If YOU were piecing this quilt, how would YOU do it? (And why?)
 

Hi all! I've been toying with patterns for a friend's wedding quilt in the fall and I think I've finally settled on one that I like. I found it on one of those 'pattern a day' calendar pages that I snagged from Aunt Ruth's discard pile. It provides the detailed appearance of the block, but no piecing instructions. While I can certainly manage the construction, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas that might make it easier, faster, or more accurate than the "obvious" solution?

Here are a few details about fabric choices:

- Blocks are all 12" (finished)

- The pale yellow background and orange triangles will all be one fabric (not scrappy)

- I plan on using 15 different fabrics for the rest of the top (1 "circle" and 3 small squares each) which will leave me needing a total of seven 4" (finished) squares and four HST each.

Any time-saving construction tips?

I'm terrible with this sort of thing -- geometry was my very worst subject ever -- but MSQC had a tutorial for a really easy Jacob's Ladder, and I wonder if you could use something from that?

Label, label, label! I'd chain piece all my HST's, then the next units and so on. I'd make notes on your pattern sheet as to actual fabrics, etc. and then just start production sewing. Not sure if that's the 'obvious' method or not but that's how I'd do it.

I'm not big on set in seams, so I would simplify that first block with either chisel pieces or all HSTs & Squares:
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I will look in my books for the blocks and will gladly send you cutting instuctions... I know i have those blocks.. pm me.

I would also strip piece the center 'row' of your "O" block.

I would do it like PaperPrincess's top example. Not because I think it's the best way or anything though. Just because that looks easiest to me. I made a lap quilt with the other block a few years ago. It was called a wedding ring block.

What a cute yet simple quilt idea. I'm adding this to my "want to make" quilt list.

If you want 'easy', I'd go with the HST/square suggestion for the block with the triangles. That would essentially make it a Contrary Wife block. The major disadvantage is the added seams which could be very obvious depending on the fabric choices. Cutting and construction at:
http://www.quilterscache.com/C/ContraryWifeBlock.html

The other block is a simple Shoofly with an altered color placement. Cutting and construction at:
http://www.quilterscache.com/S/ShooFlyBlock.html

Personally, I'd do the full, larger triangles for a more polished look. Nothing needs setting in, just add the small triangles to the squares, sew the vertical seams, then add the larger triangles. The smaller triangles could be added oversized and then trimmed to fit which would eliminate having to worry about the exact placement of the ears.

on the jacob's ladder... i would sew the center square with light sq's on each side. then the top and bottom sq's i would sew the light sq to the appropriate side. sew these three together.. will be a wierd stepladder shape. then i would snowball the triangles to this piece. it will waste some fabric, but easy to sew without extra seams in the triangles. i hope this is clear.

I haven't made one like that yet. I would need clear instructions. I do have books with these blocks in them.
Good luck and very good suggestions so far.