I Can't Help Myself

Truly, I am working on sewing my rows together for Message in a Bottle, and will be showing you that progress in another post soon.  Sometimes a quilter just can't help it, but needs to start a new project. Even before the last one is finished.

While I was at the Road to California quilt show, I bought a kit for The Long Road Home quilt designed by Bonnie Blue Quilts.  You all know how I feel about kits, but this one had so many of the necessary generic background prints for the alternate squares, and they were great fabrics.  I couldn't resist it.  Especially since Thelma made this quilt not too long ago, and it is gorgeous.  Here is her quilt (photo taken by Thelma, Cupcakes 'n' Daisies):

I think whether or not one uses a kit to make this quilt, the results will be quite similar.  Due to the small amount of dark or colored fabric in the quilt, the emphasis is more on the alternate squares that make up the "background" for the chain pattern formed by the dark blocks. 

I therefore rationalized the expense of the kit, thinking it would save me from depleting my precious stash of backgrounds.  This kit was convenient, had great fabrics, and would save me a lot of time spent pulling 22 backgrounds, 18 shirtings and 18 darks from my stash.  A lot of work goes into putting a kit together and one that is done well is worth the expense.   I could not have improved upon this one.  

When I opened the kit and examined the background fabrics, I was very impressed.  They were all name brand fabrics by Moda or Marcus Brothers, and many of them were Civil War prints by designers like Paula Barnes, Judie Rothermel, and Jo Morton. 

I used every single fabric in the kit.  I did not swap out a single one, and that has to be a first.

Here are my nicely cut out fabrics, all ready to sew.  This will be a great "kitchen" project:  One that I can work on at the kitchen table while I watch my grand daughter, rather than just being able to sew during her nap time when I can sneak down to the studio (I use a baby monitor while she sleeps and hear every breath she takes).  The stitching seems pretty basic, so the blocks should go together quickly without a lot of concentration.

One this about this pattern--There seems to be quite a lot of waste.  I am not sure how this can be avoided, but perhaps if the quilt had been designed to be a bit bigger the fabric called for would have been the right amount?  I don't know anything about designing quilt patterns, so any of you designers out there, feel free to educate us.  How do you determine the amount of fabric you tell folks to buy?  Do you cut it close to avoid waste, or do you allow extra for operator error?

The pile on the right is all my trimmings, and the pile on the left is what I had leftover. It seemed rather a lot to me.  Hope I can use it in some other scrappy project.  Or, heaven forbid, I misread the directions and should have used it...

 

Comments

[Pam in MN]

When I calculate yardage, whether for myself or for others, I try to be careful and respectful of the waste factor. If it is strip piecing, I add 1 extra strip for mistakes, total up the inches needed and round up to the next "sellable" increment. If I only need a few pieces of one fabric in multiple sizes I can often start with the largest, then use the rest of the width of fabric for smaller pieces. That being said, the worst feeling I get as a quilt shop employee is trying to help that customer who bought a kit but ran out of fabric. They usually have their heart set on replicating the picture and matching the fabric (understandably) so coming up with good substitutes is frustrating for all. With experience comes the ability to examine those cutting instructions and make the best use of the fabric, but a pattern has to accommodate beginners, too. It's a fine line between waste and shortage. I'm glad you brought up the subject, I would like to hear what others think.

[Barbara Anne]

Love this pattern! I have a weakness for patterns with little squares "connecting" the blocks, whether on the diagonal or straight as in The Long Road Home.

Since I nearly always make scrappy quilts so any fabric will fit in nicely and since I never buy kits, I have no suggestion beyond do re-read the pattern instructions!

I found Pam's replay very interesting.

Hugs!

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

It's going to be gorgeous Nicole! Coincidence.....I will be posting a quilt top finish today of a Bonnie Blue Quilt where it is the ONLY kit I have ever purchased. Love the result, but I too had a lot of leftovers. Can't wait to see The Long Road Home.

[gail]

Just love that pattern and the colors that you cut......thinking ahead, you could always do a mini of those fabrics..hehehe!
Gail

[Dee]

That is a beautiful quilt (and kit)! Hopefully you don't find you miscut anything and it goes together perfectly. Happy sewing!

[Brenda]

How about doing a runner for a bureau with some of the leftover fabric or maybe a doll quilt for the granddaughter? Or maybe a pillow for the bed it will be used on. Looks like a beautiful quilt.

[cindy]

The one time I figured out yardage for a non-quilter, she ran out of fabric. I found out the she had cut the long yardage into smaller pieces to be more manageable, but creating a lot of waste. Then she didn't have enough fabric to cut out all the pieces. When I had figured the yardage, I didn't take in to account that she might cut it up first before cutting the pieces. I hope that makes sense. But I can understand why they put down more yardage than needed.

[Jennifer G]

I hope that you won't have any cutting surprises at the end, but likely you will just be left with a wealth of scraps for future projects. I'm interested in knowing what shop or vendor was selling the kit? Possibly available online somewhere?

[Lisa C]

I bought that same kit at the Road to Ca show! Can't wait to make it. I really like the fabrics they put together. I also bought the kit for Carrie's Come On-A My House pattern. Love that one too! :)

[Debbie R.]

It's a nice pattern and beautiful fabric. I hope that this Long Road Home is only a short road for you! Interesting question you pose, and I look forward to reading your readers' responses.

[Vivian]

This one is going to be a beauty! As a kit lover, I would think (hope?) that designers prefer to err on the side of "extra" because they know there are people out there like me who will buy the kit but might not work on it until a few years later when the fabric in it is no longer available if you need more.

I also like when there is extra fabric because if I am careful with my cutting, it means I get a "two-fer" -- a quilt plus either some stash enhancement or the seeds for another quilt at no extra cost!

[Liz S.]

You are talking to the "choir" in regards to starting another project! haa ha
Lovely quilt, your calculations will be fine!

[Anita]

Love your kit! Do you remember who you purchased it from? Lots of times I've noticed everyone cuts things differently for BOM or kits. Sometimes I end up with generous amounts of fabric leftover, other times I can barely cut out what I need for the project. I find it kind of depends on who does the kits. Love those fabrics :)

[Sarah]

Love the fabrics you are using. Do you remember what vendor you purchased. It from?

[Anne]

I don't mind leftovers from kits - in fact, I often just add some extra background and border fabric and I usually get about 3 quilts for the price of one kit! And if there is anything left after that it goes into my string boxes for future scrap-busting.

Anyway, like a few of your other commenters, I'd love to know which shop was able to put together such a nice collection of neutrals.

[Heartsdesire]

This is a wonderful pattern. I bought it last year, but haven't started it yet so I'll be waiting to see how yours look when finished. Spectacular, I think. Your leftovers would make a cute doll quilt or small quilt if you are into that type of thing. Lots of patterns on the internet right now.

[Jeanne]

I completely understand. This will be a gorgeous quilt. Have fun.

[Jayne]

You will love this quilt, Nicole. I made mine in 2011 - without a kit - and I did not have nearly enough neutrals to do it the way the pattern is designed. So mine looks very scrappy, which is how I think those Civil War-era quilters would have handled a similar situation. Just make do, right? I have mine currently in the quilting frame, but I rarely make myself sit down and quilt on it. I would rather make tops, I suppose. Here's the link to my Long Road Home finish. http://jaynesquiltingroom.blogspot.com/2011/06/long-road-home-top-finished.html