Few Answers for Painted Zigzag

If you missed my previous post, refer to it while reading this.

Just want to do a quick post and answer few of the questions I have been asked.

This illustration shows how your zigzag would look if all the blocks were made the same.
I kind of like it. It almost replicates the angle of lightning in stormy weather.

To make my hsts I used even 4" squares, cut them diagonally and after sewing the hsts, trimmed them down to 3.5". The square then finished at 3". The block measures Nine inch square.

I am going to the Hershey show today. If you are going to be there, please say hello. 

Painted Zigzag

Oil Pastels come to mind when I see this quilt. 

It's made of total of 81 blocks, Nine HSTs per block. I made total 739 of them. 

Oh and the HSTs are finished 3".

This is how my design wall looks right now. 

Painted Zigzag

The quilt measures 81" X 81". I am debating whether to add another row at the bottom so it is long enough for the bed.

 

 Here is a close up of the quilt in progress. 

 

Click on the picture to see it in full screen. And, don't look for perfection.. You wont find it here. The fabrics varied in content and in counts. There is even one piece with polyester in it. 

After sewing first few blocks I figured out that this quilt required two different blocks. In other words,  a mirror image of the first block.

It is set with nine rows, each containing nine blocks. 

Row 1,3,5,7 and 9: made with block - A

and,

Row 2,4,6 and 8: made with block - B

I drew out the illustration for those who might be interested.

Let me know if you are impressed with my high-tech drawing.

You may want to pay close attention to the direction of pressing the seams. 

It might make piecing of the quilt a lot easier later. 

 

Block - A

 

Press the seams in the direction of the arrows.

Once the rows are sewn, press the seams in one direction. Make total of 45 blocks. 

While setting the blocks, simply rotate alternating block upside down. 

Refer to the illustration or the close up of the quilt.

 (In the picture Block - B is on the top and bottom and block - A is in the middle)

 Block-B

 

 

Press the seams in the direction of the arrows. Once sewn in rows, press the seam in the same direction as Block - A

You will need 36 of Block - B

Again rotate each alternating block upside down. 

Super easy, simple and quite graphic.

I love my 'Painted Zigzag'. 

At first I though I should call it 'Summer Storms' 

The floral prints, all the thunderstorms in past week or two, sewing with the view of the garden and the original name in the book, Bold Improvisation "Streak of Lightening", all were pointing towards that name. But once I put the blocks on the design wall, all I could think of was old paint boards with paint chipping off. Layers and layers coming through those chiseled zigzag.. 

And so, 'Painted Zigzag' it is.

LeeAnn thought it would be a good idea to start a quilt-along. I think she already did. 

Wouldn't you agree?

I will be happy to answer any question you may have regarding this quilt. Just send me an email. 

A quilt for someone very special

A quilt with sports theme.

Perfect for a little Nolan with soccer balls and bicycles on the front and football helmets and baseballs on the back.

I hope this keeps him warm and cozy this fall.

I have been sewing away these hsts still at the kitchen table, staying cool and having fun.

I will have what she's having

Yup..
That's exactly what I said to myself when I started this quilt. Not feeling even a slight bit guilty.

In fact, when I bought the book it was more like 'what he's having'. Scott Heffley, that is.
Bold Improvisation has been one of my all time favorite book. 

The quilt is named STREAK OF LIGHTNING

Those little HSTs take a while to add up but when they they do, boy it is fun to play around!

LeeAnn made this quilt not too long ago. I decided to go Goodwill Hunting for floral prints. Came back home with treasures every stop I made. I wonder if our local Goodwill store clerks wonder what my fascination with their store must be!

You see, I like looking at quilts that have some sort of uniqueness. Let's face it. You can't reinvent the wheel when it comes to traditional quilt patterns. I often stop 'looking' at the quilts once I recognize the fabrics unless the quilt is heavy with details. The fact that none of these prints came from a particular collection makes me want to keep staring at it..That is my fascination with fabrics from the Goodwill store. No other quilt will have the same prints like this one.

I have gone back and forth about shopping at the store. Sometimes I tell myself to leave those cloths alone so people who really need them can buy for their purpose. But then, there are other times, I convince myself that in any case, I am helping the cause. So what if I bring all those cloths home only to tear them apart and make quilts for keeps? All I can say is,  some day, somehow everything is going to get recycled...even these quilts. That's just the truth of life. 

Anita at Blooming Workshop just finished her color study and I wonder if I want what she has.. So I arranged my hsts and thought about it for a while. I guess I can always make two. Right?

I am having way too much fun working at the kitchen table.

Collecting scraps in my bowl.

Collecting strings for a future project.

Putting the baking trays to work

My garden is growing indoors and outdoors. Yes, that's my make shift ironing board on the side. Few layers of old sheets on top of the table. Works well when I can have the views of the garden and the bird-feeders right outside the window.

By the way, today is the last day for of the AAQI July auction. Don't miss it!

Have a happy day!

While I was sewing...

In the kitchen......

I got distracted..
It is easy to do when your window has this view....

It was the hottest day of June.

By the early afternoon, our birdbath was almost empty..This little family arrived and I watched...

 

Go ahead.. click on this picture

 Everyone was happy until more of them arrived...

There was a brief commotion.

 

And then there was quiet...

After a short break of peeking out the window, I filled up the birdbath and went back to sewing.