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.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

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.
Block33wb
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

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

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

Block 47 - Nearly Insane

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

Block 47 - Nearly Insane 001 

Thanks for dropping by

 

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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

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 realiseBlock 23

Below is Block 29

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.

Block 35

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

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Monday, May 2, 2011

Nearly Insane Block 50

 Nearly Insane B50
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

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Nearly Insane Block 29 :-)

Block29w
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

Sunday, April 3, 2011

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.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

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!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

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.

Friday, March 25, 2011

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.