Laura Nownes

[Renata L.]

Limbania, your quilts look so much fun!

[Renata L.]

Just thought that we usually have a 'show and tell' - This is becoming a "show and ask" thread, and I really, really, really, really like that idea . In the past, when asking you gals a question or opinion, it has always been helpful.
Love the forum!

[Lois B.]

Limbania, I like your blocks. I am especially partial to candy corn. I have a very big sweet tooth.

Thanks to all for your encouragement and advise. I am taking it all in and putting many of the ideas to work. First of all, like I said, using Nancy's EQ7 setting block design is giving me opportunity to add more color - both light and dark. That in itself dilutes the effect of the green.

Here's a beginning idea of what that will do.



But if you take a closer look you might think I took Rosemary's advise "less whine and more wine" to heart. Here's a closer look.



I want you all to know I am mending my ways. Did some ripping and from now on all the blocks should tip in the same direction. I'll keep you posted. Actually, I managed being topsy turvy with nothing on board other than my morning coffee.

[Lois B.]

Lois - you are a party! - just like Lorchen. I'd love to see you both in the same room together!

ps - like the new pics.

[Nancy R.]

Lois - I think your quilt just keeps getting better and better! While I like the secondary design that I'm getting by turning all of my blocks in the same direction, it might be interesting to mock up a few more blocks with the opposite rotations. These will give a different secondary design that will have rotating V's in it. Might be interesting, too.

Nancy

[Nancy R.]

I just got last week's blocks done!

A couple of the blocks are pretty low contrast, but I actually like how a scrappy quilt looks with a mixture of high and low contrast blocks, so I'm happy with that. (Or I'm just doing my usual justification so that I don't have to make any extra blocks!)

I love log cabin blocks, so I'm really looking forward to this week's blocks! I already have my color placements picked out and hope to start putting them together tomorrow.

Nancy

[Nancy R.]

Hi Lois - I just did a quick mock-up of the quilt using blocks that rotate in different directions and I really like that setting! Here it is in my colors since I was too lazy to recolor everything with your colors:

So, you might want to think about keeping your blocks with the different rotations.

Nancy

[Annis C.]

Nancy and Lois, I like the blocks rotating in different directions. That's what I did with some of mine. You will have to wait until next week to see them, as they are used in place of the sashing.

I finished my log cabin blocks last week. I haven't made very many log cabin quilts or blocks. And most of what I've done have been paper pieced. I figure if you have to square them up after adding each strip you might as well paper piece them so you don't have to be stressed over exact seam allowances, especially the smaller block sizes which I am more likely to make. I followed Laura's instructions for these, that is until I got to the last round. My blocks were going to end up slightly small in places so when I did the last round I placed the strip on top, pulling it slightly away from the edge. That gave me the little extra I needed for the block to finish at the right size.

[Lois B.]

Lois - I think your quilt just keeps getting better and better! While I like the secondary design that I'm getting by turning all of my blocks in the same direction, it might be interesting to mock up a few more blocks with the opposite rotations. These will give a different secondary design that will have rotating V's in it. Might be interesting, too.

Nancy

i thought of that after I made the mistake. But then I thought I'd better get an understanding of how that happened in the first place before I tried making it happen intentionally. :lol: :lol: :lol: I probably wouldn't know which way I was going. :? :? :? You could probably mock it up on EQ7 to see what it would look like. 8) 8) 8) 8)

I just looked back and see that you've already done that. That's really neat.

[Marianne G.]

Lois,
what a difference it has made to your blocks adding Nancy's twist to them. You are going to love your quilt. How brave you are to try this out - I would have needed several G&Ts before putting the needle down and hit the pedal
Marianne

[Marianne G.]

Nancy, I love your mock up of twisting & turning of your blocks - I am so nicking that idea for future reference :wink:

Lois, The additional fabrics are looking good on your blocks, helping the balance.

[Nancy R.]

Hi Annis - Your log cabin blocks look great! It's funny how the coloring of the blocks is so different in the two pictures, but I finally figured out they were the same blocks and it was just the pictures. And really funny that I loved both colorings!

I've worked on several log cabin quilts and I like Judy Martin's method where you cut the logs to the proper size, using the most stable grain along the longer side of the log. Then make sure you use a perfect 1/4" seam allowance to make the block and it will come out perfect. Having the logs precut allows you to see immediately if your seam allowance is a little too big or too small because each new log lines up where you made your last seam. I feel like I really found my 1/4" while making my Judy Martin log cabin quilt and, although not perfect, all of my piecing has been better since working on that one.

Look forward to seeing everyone else's blocks!

Nancy

[Rita C.]

Wow Nancy, I love those wonky blocks - I am going to nick the idea too sometime.

Annis, I love your log cabin blocks, I am so looking forward to seeing your finished quilt. So do you think we need to sew these blocks with a scant 1/4"?

[Lois B.]

Annis, Your blocks are looking good. I haven't made the log cabin blocks yet. I let other quilters like you forge the path so I can choose my options. Thanks.

[Annis C.]

Annis, I love your log cabin blocks, I am so looking forward to seeing your finished quilt. So do you think we need to sew these blocks with a scant 1/4"?

I used my usual scant 1/4" which is just 1 or 2 threads smaller than a regular 1/4". If you make the seam too small then the previous logs will be too wide. Cutting the strips on the lengthwise grain instead of the crosswise grain may be helpful as Nancy suggested.

I didn't realize the coloring was different on the 2 pictures until after I posted them. They were taken in different rooms with different lighting. It was too late to retake the pictures as the blocks have already been sewn into the quilt.