37 times around the sun: modern alphabet, top completed (setting directions)

37 times around the sun
82 by 59.5 inches
An Alphabet quilt made with letters from Moda Spell it with Fabric pattern

Note the pink letters? They are Andy and my initials. I made this quilt in commemoration of our 37th anniversary this year.

In January I started two alphabet quilts using the Moda Spell it with fabric pattern, this one with batik scraps and a second still in progress with 30's reproductions.
Here is a link to Moda's free booklet:
https://www.fatquartershop.com/moda-spell-it-with-fabric-quilt-free-pdf-pattern

I made lots of changes in construction. Their directions are for using 2 1/2 inch strips. Because I used scraps and yardage I was able to simplify many of the letters. For example, their Z uses 13 pieces. I made it with 5.
I also like my Q better than theirs!
Their letters are pleasing. I kept the silhouette for most of them, and many were made as written. 

Here are my directions for this modern set. I will later put up directions for the 30's repro set. Right now it is stalled out at the letter S.

Make the letters. They will measure 8 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches, to finish 8 by 10.

Sashing #1  Make 21
Cut 3 inches by 8 1/2 inches. 
Sew onto bottoms of letters A-U
Press towards the sashing

Sashing #2   Make 16
Cut 3 inches by 13 inches
Sew onto right sides of letters except for C, H, M, R, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Wait with pressing

Sashing #3  Make 4
Cut 3 inches by 10 1/2 inches
Sew onto both sides of the V and the Y
Wait with pressing

Panel for top and bottom row  Make 2
Cut 13 inches by 21 1/2 inches
Sew onto left side of A and below the V & W
Wait with pressing

Lay out in rows as such:
Section A
Panel, A, B, C  press left
D, E, F, G, H    press right
I, J, K, L, M     press left
N, O, P, Q, R    press right

Section B
S, T, U    press left
X,Y, Z    press right
Press this section down

Section C
V, W    press left
panel
Press this section up

Sew B and C together, pressing the joining seam to the left.
It is then sewn to Section A
Press all rows down or up--your choice
All seams will nest.

Borders:
I used 5 inch cut scrap borders. I like my scrap borders to turn corners so I make sure there is enough of what will be on the corners to accommodate this.
Sides: cut two, 5 inches by 73 inches
Top and bottom: cut two 59.5 inches

Setting is my design.
Use at your pleasure.

Backing will be this fabulous Hoffman batik
that has been on my shelves way too long

broken dishes, top completed

Broken dishes
98 by 84 inches

168 blocks set into 14 rows of 12 blocks
Block finishes 7 inches

Cutting
Solid:
four triangles cut from a 4 inch strip, using the EZ angle or Bonnie Hunter's Essential triangle tool
Print:
four triangles cut from a 4 inch strip, using the EZ angle or Bonnie Hunter's Essential triangle tool.
Hint with directional fabrics: cut a piece 18 inches. Fold it back on itself and make the cuts. The four resulting triangles will be oriented 4 different ways keeping the print directional in the resulting block.

Sewing and pressing
Lay out the triangles to watch for orientation. I lay it out on a reference block so I keep the orientations correct.

Read more details about block construction/pressing and assembly of top here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/05/broken-dishes.html

My design using a traditional block.
Use at your pleasure.

horizon, top completed

Horizon
95 by 81 inches
180 blocks set into 10 rows of 18 blocks

Block finishes 9 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches

A very simple block. I am not alone in making a simple block with an inserted piece. There are many variations out there.
My block is adapted from my Riven design a couple years ago. Proportions could easily be changed. I am working on one with all batiks.
I'll probably use a wool batt because it is so large.

Block cutting
Solid: one rectangle cut 1 1/2 by 5 inch 
Print: one rectangle 5 by 3 1/2 inches, one rectangle 5 by 6 inches 
OR one rectangle cut 5 by 9 1/2 inches, then sub cut into  3 1/2 and 6 inch sections.

Press every other block horizontal seams up or down. Sew into pairs then into rows of 18. Make 10 rows. I pressed each row up.

You can read more about block construction and top assembly here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/05/horizon.html

My design. Use at your pleasure.

appliqué--applipops

One thing I can do but am clumsy with is appliqué. I will try this coming year to see if I can become better at it.
I invested in a full set of Applipops. They are a great invention and do exactly what they propose to do: make turned under circles ready to appliqué.
https://www.applipops.com/shop
By giving myself a year of steady work with it I hope my technique improves.
We shall see!