cut glass dish, top completed

Cut glass dish
96 by 84 inches
Block finishes 12 inches
56 blocks set 7 by 8

Block and unit directions are here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2022/04/cut-glass-dish-block-construction.html

Make 6 of the 8-block units and sew into rows of 3. Add the remaining two 4-block units to the ends of these, making the segments now 7 blocks across and 4 blocks down. 

There are now two halves of the quilt.
Press one half to the right, one to the left and sew the final seam.

All seams in the quilt nest!
Note: the triangles bulk up and will not want to stay pressed. This is fine! I keep them pressed for nesting, then let them fall where they will for the quilting stage.

My directions using a traditional pattern. Use at your pleasure.

cut glass dish, block construction

Block finishes 12 inches
I plan to set it 7 by 8 blocks, so 56 blocks
To measure 84 by 96 inches

In researching this block, the triangles can be all in the same orientation, or can mirror along the diagonal. The same orientation works for a three-fabric block, but I chose to mirror as I am using just two fabrics. There are also versions with 4 fabrics that are really fun.
I will show four setting options at the end of this post.
I am doing a straight-set so my pressing directions are for that orientation.
I tried the block at 9 inches, and it worked, but was tedious so I scaled up to 12 inches. 

Cut
Solid: 24 triangles from 2 1/2 inch strip using EZ Angle or Bonnie's Essential Triangle Tool
Print: Three 4 1/2 inch squares; 24 triangles from 2 1/2 inch strip using EZ Angle or Bonnie's Essential Triangle Tool

Note, either cut directional fabrics all the same for them to be directional in the block, or be happy with them going every-which way!
I like to keep directional fabrics oriented the same in these quilts to help calm the chaos a bit. There still is chaos, but it is curated chaos.

Piecing
Sew together all the triangles. Press them all to the print fabric.
I do not press again until the block is in three columns.

I make a reference block. Over this I lay out several blocks. I'll lay out 3-10 blocks at a time. Working in sections I keep the pressing plan in mind (having a second reference block helps) to orient the seams.
(Note: keep directional fabrics blocks all in pile A unless you carefully lay out upside-down directional fabrics to put into pile B)

Once the blocks are in three columns I press the outsides up and the center down.

I do not press these seams new seams until block assembly time.

Block assembly
Once blocks are completed, press half to the right (A) and half to the left (B).

Sew into columns of four and press towards the bottom. (see the red arrows in picture below)
Flip every other column. All seams will nest.


I will soon post the quilt assembly instructions.

My directions using a traditional pattern. Use at your pleasure.

There are also many ways to set the blocks, most frequently are four blocks rotated to come together with the large squares meeting. They can also be set on point.
I am setting my blocks set straight, with the large squares making a diagonal across the quilt.

Straight set, what I will do

traditional set (but I see the top right block is not correct)

on point with squares east and west

on point with squares north and south

a bridal tea

My great-nieces, with their mother and grandmother's help, set up a bridal tea for Eve earlier this month. We had my mother's wedding and bridesmaids dresses and wedding shoes from 1951 and my wedding veil from 1984 out for them to play dress-up.
The girls made clothespin dolls for decorations

horizon, quilt completed

 

Horizon
2022
95 by 81 inches
180 blocks set into 10 rows of 18 blocks

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

Block directions and setting described here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/05/horizon.html
Final setting is described here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/06/horizon-top-completed.html

A simple block. I like how it features each fabric.
I used a wool batt--nice for large quilts like this.
Quilted by Sue Divarco.
My design, use at your pleasure.

broken dishes, quilt completed

Broken dishes

2022
98 by 84 inches

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

My design using a great, simple traditional block. 
Use at your pleasure.

Block directions are here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/05/broken-dishes.html

Assembly directions are here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/06/broken-dishes-top-completed.html

sample blocks

clockwise:
Overlapped 9-patch
DOT dot DOT
Barbs (or is it Burdock?)
Irish chain
 

Sample blocks.
I sketch often in my field book, then trial them in fabric.
I am tidying up my sewing space and cutting scraps down into more blocks. I will make a few to set up a pressing plan.

Right now that DOT dot DOT is calling to me. Planning on setting it on point.

38 years

St Patrick's Day is a fine day for a wedding.

with my sisters Janna and Beth

our officiant was my uncle, the Rev John Vander Lugt

farewell, dear friend

My dear friend Sharon Sikes died a year ago.
When her husband was taking apart the house he asked if I wanted anything. 
I asked for this little ruby dish he quickly located next to her sewing machine.

A decade ago I wrote about her encouraging me to have a small bowl next to my sewing machine to hold feet when they are changed, and a package of needles.
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2012/03/tip-18-keep-little-glass-bowl-by-your.html
Her little ruby bowl now sits next to my bowl.

Sharon and I used to go to estate sales and tidy up the sewing sections. She had a passion for buying what she called "Dead Women's Notions".

Missing her today and lovingly using her ruby bowl.

circled squares, quilt completed

Circled Squares

2022
96 by 84 inches
Block finishes 12 inches

I like how this block resembles a Viewmaster reel.
This block is usually made in a nine-patch fashion.
I changed the cutting and piecing so there was a larger uncut center section so it was a less interrupted visual.

Directions for the block are here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/03/circled-squares.html

Directions for the assembly are here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/04/circled-squares-top-completed.html

The block variation and the setting directions are mine, use at your pleasure.

thousand triangles, quilt completed

Thousand Triangles
2022
90 by 72 inches
Block finishes 9 inches

Quilted by Sue Divarco

Quilt block construction here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/04/thousand-triangles.html

Quilt assembly directions here:
https://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/2021/05/thousand-triangles-top-completed.html

I love how a simple block results in a great quilt.

My directions of a traditional design, use at your pleasure.

a new year, a new alphabet

I've been working on this for a couple weeks. It will be a longer term project as spring semester course planning is taking precedence. 
I am using shirtings for the backgrounds and indigo, cadet, and royal blues for the letters; reds and madders for the sashings. I am using up some precious small pieces of Japanese fabrics from a trip there in 1989. It will be a medallion quilt so I will design it as I go.

I jokingly told a friend that instead of numbering my alphabet quilts, I should letter them as getting to 26 might be happening. This is number 6, or F.

The letters are adapted from the Primitive Gatherings Mini Alphabet by Lisa Bongean. I again used Doug Leko's folded corners tool (the small one) and Bonnie K Hunter's Essential Triangle tool to make my construction adaptations work. 

Happy New Year! Another year of uncertainty, but another year of hope.
One of my mother's expressions of wisdom, in times of uncertainty of her health, was telling my sisters and me, "Keep making plans". She did not want us to hold off on anything in anticipation of her condition changing. 
In 2022 I'll be over here in Chicago, making plans.