Did anybody else see this in the directions?
use the Dear Jane®Rule: cut it big and whack it off
What?! I like to cut it a tiny bit bigger, but really...this is ridiculous. This was never quite the rule I used when making my Jane Stickle quilt. Super unprofessional, in my humble opinion.
If you want to win a book and you have not left a comment, now would be a great time to do it.
Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini- click HERE (I finished it so the winner will not need to wait)Will draw Saturday, Feb 25th in the evening.
Back to Charm School- by Country Threads-click HERE. If you have not read the comments you need to do that too. What a hoot! Will draw Sunday, Feb 26th.
Utility Quilting; Simple Solutions for Quick Hand Quilting- click HERE. Drawing on March 2.
Have a fantastic weekend!!!
I thought it was quite a waste too. I like mine just a smidge bigger so I can trim them neatly, but this was a lot of trimming. They do look beautiful though.
ReplyDeleteUh, yeah. I'd say instructions could have been a tad more precise. Maybe they think fabric grows on trees!
ReplyDeleteYour blocks look great in spite of the waste, Lori.
Like you, I hate wasting expensive fabrics like that ! Beautiful blocks.
ReplyDeleteYikes! I have never subscribed to the "cut bigger and whack it off" theory. Especially now that fabric has gotten so expensive! I'd rather measure twice, cut once and sew accurately. That said, your blocks do look great! The more I see of this project, the more I am tempted to join in...if all the other UFOs would just stop chattering at me!
ReplyDeleteI hear you on wasting fabric! I am working on my first foundation pieced quilt and it has taken a bit of time to get used to the idea of trimming after every seam.
ReplyDeleteI feel pattern designers don't want to take a chance and be wrong and there is way too much emphasis on quilts being perfect. So, we end up getting patterns that ask for way more fabric in the requirements and spend double the time on trimming the final squares.
And that having said, I love your blocks so far!
What you cut off might be big enough to make one of those Dear Jane blocks.
ReplyDeleteI am making the red and white sampler also. I thought I had read the directions wrong, and couldn't believe I had to cut that much off! I love this quilt so far, and yours are looking much more precise than mine.
ReplyDeleteThose are coming out beautifully, it is going to be a gorgeous quilt. I can't wait to start some new ones and do some piecing.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Such gorgeous blocks!!! Waste...sometimes it really bothers me and other times, I think its worth it in the end. Depends.
ReplyDeleteBut that is kind of a lot, that would bother me too. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe paper piecing thing is getting to me. I think I'm calling it a day with the JT2 blocks. Just too much trouble. I prefer the good old piecing.
ReplyDeleteBTW your blocks look great!
Now to think and plan for another red and white project :) This time with solid red!
I see what you mean about the waste.
ReplyDeleteBut your blocks are looking great. I have so many quilts to work on, I did not participate in this and others, but I am enjoying all the talk and photos of the projects.
I see what you mean about the waste.
ReplyDeleteBut your blocks are looking great. I have so many quilts to work on, I did not participate in this and others, but I am enjoying all the talk and photos of the projects.
It is wasteful and apparently not much thought was given to the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI hate waste like that too. Love that red print! Your blocks are wonderful - such great variety.
ReplyDeleteI love those red and white blocks. I don't like the waste and I paid $11.50 for some fabric this week. Good thing I have a little stash... Suns out, come on over and quilt awhile....
ReplyDeleteMany quilters are doing red/white quilts this year! How are the new Q fabs in regards to bleeding?
ReplyDeleteI love your quilts and your humble opinions... hate waste! I am making a quilt right now that has 168 red/white blocks.. each a different (charm) red..I do not want to waste any of it. Carry on and thanks for your daily "shows".
ReplyDeleteI am going to re-engneer some of the blocks for me...I love the red and white combo!!!
ReplyDeleteLove all your different red prints! That is way too much fabric to cut off that is not usable for something else! I have seen other patterns that call for that much extra and felt it wasteful too.
ReplyDeleteI ran over and entered the hand quilting book giveaway--thanks for the reminder to do it!
I'm with you on waste -- I don't care how much the fabric costs, I don't want to waste it trimming blocks. Love your red and white blocks. yum.
ReplyDeleteAnother Blogging friend mentioned the wasted amount for the Pinwheel block, so I cut my squares according to the Desired finished size compared to the solid square. For a 2" HST x 16, that is a lot of waste. I'm still reading my Sonoma Rose book, thinking of giving one away too.
ReplyDeletegreat blocks!!!! I hate wasting fabric too, guess its best to make your own directions!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Kathie
I am so happy to seethis post! Fabric does cost and this is truly pure waste!
ReplyDeleteNo kidding on the instuctions for that one. I don't trust them either and have been re-writing/re-drafting for just about every block...What a pain. It was nice of them to actually mention the finished block size in the last installments though...That made it a bit easier to figure out! It will be a boss quilt when done though! I hope!
ReplyDeleteFabric waste is not good - I would save those skinny strips. You never know!
ReplyDeleteThe basket block is my favorite. It is unusual, and I always like that.
Happy sewing weekend to you, too!
I agree that their instructions leave a lot to be desired. I did the pinwheels using my own methods; but the other paper pieced patterns are causing me problems...the pieces aren't big enough to cover the space so I'm having to recut a lot of them. And the number of pieces needed is inaccurate. I really wish they'd be a little more careful...test the patterns, maybe?? But your blocks sure look awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't made my JT2 blocks yet, I don't mind trimming a little bit, but the amount you have trimmed looks excessive to me. I like paper piecing for the accuracy, but it appears the block patterns being provided aren't quite so accurate, I'm using my EQ to give me accurate patterns.
ReplyDeleteQuite wasteful really! Love the blocks though!
ReplyDeleteA bit oversized is ok, but that is just a waste. I hate to waste fabric.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks look beautiful.
I love the look of your blocks.. but agree that is a lot of waste.
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOUR QUILTS AND IDEAS!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS FOR SHARING!
How big was the waste piece? Really, isn't 1/8" enough to cut off? I totally agree with you. Some of the fabric I saw in Fabric Depot the other day were $12.99 a yard - way too expensive for those measurements.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love this quilt, I am disappointed in the directions and numerous mistakes in the directions.
ReplyDeleteI have tried thangles. Too much extra work. and what a mess.
ReplyDeleteI bought the thangle ruler, but you have to cut out squares, then draw the lines. all that causes more time loss.
I think I have found the solution!!
the strip tube ruler. You cut your two strips of fabric, sew them together, then use the ruler to cut almost exact 1/2 square triangles you are wanting.
http://www.cozyquilt.com/Aspx/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=517
check it out, I now save time and fabric. Happy me...K
Totally agree with you, very unprofessional. But..... your red and white blocks are outstanding!! Almost makes me want to start one :).
ReplyDeleteDecided to cut smaller squares for HSTs after the first couple of blocks were made. Don't want to waste so much fabric in case I start running short of yardage at the end.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win a book. I agree. waste of fabric is a terrible thing! Lizzie
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your honesty. The price of fabrics keep going up and up. As always, look forward to your next blog.
ReplyDeleteLooking' good. I have printed off all the patterns and instructions, but haven't stitched a single thing yet!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing as I pieced this set of red & white blocks. I have been a bit disappointed with the instructions too although I do think the blocks are very unique. Your blocks are looking good!
ReplyDeleteReally love your blocks, but I don't think I'm going to be making this one. Although the leftover cutoff strips look big enough to include in a string quilt! :)
ReplyDeleteReally love your blocks, but I don't think I'm going to be making this one. Although the leftover cutoff strips look big enough to include in a string quilt! :)
ReplyDeleteYour red white blogs are beutiful.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was just me thinking there was alot of waste and a few mistakes. Here in Australia we pay around the $24 mark for a metre of fabric so I really don't like to waste anything! Having said that your blocks do look great Lori, mine should be finished today :-).
ReplyDeletegreat R&W blocks lori - I'm glad you are doing this one, so I can watch
ReplyDeletexx
Your blocks are wonderful - but I sure don't blame you for being unhappy about the waste. I hate trimming HST blocks - takes too much time!
ReplyDeleteI agree that one had way too much waste. I do like a little to square everything up but not that much.
ReplyDeleteMakes you wonder if you should trust the cutting for the blocks to come. I only have so much of my red and white fabric.
Glad I am just watching too! ;)
ReplyDeleteJudy
I did my own thing for that block..so glad I did! That is too much waste...
ReplyDeleteA waste indeed if you don't use your scraps - but I love mine and use them in string piecing ....what about you Lori!?
ReplyDeleteI just love the red and white quilts, almost as much as I love the blue and white quilts (I'm making a blue and white Irish chain and a blue and white log cabin is next in line).
ReplyDeleteAll that waste (of fabric and of time) is a shame ... I'd much rather cut *CAREFULLY* and have my blocks the right size to begin with. Hopefully you'll find a use for those scraps.
I treat fabric like gold!!! and am very careful with cutting and when I trim up HST's I make sure I only have to trim off a smidgen! I hate waste!
ReplyDeletequite a stack of new blocks to add to your project Lori. they all look fabulous~!
ReplyDeletei have to agree with you on the wasted fabric issue. seems like an awful lot to trim away . . .
i'm so careful with my cuts and like you i like to do a tiny trim to square up but that's way too much.
:-)
libbyQ
Add my voice to those that found it wasteful. I was really irritated with myself when I didn't think the SECOND time I cut those way oversized squares, but at least the lesson was learned (by me.) If the cutting instructions mentioned that the squares would be used for half-square triangles and gave the finished size, then we could all easily cut them with an allowance that was comfortable for us.
ReplyDelete