Prairie Paisley Project

I just have a quick post for you tonight because it's kinda late--I've been playing in the Sweat Shop, trying to get a top finished.

Remember this from the other day? I mentioned I had bought this little Schnibbles pattern and two charm packs of the Prairie Paisley fabric. The Schnibbles pattern sample actually uses the Prairie Paisley line, so it's a perfect "fit"!

When I started cutting and making the star blocks, I found that I could just squeeze out 13 star blocks instead of the 9 called for in the pattern. In other words, I could make a larger quilt top using a diagonal set with 13 center blocks. I did have to cheat a little and use one 5" square of the red with white polka dot fabric from the Mary Engelbreit line--I thought the reds matched pretty well. I also had to add more neutral fabrics than was called for in the pattern. I think the pattern called for 1/3 yard to be used in the star backgrounds. I needed about another 1/2 yard for the setting triangles (what I used was from the Christmas Past line by the same designers) and then I also added another fat quarter and about a 1/2 yard for the outside border because I wanted that to be wider than the pattern. So, anyway, here's how mine turned out--it measures around 46" square instead of the original 30" square:

(By the way, if you're making a quilt top from this pattern, take a look at the cutting directions for the blue fabric to make the star blocks. Instead of cutting the charms in 2" strips and then cutting those 3-1/2" long, cut a 1-1/2" strip first and add it to the pile for the blue inner border strips. Then cut the remaining 3-1/2" pieces into rectangles that measure 2" x 3-1/2"--that should eliminate some of the waste.)

I've enjoyed working with this fabric--something about it reminds me of summer days, those old-fashioned red and white or blue and white handkerchiefs, and picnics. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it somehow evokes memories of childhood summers. I know the line is wildly popular--have you made anything from it yet?