Storm at Sea
 

I have finally gotten up the courage to try a Storm at Sea (triangles and I do NOT get along, so this is a biggie!) but I really want to make oversized blocks. I'm a math teacher and can usually upsize/downsize pretty much anything but not this one. The patterns I've found have the weirdest sizes of templates!

I need either a pattern for at least 18" blocks (the bigger the better, the bed is a KING) OR a pattern that has directions to cut everything using a ruler and rotary cutter, with no templates so that I can try enlarging it all myself.

Can you please help? Will gladly send you something in return; I have lots......

Thanks so much!

Your printer probably has an enlarge feature. Would that work?

quilter's cache has a free 'storm at sea' block which is a 12" block- it does have measurements- use a ruler/cutter- if you visit 'quilter's cache' go to 'blocks galore' then click on the 'S' section (they are alphabetical) scroll down to storm at sea- hope that helps.

Boy, all you have to do is ask a question and several professional quilters answer you. what a place to be!

I Know Barny isn't this the coolest place!!!

Yes, try Quilters cache. You really don't want these blocks to be too big, you'd lose the impact of the overall design, even if the bed *is* king sized!

Jan in VA

June Tailor makes some big graph paper with handy grids. Just sketch it out and cut the pieces then mount on something for templates. That's what I did for the one block I tried. I'd be afraid 18" would lose the "storm". I'm going to do 12" when I do mine.

Okay, my last remark has been addressed

BTW, SAS is based on 3s. So determine your big corner square (12" for 18" block) then do the other pieces

If you look at the Storm at Sea block, from quilter's cache. http://www.quilterscache.com/S/StormAtSeaBlock.html Now draw imaginary lines thru the center horizontally and vertically, it's basically a 4X4 grid. 18 is going to be a tricky size as you want a multiple of 4. So you could go with a 16" or a 20". As far as the angles go, the pattern I have actually has a seam thru the long diamonds (the imaginary line in the QC version) this divides this rectangular block into 2 "squared triangle" blocks: basically a square with a triangle in it. For this patch, you need to either paper piece it or get a TriRecs ruler set. Note that the triangle is NOT equilateral. If you do the trig, it comes out to a weird angle. The ruler set is your best bet, it's available at JoAnn's.

My thought exactly! :)

You can download free graph paper or otherwise marked paper from: http://www.printablepaper.net

[They even have circular gridded paper available. A really neat source for paper.]

You can draw on the graph paper and copy onto something like 25% rag vellum or whatever you can find and then do paper piecing. If need be you can take to a business copy store and get it copied on their larger copiers. Though I agree with Jan in VA.

If you have a friend with an EQ program they may do a mock up of the SAS for you and you might see that the design does get lost in larger sizes.

Don't rule out paper piecing for this project if you are set on a large block. Also you could try the trimplates by Wendy Mathson. It makes (I think) a 9" block, but they go together pretty quickly, and VERY accurately. I would not hesitate to make a king size SAS using the trimplates. I'm looking forward to seeing your quilt; SAS Is my favorite pattern.

Mine is posted here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/persona...s-t209159.html

Darren

The block that has only one set of wave blocks is based on 3x3. I don't care for the 4x4. So much of the wave action is lost.

A good piece of graph paper is all you need to make this block. Sketch it out, cut it out and then afix to something like template material and cut leaving seam allowances. No specialized money-grabber stuff needed.

Maybe. Printers and copiers aren't as perfect at enlarging as I'd like though....that's Plan F (or so) if nothing else comes along. Thanks!

Not familiar with quilters cache....thank you so much!!!!!!

Thank you all so much for your responses! Unfortunately I am a worse paper piecer than I am a triangle sewer so that technique is out....but I'm going to try quilter's cache, and some graph paper, and a couple more math teachers to doublecheck my calculations and go from there. I'll find a workable solution in there somewhere! BTW----I have looked at doing a 20"-24" block set 4 x 4 and the design is still very much there, depending on the strong contrast of the fabrics used. That's my goal.

I've just completed a Storm at Sea (Not seasick anymore!) thread. The pattern I had was for a 15" block but I wanted a 12" block so got out the graph paper and drew it up. I also did mine using the foundation piecing method as I thought with all those bits and pieces floating around there was a huge risk of more chaos than I ended up with. Don't forget that the middle square in a square is the actual block and what is around it is the sashing. Hope this helps.

Before you start, you might want to invest in a CD called Triangulations. This CD has every size possible for making HST and QST. You print out whatever size you want and sew on the paper and cut on the lines. You will have perfect HST every time. It will be worth the investment which is ~$30. Good luck.

I can make 18 inch templates in a PDF through EQ7 if you would like, but you would have to make sure they printed correctly on your printer.

I had figured that out about a minute before I got to your post. The diamond and square-on-point strips are SASHING.

Those diamonds would be so much easier with paper piecing. No special rulers needed. Paperless paper piecing would be even better. You fold your pattern at the seam line and sew NEXT TO the paper, not through it. You can use the same piece of paper to make about 20 or more of that block.

Draw your pattern out on graph paper and photocopy. I had the best success with Storm at Sea when i paper pieced it and then there were no problems. love to paper piece anyway. It is by far the easiest way to go.

Check out Pam Bono's site. She has some 18" blocks that will blow you away. Her patterns are easy to follow, prices are very competitive and if you join her club then many of the blocks are free. I've been a member of Pam's Club for four years and have never had a bad experience yet. Also Deb Tucker, 180 Degree is in the title of the site, has some beautiful patterns with large blocks. She is, of course, selling her rulers which are totally amazing; but she also is a major talent.

I'm doing my Storm at Sea with Fast2Cut TRIMplates. Of course, I am a ruler addict, but I've talked to people who have made Storm at Sea before and have tried these rulers, and say this is much easier. The rulers allow you to make your block components accurate.

Take a diagram of any size of the block to either Staples or Kinko's and have them enlarge it for you. Measure it to make sure it's the accurate scale before you accept it and pay. Anyplace that prints blueprints can do it too, but they generally charge more.

If you really want to learn how to make perfect triangles you need to learn the Square in a Square method by Jodi Barrows. She has a lot of you tube videos to study, just search just by her name or by Square in a Square you tube videos.

Do you know anyone who has EQ7 computer program? I know there is a pattern on it........can't remember size....but think it even has a one block quilt you might could size in the program.

I agree with GrannieAnnie, as soon as I read your post this was the first thought that came to me.

Creative Grids has a Storm at Sea ruler that goes up to a 16 inch block. Take a look at their video on You Tube. It makes it look very easy with this ruler. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3QifeXERhs

the best size is 12'. the best way or technique is PAPER PIECING FOUNDATION! no other or special RULER . Just be accurate on copier. make one 12" and 18" decide what look good on your eyes! the color also! Good luck! we'll be waiting for the finished block or bed cover. I made a lot of this block (use PPF)