Saturday, July 09, 2011

Narrow Connector Strips Rule!


Forget everything I said all week about not wanting to make larger quilts. I did the narrow connector strip method of sewing quilted blocks together and a WHOLE NEW WORLD has opened up to me now. I am so excited about the possibilities.
I made two blocks, quilted them as shown here and then used the method of joining them which was even easier than I imagined.


What excites me is the fact that there is nothing to clean up on the back when all the quilting is done ahead of connecting the blocks. Neat as a pin on the back, with virtually no effort on my part. And one only makes a block as big as one can easily quilt singularly.
I think the design needs to include the strip, so if the pattern is like the blocks I made above, I coulda shoulda perhaps made the strip from pieced fabrics to disguise it a bit more. But it still looks good, and this is just a sample. It always pays to make a not-important sample when one is learning.
And bottom line, with this method one can make really large works, if one needs to...or wants to, or just feels like not quitting the fun!
Here's a quilt that has really interested me for a long time (like days!) made (in progress) by Marianne.


I have been collecting strips (fifteen different ones so far) and this would be my inspiration. So fabulous!!
I am also crazy about this one, more of a Log Cabin with multiple borders.


Woowoo!
+++++
Here are the Dawgs in a RARE quiet rawhide chewing moment.

We have given up calling him Dexter as it never quite comes out right. He is now Chester. Chumley and Chester, and they both come when we call those names.

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15 comments:

  1. Rock on! Isn't it fun?

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  2. Anonymous9:17 AM

    I , too , have loved the work of quilter marianne. The connector strips idea was introduced by Georgia Bonesteel back in the "olden days" of my quilting experience but something I've never used. Think I'll add that to my essential things to try.
    Nina in BC

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  3. OMG OMG OMG!!!! Billions of ideas spilling out of my brain! Between the connector strips & the 2 pieces shown here and previous posts...... I have to go hurry & put the ideas in my quilt journal! this could take all day!

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  4. Anonymous9:39 AM

    Ok, so you are well on your way to making the "connector" strip not look like a connector strip by "piecing" it and you get many many points for that. But......the REAL problem is how does it wash up? I don't do quilts on wall, I and the dogs are all over them, so... they have to wash and wash more than once in their lives.... what happens then is the BIG deal....?????

    now back to look this marianne up.... I am Marianna...in Texas

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  5. My next project is a QAYG one. Looking forward to trying the process. The picture of your two puppies is precious : )

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  6. Of course they can be washed! There are no raw edges at all and then the quilting is quite intense, and the thing is stable as anything you might toss in the wash. Don't worry. Be happy.

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  7. All the possibilities are truly amazing, aren't they???Thanks for mentioning me so much lately and your lovely comments about my quilts.. You are right about the washing thing....no worries on that front, whatsoever.

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  8. Many years ago I made a king size quilt using Georgia Bonesteel's "Lap Quilting" technique. The strips showed only on the back and a lot of hand sewing was involved. This method rocks! Thanks for mentioning Marianne. Next to yours, hers is my favorite blog now. I wonder, are all those stripes connector strips? If so WOW!

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  9. These quilts are so beautiful

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  10. I've seen that done but only ion traditional quilts so this is inspiring! I see what you mean about the connector strip though; it could be pieced as well. i love it though and I also love the stripped piece by Marianne. I'm just going to go check out the link.
    Oh, and the dawgs look so pretty on the pastel quilt.

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  11. I've been watching Marianne's work lately too. You both are an inspiration to me!

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  12. Yea Melody! thank you so much for introducing me to the tiny connector strip! I am in the middle of trying to just do a basic grid quilt on a king sized quilt and it is beating me! I wish I had known this before. So, I will finish this huge quilt but the next one)(s) will for sure have the connector strip. Bless you!
    (hey)Jude
    www.strawmountainblog.blogspot.com

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  13. I love this! I've been working on a small quilt, and was just thinking of converting the idea to a large one, but yes...it felt daunting. I can't wait to try this.

    (P.S. Lovely name.) ;)

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  14. tres joli j aime cet assemblage bisesssssssssssss

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