The Sashing of Salmagundi Road

Back in December I had finished making 25 fourteen inch Country Roads blocks.  I'm calling my quilt Salmagundi Road.   The blocks were inspired by a vintage quilt from the Jim Tharpe collection.  The vintage quilt has sashing which appears to be wider than the sashing piece in the blocks.  I WAS going to add sashing that was about 2.5 inch wide or larger.  So I auditioned several pieces I had on hand.  This was the one I liked best.  But after figuring how much fabric would be needed I found I didn't have enough. 

 Then I tried this one.  Too light. And I don't think I have enough of it either. 

 So then I tried this one.  No. It's not right.  And I probably don't have enough of this fabric either. 

Ok. Maybe. 

Why don't I just make more blocks to get a bigger quilt? I have plenty of small pieces and scraps. Then I won't add sashing. Just because the quilt that inspired me has it doesn't mean I have to add it.  I don't like adding sashing anyway and I do love piecing. 

Hey! - I'll use the auditioned fabrics for a pieced backing. 

So I made more blocks. 

I made 11 more blocks for a total of 36 blocks which in a layout 6 x 6 would make a quilt 84 x 84. 

Then I went to sew them together. 

And, darn it,  I think they need sashing. 

And now that I have more blocks maybe I'll make a narrow sashing - 1.5 inch maybe. 

 Ok. Maybe I need to add a solid. How about dark brown?  Yes, maybe! 

Or lighter brown? 

How about terracotta? 

So...my OMG (One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts) is to decide on a sashing and cornerstones and get these blocks assembled into a top. 

Sew Stitch Snap SHARE! 

The Sashing of Grandma's Apron Strings

I finished the last of the 42 blocks I need for Grandma's Apron Strings (previously called Someone's In the Kitchen with Dinah until I decided on sashing and changed the name of the quilt). 

I had decided to try some chicken scratch for the sashing and so embroidered enough pieces for 17 sashings.   This morning I decided before I went any further with the embroidery that I should try it out and see if I like it. 

I like it but unfortunately my chicken scratch shrunk up the gingham piece a little so my carefully planned 9.25 piece of sashing is just a little too small.   I tried to starch and stretch it into submission but I think it will be a little too short the proper 1/4 inch seam allowance when I go to sew rows together.   And I'll hate myself if I don't do it right. 

So now I'll be ripping out this chicken scratch.   Then I'll see if I can save the other pieces I haven't cut apart yet because they are a little longer but the piece is frayed a little on each end.   Boohoo.   It takes a long time to embroider one of these strips and a lot of white embroidery thread which is running low and I need sashing enough for 42 blocks.   I also get bored after doing the chicken scratch embroidery for two or three pieces of sashing. 

So I guess I need to buy more white embroidery thread and get busy.   I'll take it as one of my hand work projects next week when we have a family reunion camp out.   

You may not see this quilt again for awhile!

Slow Sunday Stitching

Oh Scrap!