Tuesday, December 27, 2005

About Those 2" Strips...


Here is a photo of a log cabin quilt I made (it is about 85X85 and does lie flat - it is just on a bed full of folded up blankets underneath, plus the headboard and footboard were in the way). Actually, once I started to cut those 2" strips, well, I just kept cutting and cutting. Each time I would go fabric shopping I would come home with more darks and lights and cut some more. I used a folding clothes rack to hang my cut strips on - seperated only by light or dark. I sewed and sewed, and in the end, made FIVE of these quilts with various log cabin settings.

This quilt is with a cut 3 1/2" red center square (finishes at 3") and the 2" strips (finishes at 1.5"). I use 3 1/2" because I have an old top that either my Nana P. or Great Aunt made - circa early 1900's - and it has 3 1/2" center squares! I think this old top uses 1 1/2" strips though - I will have to post a photo of it when I get back to Canada. Anyway, I just cut long strips and trim them as needed - I do not pre-measure each strip ahead of time - that would drive me absolutely crazy! And I chain stitch about 5-6 blocks at a time, all in various stages of construction so I can use up left-over shorter strips as I go along. Does that make sense? All my fabric was from Joanne's fabrics... hey! I happen to like Joanne's calicos - they all look great together. Here is a close up of some of the fabrics and top quilting - varigated thread. I am not sure this will show up too great, buy if you click on the photo it will enlarge.


I sent the top to my long arm quilter - here is a photo of the pattern she used from the back... I just LOVE her work!


With the left over light 2" strips I pieced a rail fence top which is just too sweet; it is currently at my long arm quilters right now! And I still have left overs - the only thing to do now is to cut MORE 2" strips to go with the ones I already have and see what happens. I think that this must be how these 2" strips multiply.

And in closing - we did have decent weather for Christmas, so were able to enjoy the weather outdoors. And at night I was able to get some knitting done too, so - stay tuned for those photos. Here is a photo of Little Boy enjoying the Christmas tree (yes, those are REAL candles on that tree and glass balls - every toddler's Momma's worst nightmare, but all in all, he did very well at leaving it pretty much alone - now the chocolate bowl - that is another story altogether!).




6 comments:

The Calico Cat said...

Lovely quilt. I did my Log Cabin the same way - only mine started out with a 2 inch square and 2 inch strips. Mine is a rainbow instead of light & dark & I love it. I too had mine long armed - stipple with rainbow thread. With more year experience under my belt, that I would have had done differently, but "Done is better that perfect" in my book. (I also would have chose a different binding.) Thanks for the lovely comment about my wedding quilting... I am not sure how everything is working out so well on that - better not think to hard on it lest I jinx myself...

Jeanne said...

I've done a number of log cabins, too -- my absolute favorite quilt block, but LOTS of piecing! I do the trim-as-you-go technique, too. I'm not a real precision person, so I'd have a bad time cutting the logs to a certain size! :)

Oooh, REAL candles!

Laurie said...

Evelyn,
The log cabin is gorgeous! It's on my someday list of quilt to make...or at least it should be on it! LOL

I'm glad your Christmas was great and love the picture of "Little Boy".
Hugs
Laurie

Quilts And Pieces said...

Evelyn, I'm so glad you had great weather to enjoy the outdoors! Your log cabin quilt is wonderful! Amazing how all those fabrics pull together isn't it!

The picture of your son by the tree is adorable!

Samantha said...

Glad that Little Boy let the tree survive! And glad you had a good holiday!

Mary Johnson said...

Thanks for the welcome to the web ring. I don't know about a wedding quilt but I did just make the daughter-in-law to be a sofa quilt for her birthday in December. I love your log cabin. Do you know what pantograph pattern the longarm quilter used? I haven't seen that pattern but would like to purchase it.