Monday, January 25, 2016

UFO Attack

No, I'm not being attacked by a UFO. I'm attacking a UFO. 

Blind Man's Fancy is one of my many UFOs.  I think it has lingered as a UFO for so long because I hate cutting fabric especially when the pattern calls for so many odd sized pieces. Those little HSTs finish at 1 13/16 which is really weird and so I can't use my usual method of making HSTs which is using an Easy Angle ruler.  I have to follow the methods used in the pattern for all these weird sized pieces for a 15 inch block. 

 I do want to make and own a quilt like this so I decided to work on it again last weekend and made six more blocks.  I need a total of 25 (or maybe reduce to 16? ) plus this will have flying geese for sashing. 



Since this pattern is supposedly modeled after a civil war era quilt I'm using civil war reproduction fabrics.  I found a free pattern by Beth Donaldson to use.  I also have a slightly different set of instructions from the book History Repeated which I bought after I started making these. 

in case you are interested in how the final quilt will look. 


  
Normally when I make these blocks I choose 7 different fabrics starting with the center 6 1/8 inch piece and work out from there, cutting fabric for each section of the block. Then I sew.  I don't cut all the fabric pieces at one time because of the "hate cutting" factor. I also hate drawing sewing/cutting lines on fabric and so that is why I sew a little, cut a little, sew a little, cut a little especially on blocks like these. 

In order to keep this UFO moving forward I've devised a new plan of attack. 

Now I'm going to work from the outside in and also use some of the already cut pieces left over from the last 11 blocks.   So, I will mix and match the pile of 5 inch fabrics to make 4 each of all the hourglass units I need.  I will mix and match the pile of already cut 4 3/8 inch pieces and make all those 1 13/16 inch HSTs and so on.  So, I think rather than make one block at a time I will make all of the necessary UNITS I need from already cut to size fabrics and then make the blocks.  I think that will be more appealing to me and help me get this quilt completed! 

Linking to: 

11 comments:

Monica said...

This is another gorgeous block, Cathy! It's going to look really rich in all the lovely reproduction fabrics. Definitely worth the time!

gayle said...

Ya know, every time you post about a quilt, you make it look so gorgeous that I want to drop everything and make!that!quilt!starting!right!this!minute. You are awe(somely) inspiring. 8)
(I downloaded the pattern and filed it in the 'someday' category. Now I'm going to have to live to be 275 instead of 250...)

Cathy said...

Oy! Your perseverance and determination on this quilt (13/16ths??) is admirable and even amazing. Lesser quilters like me would have thrown in the proverbial towel after one block. It sure is going to be a beauty, though, and a treasured heirloom when complete! Way to go!

LA Paylor said...

Hi Cathy, just checking in with you. You get so much done! Leeanna

audrey said...

I love your blocks, but I can see where they'd be a bear to work with. Gorgeous choice of fabrics for the quilts!

em's scrapbag said...

They sure are gorgeous blocks. I'd have a hard time with them also as I hate cutting. I find it to be the necessary evil. Thanks for linking up

Unknown said...

I am right there with you I have ten blocks finished. May I recommend Marsha McCloskey's feathered star ruler, it has those odd 16th's marked on it so you can trim your squares.
Linda B.

cityquilter grace said...

i absolutely love these blocks, the different sizes are what gives it va-voom in my opinion....

Kate said...

The cutting part is my least favorite part of the process, so like you I cut what I need for one part and then sew a bit. Sounds like you've got a plan to finish off those last few blocks. Good luck.

Bonnie said...

You are going to be so proud of yourself when you finish this quilt! But, honestly, what were you thinking when you started it? (Ok, my personal laziness is creeping in here! Sorry.) Keep plugging away at it. And, your plan to use leftover pieces makes a lot of sense to me. Good luck!

Jan said...

Your blocks are worth the effort - they are beautiful! I don't know if this could help, but when I've encountered odd measurements like that, I use the outside line of the ruler. So, for your hst measuring @ 1-13/-16", I would just cut a generous 1-3/4". I learned this tip from Judy Martin's books (I think).