read instructions first. So begins the instructions on the Sunset by Sunflower Hill Designs. It’s good advice for lots of things, not just new quilting patterns.
Somewhere in the back of my mind is another piece of advice “make a sample block before cutting ALL of your fabric” — or something like that.
Of course, I’m not one to follow instructions if there are good illustrations. And then even if I do read the instructions, I tend to go off on my own anyway.
The first place I varied from the instructions was in my fabric selection. The pattern said 2 3/4 yards of assorted prints in various colors for the strips in the blocks. My first question was can I use fat quarters? To know that I had to read the cutting instructions.
At first glance, it doesn’t look like it:
Cut 48 strips 2″ x 40″.
So I kept reading. After the strips are sewn together the directions say cut 2 – 12 1/2″ segments and 2 – 6 1/2″ segments. Knowing this, I could use FQs since I could get a 12 1/2″ and a 6 1/2″ strip out of the width of the FQ. So, I purchased 11 fat quarters (2 3/4 divided by 1/4 = 11).
Over the last couple of days, I cut into my Fairy Frost and sewed strips together. Now it’s time to cut those 6 1/2″ and 12 1/2″ segments. But wait – the next instruction is to cut the end of the rectangles off at a 45 degree angle. Resulting in triangle “waste”.
These triangles will not end up in the trash — they’ll end up either in my “crumbs” can or the “orphan block” box. But then I got to thinking. Could I cut the fabric with my Companion Angle ruler? To know that, I’d have to make a sample block.
I’ve figured out that yes, I can cut the strip with the Companion Angle ruler and the block will go together correctly. After I get all of my blocks made, I’ll sew 4 of the triangles together and use them in another quilt with the left over dragonfly fabric I am anticipating having.
Wasn’t I supposed to be making another SBS block and the guild BOM, not to mention quilting the DWR? Then there’s the monthly goal to “make progress” on the Cream & Green quilt and Star Struck. Good thing this is only the 18th.
