Rule Release #15 - THE LAST ONE!

Rule Release #15

Hello again everyone! 

Wow!  We are actually releasing the last rule right behind our year mark.  I really did not expect to have a queen sized top this far done one year out.  This is wonderful!

Rule: "No Pink." 

The lady who submitted this rule always uses pink and wanted  to be forced against it.  Now, doesn't that sound like a simple rule to finish off with?  It is simple for me because I don't really like pink.

Technique:  Choose any technique you favor.   Perhaps there is one you tried this year that you wish to repeat.

Size:  We are going to complete the row we began in December.  This row completion, once sewn to the TOP or BOTTOM of your quilt, will complete the quilt top -- yay!  (minus borders).  Block #15 will need to be 30 1/2" wide ( 30" finished) by 22 1/2" tall (22 finished). 

Once this row is completed in February, the quilt should measure 60 x 80 which will fit the top of a queen-sized bed.  You will have to make borders to get the quilt long enough to go over the sides of the bed.

Due Date: I think the "quilt top" without borders should be due Feb 29, 2012 -- LEAP DAY.  I mean, we only have a due date such as this every four years, right.   It will also allow us catcher-uppers to catch up.

Thank you and enjoy.

Rule Release #14

Rule Release #14


Hello again everyone!  How is your Christmas readiness coming along?  I am certain we all have our days and evenings filled with all sorts of goings-on.


As for the Dorinda Mystery, we are very close. The last rule release will come out in January and then we will have a top completed minus borders -- yeah!!

Rule:  Make a pinwheel


Technique:  combine a hand stitched applique with embroidery

Size:  We are going to make half of a row this month and next month we'll make the other half to complete the quilt top (minus borders).  This row will go on either the TOP or BOTTOM of the quilt.  Block #14 will need to be 30 1/2" wide ( 30" finished) by 22 1/2" tall (22 finished). 

Once the row is completed in early February, the quilt should measure 60 x 80 which will fit the top of a queen-sized bed.  You will have to make borders to get the quilt long enough to go over the sides of the bed.
Due Dates: The next and FINAL rule will release January 15th.  You can begin showing a full release of #14 any time it is completed. 

Rule Release #13

Rule Release #13

Rule:  Must use 3 tones or values of the same color.


Technique:  None - use any technique you choose.

Size:  We are going to complete the column we started in rules 11 and 12.  Remember that this column will go on either side of the quilt.  Block #13 will need to be 17 1/2" wide ( 17" finished) by 19 1/2" tall (19 finished).  You can join block #13 to the top or bottom of your 11/12 column. 

Due Dates: The next rule will release December 8th.  You can begin showing a full release of #13 any time it is completed. 

We are getting very close.  The quilt should now fit on the top of a queen-sized bed.  We'll need to add borders to hang over the sides.

Rule Release #12

Before we get to the rule, let me just say that everyone in the group voted to use the rules that already exist from active and inactive participants.  This rule comes from the original pool of rules submitted.

RULE 12

Rule:  put words in it somewhere


Technique:  I am calling this technique the "Buggy Barn" technique.  The idea comes from the way Buggy Barn patterned quilts are made.  You may use a real Buggy Barn pattern if you choose, but it would be a learning experience to try to make your own.

Follow the steps below:

1.  Draw a basic pattern of what you want to make.  Don't do anything too detailed and remember that it will SHRINK dramatically after it is sewn together.  Create "sections" that must be sewn together before they can be joined to other sections.  I like to label my sections as letters and the pieces in that section are listed in order by number. The photo below shows that there will be 7 sections (A-G).

Below is a sample of a wonky churn dash I drew.

 2.  Draw or trace your pattern onto freezer paper.

3.  Stack at least two contrasting fabrics with right sides up.  Place the freezer paper pattern on top and press it to the top fabric.  The waxy side will stick to the top fabric and hold it  in place while you cut.  Don't be concerned with leaving the outside edges large.  It will give you room to true up the block when you are finished.

4.  Cut along the lines between the main sections as shown below.

5.  Cut out the remaining sections after the main cuts are complete.  Once your sections are cut you can cut out each individual piece.

6.  Trade the position the two different fabrics to form the block pattern.  Sew the pieces together by section in order of number.  As you sew them back together REMEMBER THAT BUGGY BARNS ARE NOT EXACT.  You WILL HAVE TO trim the edge of each piece before you attach it to the next one.  The Buggy Barn style is always wonky and rarely fits together perfectly.

7.  If you started with two fabrics, you will end up with 2 separate blocks that are positive negative blocks.

Here is another example to look at.  This one will be a wonky house.

When I finished, my house looked like this.  Because the patterns don't always turn out like you think they will, I had to make some simple adjustmens.  My chimney was too tall so I added another piece of background to go across the top of it.  Also, my door was the same color as my background, so I added a piece below it to make the door stand out.  See the difference below.

Here is a link to some wonky trees I made for the Block Lotto last December.  I used this same technique to create them.

I LOVE Buggy Barn technique!!  Give it a try.

Below is a link to another tutorial from the block lotto.

block lotto tells and shows us how to make a tree


Size:  We are going to add to but not complete the column we started in rule 11.  Remember that this column will go on either side of the quilt.  Block #12 will need to be 17 1/2" wide ( 17" finished) by 19 1/2" tall (19 finished).  You can join block #12 to the top or bottom of block #11.  We are still short 19 more inches of completing this column, so you won't be able to join it to the quilt yet.


Due Dates: The next rule will release November 8th.  You can begin showing a full release of #12 any time it is completed.  Good luck and have fun.

Rule Release #11

Wow, are we really on the 11th release in the 10th month? 


Rule:  incorporate one or more yo-yo into your block

How to sew a yo-yo

Projects to look at with yo-yos


Technique:  any technique you choose


Size:  We are going to build another column to go on either side of the quilt.  Block #11 will need to be 17 1/2" wide ( 17" finished) by 20 1/2" tall (20 finished).  This should bring the quilt width to the right size to fit on top of a queen-sized bed.

Due Dates: The next rule will release October 8th.  You can begin showing a full release of #11 on Sept 17th.