I am just crazy mad in love with this quilt (photo from book, Home to Roost). I have had in my mind for a year or more to make this quilt, but I didn't know how to find the pattern. My inspiration was a miniature quilt called Pinwheel Gardens I saw on Pinterest by Lisa Bonjean of Primitive Gatherings (in photo below). I saw this ages ago and fell hard for it. But a miniature? Not for me, with all those pinwheels.
Just look at that. Isn't Lisa's quilt awesome? Sometimes, that is how it is. You see a quilt and say to yourself, "I love that. I must have it". Now, I was pretty determined to have this quilt, but am not terribly clever about figuring out measurements to make a larger version. Ugh, do the math? And I was not about to make this quilt with half inch square half square triangles or whatever. So, it was just an idea in my mind for a long time. I blog posted on this quilt, and saved the image on my Pinterest Bucket List. Eventually, I suppose I would have figured out how to make a larger version.
Now, it turns out, I had the pattern for the quilt shown in the top photo all along. "Duh" moment. I am a "bear of very little brain" as my husband likes to tell me. The pattern I had on my book shelf was the same basic block design as Lisa's, but a much simpler border. And not a miniature.
The pattern for this quilt, called Rhubarb Whirl, was in a book I bought a few years back. The book is by Renee Nannerman, and was purchased because I wanted to make a completely different quilt in the book. I bought the fabric to make the other quilt, never made it, dispersed the fabrics into my stash and forgot about the book. Sigh. I forget how it all came to my attention, but it was very fortuitous.
Here is the book. You can buy it and have the pattern for Rhubarb Whirl too. And a total of 5 other cool patterns as well, including the one I meant to make in the first place, but never did.
So here is the deal with the book. As I said, six great quilt designs, but the cutting directions are awful. Obviously the book was designed to feature Renee Nannerman's specific fabrics, so the directions tell you to buy one quarter yard of fabric #183774, three eighths of a yard of fabric #183772 etc. Thirty three fabrics were listed like that and you have no clue if it is a light or a dark or whatever, unless you refer to a color chart on a different page. Arghh. This wouldn't be so bad if the pattern pamplet was free (or very inexpensive) to promote a fabric line, but the book cost $24.95! And of course at this point, three or four years later, you couldn't find that specific line of fabric anymore anyway.
I want instructions that tell me to use X number of dark fat quarters, X number of light fat quarters, plus X of a yard for my inner border etc. Or even, keeping it vague "Use a total of X yards assorted fat quarters".
A much bigger issue is that the fabric amounts called for in the book seem excessive. The pattern calls for well over 8.25 yards of fabric for a 56" x 72" quilt top. I found that I got two blocks from a coordinated fat eighth light and dark pairing, plus a bit extra for a pinwheel block for the border. So, for the 48 blocks called for in the top, that makes 24 pairings of a light and a dark, using two fat eighths for each block combo. Six yards total for the quilt center, plus some extra dark rectangular scraps for the border. That is a pretty darn big difference from the over 8 yards the pattern calls for. Right?
I believe in generous cutting instructions in case of error, or leftovers for a future project, but that is ridiculous.
All week I have hesitated posting this little rant, because I don't typically like to be negative or critical. I imagine that the fabric manufactorer (Andover) insisted on the strange cutting directions and overly generous fabric amounts and not the designer herself, Renee Nannerman. I have heard of that before. Often even if a designer objects they are over ruled by the book publisher. If I were lucky enough to be asked to design a fabric line or author a book, I doubt I would be all that vocal in my protests with the Powers That Be either. This isn't a criticsm of Renee (love her fabric designs, love her quilts).
The bottom line is I am making a quilt I will love and have wanted for a long time, and am enjoying the sewing process. But if you have the book and want to make Rhubarb Whirl, be warned there are some fabric requirements and cutting directions you might want to revise to suit yourself.
42 responses to “So, I Had To Do the Math After All”
You have hit on one of my biggest peeves with patterns! I will typically recalculate the yardage before I buy (I admit I love quilt math). Love that quilt, too, and can’t wait to see yours.
You have hit on one of my biggest peeves with patterns! I will typically recalculate the yardage before I buy (I admit I love quilt math). Love that quilt, too, and can’t wait to see yours.
You have hit on one of my biggest peeves with patterns! I will typically recalculate the yardage before I buy (I admit I love quilt math). Love that quilt, too, and can’t wait to see yours.
You’re the second blogger who’s discussed wanting to make a Rhubarb Whirl quilt. I love it … and the colors in the picture you shared are fabulous! I’m seriously contemplating ordering it … and I rarely quilt from patterns. I can’t wait to see yours come together.
You’re the second blogger who’s discussed wanting to make a Rhubarb Whirl quilt. I love it … and the colors in the picture you shared are fabulous! I’m seriously contemplating ordering it … and I rarely quilt from patterns. I can’t wait to see yours come together.
You’re the second blogger who’s discussed wanting to make a Rhubarb Whirl quilt. I love it … and the colors in the picture you shared are fabulous! I’m seriously contemplating ordering it … and I rarely quilt from patterns. I can’t wait to see yours come together.
Oh My to have a pattern! All this time!
I have vague guilty quilty feelings about that happening all the time when I buy a second book or pattern and then find I had it! (you notice I said vague).
As to the Rant.. all I can say is
Rant On Sister.
It got so bad there for awhile with so many quilt Magazines publishing for a specific line of fabric that I quit subscribing to them.
Oh My to have a pattern! All this time!
I have vague guilty quilty feelings about that happening all the time when I buy a second book or pattern and then find I had it! (you notice I said vague).
As to the Rant.. all I can say is
Rant On Sister.
It got so bad there for awhile with so many quilt Magazines publishing for a specific line of fabric that I quit subscribing to them.
Oh My to have a pattern! All this time!
I have vague guilty quilty feelings about that happening all the time when I buy a second book or pattern and then find I had it! (you notice I said vague).
As to the Rant.. all I can say is
Rant On Sister.
It got so bad there for awhile with so many quilt Magazines publishing for a specific line of fabric that I quit subscribing to them.
well all I can say is 1) I have this book, 2) I love this quilt and most important of all 3) thank you for figuring it out. I remember when I ordered this book for this specific quilt I might add and it came and I was so bewildered about the instructions it went on the shelf and never got taken off again. I am going to go find it now and write down all your helpful hints. the quilt goes back on the “must do” list. It is so beautiful Nicole. thanks for your help!
Mary
well all I can say is 1) I have this book, 2) I love this quilt and most important of all 3) thank you for figuring it out. I remember when I ordered this book for this specific quilt I might add and it came and I was so bewildered about the instructions it went on the shelf and never got taken off again. I am going to go find it now and write down all your helpful hints. the quilt goes back on the “must do” list. It is so beautiful Nicole. thanks for your help!
Mary
well all I can say is 1) I have this book, 2) I love this quilt and most important of all 3) thank you for figuring it out. I remember when I ordered this book for this specific quilt I might add and it came and I was so bewildered about the instructions it went on the shelf and never got taken off again. I am going to go find it now and write down all your helpful hints. the quilt goes back on the “must do” list. It is so beautiful Nicole. thanks for your help!
Mary
What happens is that each publisher has guidelines for how much “extra” fabric to allow — since fabric stores sometimes cut sloppily and quilters make mistakes… the publisher I edit for likes to have enough for an extra strip or an extra block component, for instance. And then it’s up to the technical editor’s judgment (good or bad) about how to keep the cutting instructions easy to follow without requiring a lot of extra fabric. Some quilters are better than others at figuring out how to cut efficiently! I find it’s harder with “scrappy” quilts like this because you want a wide variety of fabrics but you don’t need much of each one — and the standard unit of measurement is a FQ for most shops, rather than a F8th… but the book should have given options for you.
What happens is that each publisher has guidelines for how much “extra” fabric to allow — since fabric stores sometimes cut sloppily and quilters make mistakes… the publisher I edit for likes to have enough for an extra strip or an extra block component, for instance. And then it’s up to the technical editor’s judgment (good or bad) about how to keep the cutting instructions easy to follow without requiring a lot of extra fabric. Some quilters are better than others at figuring out how to cut efficiently! I find it’s harder with “scrappy” quilts like this because you want a wide variety of fabrics but you don’t need much of each one — and the standard unit of measurement is a FQ for most shops, rather than a F8th… but the book should have given options for you.
What happens is that each publisher has guidelines for how much “extra” fabric to allow — since fabric stores sometimes cut sloppily and quilters make mistakes… the publisher I edit for likes to have enough for an extra strip or an extra block component, for instance. And then it’s up to the technical editor’s judgment (good or bad) about how to keep the cutting instructions easy to follow without requiring a lot of extra fabric. Some quilters are better than others at figuring out how to cut efficiently! I find it’s harder with “scrappy” quilts like this because you want a wide variety of fabrics but you don’t need much of each one — and the standard unit of measurement is a FQ for most shops, rather than a F8th… but the book should have given options for you.
I’d forgotten this book/quilt. I, too, own it and have left it on the shelf, probably after reading the instructions. Your quilt is so pretty…I may have to dust off my brain and see what I can figure out…it definitely deserves to be made.
I’d forgotten this book/quilt. I, too, own it and have left it on the shelf, probably after reading the instructions. Your quilt is so pretty…I may have to dust off my brain and see what I can figure out…it definitely deserves to be made.
I’d forgotten this book/quilt. I, too, own it and have left it on the shelf, probably after reading the instructions. Your quilt is so pretty…I may have to dust off my brain and see what I can figure out…it definitely deserves to be made.
I have the Primitive Gatherings pattern and yes, I still need to make this quilt! But I love minis because I quilt all my quilt on my little sewing machine and I just can’t handle a king size. My favorite size are the Schnibbles just the perfect size for me;-) But I think the math for this quilt to make bigger is fairly easy because it’s just pinwheels and HSTs.
A tip: whenever I’m making a quilt by a pattern I draw it on grid pattern. It helps me visualize it and if there’re any mistakes in the pattern I see and therefore can avoid it (mostly).
And about the fabric requirements: today I relize that I can make a quilt pattern with just 2 FQs instead of the 3/4 yard the pattern call for … I think you always need to check!
I have the Primitive Gatherings pattern and yes, I still need to make this quilt! But I love minis because I quilt all my quilt on my little sewing machine and I just can’t handle a king size. My favorite size are the Schnibbles just the perfect size for me;-) But I think the math for this quilt to make bigger is fairly easy because it’s just pinwheels and HSTs.
A tip: whenever I’m making a quilt by a pattern I draw it on grid pattern. It helps me visualize it and if there’re any mistakes in the pattern I see and therefore can avoid it (mostly).
And about the fabric requirements: today I relize that I can make a quilt pattern with just 2 FQs instead of the 3/4 yard the pattern call for … I think you always need to check!
I have the Primitive Gatherings pattern and yes, I still need to make this quilt! But I love minis because I quilt all my quilt on my little sewing machine and I just can’t handle a king size. My favorite size are the Schnibbles just the perfect size for me;-) But I think the math for this quilt to make bigger is fairly easy because it’s just pinwheels and HSTs.
A tip: whenever I’m making a quilt by a pattern I draw it on grid pattern. It helps me visualize it and if there’re any mistakes in the pattern I see and therefore can avoid it (mostly).
And about the fabric requirements: today I relize that I can make a quilt pattern with just 2 FQs instead of the 3/4 yard the pattern call for … I think you always need to check!
Good for you for disclosing your challenges with the pattern. I was really angry about a poorly written pattern, crammed in tiny print on glossy colored paper and I wish I would have written the designer…how can they improve without feedback? Hope this turns out just as you’ve envisioned!
Good for you for disclosing your challenges with the pattern. I was really angry about a poorly written pattern, crammed in tiny print on glossy colored paper and I wish I would have written the designer…how can they improve without feedback? Hope this turns out just as you’ve envisioned!
Good for you for disclosing your challenges with the pattern. I was really angry about a poorly written pattern, crammed in tiny print on glossy colored paper and I wish I would have written the designer…how can they improve without feedback? Hope this turns out just as you’ve envisioned!
Love this quilt in both its versions and think I must make it, too. ASAP, of course, as it is just delicious. Only the photo of the mini quilt shows the borders but I love the frame the HSTs make around the center. Besides, I love scrappy quilts so will probably just make it by winging it and not get a pattern.
It’s horrible that any book publisher would allow a book to be published without the instructions being clear as to light, medium, or dark fabrics and the amount needed. You know Renee’s fabrics with those numbers weren’t produced for more than a year (if that long), so why print a book that’s such a pain in the neck to use? Rant on, sister!
Hugs!
Love this quilt in both its versions and think I must make it, too. ASAP, of course, as it is just delicious. Only the photo of the mini quilt shows the borders but I love the frame the HSTs make around the center. Besides, I love scrappy quilts so will probably just make it by winging it and not get a pattern.
It’s horrible that any book publisher would allow a book to be published without the instructions being clear as to light, medium, or dark fabrics and the amount needed. You know Renee’s fabrics with those numbers weren’t produced for more than a year (if that long), so why print a book that’s such a pain in the neck to use? Rant on, sister!
Hugs!
Love this quilt in both its versions and think I must make it, too. ASAP, of course, as it is just delicious. Only the photo of the mini quilt shows the borders but I love the frame the HSTs make around the center. Besides, I love scrappy quilts so will probably just make it by winging it and not get a pattern.
It’s horrible that any book publisher would allow a book to be published without the instructions being clear as to light, medium, or dark fabrics and the amount needed. You know Renee’s fabrics with those numbers weren’t produced for more than a year (if that long), so why print a book that’s such a pain in the neck to use? Rant on, sister!
Hugs!
it’s a win!!! i’ve done the same thing where i’ve bought a book or pattern and then forgot i owned it. ;p
my big rant is Fig Tree. I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE her fabrics and her designs but her patterns have lousy cutting/sewing directions. I HATE that. 🙁
my faves? Sweetwater patterns are the best! Thimble Blossoms are really good too. ;p
it’s a win!!! i’ve done the same thing where i’ve bought a book or pattern and then forgot i owned it. ;p
my big rant is Fig Tree. I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE her fabrics and her designs but her patterns have lousy cutting/sewing directions. I HATE that. 🙁
my faves? Sweetwater patterns are the best! Thimble Blossoms are really good too. ;p
it’s a win!!! i’ve done the same thing where i’ve bought a book or pattern and then forgot i owned it. ;p
my big rant is Fig Tree. I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE her fabrics and her designs but her patterns have lousy cutting/sewing directions. I HATE that. 🙁
my faves? Sweetwater patterns are the best! Thimble Blossoms are really good too. ;p
As far as you ranting, why not consider what you had to say as a public service announcement rather than a rant? It may have encouraged a few people who had been confused before reading what you had to say to go ahead & dive in & make that quilt!
I made & finished a quilt top at last week-end’s retreat with the entire pattern printed on the back of a postcard! I’ll just say it wasn’t easy & leave it at that!
As far as you ranting, why not consider what you had to say as a public service announcement rather than a rant? It may have encouraged a few people who had been confused before reading what you had to say to go ahead & dive in & make that quilt!
I made & finished a quilt top at last week-end’s retreat with the entire pattern printed on the back of a postcard! I’ll just say it wasn’t easy & leave it at that!
As far as you ranting, why not consider what you had to say as a public service announcement rather than a rant? It may have encouraged a few people who had been confused before reading what you had to say to go ahead & dive in & make that quilt!
I made & finished a quilt top at last week-end’s retreat with the entire pattern printed on the back of a postcard! I’ll just say it wasn’t easy & leave it at that!
Lovely quilt, I’m glad you found the pattern and are able to make it work. There is nothing more frustrating that not having clear cutting instructions. I make enough mistakes on my own without the pattern being incorrect to -ha!
Lovely quilt, I’m glad you found the pattern and are able to make it work. There is nothing more frustrating that not having clear cutting instructions. I make enough mistakes on my own without the pattern being incorrect to -ha!
Lovely quilt, I’m glad you found the pattern and are able to make it work. There is nothing more frustrating that not having clear cutting instructions. I make enough mistakes on my own without the pattern being incorrect to -ha!
Thank you for your discussion on making this pattern. I have the booklet I purchased specifically to make Rhubarb Whirl and found the cutting directions taking more energy to decipher than I had at the time. You have helped greatly!
Thank you for your discussion on making this pattern. I have the booklet I purchased specifically to make Rhubarb Whirl and found the cutting directions taking more energy to decipher than I had at the time. You have helped greatly!
Thank you for your discussion on making this pattern. I have the booklet I purchased specifically to make Rhubarb Whirl and found the cutting directions taking more energy to decipher than I had at the time. You have helped greatly!
I went to Renee’s Need’l Love website and found the books and patterns are on sale for $5. Apparently, her business has all but folded. Maybe this is why…
I went to Renee’s Need’l Love website and found the books and patterns are on sale for $5. Apparently, her business has all but folded. Maybe this is why…
I went to Renee’s Need’l Love website and found the books and patterns are on sale for $5. Apparently, her business has all but folded. Maybe this is why…