**I tried for two day to post this but my laptop kept freezing before I hit the save button.
I ended up writing it in Word - I hope it's still readable, and has working links.
Originally Posted by
thimblebug6000
You can download the pattern for free from their site as well, it's 7 pages long though. The measurements etc. for the cutting are given for the original size.
Well, duh.
Thanks for pointing that out.
How bizarre.
I didn't notice that - especially since the $10 price is marked right there.
Also a bit strange:
On the kit page the pattern is rated for the beginner; yet it's rated intermediate on the free pattern pages.
I guess $10 or the kits buys your some experience.
Go figure.
I have to say, if I were making the quilt, especially in a larger size, I wouldn't do it the way it's described in the instructions.
I'm not saying it's the only way, or the best way, or the most valid way.
Basically, the pattern has you making separate strip sets (strata) for each column width of the block, which is why there are so many different lengths to cut (in addition to the widths).
Seems like a lot of unnecessary cutting to me.
Each block is made up of 13 rows and columns.
One center strip, and 6 strips on the both sides (mirror images).
In total, 7 different columns widths.
I think it would be much easier to make just 2 strips set, using WOF fabric (see page 2 of the instructions).
One would be for the ODD columns ((SetA 1,3,5,7) - and begin and end with the colors.
The other would be for the EVEN column (SetB 2,4,6) - and begin and end with the black.
These strata sets, when sewn, would each be 17-3/4" across x ~40in. WOF.
From those long strip sets, you could cross cut all the different widths you need
I think it would be much easier and quicker.
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If you're confident in the accuracy of your piecing skills, you can skip this whole section.
You might know all this, but I'm going to include this part anyway.
The really, really important part - and I can't stress this enough - is that when you cut the strips (from the raw fabric or from the strata), they have to be PERFECTLY straight.
This is all gets back to what I refer to as Sally Collins' slightly obessive sewing tips - how to cut, sew and press accurately.
You want them cut straight, sewn into the strata straight, cut from the strata straight, and then sew together again...straight.
Straight!
Also, when sewing the strata, you want to alternate the direction each time you add a strip.
You start sewing 2 strips top to bottom, then when you add the third strip, you start with that bottom end going into the machine first.
To make it easy, just decide that the BLACK will ALWAYS be on top when you're adding a strip.
You don't want any notches or bowed strips. Or "J" stratas that bend because of the torque that sometimes occurs when pushing long strips through the machine..
I think that may be one reason why the JB instructions are broken up into all those different strata - it's much easier to sew the shorter lengths, but it does have additional cutting and is a bit more confusing with all those different strip lengths.
So in the end, your choice.
But if you're careful and attentive to the cutting above, then it should be fine and requires a bit less preparation.
Here are some videos showing how to make sure your fabric is perfectly trued up even before you cut your first strip.
I do remember a few years ago that the RJR JB fabric was a mess when it came off the bolt.
I can't speak to how it is now but you definitely don't want to skip this step.
Leah Day (looking 12 years old) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcpzwJMVTbc
Lot of enthusiasm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLwhogZk2A
Slightly unrelated and OT (a strange video I stumbled across- cracked me up)
Mute Ninja Tailor Tips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG4M9I5z6uE
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Back to sizes:
As stated above. a quilt with 16 blocks (set 4x4) would be ~88" square.
That's a bit small for a king.
25 blocks (set 5x5) would be ~106" square.
(there were some incorrect numbers posted upthread)
Both these use the same border treatment as in the original pattern.
Here's what they look like (EQ drawings below):
[ATTACH=CONFIG]372743[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]372744[/ATTACH]
By my (back of the envelope) calculation (always subject to audit), you can get the strips for THREE blocks from each pair of Set A and Set B stratas (with some left over).
So to make 25 blocks, you'd need a EIGHT stratas of both Set A and Set B, and the leftover stratas can make up the last block.
My suggestion would be to make ONE strata of each set to start.
That way, you could put together a block and see how it goes, and what issues might arise in the construction.
See how the nesting and pressing goes for you.
And, at most, you've cut -from all that yardage - is ~25" of the black (13 strips), and 2 strips of the each color (and 1 strip of the lightest light), a total of 26" to check it out.
Not bad.
If you decide that making 25 block is too much, there are alternatives.
I notice that you're a long arm quilter.
A king size quilt made up of just these blocks doesn't really give you much space to showoff (if you were so inclined).
Doing a lot of detailed quilting would just be lost on these blocks, leaving you just the borders to play with.
Another possible alternative (again, I'm just throwing it out there), that would satisfy both your grandson and you, might be to make a limited number of blocks and turn it into a medallion quilt.
The medallion quilt below uses 9 blocks, set on point and then squared off.
The diamond border is just to show what can be done with the gradiated fabric you already have.
The quilt size ends up being ~ 97" square as shown - the diamonds would end up right at the edge of the top of the mattress, with an 8" drop.
Again, all that could be adjusted any way, but that certainly provides a lot more space for some really incredible quilting - IF you were so inclined.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]372742[/ATTACH]
If not, never mind. ;-)
Whatever you decide, you should put aside a nice chunk of the black material for border fabric.
I would hope they gave you at LEAST 9-1/2 yards of the black fabric for the king size, so there's a little bit of extra.
You need approx 5-3/4' for the blocks, and 3" for the borders.
That's if you're using the pattern design.
Enough rambling.
Let's see if this posts.