Monday, January 18, 2010

State of Grace . . . .

Thanks all for providing such wonderful feedback on my block choices for Toulouse! It appears #2 was the most popular choice. I was pretty much sold on #1, but I'm a control freak, you've convinced me that #2 really is the best use of the fabric that I have. As Cathy commented, it's "controlled scrappy", which suits my need to control but mix it up a little.

So as you're reading my blog this morning, I'm in a plane heading home from California. My husband needed to run out there for business, our daughter lives in downtown Los Angeles so I figured I would tag along..PLUS I got to attend the "Road to California" quilt show. Other than getting to hug my daughter anytime I wanted, the weather was the best part of this trip...it's been in the 60s and 70s. It was 0 when we left Illinois. The temperature felt balmy to us but the folks in downtown LA were wearing winter coats...nice winter coats, but a t-shirt worked for me!

I planned to show pictures from the quilt show on my blog today, but I forgot to grab my camera on the way out the door to the show!! My husband was getting ready for a meeting, my daughter was getting ready for work, and I was wanting to hit the road to miss the morning traffic, all this in a small one bedroom apartment. I'm lucky all I forgot was the camera!!

I so enjoyed the quilt show, and did pick up a few items which I mailed home instead of paying for an extra bag on the plane. I'll blog about those when they make it to my home.

So instead today I would like to blog about "State of Grace".


I bought this kit from Lisa when she was having a spring cleaning sale, I think the fabric, Shangri la by Moda, has been out for a year or two. If you purchased the jellyroll in the cute little purse, you got a free pattern.


State of Grace! I've always been partial to pinwheel quilts so I was excited to get this kit.


When I studied the pattern, I discovered that the blocks were assembled in what I think is a complicated and tedious way to make pinwheel blocks, but then I've never made a pinwheel block. Plus this pattern requires 80 of these blocks! Is this the best way to make a pinwheel quilt? Keep in mind that I'm working with a jellyroll.


This is how the 80 blocks are connected to make the pinwheel pattern.
So what do you think, is this how I should make this top?
Thanks!!

9 comments:

  1. I think the tedious part is drawing that darn diagonal line over and over again . . . I was having the same problem this weekend because I decided to make the Xmas tree quilt that Nicole showed on Sisters Choice . . . I found the pattern on the internet . . . but drawing those darn diagonal lines was driving me crazy . . .

    then I played with my 1/2 square and 1/4 square rulers . . . and now I'm just cutting my strips with the diagonal already there . . . the sewing is going like a dream now . . .

    probably everyone already knows this . . . but I'm still learning . . . LOL . . .

    hope this helps . . .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eleanor Burns has a quick and easy way to make "delectable mountains" which MAYBE could be used for this... I would have to study it further... she makes a large half square triangle, then cuts it into four or five segments, parallel, then rearranges them for that "sawtooth" effect.

    I hope you had a wonderful time in California!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I saw that pattern not long ago in one of my books (well something close to it). I will attempt it someday!

    The jelly roll colours are beautiful!

    Quiltingly Yours
    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the fabrics! If you find an easier way let us know...I hate drawing those annoying lines! I know you will figure it out :) and have it made next week!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think that is a very tedious method, but I can't really think how else to do it with a jelly roll. And it shouldn't be very hard, just boring, kind of like making binding. Worth the effort in the end, but boring to do.
    I was so sad to miss this one, I can't wait to see yours finished!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ooh, that pattern reminds me too much of the tessellations quilt I made once. The sewing was easy, but it is the layout that gave me fits. The finished results are fantastic, but I nearly went crazy putting it together.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey Thelma, how nice to have a quick visit with your daughter!!! I have some of the Shangri La fabric. It's really pretty. Can't help with the pinwheel question as I haven't made them either. PS I Quilt is having a quilt along but the instructions aren't up yet. I'm sure you will figure it out in a way that is best for you.

    FYI, I nominated you for an award on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think you're limited in how you can build the block because of the jelly roll strips. I hope you can figure out some shortcuts!

    ReplyDelete
  9. 7/8/10
    Help!
    I just received this jellyroll in the cute little purse.
    I was wondering if you found a solution to the tedious line drawing and if you made this quilt. If you did would you please give me some tips? I am glad that you enjoyed CA. It is where I live & I love Road. What a show!
    I am anxiously awaiting your answer. Have a great day.
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete

I try to respond to all my comments but sometimes I just don't get the job done. Please know that I am reading your comments and appreciate you taking the time to add a little of yourself to my blog.