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October 27, 2006

Crazy about quilting

Finally! After years of thinking about trying my hand at making a quilt, I have completed all of the blocks for my very first

one! I took a class last week with my Bernina sewing posse, and learned how to make a "crazy nine patch." It is incredibly

easy to make these blocks! I snapped pics along the way so you can try it, too.

First, here is one of the finished blocks:

This quilt uses 36 fat quarters. I chose 12 each of red yellow and blue 1930's inspired fabric.

Once you've chosen your fabrics, wash or rinse, dry them, then give a liberal spraying of starch and iron them so they're

nice and stiff.

Using a rotary cutter, cut them into 36 squares. Mine are 12" but you can go bigger if you like. Divide into four stacks of 9

squares with the colors arranged red yellow blue red yellow blue, etc. But vary the order and which color is first in each

stack, to assure a random scattering of color across your quilt.

Put one stack on your mat with the edges aligned, and make an angled cut like so:

Make sure the bottom edge of your strip is at least 1.5" from the corner.

Now take the TOP piece from the narrow stack and put it at the bottom of the stack like so:

Now take the top piece from each stack, put the right sides together and sew a quarter inch seam along the edge you just

cut. Working your way down the stack, sew each pair together in the same way, making sure to keep them in a chain, until

you finish the last one in the stack. Then open them out one by one, clipping the thread between them as you re-stack

them in the same order. Align the edges again and make another angled cut like so:

This time take the top TWO pieces from the narrow stack and move them to the bottom:

Same as before, put the right sides together of the top pieces and sew along that edge, then open out and put back in the

same order.

Now press your seams to the middle, making sure you don't change the order or orientation of any of the blocks. Align

your blocks and make a cut like this:

Take the top THREE pieces from the narrow stack and move them to the bottom of the stack, and sew pieces together as

before. (I won't show photos of every step) Then open up and re-stack in the same order, align the edges and make one

final angled cut like so.

****This time you're going to move the top SIX pieces from the narrow stack to the bottom.***

Same as before, put right sides together and sew along the edge, then open out and re-stack. Press seams to the middle.

Make sure to keep each stack together. When you arrange the blocks on the quilt you will need to have them still in their

original groupings.

Now do the other three stacks the same way, then trim all of the blocks down to a uniform square size. In my case, 10".

I'll have to save the info on how to do the sashing and so forth until a later post, since I haven't learned how to do that yet!

But here are the pattern combos for my other three sets of blocks:

Its probably a good thing that I'm doing this particular quilt for my first try. And these colors are really making me very

happy! I am still waffling on what color to choose for the sashing and border, but I'll settle on something eventually.

Have a great weekend folks! We're off to get Mexican food!

Cheers,

Jenny

October 27, 2006 in Sewing Room | Permalink

Comments

laurie said...

Wow! I am amazed and inspired. I can't wait to see them all together.

Reply October 27, 2006 at 07:26 PM

Jane said...

Thanks for the tutorial and I absolutely LOVE your fabric choices!

Reply October 27, 2006 at 08:32 PM

Alvina said...

What a GREAT tutorial. I've always wanted to learn the art of quilt making. Thanks Jenny!

Reply October 27, 2006 at 09:46 PM

~Vicki said...

We just got back home from eating Mexican, and what a fabulous treat to see this quilt you're making and the tutorial tor

it. Those colors make me happy too! I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Reply October 27, 2006 at 10:40 PM

Amy said...

I just love the fabrics! My mother is passing all her quilting supplies on to me - fabric, books, tapes, magazines and even

the oak quilting frame my father made for her years ago. Right now I'm picking away at a vintage reproduction

"honeycomb" quilt and it's been a lot of fun.

Reply October 27, 2006 at 11:37 PM

Jenny V said...

I love your blocks! I like this version of the 9 patch much better than the traditional one. What great fabric you've found

too! I can't wait to see the finished project.

Reply October 28, 2006 at 01:06 AM

manda said...

The quilt's going to be beautiful - I can't wait to see it!

Reply October 28, 2006 at 05:18 AM

Tiel S-K said...

good for you.

be warned...there is no turning back. Soon you will find yourself with piles of fabrics set aside for quilts you want to make.

And you will be starting another before the next one is complete.

the colours are great together. can't wait to see the results.

Reply October 28, 2006 at 07:16 AM

violetismycolor said...

Quilting is one thing that I have never tried. I have to admit, since I love to sew, that I have been tempted. I am afraid of

getting addicted, unfortunately. And I have so many projects on my plate right now that I just CAN'T get another crafty

addiction...

Reply October 28, 2006 at 07:38 AM

Aubrey Tell said...

These look so great! And fun. Thanks for the tutorial. I'm definitely going to save this for a quilt one day.

Reply October 28, 2006 at 10:08 AM

Vintage Wine said...

They`re lovely! Someday I want to try and make a quilt to, but right now I`ve got enough things to do to keep me busy :-)

Mexican food sounds delicious! I love it :-)

Reply October 28, 2006 at 11:22 AM

lauradodson said...

oh! i love this quilt. i wanna make one for me. thanks for sharing.

Reply October 28, 2006 at 02:11 PM

Melissa said...

this is so pretty! I love the fabrics you chose and while the technique sounds tricky, I guess it's one of those "just follow the

instructions and it will work" things!

Can't wait to see your finished quilt!

Reply October 28, 2006 at 03:04 PM

Dawn Castro said...

I love the quilt blocks!! I quilt also!! Like they say, once you start you'll never stop!! Might i suggest using a red for a small

border around the blocks themselves.(Just a plain red) And then for a larger boarder go wild!! You could take one of the

fabrics that you used for the backing!! I can see your quilt with red binding!! Maybe a yellow backing!! Sorry getting

carried away!! I look forward to see how your quilt turns out!!

Reply October 28, 2006 at 08:50 PM

lazylol said...

Wow - I love it! The tutorial is just want I needed to see. I want to learn to quilt but there are no classes in my area and

after searching the internet I haven't really found anything as good as yours. i am crossing my fingers that you will tut the

next stages too!

Reply October 29, 2006 at 02:22 AM

katiek said...

thank you THANK YOU for this post - I am going to print it out so I can have the instructions to hand because I really

want to try this out - this is my first visit to your site - HI! the red background is l-o-v-e-l-y and I look forward to the Next

Quilt Lesson - from a complete beginner!

take care

Reply October 30, 2006 at 01:52 AM

KJ said...

Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial! My grandma was a quilter, but unfortunately, she passed away before I was

old enough for her to teach me how. I've always wanted to try it...and after I get a sewing machine, I will definitely give this

a go.

Also, I love how the colors of your quilt and even the cutting mat match your blog colors. :) Even if it was just a happy

accident, it's still all beautiful together.

Take care,

KJ

Reply October 30, 2006 at 05:02 AM

Jenny said...

How inspiring! I LOVE the fabric colors...they seem to be so you!

Reply October 30, 2006 at 02:55 PM

Jes said...

Oh my goodness! This is really fabulous. I saw a lot of "off kilter" type blocks at a quilt show a few weeks ago and I loved

them. This is really helpful. I love the 30's fabrics too, very nice!

Reply October 30, 2006 at 03:38 PM

Gina said...

How exciting. I love the fabric's and colors you chose. I'm still thinking about starting that first quilt of mine. Thanks for

sharing the step by steps. I can't wait to see the finished quilt unfold, It will sure bring sunshine on those cold wintery days

to come.

Reply October 30, 2006 at 03:47 PM

blair said...

I love the way the colors work together in this. You make it look incredibly easy Jenny, and I know its not.

Reply October 31, 2006 at 08:45 AM

anyberg said...

just lovely!!!

Reply November 01, 2006 at 07:32 AM

Suzy Lorenzen said...

These quilt blocks are amazing! My mother has been a quilter for some time now, and we finally put my artistic talents and

her crafty talents together and she is finishing up a quilt I helped her design. I know nothing about quilting, but can not

wait to see our finished result and I also can not wait to see what your quilt looks like all assembled!!

Reply November 04, 2006 at 12:05 PM

Alison said...

I love your tutorial! I have been quiltling for 15 years and still find that there is always more to learn. I had been wanting to

do this "stack and whack" method for a while. I think when I get my Heather Bailey inventory for my shop I will try this

technique! I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll do for your quilting. Your color/fabric choices are great! I also love

30's inspired fabrics and am obsessed with collecting them. The past few weeks I have been doing nothing but quilting...

it's addicting! Take care and happy quilting!

Reply November 05, 2006 at 11:07 AM

yoonie said...

Just love them to bits!!! Hmmm, sounds like my next tote bag.

Reply November 06, 2006 at 12:07 PM

jen said...

You are as much a GEM for sharing this technique as you were for sharing the Big Top alpha circles :-D Thanks EVER so

much!

Reply November 06, 2006 at 09:00 PM

Angela White said...

beautiful---i have been wanting to start quilting--this actually looks fairly easy---i'm going to make this quilt along with

your tutorial---PLEASE, don't stop til it's done....otherwise....well, i'll have a pile of quilt squares forever. thanks for getting

me off my chicken butt to try this. as i finish the quilt, would you mind if i link yours to my blog and maybe show my

progression?

Reply November 11, 2006 at 08:17 AM

Tami said...

Have you gotten any further on this WIP?? I can't wait to see the finished project.

Reply November 14, 2006 at 06:51 PM

allison strine said...

Wow, I'm impressed! Great colors!!!

Reply November 15, 2006 at 07:46 AM

sara said...

Wow! Thanks for the awesome tutorial. I'm working on my first quilt right now too...it's a lot of fun. I wish I had more

time to work on it.

Reply November 20, 2006 at 09:09 AM

Izzy said...

Hello, your quilt is beautiful, I hope you found QNN on the net and watch the quilting videos 24 hrs a day LOL..

Reply February 07, 2007 at 12:03 PM

Donna Martin said...

I am visually impaired (legally blind) and have stayed away from blocks with corners that must meet but I think I will give

this crazy block a try. I've printed out the turtorial so I can enlarge it on my printer so I will be easier for me to read. I like

that I can make the initial blocks as large as I'd like. For a visually impaired person ssmall pieces can seem too challenging.

I absolutely love the color choices. The blocks do make me smile. I think I may do blue and yellow also with just one red

square for the accent color. thank you so much for the inspirational turtorial.

Hugs and Sunshine Wishes, Miss Donna

Reply February 17, 2007 at 05:49 PM

Pam said...

Thank you! I work with Project Linus (making quilts for children in trauma) and this is a wonderful quilt for that. Thank

you for your clear instructions and pictures. Here is a site for more scrappy patterns; she also includes step-by-step

instructions along with pictures. http://quiltville.com/

This helps so much--thank you! Pam

Reply April 03, 2007 at 07:40 AM

Judy Spencer said in reply to Pam...

HI Pam, I do tons of quilts for LINUS too, and I cant wait to try this, using 4" squares, as that is what I have a bunch of

right now. We have 8 counties that meet here every month, and we average about 300 quilts every month (and need them

all). I am in NC, where are you? Judy

Reply January 24, 2010 at 08:52 PM

jennifer Paganellli said...

way cool pattern!! Thanks for sharing this haven't been by in a long time love to visit it's always exciting...Jennifer

Reply May 08, 2007 at 08:24 AM

Margie newheart said...

I have quilted for 30 years and just looked at this Wendy and I love it..Off to get some fabric, where I don't know but it will

be fun...

thanks : margie

Reply May 14, 2007 at 10:30 AM

Kim Sherrod said...

Jenny- Is it ok to use this tutorial for the Doll Quilt Challenge ( on Flickr) quilt for August? I think this is a fabulous

tutorial for stack and whack and will allow the doll quilters to learn new skills! Please let me know. Thank you!

f9419235449@netzero.com

Calamity Kim

Reply July 14, 2007 at 12:22 PM

Anna said...

This is awesome! I just started a beginner's quilting class and have been extremely frustrated by the precision and

exactness required to get my blocks perfect. The best part is that I already have a lot of 1930's fat quarters so it will be easy

to make a quilt like this! Yeah!

LOVE your blog by the way!

Reply November 19, 2007 at 05:45 PM

erika said...

This is wonderful! Thank you for the tutorial.

Reply February 01, 2008 at 12:20 PM

Lydia said...

I love these kinds of blocks. I've also made them where every time you re-sew a slice to the larger piece, you put a narrow

(1" cut) strip of black between the two pieces. Or you could put bias binding over the seams. Either way gives you a sort of

"stained glass" effect. One thing, if you wanted your color distribution more random, instead of a row of blue-blue-blue,

then a row of yellow-yellow-yellow, then a row of red-red-red, it's as simple as changing the order you stack your squares

to something slightly less regular. Instead of blue-yellow-red-blue-yellow-red-blue-yellow-red (or whatever), try blue-blue

-red-yellow-red-blue-red-yellow-yellow. Just as a for instance.

Reply February 16, 2008 at 12:23 PM

Stacy T said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE It!! The colors, tutorial, the pattern.. Oh my! great work!

Reply March 11, 2008 at 08:32 PM

michelle said...

beautiful!!! where did you find these fabrics?

Reply March 13, 2008 at 05:38 PM

Dee said...

I loved your totorial, just finshed all my blocks. Any more information on the sashing, this is my first quilt. Any

information would be great. Love your site.

Dee

Reply April 15, 2008 at 08:05 PM

angelines said...

Perfect tutorial, could you put a translator in your blog? Regards from Spain

Reply April 19, 2008 at 05:44 AM

De said...

I love your tutorial. Thanks so much. I wanted to make a 9 patch baby quilt from flannel for my new grandson. Do you

think there will be a problem with the fabric stretching and warping? Do you have a picture of your finished quilt to share?

Thanks again!

Reply April 20, 2008 at 05:34 PM

linda said...

this would have to be the most amazing and beautiful quilt I have EVER seen. I absolutely adore it

Reply May 01, 2008 at 10:46 PM

Jocelyn M. Minier said...

Thanks for sharing. This is one of my future projects in quilting. You did not mention how big your quilt turned out. You

said 36 fat quarters, 12 colors of red yellow and blue. Hope to hear from you. Thanks again.

jocelyn

Reply June 06, 2008 at 10:17 PM

Jane said...

Have just come back to this one.

I made a stack and slash which is somewhat similar and from that experince it would seem that your quilt would be very

large.....did you ever finish it (silly question..I am sure you would not have UFO's) and did you take a photo.

I ended up with nine squares with

sashing and borders and used 9 fat quarters plus border material.

I also made a child one and gave it away before I got a picture and

it was 6.5" squares finished and was fun.

The big one is about 80x80 I think. It fits the top of a double bed..is over a ladder stand at the moment.

Reply June 25, 2008 at 05:44 AM

Teresa said...

I made one quilt based on your tutorial. It was a lot of fun to make:

http://mypatchwork.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/crazy-nine-patch-quilt-for-single-bed/

Reply June 27, 2008 at 09:02 PM

Julie said...

brava!!!!!

Reply July 28, 2008 at 03:27 PM

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