Friday, August 28, 2009

The ECONOMY quilt...


Wednesday evening, the Red Rooster taught a free class called the Economy Quilt. Great concept. We were to come prepared with out blocks cut out and ready to trade. We needed to have 98 6" medium to dark blocks and 98 6" light blocks. These blocks will yield a 63" x 63" center and you can adjust that by making more or less blocks and adding borders. When put together, it resembles a checkerboard. The technique calls for 2 blocks, light and dark. You put these together right sides together and sew on each side of the blocks a scant 1/4" seam.





When you have the seams sewed, you cut apart the blocks starting at the one side of the seams and cut 2" strips across to the other side of the seam. You will have 3 segments with 2 segments sewn. You sew the left over 2 segments to the blocks to resemble this.
You then sew at the two edges right side together another scant 1/4" seam. You then cut this new piece into 2" segments from seam to seam. You will have 2 partially sewn nine patches and you will finish sewing the other units to this.
You end up with 2 nine patch units from the 2 blocks.

For some reason, I am really used to the full 1/4" seam allowance and this whole technique is based on a scant 1/4". I've yet to turn out a perfect nine patch. They all have issues being off a couple of threads here or there. This technique is definately a learning process and maybe I'll have it down by the time I do the 98th block. It is a great stash buster to use up all your old fabric scraps. The light portion is a 3 1/2 yard piece that I probably would never use in a month of Sundays, however, I am using it in this quilt. Because I lack the precision I would like to have with this technique, this will probably be a utilitarian quilt hahahaha.


6 comments:

Small House said...

I have quite a few of these blocks that I made with Rose. I need to put it together. Hmmmm....weekend project maybe?? We'll see.
Love your colors.
Sandra

Alissa said...

Your blocks are looking good! I have about 20 done, and am pretty proud of myself :-). Only need 176 more, haha. Thanks for sharing that they aren't coming out perfect for you either - definitely makes me feel better!

marciea casselman said...

I like this concept. It looks like it sews up pretty quickly. And the fact that all the light color is the same is something that appeals to me.

Holly said...

Mary,
I love your blog!!! I am always inspired and learn so much!
Thanks,
Holly Elder

Nedra said...

Thank you for the explaination. Great project.

Mary said...

I had been admiring you Hocuspocusville stitchery and discovered it in a new local quilt shop. I have the first one traced and ready. I was wondering if you used the layer of muslin or not. My gut tells me I should but I'd rather not mess with it. If you used it, are you glad you did and vice versa?
Thanks

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