D9P QAL Flickr Group

I've set up a Flickr group for the D9P QAL and have invited folks whom I believe are going to participate... at least, those for whom I have an email address.   If I missed someone, I apologize... 

If you are not participating but would like to join the group, you are more than welcome!   I believe you can join directly from the Flickr group page (D9P QAL) or contact me and I'll send you an invite!

 

No sewing here since Monday afternoon...  just too tired out by the time I get home!   But... there is an upcoming three-day weekend!

D9P Fun!

I've made one D9P quilt for a friend's new baby using a charm pack and some yardage from the same line...

...and, if you've made a D9P before, you know that fabric selection, layout of the nine-patches, and block arrangement can make a difference in the end product.  Using the 5" squares from one charm pack, Kelly's quilt has a scrappy look.  However, if you use fewer fabrics...

Photo from Lori Blog

...and pay attention to the layout of the subcut blocks, you can end up with a quilt looking like this one:

Photo from Helen on Quilters Club of America

I'm planning on yet another D9P arrangement for a quilt that ends up looking like this one:

Photo from Jo's Country Junction

I think a scrappy quilt in this arrangement would look cool...

Photo from Obsessively Stitching

...and you don't have to have the consistent cornerstones/center squares.


So many options but I know where I'm heading... once I get my baby back!

 

Tricky Little Charm Packs

...or should I say:  Tricky little charm pack producers?     Notice anything about the charm packs in this photo?

Yes, you are right!   The packs are different sizes!!!  Variation seems to depend on the fabric line rather than the fabric company.   Go figure...

• 50 charm squares in Moda / "Peace on Earth" by 3 Sisters
• 43 charm squares in Robert Kaufman / "Hello My Name is Charm Square"
• 22 charm squares in Benartex / "Spirographix"
• 56 charm squares in Benartex / "Victoria" by Nikki Russell
• 32 charm squares in Timeless Treasures / "Hampton Blues"

...and my precious little charm packs that I want to use for this QAL...

• 25 charm squares in Moda / "Penelope" by Sentimental Studios

I suppose I always knew there was some variation in the number of charm squares per package but...  I did not realize just how wide the range was!     So, ladies... check your charm packs for actual numbers of 5" squares when using the chart below to estimate how many you will need for the size quilt you'd like to make.

The measurements for quilt sizes were found on the net; the numbers of charm squares need for a borderless quilt were computed by me...  who is prone to error; however, it's a good starting place, I hope.

This is based on the following layout:

 In figuring how many charm squares I have with the five "Penelope" charm packs, I had to consider that two of the 25 charms are from the fabric I want to use for the center square...   so I actually have only 23 charms for the corner squares.

Confused yet?

Don't worry, we'll work through this...

Additionally, you will need some extra yardage for sashings and cornerstones for two sides of the assembled quilt tops.

Because these charm packs and yardage came from stash, I have three yards of what will be the borders and binding...

...as well as three yards of the fabric that will be the cornerstones...

 

The actual color is more rosy than this appears to me on my monitor.

 Extra yardage will end up on the back of the quilt.


Hope this helps you estimate what you'll need for your quilt.  Remember that I can't guarantee the numbers I've provided in the chart above.  I'm going to have to do some more figuring to work out how many 9-patch blocks I'll need for a double quilt with borders... but I won't bore you.

Happy stash shopping and fabric assembling! 

 

Photo of BlueRibbonGirl's stash.

My stash is much smaller... I swear!