Lazy Angle Ruler Project

I just love the Lazy Angle ruler.  Imagine my shock and delirium when I found I could use another of my favorite rulers with it.  I started with a jelly roll I'd purchase from WalMart a very long time ago.  See the price, it was a bargain, having 50 strips in the package.  A few cons with this is that the fabric strips are repeated at least 3-5 times, the jelly roll I got wasn't cut straight causing a lot of bowing near the fold, and the jelly roll wasn't 2.5" as packages.  It was more like 2-3/8".  I had to make some modifications below in the instructions because of the poor cutting job.

 Unroll your jelly roll and look at how pretty they are.  Don't do this part too long though or your project will never get completed.

I wanted to make units like this using my Lazy Angle ruler. (Sorry about the glare.)

So, I sewed three strips together. I used 39 of the strips, making 13 stratas. Press seams as you wish.

Fold your stratas in half, right sides together. Cut 60 A and 60 A(reverse) units using the directions in  the ruler.  Because the stratas are folded, you will automatically create your reverse units. (NOTE: I'm left handed so these instructions will need to be reversed for right hand cutters. Square up one end then place your ruler as shown.  Please note that prior to cutting my units, I squared my stratas to 5.5" because the the poorly cut jelly roll I received.  You would probably want to use 6.5" to cut your units.

When cutting, you will rotate your ruler as you cut. PLEASE, follow the directions that came with the ruler. It's very easy to use the wrong line if you are not paying attention.

Aren't they pretty?  Here is an A unit and A-Reverse unit.

I laid them out so I could see my little space for the diamond. Now, a quick look through the stash to come up with a contract fabric. Found some and then started think "I really didn't wnat the center seam in the block.

This is how the unit should look.

I wanted one piece, so I got my 60 degree ruler to see if it would work. NO, THE 60 DEGREE RULER WILL NOT WORK as the angle is a little off.  So, I grabbed my Tri-Rec ruler and wa-la, it worked!

 So cut 60 triangles from the Tri-Recs ruler for this project. I love that the top flat portion lines up perfectly when piecing. Sew 60 units as shown below.

Sew two halves into a block. You will make a total of 30 blocks.

Square your blocks up. Mine were squared up to 10.5" square.  If you used 6.5" units, you will square your blocks to 12.5" square.  Lay blocks in a 5 x 6 setting, separating like fabrics if needed.  Sew blocks together into quilt top.

I do have a border on the quilt but forgot to take that photo.  I plan to baste is and start quilting it tomorrow..

-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com

Design Wall Monday

I started a new project yesterday.  I've been wanting to make this quilt since last year.  I even purchased the batik fabrics and had them still stored together in the store bag.  I decided last week to clean my sewing room and guess what I found.  I'm having so much fun with the drunkard's path blocks.  Of course I cut them with my Accuquilt Go! die cutter, 7" finished blocks.  I have over half of them sewn as the sewing is super easy.  All the previous curve piecing experience has allowed me to get a lot done in a short period of time.

To see more design walls, visit www.patchworktimes.com.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com

WIP Update

I worked on my WIPs a lot this past week.

I completed the Batik Quilt which I renamed Batik Rainbow.

First I quilted the Turning Twenty Again quilt. I started this quilt January 1, 2006. Then I went to add binding and don't know where that "special" place is that I would be sure to remember when the time was right. I didn't search too much as I have lots of projects to work on. If I don't find it in the next month, I'll just purchase binding fabric. Most of the fabrics are from Moda Chocolate line.

My progress on the Dear Jane quilt is awesome! I only have one more triangle and one more kite on the bottom border. The remaining three borders are on the quilt. I just needed a break so I started working on a few other projects to save my sanity. I'm still hyperventilating about all that hand quilting in my future.

I had 16 floral blocks that were waiting to be made into a quilt top. I sewed those and have decided that the quilt doesn't need a border as it is 80" square. I even pieced the back so I have another top ready for machine quilting. This top will make a cute Floral Garden quilt. I also worked on the Wonky Hearts. I had only made one block and had pulled various red, pink, and purple fabrics with and without heart/love theme. Then the project just sat in a corner. I needed 8 more blocks to make a quilt about 40" square. I made those and then completed the quilt top. Today I will baste it for quilting.

Splat Attic Windows got basted Friday evening and I quilted about one sixth of it yesterday. I also have an Underground Railroad Quilt Code that needs a backing. I'm putting various historical information on the back of the quilt. I had a draft on my flash that crashed so I spent a few hours retyping the information. I'm now glad that I didn't finished this project earlier since Barack Obama and Joe Biden are now President and Vice-President respectively. I've decided to add this accomplishment to my history as well. So the draft is back in electronic form. I have to proof it. After corrections, I'll print the pages on fabric sheets. My quilting housekeeping consisted of washing a few loads of home dec fabric samples. I'm going to make some simple quilts with these for various family members. My guild had a feature called "First Thursday". A member volunteers to have an open house of about 3 hours and usually provided snacks. I attended one last Thursday and had a great time. The entire family hosted (usually husbands and children disappear) and was so welcoming and interested in us as well as sharing their crafts with us. The husband did wood work and the daughter' creates scrapbooks. The member we visited leans more toward art quilting with various 3-d embellishments. It was really neat to see her quilts displayed as well as her very large quilt studio. The quilts not displayed were stored on pants hangers. I encouraged her to bring a few of those to future meetings to share with the membership. I had a great time! My other out-of-home quilt excursions consisted of quilting with two friends on Saturday, working on our Dear Jane quilts. On Sunday I went to a sale at a local quilt shop. Found two bolts for $2 per yard; will make excellent backs or if I change my mind would also look good on the front. I do hope you come back next week to see what I accomplish this week. I hope you are working through your pile of WIPs as well. Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com/

Last Day of January - Progress for the Month

I'm a little frustrated as a flash drive I have most of my data files on has crashed. I thought I'd backed it up to my computer, but no such luck. The backup only made the file folders, no files. I'm not a happy camper at the moment. I'm in the process of retyping files that I just cannot do without and will have to recreate class handouts as the need arise. If anyone know of a process I can get my files off the flash would be greatly appreciated.

I have quilted Christmas Cookies with Janiacs this week for the UFO challenge. I just quilted in the ditch as I didn't want to mess it up with machine quilting. I'm having a hard time deciding quilting for the DJ blocks. I usually do an all-over style quilting and this just doesn't seem to work with this quilt top.Other projects:

Dear Jane - I need 9 more triangles and 1 kite to complete the quilt. The top, left, and right borders are sewn onto the quilt top. I thought the bottom row would be easy when I was scanning the book as I worked on the blocks, but I was wrong! Only the first triangle is easy. I'm plugging away, finishing 4 triangles and 1 kite today. Go to my DJ page on my website to see actual block chart.
Next UFO project is Batik Quilt I started a few years ago. Pieced the top right away and then let it sit for a long while. I quilted it last week but don't have the binding on yet.
This quilt top, All Together Now, has been waiting for quilting for a while as well. Maybe I'll finish this one too in February.