Block #18 - Ann

The blog has been quiet for a while, but I've been working on this single block for the last two months, so had nothing to show until now. It wasn't until today when I was finishing this up that I checked the intro in the book to see if this was THE block, and it is: 229 pieces, the most of any of the blocks. It is paper pieced, and far from perfect. I was thankful that I had taken a paper-pieced miniature class a couple of years ago, as I needed all of those techniques on this one. Still needs to be trimmed and squared up, but I am so happy to be done with it!

And it just keeps getting better!

My Mum and I visited the guild show again today - I wanted to visit with my quilt again, and Mum was dying to see it hanging. I'll never tire of seeing it there with it's lovely ribbon. Lizzy called me to let me know that two of the guild ladies were looking for me - and I have to tell you they had the most exciting news ...

My quilt was one of those selected to represent South Australia at the Australasian Quilters Convention in April next year! Can you believe it?? I'm just gobsmacked, and completely honoured! Just when I thought things could not be more wonderful, they just get even better!

Chatter soon friends - I'm still on cloud nine! xox

Winner!

What amazing fun this has been! My NI quilt placed first in its category at the South Australian Quilters Guild show!

I'm beyond thrilled, and still riding high. Thank you for sharing this journey with me! xox

Block #6 - Ann

I have not made much quilting progress lately, as we have some remodeling in progress. Remodeling means dust everywhere, which means I have to keep all my quilting stuff packed away in plastic bins. It's just too much effort to dust the room and get everything out again except on a weekend. But today I managed to finish a nice easy block.

My NI is completely finished!

My NI quilt (Not Quite Insane) is completely and utterly finished, and I'm just thrilled! I took this quick pic of it hanging in my dining room.

This quilt has been the best fun to make (machine pieced and hand quilted) - a very long process - and I've very much enjoyed the ride. I'm so ready to work on something new!!

Block 97

No Sewing this weekend but I did manage to finish this one on Monday. Just the way it happens sometimes. This block is a little darker but it is a top block. Love the subtle blue centre. Cheers Lynne

Nearly Insane is happening Block 98

Block 98. I couldnt put the first row together as I had not made B98. Made only one side as I just had to see what was going to happen when I added the sashing and cornerstones.
LOOK :-)
 
Ok so I have not made the top LH corner block or finished the second row as I need B96 but what do you think?? I like it. I like the colour graduation and the fabric is a little more golden than in the photo. The photo will enlarge

Here is a close up. Sure wish I had a wall to pin it on.  I still have to make block 22 and I had been avoiding that one. I know the blue stands out in my sea block but there will be enough blue in the rest of the quilt to compliment. Long weekend Monday tomorrow and the weather is magic. Enjoy yourselves where ever you are in the world. Cheers Lynne

Happy to have finished some more blocks

This was the nice easy one I did after a stressful day.

Block 13

Block 7
Cut one piece a bit short at the bottom, but I’ll have enough to fudged it when sewing together.


Block 26


Nice and Easy

 

Block 36

I never noticed until now that two of the green diamonds go the wrong way. Grr! 
Or are they?

Block 42

This was an absolute pain to do as I kept sewing the strips together the wrong way around. I didn’t just do it once, but at least 3 times. Then after piecing the centre I had the two vertical rows of geese going away from the centre instead of towards it. Ah well….
 

Block 66     
I really like this block.
 

Block 60 –
Another nice one. I’m trying to have my colours not too drab.

 

Block 48
This one is a bit different. Some of the blocks are so easy, and some are very difficult.



Block 54

I really like the star blocks. I think they are my favourite.

 
Thanks for dropping by

Block52 - Lynne

Spring has sprung this week and the temperatures have been around 26c for a couple of days. My roses are out and so I could not resist making my block to include roses. I know the centre is not a Repro fabric but it is so perfect with little red roses and birds. I enjoyed making this block
Cheers Lynne

Nearly Insane Block 85

I quite like the way this one developed. Lots of tiny pieces but I did not lose the colour. Had fun with the stripes.
Cheers Lynne

My Nearly Insane Blocks

I got stuck in once again with my Nearly Insane Blocks, and have managed to make these.

Block 12

Block 24

Block 30

I might have to make an alteration to this block as it turned out wrong. I should have had the pink triangles on one side going the other way.

Not too sure about this one as the colour in reality is very black.  Might be too dark.

And, last but not least is Block 18

This took me 3 days on and off – 229 pieces

 

Thanks for dropping by

 

Nearly Insane Block 33

Not happy with my block 33 Thought it looked odd in the book.I want to turn those units around so that it is more or less symmetrical.As is is paper-pieced it is not easy to turn the units around.  Maybe Salinda was having a bad hair day :-)
Feeling a little better as I see that Tazzie interpreted the block the same too. Maybe I should  just leave it as a quirk.

Love that Dargate Indigo in the centre and decided to go for Green and Gold  as an Aussie symbol. Pink is there as there are small pink flowers in the indigo. Besides I just happened to like that pink.
Finally finished all 120 units of 4 Flying geese!  Loved doing them but I was sure glad to finish.
I can now concentrate on Nearly Insane and Maltaville. Have a Great Week All  Cheers Lynne

It’s a bit slow going….

But I am trying to do a few more blocks. I miss making them whilst I am doing other things.

Block 47

I never noticed that I had made a mistake on the next one, but I am going to leave it. I’m sure when its in the quilt it won’t be noticed, and if it is, so be it!!

Block 53

 

Thanks for dropping by

 

I’ve had a Couple……

 

of nice afternoons sewing, and have managed some more Nearly Insane Blocks.  I am piecing mine on the diagonal of the quilt. I find it easier for me to work out where I am and I like ticking them off as I go.

Its funny how the brain works differently for every-one. This works best for me.

This one is Block 23 more fiddly than you realise

Below is Block 29

and Block 35 – this block took me all afternoon to piece. My purple is a little close in colour to the blue, but overall I don’t mind it.

These little blocks are so addictive, that I really missed sewing them whilst my hand was in plaster. All is well with the thumb now, just need to keep stretching it with exercise.

Thanks for dropping by

Nearly Insane Block 50

 
B50 is done. All those set in corners were a challenge. Yes I did paper-piece. Loved the way the colours interacted.  That centre Chrome Yellow is a zinger. I only bought a fat 16th from the Quilted Crow and a little bit here and a little bit there sure stands out. I love it!!        Bye For Now   Cheers Lynne

Nearly Insane Block 29 :-)

Now that I am back to Insane I decided to make another with Australian Fabric. These prints are from very old ranges. The green wattle fabric compliments the inner stripe Repro. Love the gums and the waratah.   Off to sew some more. Stay tune. Have a great weekend all Cheers Lynne

Block #95 - Ann

I love the middle border on the top half of this block. The fabric didn't appeal to me that much when I chose it but it really works well here.

I've been rotating through groups of 10 to choose which blocks to make...30-something, 40-something...etc. but picking a random block from each group of ten Having made it through another full round, it's time to head back to the beginning and blocks 1-9 and see what looks like fun for the next one.

Top Finished - Tazzie

OMG! Today is a big day ... I have finally finished the top of my Nearly Insane quilt! I'm entirely thrilled with how it looks.

The picture could be better, but I'm sure you'll forgive me - it's almost 10pm and so it's quite dark. But of course I couldn't wait until tomorrow morning to share.

Now I just have to wait until my backing fabric arrives, and I'll be able to get busy with the quilting. Happy days!

Block #87 - Ann

I hadn't meant to make mirror images...I intended to offset the inner four patches. But I didn't notice until it was almost done, and they'll be on opposite sides of the quilt, so I'm satisfied as is. There's not much going on in this quilt, even I won't remember all the ways I have varied from the pattern.

I like this a lot better - Tazzie

I spent some time unpicking and re-sewing this afternoon, and this is the result:

I'm much happier with this arrangement. Even though it's not how the original quilt is put together, I really like how the narrow inner border defines the edge of the pieced blocks. I also like how it tamed the problem of all the bumpy seam intersections between the main body of the quilt and the zig-zags. There are only two further zig-zag sides to put on, and then it's the final wide border, which is the same fabric as the sashing strips and the narrow inner border.

So happy with how this is progressing, I'm really on the home stretch :-)

Inner Border - Tazzie

I haven't had a lot of time for sewing this week, but thought I'd share where I'm at anyway. One zig-zag border is on my NI quilt top, and I've started putting together some pieces for the subsequent borders.

Just one thing I'd like to share - this border doesn't really fit the quilt. I drew the centre up in EQ7 using the dimensions in the book and it sizes to 76-3/4", and making the border up as directed it measures 78".

As you see, I've eased it in place, but I'm wondering if I should take it off and add a narrow border 1/2" finished all around inbetween the blocks and the zig zag border. It's not in keeping with the original quilt, but it would solve the problem, and also make the issue of very bulky seam intersections between the blocks and the zig zag disappear. What do you think? And for anyone that has finished the quilt top, how did you deal with this? I just don't think the suggestion in the book of playing with the seam allowance is accurate enough.

Inner Border - Tazzie

Since my last post I've been working on the inner border of the NI quilt, and so far, I think I'm liking what I see :-) I've almost completed enough zig-zags for one whole side, but I have to put the stitching aside in favour of some chores for now.

When I was imagining how this border would go, I was certain that I'd choose tan and navy, but Jenny and I auditioned fabrics the other day, and we selected these pink and green fabrics which are the colours they used in the book. Looks nice, yes?

I'll be looking forward to getting more done ... I'll check back in soon :-)

Nearly Insane Centre - Tazzie

Last night and this afternoon I got busy piecing, and I'm so happy to report that I've completed the centre of my Nearly Insane quilt! I'm thrilled with how it looks and how it's gone together.

Next on the agenda is the zig-zag border. My dear friend Jenny visited yesterday, and we spent a little time hunting in my stash and have found the perfect combination for the zig-zag's. After dinner is done with tonight, I'll make up a little test piece to ensure it's what I'm looking for. Happy days!

Block #74 - Ann

My progress is much slower than the amazing Tazzie, but I am steadily marking them off

I can't seem to help myself - I must always mix batiks and modern geometrics and country prints and vintage apron fabrics into a single block.

Block 80 Remake - Tazzie

And so my happiness is complete!

Block 58 - Tazzie

I didn't think I'd have the time to put this block together today, but I did, and I'm thrilled! This is my final Nearly Insane block - #58!

How exciting to have completed all the blocks, it has been hard going at times, but utterly worth it. I have one little thing I'd like to finally do, and that is to alter Block 80. It's a little crookedy, and if I'm going to fix it, now is the time to do it - I don't want it to bug me for all eternity.

I'm so pumped to start putting that zig zag border together. Bring it on!

Block 70 - Tazzie

Here is my Block 70. As much as I want to rush holus-bolus into the last block, because it's getting late, and with work commitments, it's unlikely I'll get any stitching done until Thursday. Unless I get super organised ... and there's not much chance of that!

I made a small error with this block - the large cream outer triangles should have been green, and the smaller green triangles should have been cream. Having said that, I'm still thrilled with the way the block looks, so it's staying as is.

Rock on Thursday, I'm dying to get the last block made!!

Block 57 - Tazzie

Here is my NI Block 57. I've used all sorts of red in this one, as I'm getting very low on some fabrics, and don't really want to cut into yardage at this very late stage. I also managed to use the little owl I had intended to use in block 63 - it fit this one perfectly (though when the block is set on point he's going to tilt a little).

Only two blocks to go now, and they're drawn up and ready to go!