Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Using the Parts Department to Complete a Quilt Top

"Voting versus protest; politics and participation versus civil disobedience and direct action. 
This is not an either/or; this is a both/and. 
To bring about real change we both have to highlight a problem 
and make people in power uncomfortable, 
but we also have to translate that into practical solutions and laws that can be implemented 
and we can monitor and make sure we're following up on.
~President Barak Obama

Quilting


Sashing was the next decision. I laid out four choices but secretly thought one of the darkest {vertical} would work best. Instead, that dark grey on the left is it.

Four fabrics are laid out as possible sashing between the LeMoyne stars: two black, one grey, and one lavender print
Sashing possibilities

The sashing is printed with small dots of "non-colors" on dark grey. You know, those nothing neutrals - soft yellow, green, etc. So I looked for fabrics in those values for the posts and immediately like this odd yellow print.

The grey fabric printed with small circles was chosen for the sashing and posted with a pale yellow print that matches some of the circles
Sashing sewn

Now it's larger than baby quilt size but still doesn't look finished. Borders would solve that; however, I want them to be composed of smaller blocks instead of lengths of single fabric. There's already a small pile of HSTs, many already sewn, that could be the first round. The top is currently 51 inches. Divisible by three. Easy. Seventeen on each side.

3" HSTs in red, blue, brown, and black prints paired with cream and yellowish lights form the first border around the LeMoyne Stars in the quilt
LeMoyne string stars with single border of HSTs



But it needs still more. I don't want another round of the same size nor a "matched block of 1.5 or 6 inches. Too planned. A simple spreadsheet came to mind as a quick way to find a good working measurement.
A simple spreadsheet divides the current size of the quilt by possible number of blocks to find a block size that will be easy and accurate to cut

The current size of the top at the top is divided by the number of blocks down the first column to calculate a finished block size. Between 1.5 and 3 inches is what I want and look, 2.375" fits.

This round took a bit longer because of all the trimming. There are 17 large HST and 24 small HSTs {plus the corner blocks.} Since they have no factors in common {just a bit of math} they don't line up until the edge is reached. I like the way that looks. More random.

Four red and blue string LeMoyne stars make the center of this medallion surrounded by sashing and an inner border of dark grey print and a double outer border of HSTs in red, blue, brown, and black prints paired with cream and yellowish lights.
LeMoyne Star with a double border of HSTs

Sixty-one inches is an in between size - too large for a baby quilt and a bit small for a lap quilt. I prefer quilts to cover me from toes to chin. One way to lengthen the top might be to add another border on one or two sides. Pulling some fabrics I was surprised how few lights are left... at least lights in colors that work. Neither of these seems right. Both are a noticeably different style of print.

Two possible fabrics for another border

Obviously this needs more work. And fortunately I have time... next week. So the title of the post is a lie. The top is not complete.


Voting


Just 147 days until the US election but you must be registered in order to vote. Please do it now.

Enjoy the day, Ann
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