Monday, 26 January 2004

Katxena mentioned quilting math in a recent comment and it reminded me of this link I had bookmarked. It's a triangle chart and I think I must be having some kind of brain aneurysm because I cannot make sense of it. Anyone have any clues how to read this? I won't even begin to tell you how I'm trying to interpret it, because I'd probably embarrass myself. (And, by the way, one of my majors as an undergrad was mathematics, so this is doubly embarrassing.)

Try this version of the webpage instead here. It has more instructions. If I follow correctly, the first 2 columns are finished dimensions of a triangle. Decide where you want the straight grain lines of the triangle (long side or short side) and pick either half-square or quarter square accordingly. Then the columns 3 & 4 tell you how big to cut the larger triangle. Clear? I admit, the first chart had me baffled too.

      Quilty comment by trish on 26 January 2004

I found the chart without the instructions hard to decode. The link Trish pointed to helps a lot.

I have to admit though that I like working out these kinds of geometry problems out by hand -- it's one of the things I have enjoyed about quilting so far.

      Quilty comment by Katxena on 26 January 2004

This has been sitting in my inbox for awhile. I have to confess that I am still really missing something in the link that Trish points to. Let's take the 2inch short side triangle. What dimensions do I cut the square so that cutting one square into two HSTs will result in two triangles that are 2inches on the short side? This chart seems to suggest that the square should be 2 7/8 by 2 7/8, but that makes no sense to me.

Given seam allowances, I lose a quarter inch on one edge and how much on the slanted edge? It's not 5/8, so how do you get to 2 inches?

I'm all confused; this is embarrassing. I have a feeling someone's going to need to show me how this works in person because I'm totally befuddled.

      Quilty comment by Lyn on 6 July 2004

I lucked out in my most recent visit to Jinny Beyer. She's making some changes to her portable palette, and so the older version was on sale for 75% off! I immediately snatched one up. This is sooooo cool. Tons of great colors to choose from -- instantly inspiring. I think my theory that I could use only Jinny Beyer fabrics for the next 5-10 years worth of quilts is so true. I won't, because I like batiks and some of the novelty prints now and then, but if I only had this palette to choose from, I wouldn't feel deprived.

I enjoy her color range also-however here is a comment several quilters have shared about her fabrics...they have a tendency to not be color fast, meaning even if you prewash them, they may still "run" again-opinion seemed to run using retayne would be prudent-no one wants a finished quilt getting washed, having the colors run and then feeling like it has been ruined. I was surprized to hear this. I have experienced this first hand so this information is in the catagory-for what it's worth.

      Quilty comment by Cher on 27 January 2004

Washing with a 1/4 cup of vinegar will also help 'mordant' the dye.

      Quilty comment by mo on 4 February 2004

Hmm. Vinegar seems a simpler solution than buying yet another cleaning solution.... must remember to keep white vinegar in the house.

I think I might also start throwing old white socks (that would o/w be tossed) in with fabric when I wash it -- if they come out white, then I'll know the fabrics are fine.

      Quilty comment by Lyn/Uncorked on 7 March 2004

Now that the Christmas quilts are done I've been able to get back to the "Jo Threads" project -- the BOTM from Joann's fabrics that L bought for me. I've finished up months 7, 8, and 9, now. Two are pictured below. Should be able to get 10, 11, and 12 done reasonably soon, too -- just as soon as the Baby Steps quilts are finished. It's the setting kit for this quilt that's going to be a bear. Lots more piecing there. The nice thing is that all the pieces are pre-cut.

Mmm, very curious about the setting.

By the way, are you just using batting to put your blocks up? I *need* a quilting wall and I have to figure out what to use. Of course, I think I need a space heater before I can venture down to sew at the moment or I might be risking my little digits!

      Quilty comment by Joni on 26 January 2004

I love it! Your points look marvelous.

      Quilty comment by Katxena on 26 January 2004

looking great-good for you to be sticking with it so well. Both of my BOM's are all still in their packages. I gave up when I realized my schedule wasn't allowing enough time to get to them. I have both of them on my UFO list...one day they will get done.

      Quilty comment by Cher on 27 January 2004

Yep. Just batting for now, although it's getting a bit worn. I've also seen flannel recommended, as well.

      Quilty comment by ATQ on 27 January 2004

I use flannel -- it works very well, although sometimes my fabric does get a bit linty.

      Quilty comment by Katxena on 29 January 2004

Since I have limited space for a permanent design wall, I use a flannel-backed table cloth. This way I can just roll it up (with or without blocks attatched) and put it away when not in use.

      Quilty comment by mo on 4 February 2004

I've just started quilty, only doing squares of 6X6 and matching them, seems to be working, after I've joined the batting and back to the squares' I've sewen..I do not no how the quilty is done... as right now I just use a heavy thread or wool and join the squares at each corner..do you have a brief suggestion..Thanks Jackie

      Quilty comment by Jackie on 6 February 2004

Jackie -- Your best bet might be to surf around some of the big quilting sites on the web a little bit. I'm not an experienced enough quilter to help you out much from here -- I've only done straight line machine quilting on my quilts.

      Quilty comment by Lyn/ATQ/Uncorked on 7 February 2004

My mom has one. It is made from accoustal board from the hardware store and covered with felt.
She loves it.

      Quilty comment by candy on 7 February 2004