Tuesday, June 28, 2011

One More Piece in the Puzzle . . . .

I'm still working away on my Red and White Quilt Show Tribute Quilt.

There were several quilts in the show with different takes on the Irish Chain pattern. This one was my favorite, I think it was just the simplicity of the pattern.



This quilt was hung in the interior bottom of Pavilion Four and is quilt #898.

Here's my version.


My blocks are a little smaller and the quilt has fewer blocks. I'm thinking this piece will be easy to fit in anywhere in the overall scheme of things.

My little quilt finished at 23" x 23" and has 766 pieces. The bigger 9 patch blocks finished at 4.5 inches, the small 9 patch blocks finished at 1 1/2 inches.



So 2 down, I don't know how many more to go. I maybe need to work on a piece that has more red than white in the pattern.

I was surprised how easy those little pieces fit together and enjoyed working with the smaller blocks. One thing that made that easier was my Go Cutter.

I don't really have a need for little teddy bears, cats, or hearts or all the other whimsical designs that machine can cut, but one thing that did appeal to me about using a Go Cutter was cutting strips. Not so much as a time saver, although it is, but for accuracy. I used my Go Cutter to cut the one inch strips I needed to make my little 9 patch blocks.

I also used the one inch strip die cutter to cut my strip sets, and it worked like a breeze.



I lined up my strip sets with the seams running the opposite direction of the cutter. To make sure they didn't move I taped them in place.

Then I cut them. This was such a time saver. I cut all 200 pieces in less than 5 minutes. I think it would have taken at least an hour to cut all those tiny strips by hand, one by one.

I've not mentioned my GO Cutter on my blog before because I paid for mine and didn't want you to think I was being asked by Accuquilt to promote their product. I've not seen anyone blog about cutting strip sets so I thought I would share that with you.

Now that I have mentioned it I will say this, I would consider the GO Cutter a nice to have tool in your sewing room, definitely not a must have. But if you were like me, and wondering if you would use it, I think you'll be surprised how much you do use it and how much time it saves. I really love my GO Cutter.

13 comments:

  1. It's a great idea to cross cut your strips like that and to tape them to prevent shifting. Loving your red quilts!

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  2. I just love watching this project! It's a fantastic idea. (and wow, that was a great use of the Go)

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  3. Thanks for sharing that...I was wondering how that would work with a Go cutter. Love your R & W series!

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  4. I didn't know you had a Go Cutter! I may come borrow it sometime.... circles is what I'd cut... do you have a circles template?

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  5. Wow this project has such tiny pieces! I'm not sure those little pieces would agree with me yet. Yours looks fantastic! Wonderful tip on using the Go Cutter. LOL at the disclaimer!
    *sillysally*

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  6. Oh Thelma ! Your red & white quilts are WONDERFUL! That is great that the Go Cutter cut all of those pieces for you so quickly .

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  7. Hi Thelma!
    So glad you love your GO! I use the strip cutter all the time...such a time saver! Your red and white quilt is stunning!! Love it!
    Paulette

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  8. Both quilts are fabulous, Thelma! I'm glad you're enjoying your GO! Cutter.

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  9. Ah. Great time saver with the GO! I'll have to remember that one.

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  10. Thanks for sharing this with us! Your quilt is going to be stunning!!

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  11. Oh Thelma, you break me up lol! 766 pieces in a 23 x 23!!!! It's no wonder you don't have lazy days of summer girl! I go away for a week and come back to find out you've gone mad from heat hee hee :) Course, love the red....

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  12. Love both "minis" can't wait to see what it becomes when it grows up :)

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  13. The simplicity of the nine patch & the deep red are striking. Well done. My Go! is a real time saver too.

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