Welcome! This blog is for fans of the 'Nearly Insane' quilt created in the 1870's by Salinda Rupp. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book by Liz Lois with the patterns, check with your local quilt store, or visit the Nearly Insane website.

If you would like to contribute to this blog, leave a comment and we can get back to you with permissions.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Block 18 - Tazzie

Can you imagine how thrilled I am to finally finish this block? It was tackled in spurts over four days. Honestly, it was too fiddly just to crank it out all at once - all 229 pieces.

You can see the little pins all around the place - I had to pin it to my ironing board once again to get it to stay flat enough to photograph.

I'm not sure which block I'll work on next, but which ever it is, it'll feel like a breeze after this one!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

(Almost There) Block 18 - Tazzie

Here's where I'm up to with my block 18 - it's currently sized 5 1/2" square. I just have the final round of half square triangles etc. to add all around the edge. It'll add another inch to the finished size of the block - and add 84 to the count of pieces in the block.

I had to pin the block to my ironing board to get it to sit flat as there are so many seams in the back. I can't even imagine what it will be like to quilt!

Really though, this block isn't hard as such - it's just really tedious, and I seem to remember Barbara having the same sentiment. Each row has so many pieces making up such a small section that they seem to take forever. And something I did notice is that in the line drawing, some of the triangles are facing the wrong way, even compared to the block the author made up. I've attempted to remedy this in my block.

Hopefully I'll have this block finished by the end of today - red and green half square triangles and yellow squares await!

Friday, June 25, 2010

(Start of) Block 18 - Tazzie

I've just started block 18 - and here's where I'm up to. I'll need some real fortitude to tackle the rest of it - this is where the fun will begin. I'll keep you posted.

And in other news - a big welcome to our newest member - Kathryn (kcaie). I hope you have fun on your NI journey, and look forward to you sharing your blocks with us.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Block 79 - Tazzie

Finally I've been able to put another block together. This one is block 79.

I have been on a deadline with my Turning Four-T quilt, so all other projects had to be put on the back burner. It was really hard not to pick up the NI blocks, but time really wasn't on my side.

Because it had been a little while since I worked on one of these blocks, I chose a relatively easy one - and there aren't too many of those left any more.

To put my next row together, I need to make up block 18. I am nervous about it, so wish me luck people! :-)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Oops!

Hi there to Kathryn who posted a comment recently about joining the NI Fans blog. Your comment has come up with no email address so I'm not able to get in touch with you personally. If you would like to email me, I can send you the permissions to join the blog. Look forward to hearing from you!
Tazzie
:-)

Friday, June 11, 2010

Block 28 & 96 - Tazzie

Sadly for me, this past week I still have not had the opportunity to stitch on my NI blocks - I'm on a deadline, and attention must be paid! I'm missing these tiny blocks like mad, but fortunately I have found two I have neglected to blog about, so I can share them with you now.

Here is block 28. From what I recall, it was quite a fiddly one to put together. I think I foundation pieced it in certain sections, and simply rotary cut and pieced other sections.

The green fabric is one of the fq's I purchased while in the USA, and the red was from Donna's scrap bag. Good times!
And this is block 96. Many pieces from Donna's scrap bag once again. The coral coloured fabric is an oldie but a goodie - it was a left over from my Dear Jane quilt. I have no idea how it came into my stash, I would hazard a guess that Linda sent it to me. She's responsible for most of my reproduction fabrics of old.

Hopefully it won't be long before I can get back into the NI piecing. I'll check back in soon. xox

Friday, June 4, 2010

Block 88 & 97 - Tazzie

Here are two blocks I made recently (but not in the past week) and for whatever reason didn't get around to posting.

This is block 88 - a very cute one with a little needle turn applique thrown in for good measure. It will be interesting to see if there is enough contrast between the light fabric and the sashing strips. I won't be changing the block in any case :-)

And this is block 97 - it's a nice easy one. I just love that seashell fabric. I've had it for a very long time, it's from the Ann Robinson collection, and must be at least 10 years old - probably more. I see that Patchwork Rose has used it in a couple of her blocks too. Super fun!

We seem to have lost a couple of girls along the way here. I definitely know life can get in the way and stitching can take a back seat. Please check in and let us know how you're doing. Thinking of you! xox