer border next. I LOVE it. I’d like to see your snowball progress.
Before I even read anything, I thought the first picture was stunning.
I’m really really pleased with my red and cream snowball quilt. I’ve got the top finished. Need to do an inner border and outer border next. I LOVE it. I’d like to see your snowball progress.
Gasp. Dee is right. There is a block turned ’round wrong.
Gasp. Dee is right. There is a block turned ’round wrong.
Good for you deciding to go your own and much easier way and actually finish the blocks; they look wonderful!
Good for you deciding to go your own and much easier way and actually finish the blocks; they look wonderful!
It’s gorgeous…and wow…you’ve accomplished so much! There are so many new techniques that can be substituted in older patterns…thanks for pointing this out…and did I mention I love the blue and white quilt?!
It’s gorgeous…and wow…you’ve accomplished so much! There are so many new techniques that can be substituted in older patterns…thanks for pointing this out…and did I mention I love the blue and white quilt?!
That looks absolutely amazing Nicole. I much prefer the blue to the red 🙂 You are always such an inspiration.
That looks absolutely amazing Nicole. I much prefer the blue to the red 🙂 You are always such an inspiration.
Your are like a machine!! You need to work on the national debt, healthcare, finding a cure for the swine flu and solving world peace. That is to say, that you get so much accomplished!! Not having children lets me sew alot also but I am envious of your production.
I am confused with your triangles and a tutorial with the Easy Angle ruler would be SO helpful!
You are inspiring!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I am thankful to have your blog to read every day (almost every day) because you put so much into it.
Your are like a machine!! You need to work on the national debt, healthcare, finding a cure for the swine flu and solving world peace. That is to say, that you get so much accomplished!! Not having children lets me sew alot also but I am envious of your production.
I am confused with your triangles and a tutorial with the Easy Angle ruler would be SO helpful!
You are inspiring!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I am thankful to have your blog to read every day (almost every day) because you put so much into it.
Great looking quilt and wonderful thinking process.
Great looking quilt and wonderful thinking process.
Love the blue and white quilt! Another “Bob’s your uncle!” success story! You’re an inspiration! I bought an Easy Angle ruler last week and will use it on a ‘non-stash’ project very soon! ha, ha! Jan
Love the blue and white quilt! Another “Bob’s your uncle!” success story! You’re an inspiration! I bought an Easy Angle ruler last week and will use it on a ‘non-stash’ project very soon! ha, ha! Jan
Wonderful. I am not a bias square maker either.
Wonderful. I am not a bias square maker either.
I wondered what happened to the blue and white quilt! It’s going to be spectacular!
I wondered what happened to the blue and white quilt! It’s going to be spectacular!
Beautiful! Good job figuring out a better easier way to make those blocks.
Beautiful! Good job figuring out a better easier way to make those blocks.
Love Blue and white looks great.
Hugs Mary.
Love Blue and white looks great.
Hugs Mary.
Wow really beautiful. I love the blue and white combination!
Wow really beautiful. I love the blue and white combination!
Hi Nicole,
I’m trying to get my blog off the ground and was wondering if you could give me a shout-out. I’ve just started blogging about the Jane Austen reproduction quilt I am making for my parents’ 25th anniversary in a few years time – if anyone reads this and finds it interesting jump on over to http://www.naturallylaurey.wordpress.com and have a look. Starting my first blog is a bit exciting! I write a little bit of poetry, so sometimes I blog that too. Nicole, what did you do to get your readership up? Oh, thanks for your help finding that book with Coventry in by the way.
Thanks!
Laurey in Oz
Hi Nicole,
I’m trying to get my blog off the ground and was wondering if you could give me a shout-out. I’ve just started blogging about the Jane Austen reproduction quilt I am making for my parents’ 25th anniversary in a few years time – if anyone reads this and finds it interesting jump on over to http://www.naturallylaurey.wordpress.com and have a look. Starting my first blog is a bit exciting! I write a little bit of poetry, so sometimes I blog that too. Nicole, what did you do to get your readership up? Oh, thanks for your help finding that book with Coventry in by the way.
Thanks!
Laurey in Oz
I thought I had posted this already, but maybe I forgot to press send… Anyway, I made a blue & white quilt from those same fabrics last year. Love it! You can see a photo of my blue/white quilt at picturetrail.com/juliesaville — select Other Quilts, then it is 6 down on the left scroll bar. Seeing yours in progess makes me wish I could fondle mine again, but I gave it to a friend who lives far away. But she is enjoying it with hot cocoa right now 🙂
I thought I had posted this already, but maybe I forgot to press send… Anyway, I made a blue & white quilt from those same fabrics last year. Love it! You can see a photo of my blue/white quilt at picturetrail.com/juliesaville — select Other Quilts, then it is 6 down on the left scroll bar. Seeing yours in progess makes me wish I could fondle mine again, but I gave it to a friend who lives far away. But she is enjoying it with hot cocoa right now 🙂
This is going to be a gorgeous quilt! Once your b/w and r/w quilts are finished …. will there be another colour … perhaps green and white?
This is going to be a gorgeous quilt! Once your b/w and r/w quilts are finished …. will there be another colour … perhaps green and white?
I’ve been sooooo tempted by the red and white snowballs, and now you tempt us with the red and white stars! ARGH! Seriously, I DO need a red and white quilt but I’m not sure when I’ll get to it. Love your blue and white version too!
I’ve been sooooo tempted by the red and white snowballs, and now you tempt us with the red and white stars! ARGH! Seriously, I DO need a red and white quilt but I’m not sure when I’ll get to it. Love your blue and white version too!