RST

I'm not showing the full project, because a) -- I still need to add a bit, and can't until I get some more fabric b) it's a gift, and I want it to be a surprise c) it will look cool when it's all done, but right now, it take imagination to appreciate the wonder of it.

Anyhow. I had an idea I wanted to realize in fabric. I drew out my pattern on graph paper. In so doing, I noted repeated patterns -- grey-red-grey, red-grey, short red, long grey, long red, short grey being the most obvious.

I was using strips of fabric from a Moda jelly roll of red, and yardage of grey. The jelly roll is 2.5 inches by width of fabric. I cut several strips of gray to the same size. I also cut some grey yardage to a 6.5 inch strip. Because I only had red jelly roll, I didn't have the option of cutting wide strips of red.

With my strips cut, I did a quick guestimate on how many strips I would need for my pattern -- 3rd grade math here.

Stitched my strips together into units and pressed. Key in pressing is to set seam first (press the two strips as they come from the sewing machine, together. Then, while fabric is still warm from iron, lift top strip up while sliding the iron along the lower strip until you come to the seam, and keeping the seams flat against the ironing board, bring that top strip sharply over, making for a nice crisp junction, with no folds. If you are sewing more than 2 strips together, I find it is a good idea to press the first two before adding the 3rd strip to the strata. Pressing need not take long at all, specially if you a) have a good iron b) are set up conveniently to your machine, and with the board at the right height c) have plenty of practice.

Now take your pressed strips to the cutting board, neaten the end, then with the length of fabric to your right if you are right handed, use your rule to measure off the desired sub-cut. Note that I lined up the perpendicular line of the ruler with the seam between the two fabric strips. Cut your sub-units. The assemble the sub-units in your pattern, and stitch them together.

When this little gem is done, I'll post pics.