13 December 2012

Some quilts want to be noisy

I've started a new project with Thomas Knauer's upcoming Asbury line of prints from Andover Fabrics. Thomas says the designs are inspired by New Jersey beach resort Asbury Park.


I started the project with flying geese blocks, using all the prints with anything more than a hint of purple or plum. The background dots are the Marquee print from Thomas's Frippery collection, currently in stores.


I tried to capture a kind of funhouse energy, movement, and noise with the bold prints and kinetic background dots.


The patchwork measures about 66"x76". I meant to use the Quilt in a Day flying geese method and 5"x10" ruler, which produces four geese units from two squares of fabric. I feel like I followed the directions closely, but obviously I wasn't careful enough when I aligned and marked the fabric squares. At least a quarter of the geese came out too small when I went to align the ruler and trim the units. The below photo shows one such block, with a scant seam allowance visible in the lower left corner.


My first thought was to buy the 4"x8" ruler, but I didn't feel good about reducing the size of the quilt a full 20%. So I decided to make my own ruler for 4-3/4"x9-1/2" blocks. The plastic store cut a 5-1/4"x10" rectangle of 1/8-inch acrylic for less than $2. This only works because all the blocks are the same size, but I'm happy with how it's turned out.


I have to say I'm disappointed in the Quilt in a Day ruler, simply because the instructions seemed to indicate "eye balling" the fabric placement would be sufficient, when success actually requires precision. I'd love to hear your tips for success with their technique.


14 comments:

  1. what kind of plastic store cuts acrylic for templates? that sounds like a good idea.

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  2. I just purchased that ruler, but have yet to use it. Now I am rethinking my purchase. I love your "Noisy Quilt".

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  3. I got the ruler a couple of years ago, used it once. It just seemed incredibly complicated to me. I'd rather paper piece my geese or make them the Ricky Tims way-dimensional, 2 squares, 1 rectangle, stack, fold, sew one seam. :)

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  4. Love your quilt Dan, esp. the colours and flying geese are always a favourite!

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  5. It's sad that you made this unhappy experience. I have the same ruler (the smaller one, I think) and I love to use it! But I really stick to the instructions and I line up my squares exactly (just put a ruler on the diagonal corners to line them up). For me it worked well.

    But I thought about creating my own templates too, because the two sizes the ruler comes in doesn't fit all the time.

    Best wishes
    Susanne

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  6. Okay - I just have to say that I LIKE how the "mistake" flying geese turned out slightly offset - I think it adds some nice energy . I think you are on to something here! yes, I know the edges aren't even, but if you account for that when you make the blocks and intentionally offset them....(just thinking out loud here).

    And I like the fabrics you've chosen - fun! I like the idea of a noisy quilt.

    I should add here that I am probably the bad child of quilting...I don't like using templates or guides (although I have been known to cut my own out of heavy plastic or waxed cardboard that I use for stencils)...I have a phobia about being stuck by pins, so I rarely pin anything (except when I am strip-piecing and the pins don't seem to get me then), etc. the list of my transgressions is long. I make mistakes a lot - but most of the time it seems they turn out to be happy accidents and something I incorporate into future quilts.



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  7. Love this quilt!
    Have no experience with the FG ruler. I like the square-on-a-rectangle method, because a second seam 1/2" away from the first delivers a bonus HST unit from each side of the goose(which end up in a baggie in a bin, for "someday").

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  8. You invented a good work around!
    I have the best luck making flying geese with the companion angle and the ez angle. Least amount of waste in both fabric and time.
    By the way--wonderful quilt. Great use of prints.

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  9. What is this plastic store you speak of? Is it Tap Plastics?

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  10. Fit to be Geese! I swear by those rulers. I've tried many rulers and methods (new and old) and even tho' "fit to be geese" have to be trimmed I don't mind as you gain so much precision. Love your "noisy" quilt! Great idea about getting your own template.

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  11. I have that ruler; I've used it with some success, but yes it is tricky. I also have a "Wing Clipper" ruler by Deb Tucker, which supports more sizes. Tucker's instructions say to nudge the smaller squares slightly toward the center. This helps a little, but I still sometimes have geese that have a slim seam allowance.

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  12. I love the quilt! I've never used the ruler, so no experience there. I would be frustrated though and agree that the point of using a ruler is ease and precision!

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  13. I have had success with the Fons & Porter ruler, which I talked about here: http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/11/flying-geese-no-trim-tutorial.html. Maybe that would be more to your liking?

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  14. I'm not one for lots of templates & rulers for specific uses. Understanding the math behind the block has always worked for me.
    Good save with your blocks! I love this one!!

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