Friday, November 18, 2011

Getting My Ducks in a Row

Half-squares lined up to become
Hour Glass units
(figuratively speaking, that is!)   The Orca Bay Mystery Quilt officially began today.  I meant to work on it this afternoon, but after shovelling out my back sidewalk, parking pad and driveway behind the garage, I came in and had a nap instead!  That left me this evening, and I was determined to get started.

I thought I had one of the triangle rulers that Bonnie recommends, but no -- my triangular ruler is a 60 degree triangle, for mosaic patchwork, creating hexagons, etc.  Thus I am using 3.25" squares paired to make half-square triangles and then paired again to make quarter-square triangle units, also known as hour glass units.

I ended up with twenty-four acceptable hour glasses, and a few duds that resulted from:
  • sloppy matching of seams;
  • sloppy sewing;
  • skewed shapes due to unequal weight of fabric.
The first two will clear up with practice, but the last one...that requires discernment of my scraps before I even cut the 3.25-inch squares.  It's one of the challenges posed by using ones scraps to make a quilt. 

A couple of times a weightier, denser, sturdier batik has been paired with a light, almost flimsy, cotton, producing a real challenge piecing.  Yes, I know I could use Mary Ellen's Best Press, which I have in a lavender scent and like very much, but I don't want to be starching every other square!

Two Dozen Assorted
I'm happy with my progress in a couple of hours this evening, but confess the thought of making another two hundred Hour Glass units in the next week is rather daunting!  If you don't hear from me for a while...

P.S. The Christmas Stocking is finished -- except for the name of the intended recipient. Photos to come soon!

1 comment:

Barbara Z said...

This reminds me of the 60 snail's trail blocks I did for my son's quilt a few years back. I was dizzy all week.
The effect is awesome!
Good Luck!