HOW TO TEST A PATTERN

 I have tested patterns for years. Some as part of my work with The Quilt Show, some for other jobs and most for myself. You may be surprised to know that there are sometimes errors in patterns that are not caught in proofreading. It pays to check things out before you cut a lot of pieces.

Three years ago I made this sample top for the Stitchin Heaven Scrappy Happy cruise that was to be in April 2021, which, was canceled:

Scrappy Plus Quilt was first published in a magazine. The pattern said the blocks were 15" finished. While making the quilt,  I found the outside perimeter triangles were a bit small so I increased the size of the square used to cut the Quarter Square Triangles by 1/4".That helped.

Jump ahead 3 years. I had sent the top back to Stitchin Heaven and they had it quilted. A new Scrap Happy cruise happened March 11-18, 2023. I was sent a new Kit to use to make step-outs for the cruise.

The step-outs are parts. I use them in class. Once home, I started putting the blocks together and found they were a bit bigger than 15.5", as would be the expected size for a 15" finished block. Many of the students had the same experience. 

QUILTERS MATH to the rescue. Let's check this block out. In testing a pattern, you have to know what the finished sizes are of at least some units to be able to calculate what size to cut the parts.

This block has a square block in the middle which is surrounded with four neutral corners:

We are able to figure out what size that middle block is based on the cut size of the squares used, listed in the pattern:

Since the squares are CUT 3.25" they finish at 2.75". The Half Square Triangle units would have to be trimmed to 3.25" so they fit next to those squares. And FOUR 2.75" finished units mean this center part of the complete block is 11" finished, 11.5" including seam allowances.

Now I want to know what size the larger block will be when set on point and the four neutral corners are added.

Time to use one of those MAGIC NUMBERS: to calculate the diagonal of a square, multiply the 11" finished measurement x 1.4142 = 15.5562".  That is slightly more than 15.5" FINISHED so I would just call it a 15.5" FINISHED BLOCK, not 15". With SEAM ALLOWANCES, the block should be about 16". 

Because I increased the size of the square used to cut those outside perimeter Quarter Square Triangles, I had a bit of fabric beyond the 16" block to trim away, no more than 1/8".  I trimmed each block to 16" and was then able to join them together.

One other tip I give in class, is to ruler check yourself as you go. If there are piecing problems, you want to find them as soon as they happen, not when a 15.5" block is done. 

Here I have sewn two HST together. 2.75" + 2.75" = 5.5" + .5 seam allowance--these two units should be 6" including seam allowance: 

When the row of four 2.75" units are sewn together they should measure 4 * 2.75" = 11 + .5" seam allowance: 11.5" 

If the units are not the right size now, they will not miraculously become the right size when you do the next thing. By finding my mistake as soon as it happens, I can fix it AND prevent making the same mistake again. 

There are only 3 things we can do wrong in piecing a block: the cutting, the sewing, and/or the pressing. Do your best on all three steps and you will have blocks that turn out the correct size every time. Well, OK, almost every time. Sometimes things just happen...

Because I don't need another 62" x 77.5" quilt I am going to make baby quilts from these blocks. 2 x 6 blocks = 31" x 46.5, that's OK. Or I could add a bright, happy border fabric to enlarge it some. Or use 9 blocks for a 46.5" square baby floor throw. Lots of possibilities.

If you want MORE INFORMATION ON QUILTERS MATH, I have a detailed TUTORIAL on the subject. Find it under TUTORIALS, listed above OR here: 

SIMPLE MATH FOR QUILTERS

It pays to be able to check pattern measurements BEFORE you begin in case there are errors. It isn't easy to write patterns, and errors sometimes slip in. Pattern designers are upset when they do, they are not there intentionally, I assure you.

Understanding QUILTERS MATH can save you time and effort AND allow you to design your own blocks and quilt patterns.

Let's quilt, 

Barbara

I LOVE MY JOB!

 In fact, I have always loved my job. First, I was a student. Then I was a United States Marine Officer. And then I was a Tax Professional for 35 years with H&R Block. All of those jobs taught me life lessons and I really loved them all.

For the past 9 years I have been able to expand my quilt career--which first started in 1989. I love teaching all over the country, to groups large and small. And locally. It is fun and the friendships that are built with this kind of job are priceless.

Here is what I am working on right now. In just a few weeks I am teaching AETHER locally so I am really pushing to get the sample done.

Some of the petals laid out on the background. When all 100 petals are done I will make the final decision about who goes where:

I came up with the best way for me to make the petals quickly, for turned edge machine applique. I will teach this method in class: 

A closeup of how the petals will lay--they will be machine appliqued to the background: 

The pattern is called "Aether" by Patty Murphy. The pattern is available locally at Southern Charm Quilting. I named mine "Sunrise, Sunset", since I don't really know how to pronounce Aether:

Aether by Patty Murphy

The other fun thing I had to do this weekend was approve the Scrappy Plus Quilt Kit for the class I am teaching on a Stitchin' Heaven Cruise two months from now. As the cruise was supposed to happen last year, I made the test quilt from a different kit. Here is the one I made at least two years ago, Scrappy Plus:

The other day I received the NEW KIT, the actual one students will get in class. I had to count every piece, verify the size and number of pieces was correct, and be sure the pattern was included. Happy to say, I did that and all is well. They even included the page of Pressing Instructions I wrote for this quilt as there were none in the pattern and good pressing makes for a good quilt.

I love these fabrics--especially the grays and low volume prints, I never seem to have enough of them:

After counting everything I turned the packages over so you can see MORE of the fabrics:

Wouldn't you love to have someone cut all your fabrics for a scrap quilt and label them in cute little baggies? All you have to do is SEW!

I am also happy to report my knees are better. The doctor thought I just rushed back into my power walking too far, too fast, after 5 days off during the super cold weather. He did say my 10 year old replacement will eventually need to be replaced--they don't come with a lifetime guarantee, unless you don't live very long. Since I plan to live many more years, I have that to look forward to. For now, I just have to build back up to my one hour, 5 mile pace.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

ONE LAST TIME -- LET'S CRUISE

It won't be long, the HARMONY OF QUILTING CRUISE is March 11-18, 2023. There are a few spaces left for those who want to enjoy a great vacation on a magnificent ship AND make quilts. Put on by the good folks at Stitchin Heaven Quilt Shop, they are pros at these cruises and know how to give you the best experience. 

My class project: Scrappy Plus:

The Kit I used to make it:

This is my last push to encourage you to join us--since you still have time to make travel plans to and from Miami. The closer it gets, the more excited I am. My husband and I are now planning which excursions we want to take at the 3 ports. And I am beginning to think about clothes.

What you don't bring is a sewing machine--you will have a brand new Bernina available to you all week, just for your personal use. If you don't want to bring fabrics, you can simply order the Kits available when you register. There are two different quilt projects, taught by me and the other teacher, April Jaehn. Each of us teach all the students, on different days. We move between classrooms, the students stay in one place. It couldn't be easier.

Here are links to the previous posts I've written about the cruise, which was supposed to happen in April 2021: 

JOIN THE FUN

COME CRUISE WITH ME

CRUISING FUN

 SCRAPPY PLUS QUILT

The next time I post about the CRUISE, it will be to tell you what a fantastic time we all had! I hope you will join us while we still have a spot for you,

Let's quilt.

Barbara

CRUISING--COME ALONG WITH ME!

 You have probably heard by now--I am teaching on a Quilt Cruise with Stitchin Heaven March 11-18, 2023. Round Trip from Miami, FL on a beautiful Royal Caribbean cruise ship:

Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas

Miami FL 

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Learn more about this unique opportunity in this one minute Video:

Harmony of Quilting

Besides two great classes, you will have ample time to enjoy ALL the wonderful features of this great ship. AND enjoy 3 days in various ports of call. Get tempted by this 15 second Video:

Harmony of the Seas

It's so fun when I get a message from a friend saying "I am going on the CRUISE!" And that is happening frequently.

I would LOVE to have you come along with me on our SEA CRUISE. When you do register, be sure to indicate on the Registration Form that I told you to come--you'll be glad you did.

Let's cruise AND quilt!

Barbara

Local Classes and Cruising

Local quilters can take a fun class I love to teach: Saturday February 12, 2022, 9-4, at Patches & Stitches:

CHARMING SAMPLER:

This one day class teaches 4 different blocks and fun and easy NEW ways to make them. The class was offered in the Fall but only had a couple people signed up. Now is the last time it will be offered locally so don't miss it. I have taught it to several groups as a traveling quilt teacher and students have loved it. 

Call Patches & Stitches to sign up and get the Supply List. 256-533-3886.

Quiltmaking 101--the beginning class I have taught at Patches & Stitches since 1989 is being offered again as the first class that started in January was full with a waiting list. It covers everything from selecting fabrics to doing a beautiful binding. I love teaching this class and many students go on to become dedicated quiltmakers after starting with this class.

The class is 5 sessions, Tuesdays February 22- March 29, 2022, 5:30-8 pm. Call the shop now to sign up and get the Supply List 256-533-3886:

Upcoming is a basic class at Sweet Home Quilting--designed for real beginners:  LEARN TO QUILT: FAST AND FUN, February 26 and March 5, 2022. For those with little experience who want to learn to piece a quilt perfectly. Sign up ONLINE

Coming up later this year is a NEW class for those beginners who want to move on to bigger and better things. YOUR NEXT QUILT: May 12 and 26, 2022, 10-4 at Sweet Home Quilting. We will explore color and design and several ways to make this simple yet intriguing quilt. Sign up ONLINE

Now, the BIG news--Quilting Cruises with Stitchin' Heaven are back! 

The long delayed Harmony of Quilting Cruise will happen March 11-18, 2023, on Harmony of the Seas, a beautiful Royal Caribbean ship. The project I am teaching is Scrappy Plus, a bright, modern pattern with color and contrast, shown here on my design wall almost two years ago when I made the top. It is now a finished quilt--Kits will be available for those who want to sew all day at sea, for several days. You will still have 3 great Port Days to explore new places.  I hope you will join us next year as we sail away...

Sign up NOW, spaces for these cruises fill quickly: Harmony of Quilting Cruise:

Let's quilt.

Barbara