Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Stray Blocks

We all have them.  We try to cut only what is needed.  We think we have calculated correctly every last piece.  Math.  I am not ashamed to say that math and me are like oil and water.  We just plain do not get along.  I've tried.  Many times I cut too much, or I buy too little or I get 3/4th's of the way through and realize what an idiot I was...and have to think of a solution before I can start piecing!  

It hasn't stopped me though!  You would think my 'Gozinta's' would be easier by now! (Boom!!! Dated myself!  For those who are not familiar...Beverly Hillbillies...Jethro math)



Not that it is a big deal having extra blocks, for they will never go to waste or cast aside. They become some thing, eventually!  I like the challenge. 


29 1/2" x 35"
I ended up will a nice stack of leftover Woven Stripe/Kona Shadow blocks.  Enough to make a handsome little baby quilt.  


Uncomplicated. Full of juicy colors! 


I thought I would try a different approach to quilting this time.  I loaded up a pretty teal thread and began free motion quilting some 'squiggles' (fingers) on each set of stripes. Because this was a small workable size quilt, I was able to achieve the desired effect!


While 'Baby Woven' is finished, I still have 'Mama Woven' draped over the rail waiting on its finishing touch!  I think I may try FMQ on it if I can get over the fear!  I've never free motion quilted anything that big before!  


For now, I will revel in this little package!  Take in the colors and crinkle!

Math.  It will always be my Achilles Heel!  It won't stop me from trying to calculate correctly when needed!  They end up becoming something, a new design I may have otherwise never thought of!

Do you have a tip or trick when trying to calculate correctly?  

LINKING:

33 comments :

  1. I'm in love with this sweet woven quilt! I have been gathering some Kaffe wovens to make the "My Guy" piece and I think that I like this baby quilt even better!!!! Really nice job! And P.S. It took me three years to get through Algebra ....

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    1. I have to say I love 'My Guy' a lot! The woven stripes work so well with the design! Math is not my favorite, but I keep trying!

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  2. Bummer that you feel so at odds with quilt math. It's why I created the equilateral triangle tool, because that math is tricky! In terms of tricks, I actually sketch what I want and then work out the FINISHED sizes for the blocks. So I start with making sure the quilt top finishes at the size I want. Then I go back and add a half inch to each piece. Then I group pieces into like strip sizes and figure out how many strips I need. I hope that makes sense...

    Anyway, baby woven is lovely and good luck working up the courage to FMQ the larger quilt top. You can do it!

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    1. I have good moments with math and not so good moments! Your method makes total sense Yvonne! I think my problem is I don't think things out very well before I start something. I tend to 'fly by the seat of my pants' most of the time and it works for me! (not always…most of the time) The large quilt is scheduled for FMQ tomorrow. Fingers crossed it works out! I am more confident these days with my FMQ skills!

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  3. I try to get close with my cutting, but like you, I know it is fun to be challenged with making it work or using up the extras. I have been working on some leftover layer cake pieces and turning them into baby quilts. Great quilting choice!

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    1. I try not to worry too much about math…I may be in the minority on this, but it works for me most of the time. What's better than stretching yourself with leftovers, strays and scraps! You and I are on the same wave length there!

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  4. I love your Baby Woven. I have wanted to make a My Guy for ages. I have a stack of homespun plaids squares. I just am undecided on the background color. I bought the Quilter's FabriCalc calculator at JoAnn's. It has helped me out alot. My college age daughter says it does not help her with her homework because it rounds up? lol I tend to have to cut more strips with solids as sometimes I have a 36' inch width instead of 45". I usually get it to work out in the end. Love your quilting on this one.

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    1. My Guy is a great pattern! I like to change it up most of the time, but the bones are there! My math skills may be limited, but it will never stop me! I can say that not every project is a math disaster for me. Every once in a while I get way off track! And I don't mind scraps and left overs!

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  5. Jayne, with a result like this I'd be looking forward to bad math--absolutely gorgeous! BTW, you aren't dating yourself unless you confess to watching the Beverly Hillbillies in their first run (like me!) :)

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    1. Bad math isn't always a bad thing for me! I am more than happy to date myself…first run watcher here too!

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  6. Looks great! Do get over fmq fear, I have and had great time quilting my latest xmas quilt.

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    1. My big quilt is scheduled for some FMQ tomorrow! A few months ago I never would have tried it, but I'm feeling a little more comfortable these days!

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  7. Looks great! Do get over fmq fear, I have and had great time quilting my latest xmas quilt.

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  8. Heehee I haven't thought about Jethro math in a very long time :). That put a smile on my face. I love this little baby, great colours, nice clean lines. Lovely.

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    1. I'm happy to put a smile on your face! The Beverly Hillbillies do that!

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  9. Math works best step by logical step, as Yvonne describes. When I sketch a block or a quilt on graph paper, in the upper left corner I outline a little graph square and write in a number. That number is the size in inches (or fractions of an inch) that each little square represents. I never have to search through my pencilled notes to find that size. I usually write the size of the whole block or quilt right up there next to it. Cwoosley12@yahoo.com

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  10. see, you must marry an engineer for math help. That's what I did. He comes in handy for other stuff too! Leeanna

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    1. Most of the time it doesn't matter that I have extra blocks! Sometimes I'm spot on and others times I'm way off the charts! Actually, I am married to an Engineer! A music Engineer! Which if I have a question about music is good, but as for math…not so much!

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  11. This is super fun and now I'm about to go upstairs and get going on some scrap block stuff - it's inspiring...

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  12. I used to love watching Beverly Hillbillies!!! Jethro math . . . lol!!
    And beautiful little quilt.

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  13. It's so pretty! I have a drawer full of extra blocks that I really need to do something with. Yours is truly inspiring.

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  14. You made a wonderful quilt with your mistaken blocks. No math tips from me. I'm also challenged.

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  15. Looking great! These are great projects.

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  16. This is lovely - and all from a few little mistakes!!! Can't wait to see woven mama!

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  17. Well I'd say this is a fantastic result of bad quilt math! I love all the different stripes and textures, as will the lucky baby that gets it!

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  18. Well, it looks like you might have "dated" me too, and while I was a super regular BHB viewer, I have to admit that I don't remember the term... might be the age thing too ; )

    Hmmm... math. I guess I should be more calculated in what I do, but often I just cut, and worry about the mess later.

    Love the stripe fabrics in this, and how the colors really shine on the white background!

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  19. Really cute Jayne! I might have to steal this idea!!

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  20. I love your happy little quilt. perfect quilting

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  21. I'm also mathematically challenged. I just love, love, love how this baby quilt turned out. The colors are just so vibrant and pop against the white background.

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  22. This one looks very cool. I like the mix of white and those other colors.

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  23. I, too, love My Guy quilt, have the magazine, have a stack of fabrics tucked in it, still haven't got around to making the darn thing! Love what you've done with the leftovers and the quilting is terrific. NOW you've taught me where that 'gozintas' thing is from! I just thought it was something my husband made up (eye roll emoji) when he talks to our grandson about math...I watched some of the BH, but clearly not enough. :-)

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