Claire's Quilt - A quilt by do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}

Claire’s quilt is on her way to her now.

This quilt was made with blocks contributed by the members of the do. Good stitches {a Charity Bee} on flickr in a break from regular programming. Generally the quilts are designed and blocks joined to tops and quilted and bound by the ‘quilter’ members all of whom are based in the US but I asked and the group agreed to make an exception to normal progress in the face of the natural disaster playing out in Queensland at the time.


Sadly these disasters have become all too common in more recent times.


Inspired by this quilt I asked for Disappearing 9 patch blocks with a white centre in varying sizes, with the tutorial posted here. These were sashed with more white and squared to 19.5” and then sewed together in a 3x5 grid. This has yielded an almost 60” x 90” quilt that is the perfect size of an Australian King Single sized bed (or large couch quilt if that is more Claire’s style).

It is backed in a wide cotton fabric from IKEA and bound with Kona Coal (this gives a nice contrast frame to the front and blends well with the backing.

I have quilted it in a unmarked grid style with each stitching row being about 6” apart (and much straighter than I thought it would be when I started)

It is labelled and dated on the back – label created in Kona Snow with fabric stamping ink and has survived one wash so far.

I am so pleased to have this quilt on the way to a young person that deserves more than most a nice surprise and a metaphoric pat on the back. Since this quilt has been started Claire’s family has had to move house and pressures that predate the flood continue. I hope the arrival of an unexpected parcel cheers her and that she likes the colours and design of the quilt.

I would also like to publicly thank Julie at this point as well. Julie, herself a resident of a flood affected area, wrote an email to Toni from Make it Perfect that inspired the Flood Relief Auctions. When I went looking for a recipient for the quilt Julie, living in the area, was able to find such a person for me. She has also very generously made two extra quilts, one for each of Claire’s younger brothers that will be delivered later this week as well.


So thank you to all the members of the do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} and Julie and best wishes to Claire and her family.

A Quilt for Claire - do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}, the Queensland Edition

I have been turning the block I received from the Faith circle members of the do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} into a quilt top ready to have it finished and on the way to Claire by the end of the month.

I asked for disappearing nine patch blocks in spring colours and wrote up a very quick tutorial in this post. I have been adding the white borders over the last couple of days and sewing the rows together.

At the beginning I was going for a double sided 3x3 grid. With each of the boarded blocks being 18.5" finished this would have ended up about 55" square, and double sided. But too small I think.

The other option in mind was to make the front in a 3x4 grid and have a single row on the back, or maybe two if I made two extra blocks (or the two in the mail turn up*). The quilt would end up more of a single bed size then and still be reversible but different on both sides. But I was still worried it would be just too narrow or too short.

In the end I went with a 3x5 layout, meaing the quilt will finish at 55.5"x92.5".

With the two most common single mattress sizes in Australia being 36"x74" or 42"x80" I'm hoping it will serve a purpose in this layout.

The plan is to quilt it in grid style with organic straight lines about 6" apart, I just need to get a backing first. I am thinking an IKEA cotton fabric. I really don't want seams in the back and I think the aesthetic in some of the Scandinavian prints might be just right.

*Note: I want to, for clarity, make it very clear I am not having a jab at anyone in my bee for blocks not arriving but Australia Post. In the last 2 months 3 items I am aware of have simply not arrived, two to my home and one to the post office box. This includes a Registered Post parcel that I am told I signed for, except at the time I was 50km away in a meeting at work.

do Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} - The Queensland Edition - Claire's Quilt Blocks

This first quilt will be for Claire, and is inspired by this quilt. I am tossing around a few size and layout options but the final decision on this will be made when I have all the blocks here.


The Block: The block is a Disappearing 9-patch, there is a short tutorial below because the block is not difficult but it can be used in many different ways to make very different looking quilts. I'm on a bit of a kick with them lately.


The Size: I have asked for blocks anywhere between 10-16" unfinished (or 9.5-15.5" when sewn into the quilt). I will then sash them with Kona Bone to make blocks up to 18-20" when I get them back. The effect will have the blocks floating.


The colours/fabrics: I have asked for the centre of the initial 9 patch to be made from Kona Bone Snow or white quilters cotton (the reason for this will become clear below) For the other 8 squares I'd like fresh coloured/tone fabric. As an idea I am thinking Nicey Jane from Heather Bailey, Kate Spain's Central Park, Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow, Camille Roskelly's Bliss, Sweetwater Sunkissed. The value of these fabrics will matter more than the colours, think spring. Of course you don't need to use the specific ones mentioned, that is just to give you an idea of the look I am going for. My samples below use one or two of these fabric only but give the same effect.

The execution:
Make a standard 9 patch block. When cutting and planning please remember to place your Kona Bone Snow or white quilters cotton square in the centre. When calculating size for these initial squares know that your completed block will be 1.5" less than 3x(you starting square size).


For example I made one sample block that was 15" unfinished when completed. I started with squares 5.5".


So 5.5"x3 = 16.5"
16.5"-1.5" = 15"


Step 1
Cut 1 square from Kona Bone Snow or white quilters cotton
Cut 8 squares from a variety of print fabric.

To make the size blocks requested these squares can be anywhere from 4" - 5.75" (all your square need to be the same size.


Step 2
Arrange your fabric with the Kona Bone Snow or white quilters cotton  in the centre and the prints around the outside. The squares in the corner will remain uncut in the final block.

Step 3
Sew the squares together, I sew the middle and left squares together from top to bottom by chain piecing and then the right most square to the other side of the centre square.

Step 4
Press the seams to the sides, alternating these left and right so you can nest the seams together when you sew the rows together.

Sew the rows together. Press the seams to one side (I usually do these in the same direction.


Step 5
Cut the block in half vertically then horizontally.


To work out where to cut measure the centre block and divide by 2.

This centre block measures 3.5"

so I measure 1.75" lining up the grid on the ruler with the side seam and the top and bottom seam to keep it square.

Cut vertically

And horizontally, one at a time. 

You will end up with 4 squares.

Step 6:
Arrange these four squares in the layout of the block. The small bone squares should meet in the centres on two square and on opposite top and bottom corners as pictured.

Sew the vertical seams, press seams left and right away from the bone centre, nestle and sew the horizontal seam.
Done!

Sashed the outer Bone square will disappear  into the sashing.