Nearly Insane Top Finished

OMG! Today is a big day ... I have finally finished the top of my Nearly Insane quilt! I'm entirely thrilled with how it looks.

The picture could be better, but I'm sure you'll forgive me - it's almost 10pm and so it's quite dark. But of course I couldn't wait until tomorrow morning to share.

Now I just have to wait until my backing fabric arrives, and I'll be able to get busy with the quilting. Happy days!

NI - I like this a lot better!

I spent some time unpicking and re-sewing this afternoon, and this is the result:

I'm much happier with this arrangement. Even though it's not how the original quilt is put together, I really like how the narrow inner border defines the edge of the pieced blocks. I also like how it tamed the problem of all the bumpy seam intersections between the main body of the quilt and the zig-zags. There are only two further zig-zag sides to put on, and then it's the final wide border, which is the same fabric as the sashing strips and the narrow inner border.

So happy with how this is progressing, I'm really on the home stretch :-)

NI - One Zig Zag border attached

I haven't had a lot of time for sewing this week, but thought I'd share where I'm at anyway. One zig-zag border is on my NI quilt top, and I've started putting together some pieces for the subsequent borders.

Just one thing I'd like to share - this border doesn't really fit the quilt. I drew the centre up in EQ7 using the dimensions in the book and it sizes to 76-3/4", and making the border up as directed it measures 78".

As you see, I've eased it in place, but I'm wondering if I should take it off and add a narrow border 1/2" finished all around inbetween the blocks and the zig zag border. It's not in keeping with the original quilt, but it would solve the problem, and also make the issue of very bulky seam intersections between the blocks and the zig zag disappear. What do you think? And for anyone that has finished the quilt top, how did you deal with this? I just don't think the suggestion in the book of playing with the seam allowance is accurate enough.

Working on the inner border

First up, thank you all so very much for your lovely comments - I have been very lazy answering you all, but do know that I appreciate each and every one of them.

Since my last post I've been working on the inner border of the NI quilt, and so far, I think I'm liking what I see :-) I've almost completed enough zig-zags for one whole side, but I have to put the stitching aside in favour of some chores for now.

When I was imagining how this border would go, I was certain that I'd choose tan and navy, but Jenny and I auditioned fabrics the other day, and we selected these pink and green fabrics which are the colours they used in the book. Looks nice, yes?

I'll be looking forward to getting more done ... I'll check back in soon :-)

Nearly Insane Centre

Last night and this afternoon I got busy piecing, and I'm so happy to report that I've completed the centre of my Nearly Insane quilt! I'm thrilled with how it looks and how it's gone together.

Next on the agenda is the zig-zag border. My dear friend Jenny visited yesterday, and we spent a little time hunting in my stash and have found the perfect combination for the zig-zag's. After dinner is done with tonight, I'll make up a little test piece to ensure it's what I'm looking for. Happy days!

NI - Block 80 Remake

And so my happiness is complete!

Nearly Insane Block 58

I didn't think I'd have the time to put this block together today, but I did, and I'm thrilled! This is my final Nearly Insane block - #58!

How exciting to have completed all the blocks, it has been hard going at times, but utterly worth it. I have one little thing I'd like to finally do, and that is to alter Block 80. It's a little crookedy, and if I'm going to fix it, now is the time to do it - I don't want it to bug me for all eternity.

I'm so pumped to start putting that zig zag border together. Bring it on!

Nearly Insane Block 70

Here is my NI Block 70. As much as I want to rush holus-bolus into the last block, because it's getting late, and with work commitments, it's unlikely I'll get any stitching done until Thursday. Unless I get super organised ... and there's not much chance of that!

I made a small error with this block - the large cream outer triangles should have been green, and the smaller green triangles should have been cream. Having said that, I'm still thrilled with the way the block looks, so it's staying as is.

Rock on Thursday, I'm dying to get the last block made!!

Nearly Insane Block 57

Here is my NI Block 57. I've used all sorts of red in this one, as I'm getting very low on some fabrics, and don't really want to cut into yardage at this very late stage. I also managed to use the little owl I had intended to use in block 63 - it fit this one perfectly (though when the block is set on point he's going to tilt a little).

Only two blocks to go now, and they're drawn up and ready to go!

Nearly Insane Block 75

Here it is - Block 75 - it seemed to take forever! I'm so glad to have this one checked off the list - the final three blocks will seem like a breeze after this little cutie!

To get the block to sit flat for a photograph, I've soaked it with so much 'best press' that it feels like a little piece of cardboard!

And for the purists, you'll notice that I added a couple of tiny squares in the middle, and slightly altered the second last, and last row of triangles for symmetry's sake. The wonky nature of some of the blocks irks me a little. So, because of my changes, there may be a couple more than 181 pieces in this block ... I just don't feel like counting them right now! :-)

On today's agenda ...

Today I'm tackling the dreaded block 75. It has 181 pieces, and I predict it's going to take a loooong time. Don't forget that these blocks are 6" finished, so there are a LOT of tiny pieces.

Update: I've completed the centre to the first row of green triangles ... now we're getting to the really tiny pieces! Pictures soon :-)

Table Runner Finished!!

Yesterday was an exciting day, I picked up my table runner from Lizzy! She has done an amazing job with the quilting, and I'm more than thrilled. Thank you so much Lizzy hon :-)

As soon as I got home I applied the binding, and after dinner was done with, I sat down and did the hand stitching on the reverse side. I was done by 11pm, which surprised me, as this is one big table runner at 34 x 104".

And here is a close up of the quilting. If you're here in Adelaide and need some quilting done, do get in touch with Lizzy, you definitely won't be disappointed!

Today I'll get the project all ready for the mail, it's to be in Sydney by Monday for inclusion in an upcoming issue of Australian Patchwork and Quilting. Too exciting! :-)

Nearly Insane Block 69

Here is my Nearly Insane Block 69. Just a few more gaps to fill and I can start final assembly of the quilt top. Very exciting!

Nearly Insane Block 65

And here is my second block for the day - Block 65.

It's just short of 11pm Sunday now, so it's fairly safe to say that I'm done for the weekend. Tomorrow is my day off though, so there may be another NI block in my near future :-)

Nearly Insane Block 63

I'm on a Nearly Insane roll again. These 6" blocks are just so addictive. I know I'll miss working on them when I'm finished. This one is Block 63 - isn't the fussy cut fan in the centre cute? I had wanted to use an owl which was on the same fabric, but it was too close to the selvedge to center it nicely.

If you're counting along, you'll know I only have six blocks remaining now ... let's see if I can get another done before the end of the weekend ...

Nearly Insane Block 56

Here is Block 56 of my Nearly Insane quilt. It was actually quite easy to put together, I made it this evening while I have the house to myself. Something that doesn't happen too often!

I didn't realise until I looked at the picture just now how similar that tan print and one of the cream prints is - how fun! Once again, for this block I used a variety of small scraps - many of my NI fabrics are tiny pieces now. I'll have to make up some small log cabin blocks or something to use the last of the little bits.

I have only 7 blocks left to make - I'd like to get another one prepared tonight, and perhaps I'll get it done tomorrow :-)

Civil War Blocks 6, 7 & 8

On Wednesday night, I got the final green border on the table runner, and by Thursday it was in Lizzy's hot little hands for her quilting master strokes. I didn't take a picture with the border as it was really late, but I know I'll have it back quite quickly so I'll be able to share with you all.

Today is one of my days off, so I decided to do a little catch up on my Civil War Quilt blocks. I still have two more to finish, but at least I'm not quite so far behind now :-)

Here is Block 6 - Richmond. I've used some of my scraps for this one, and the red came from Donna's scrap bag. I'm not sure if it's a reproduction, but it looks like it could be :-) Donna was a big help with this one, she suggested to cut the little squares 1-7/16" instead of 1-1/2", and the block went together so much easier. It's a smidge small, but will work in the big scheme of things. Probably a block that would be better made at 9" square rather than 8", the maths would be so much simpler :-)

Block 7 - Log Cabin. Also made from my many reproduction scraps. You'll have seen them in my Nearly Insane blocks all over the place :-)

And lastly, Block 8 - Cotton Boll. We Aussies would probably say 'cotton ball' but for the purposes of this exercise, I'm just going with it as named. In this block I've used some of my scraps from the 'Back Home Again' quilt.

After dinner tonight, I'd really like to put another Nearly Insane block together. I only have 8 to go now, so the finish line is in sight.

So close ...

This evening I was so inspired by my progress on the table runner that I thought I'd lay it out on the dining table to see how it's looking.

I'm loving it so far! Just a final green border, and this one is ready to send off to Lizzy for quilting. Very exciting indeed!