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.

If you sandwich two 10 in squares and draw an x then sew down each side of x 1/4 in you can get 8 half sq triangles.
You will need to square up a little. You cut the sq in half both ways then on the drawn lines to get 8 sqs and no bias.
I do all my half sq triangles this way as it saves time and is easy.

just for my own brain, I'd make them all out of squares and half square triangles. that way I wouldn't have to worry about the larger triangle. have fun.

The only time-saving tip I can come up with other than what was suggested (piece the orange triangle block like a 9 patch with half square triangles, and the big square for the half-square triangles) is to chain piece the blocks - sew two of the nine-patch pieces together, then before releasing the pressure foot, continue with the next set of two pieces, .... Then when all of those are sewn for a set of blocks (however many you want to do at one time), add the 3rd square/half-square triangle, and chain piece those. This saves a lot of time cutting thread (and saves thread), and prevents the problem getting the stitches to go straight when you start sewing on each new piece. (To avoid this with the first seam, sew first on a starter scrap of fabric.)

Fantastic suggestions! Thank you, everyone!


@PaperPrincess: Hmmmm, that is a very interesting idea! I hadn't thought about alternate ways of constructing the large triangles. I'll have to see what fabric I end up picking for those pieces to determine whether or not it's feasible with the print. Thank you! Unfortunately, since I'm going to have 15 entirely different center rows (each "O" a different fabric), strip piecing isn't an option.


@girliegirl: I'll PM you this evening - thanks!


@ghostrider: Aha, thank you for those links! I love Quilter's Cache. I love how versatile all the blocks are depending on color placement...


@QuiltnNan: Snowballing... another good idea to consider for those triangles, depending on how much or how little I feel like working with bias at the time. Thank you!


@Rose Marie: I love that method of constructing HST's quickly, but unfortunately it won't work in this instance (without waste/excess pieces) because I only need 4 HST's of each fabric. I wonder if there's a quick method of making just four at a time...?


@charsuewilson: Chain piecing, ABSOLUTELY! I love it like mad and it saves me so much headache and thread. <3

I am one that would rather have squares and hst to use. but that is just me. then make up your nine square blocks. hope to see a final product.

i find it very interesting to see all of the different ways to approach the same pattern :)

That's what I'd do, too. Only I saw it as horizontal rows/seams. Could be done either way.

[/QUOTE] 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.[/QUOTE]

Basic 9patch bloks

I would do this as well. Having seams in the large orange triangles would feel too choppy for me.
Good luck!

Without ready other people's ideas and by just looking at it, I would use half square triangles and squares like PaperPrincess's top photo.

Sure you can make 4 HST at a time. Put 2 pieces Right Sides Together and sew all the way around the outside with a 1/4" seam. Cut diagonally both ways and you have 4 HST. The edges will be on the bias, but you can starch them to hold their shape through your sewing process. I think MSQC has a tutorial on this method and I think you can do a search on QB for the size of square to start with so you will have the correct size finished HST block. Good Luck.

I use Thangles to do speedy HST's - cut your strips of each fabric the length you need to do four HST's of each of the fabrics plus an equal number of strips for the background. You can still chain piece using Thangles. Going to be a pretty quilt - but be sure the end block on the right edge of row four is turn around correctly before you sew it in to the row. Your diagram has that block turned in the wrong direction - which made the "ladder" extra long. Looking forward to seeing the finished quilt. Do enjoy those fall colors.

Omg, Jan, however did you catch that? You're really good! It totally got past me...

Since this quilt is only two blocks . . .I would make a list of pieces in each block, but only do one block at a time.
From the list of pieces for the individual block, I would note how many of each color . . .then strip piece all like blocks, cut and sew together. Then do the same on other block.

Both break down to squares and half square triangles. I'd use triangle papers to speed up the half square triangles. Easy peasy. It's a nice looking quilt.

GAH, how long have I been staring at that and not seeing the 'oops'? Thankfully it's an easy fix at this stage. Thank you!

Here's how I would piece the second block. Just my 2 cents worth, but it keeps the orange triangle "whole". Depending on your fabric, that could make a difference.

Love this design!
May I borrow it? It would be perfect for my "peacock colors" quilt.

Absolutely! The pattern is called "This Way and That Quilt" by Jean Ann Wright. Hers had one less horizontal and vertical row, but I wanted mine a bit larger. :)

Love how mine in the peacock colors is coming along! I'm following Debd's diagram for doing the second block. It works great. Thanks for the inspiration and suggestions. Love this board! Can't say that enough times.