Scared of Jinny Beyer kit
 

My grandson chose the Jinny Beyer kit DaVinci for his graduation quilt. I ordered a king size. The directions were written for the wall hanging. You have to do math calculations to figure out how many strips to cut and fit together. I am so scared to cut into this fabric and make a mistake that I have put off starting the quilt. I need to get it started!!!

Any encouragement, motivation to jump in etc, would be greatly appreciated.

Has anyone made this kit?

I haven't made it, so I won't be any help, but I wanted to sympathize with you. I had no idea when I started quilting how much math would be involved! Hurts my brain!

I have not made this quilt, but as the saying goes measure twice, cut once.

Pat in MN

When I get into that type of situation, I will often just cut one set of strips at a time. Assemble all the blocks they make, and then cut more. Saves math, and you get a break from piecing when you have to go back and cut more strips :) provided, of course, that they at least provided the fabric requirements for the king size.

I haven't made it, but it's basically the same block repeated throughout the quilt - just more of them for the king-size quilt.
(which is a lot easier than some of her other patterns with multiple blocks/designs).

http://www.jinnybeyer.com/ax_commerc...01604AF07A4831

Does it say anywhere how many blocks you need for the king size?

**There is only one size sold. Where did you buy the kit from?
Or did they just cut fabric for you?


Looking at the picture, there are 4 blocks for 54" square quilt (incl border).
So I'd guess there at least 16 blocks in the king size.
Maybe even 25" for a 5x5 layout?

Is the widest strip cut 5.5" or 3.5"? I'm thinking 3.5".

Bought the kit from Jinny B website, they just increased amount of fabric sent. Just reading the directions boggles my mind.

It's not really a difficult pattern, although it does require lots of seam matching.
It's like a bargello quilt, you just have to take it slow, and keep your fabric organized.
And the prep work is really important.
She's done much more complicated patterns than this.

While you can't post the pattern requirements, if you could just tell me the cut width size of the WIDEST fabric - it would be your lightest color - I can give you some better directions.

According to the pattern page, JB used the GR to determine strip width, which is why I'm thinking it's 3" FINISHED (3.5" CUT), unless she improvised.
5" just seems too big for the throw size.

just dig right in. i sometimes have to read my pattern 3 and 4 times before
i get it. then maybe read it again.

As far as I can tell, the web site only lists the wall hanging pattern. If they agreed to sell you the fabric for a kingsize, perhaps they would also agree to enlarge the pattern for you??? It's worth a try.

What some times works for me is to read the directions and then I rewrite them in my own hand writting. Some times the writing process helps with the learning curve.....Draw pictures....figure out that one block will use one strip, then 12 blocks will use 12 strips....just take it one sentence at a time...YOU can do this, just take it one step at a time....

Dunster has a point. They should be able to provide you with the measurements and more complete directions. I'd call them and have them email the instructions. Surely someone in her shop has made that size, not just the wallhanging size, to determine the correct amount of fabric and to check the pattern for correctness. At the price of her kits, which I love, the directions for the size you ordered should be included.

Good luck with this beautiful pattern! I feel your math inspired pain!

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.

I think Krista has the right idea for you. You will be fine. Say a little prayer each time you work on it.

A friend of mine love, love, loves JB's quilts. When she has hit a snag she picks up the phone and asks questions. They are very helpful there. Good luck

piney

I believe you repeat what you have in the wall hanging until you get the size you want. At least that is the impression I get from looking at her pattern for the Da Vinci bed runner.... that's just a row of the same pattern repeated over and over. Continue to add rows together to end up with the size quilt you want.

I would start with cutting what the pattern says and after you complete the first four blocks or center of quilt (not sure how pattern reads) then figure it out how much you need to cut or keep cutting and making center and attaching to you first center until you have width then start adding length. And last the borders.

This is good advice. Just go slowly and do the four blocks so that you're familiar with the rhythm of the sewing. it may be that you decide to use just the 4 blocks in a medallion fashion and build the quilt out from there. Building those first four will give you confidence to go forward.

Holy Toledo, Batman! That looks so intimadating to me! I had to go to Jinny Beyer's website to look at the pattern. I'm so
impressed that you would even think of doing this! Please keep us posted.

I have done many JB quilt kits, and I have found that they have always given more than enough fabric to complete the top. So there should be extra for oops!! I also usually just cut out enough to make a block or two, to be sure that I have the right idea and techiques before I cut out the entire thing. Good Luck! Can't wait to see the finished quilt.

[email protected]
703-759-0250, 866-759-7373

Or you could try giving them a call or email and asking.

This may sound silly, but could you use some different fabric to make up a "sample" block before cutting into the "good" stuff? Depending on the size of the block, you could give him a coordinating 1 block throw pillow as a "pre graduation" or Christmas gift. The design is awesome!

I agree that you should figure out how many blocks you would need for the king size quilt and go from there. If you divide all the cutting directions by 4, you should know what you need for an individual block and then you're on your way!

I've made the small version of this and it's not a difficult quilt--in fact I taught a class on how to make it. The key is to keep the strip sets organized by width. If you are making the large (king), all you have to do is multiply all the cutting directions by 4. The king size is just four of the small size stitched together like a four patch.

The borders for this small quilt are 10-1/2". Subtract 20 from whatever measurement you want to make - I make kingsize quilts 108" square - so, in my case, that would be 88" square for the center. Divide that by 16-3/4 (finished block size) and you get 5-1/4. Five blocks square (25 total) would give you a center 83-3/4". With the borders as is, that would give you approximately 104" square. You can add half an inch to each of the three borders and end up with a 107" square quilt. So, by my calculations you need 25 blocks and the pattern calls for 4 blocks. You would need to cut the strips for the blocks as listed in the small size six times for 24 blocks, that leaves one block extra to make strips for.

If I were you, I'd cut the strips for four blocks at a time. Make those four blocks and then back to the cutting table.

Thank you this is a Great Pattern! Why did you Buy It when Its a FREE pattern? I just Downloaded from the Site.
Please I don't mean to sound Rude:) Just Add More of The Blocks. You will Have a King size Quilt. To get the Size of a King Bed just Ask or Get the Dimensions online,Or better Still I think I have a Little Card that Has All the Sizes of BEDs I will Post IT for Everyone! :)

The freebie pattern there shows 54 x54

Wouldn't doubling it be a King? 108" x 108"

Doesn't seem that hard with the math. Making that pattern might be though. lol

I bought the kit because the grandson loved the colors in the blue color way. Surprised me, I thought he would like the red. I'm glad I asked before I made it. We're planning on having some of it cut by next week.

Would you prewash the fabric or just press and cut it?

This is a ? that comes Up I never DO Unless IT REDs,Purples,and If they are going to Be put up with a lite color! So this is up To you! What Do the Direction SAY Do that Or Call Them and Ask! :)

Teri D NOT silly at all that is what I do when I do a block or pattern that I am not sure of I make a sample block or two and work out any problems I had before I start cutting my main fabric. I love this pattern DaVinci I will try to make it someday keep us posted and happy quilting to you allways yippie

icon 17 I believe it the pattern she has is for a wall hanging they would not suggest per washing, because it just hangs around hehe. I always perwash all my fabric. but i am a newbie and do not know much. LOL happy quilting yipppie

icon 17 I believe it the pattern she has is for a wall hanging they would not suggest per washing, because it just hangs around hehe. I always perwash all my fabric. but i am a newbie and do not know much. LOL happy quilting yipppie

DITTO to catmcclures post 4 blocks at a time all that seam matching it will give you a break.

It's a fun easy pattern - I bought the blue fabric kit (yes, the pattern is available free but I liked her colour choices so went with the kit) and it went together in no time - easy peasy - just keep things clipped together to organize them.

Hi Cheryl,
I looked at the PDF version of this quilt on her website. The finished blocks are 17 1/4 x 17 1/4. That would
mean that the border is approximately 20" all the way around. To make a queen, you would need
4 blocks across and 4 blocks down which would make a quilt approximately 88 x 88 (rounding up from the
1/2" measurement. To get a king, it would have to be 6 blocks across and 6 blocks down, but that would
make the finished quilt approximately 102 x 102, which is huge. Anyway, if you make it 6 across and 6
down, you would need to triple the number of strips you cut in each color and each size. If you make it
4 blocks across and 4 blocks down, you would double the strips. I hope this makes sense.
Have a Blessed Day!
Marcia

You are one brave women...............I love the pattern but I don't think I could ever attempt this..........make sure you have a large block of quite time before you start....I would loose it if I was sidetracked.

I'll second this notion!
I purely laugh, when I think back to how much I hated geometry! :D:D:D

I sympathize with you. If I want to increase a pattern, I run to my daughter who "speaks math". She's a great help in increasing or decreasing a pattern. I don't run into this often because unless the pattern says "beginner" or "easy" I stay away. I hand piece and hand quilt for relaxation and enjoyment ONLY.

SIZE:Charts/Beds/Blocks/Borders/ete
 

I said Yesterday I would POST:
CHARTS For BED Sizes,
Also have These other Charts.
Sorry the Pic's are Big but I can't seem to get them Smaller! LOL

**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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thimblebug6000 (Post 5612259)

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.