zyxquilts

Well GramMer, if I were you...I would add a border around those embroidered blocks to make them 9-1/2" total (so they finish at 9" when they are sewn together). Then, as I like the single Irish chain (good ol' 9 patches!), I would cut my strips at 3-1/2". then both blocks would be at 9-1/2" & ready to sew together! Does that sound reasonable?
Good luck! :D

sue

GramMER

Sue,

That really does sound reasonable. Thanks for the suggestion!!

Ready to go...

GramMER :D

GramMER

Sue,

One more question for you or anyone else who has an interest in this:

The background cloth of the embroidered blocks is white. Should I make the border around them white or should I plan to put a 3 1/2" block in each corner of the border. I have seen that done and had no idea it might have been to adjust the fit. Would a little corner block distort the Irish Chain effect?

GramMER

patricej

if you put a 3.5" in block in the corners, won't that expand your finished block to 11" instead of 9? I'd either skip the corner squares or make them 1.5" (1" finished).

the white border would be more "irish chainy", but a border that uses a color from either the embroider or the companion 9 patches would make the embroidery stand out more. i'd make the color border/frame.

joycie

How about a log cabin pattern, using 3 inch strips to show off some pretty pansy fabrics, with solid pale yellow watercolor and purple watercolor fabrics for the solids in the cabin to pop the pansy fabrics that you choose. It could look spectacular in a lap size quilt.

jm in new york

GramMER

You are absolutely right about the size of the block being wrong for the corner. See, I told you I was not good at math.

:lol:

GramMER

GramMER

JM,

Are you suggesting this be used with the embroidered squares? That would be nice too. I will definitely have to consider it.

Every time I want pretty fabric, I have to look at:

http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/

They send a catalog with each order and I could spend hours at a time just dreaming.

:wink:

GramMER

patricej

that's why i love graph paper and grid lines in computer programs. i don't have to do the math. i can see easily what fits and what doesn't.
;-)

there should be statues everywhere honoring the guy who invented erasers!

GramMER

OK, somebody clue me in and help me find a source of computer programs that will calculate block size, strip width, yardage or or whatever... There probably is a program that could be downloaded if I just knew where to look.

One of my little granddaughters used to have a math game that used quilt blocks as the visual logic training. She absolutely loved testing blocks for size and shape. At the time I thought that was something I probably should have had. She could change colors, block sizes and experiment to her heart's content.

Am I on the right trail??? 8)

GramMER

patricej

Quilt 1-2-3 appears to do all that, but i don't think you can draw your own blocks. it comes with 500 blocks. doesn't seem to import additional block libraries. not bad for the price ($40), though. i tested it once. the only reason i didn't buy it was the inability to draw my own. you can test it free for up to 30 days.
http://www.quiltpro.com/go.php?id=123Quilt

The description of Quilt-Pro doesn't say it estimates fabric requirements. However, it's from the same company and costs $100, so surely it must. sounds as though you can draw your own blocks.
http://www.quiltpro.com/go.php?id=qp5

Quilt Soft ($50) has all the bells and whistles
http://www.quiltsoft.com/winsoftw.html

PC Quilt ($50) looks pretty good for the price. you can download a demonstration copy. i've looked at this before but can't remember whether i liked it or not.
http://www.pcquilt.com/MoreInfo.htm

Electric Quilt (between $80 and $150, depending on the version you buy) does everything except rake the yard. not as easy to learn as they say it is, but i'm having tons of fun with it. i can also say without hesitation that their customer support is fantastic!
http://www.electricquilt.com/