Globetrotting with Chopin and Pat Sloan

First of all – do not forget to check out “Bits of Baltimore” On Line Auction beginning 1 October 2014.  Even if you do not bid on anything there are some beautiful quilts to just savor over.   Go to http://www.baltimoreapplique.com for the information.

Well, I have finished my Globetrotting quilt!!  It feels so great to have accomplished this.  Pat Sloan had the BOM on her Blog this year.  Pat’s blocks were “ripping” free.  This is because she adds 1/8 of an inch to cutting instructions and what a difference!  I knew that when I made this quilt there would be less stress and less ripping.  All quilters have such a great feeling when a project is completed (oops not quilted yet but to me it is “finished”)  I will probably do my own quilting on this quilt.

When I started this project I did not realize that there would only be 9 blocks.  I did not want to have plain fabric for the corner blocks, so I used EQ7 and reduced the Medallion to a 10 1/2″ unfinished block.  Each month I drew the blocks into EQ7 – this always helps in selecting colorways or to change or add a block.  So it was easy to print out the 10 1/2″ unfinished block.  Now anyone who uses EQ7 and ends up with “issues” in being able to square a block I will give you a hint – Always add 1/8″ to any pieces that will be cut and re-sewn… i.e., half square triangles, quarter square triangles, etc.  this will provide enough fabric to square them.  Otherwise – DISASTER!

I decided I wanted to only have a 1″ finished sashing between the blocks – so that meant I had to make 3 more blocks.  I used some blocks from EQ7 and modified the Snail Block, made a 9 patch  on-point,  and added another “star” block.

If you follow my Blog – you know that with each project I always learn something new – or have to “remember the hard way” to not do something! This time I used a fabric for the sashing that was not strong enough to hold the blocks in place.  I had problems.  Of course this was after the quilt was already finished – the sashings were off center!!  So out came the ripper, I rechecked all blocks, took all borders off of the Medallion and found a 1/8″ issue and after 2 hours that was corrected.  In addition to problems with fabric I found that I did not have any other blue fabric that would really make this quilt pop, so off to the quilt store!  I was very blessed because I found the perfect fabric to finish this quilt.

When working with this fabric I had to be very careful because it frayed.  So to stop the fraying before it became a problem, I used the dark blue for the first border for the Medallion, cut the 2nd border, but before I sewed it on to the dark blue border I used sizing to stabilize the fabric (I pre-wash all fabrics because of the chemicals).  This was a great help.  I had absolutely not one problem with completing the quilt.  When I finished it I did a stay stitch all around the last border to keep any fraying or issues before I can get it quilted.

This quilt along with my Red, Grey, and Black quilt provides me 2 quilts for 2015 Quilt Shows!  I love the way this quilt turned out – Thank you Pat for the inspiration.  Because of precision cutting, squaring, and at times ripping and re-doing.  my quilts come out square without having to do the things that I have seen in magazines – i.e.,  spritz it and pin it to the floor…….Nope not here!   Of course some say I am truly nuts being the Type A perfectionist, but I love my quilts because they do come put perfectly square.  It has taken some time to be able to do that but all has been worth it.

I am going to catch up with Threads of Memory (August and September blocks) and work on Happy Scrappy blocks.   But I am also ready to tackle Di Ford’s Mystery Quilt – Just 9 months behind every else!  I want to get started on it and have it ready by November so it will be put aside for 2015 Quilt Shows.  Wish me luck.

We have been receiving some rain last week and Friday and Saturday we were blessed with 2 inches – I can hardly wait for winter – It would be great to have days that are 50 during the day and 30 at night……….I am, of course dreaming!  Have a blessed day.