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.