A Ghastlie End

--to the quilt instructions, anyway! When we left off, I had given directions up through making all the blocks and putting them together, right? So the next step is to add an inner border all around--I picked a medium tone (grayish) bramble print. This inner border is cut at 2" and finishes at 1-1/2". You can see a bit of that inner border in this photo:

Next, the corner blocks will need to be made. For these, I believe you've set aside four fussy cut squares. I think you might have even bordered them with the black fabric, but if you haven't done it yet, go ahead and do that now, just like you did with the center blocks.

After that, you'll need to add background to bring the corner blocks up to the right size, also just like you did for the blocks in the center. For my background fabric, I used the same fabric I used for the inner border.

The outer border could be problematic if you use the border print. I bought 2 yards and was able to get six rows of the print out of it. I found that the repeat was a little less than every 12". If your shop didn't cut carefully, you might not have enough to make your border as I did, but there are ways to get around that. I'll talk about solutions in a minute, but for now, let's just assume you can cut six rows, width of fabric ("WOF"). For two of those rows, cut them at the center fold and piece one onto each end of the whole WOF strip, so each border is 1-1/2 strips long--I hope that makes sense!

Measure the quilt top and your strips and trim the border strips to the same length. Sew the side borders on and press.

To the top and bottom borders, add a corner block to each end. Press those seams in the opposite direction from the side border seam so the seams will intersect nicely. Finish sewing on the last two borders. Done!

Now, some possible solutions if you aren't able to cut six rows of border fabric. First, there's the "buy more fabric" option.

Second, consider not adding a top border if you plan to use the quilt on a bed--if your pillows would cover it anyway, why worry? I've done this a couple times just to try to keep a king size quilt a manageable size!

Third, add fussy cut blocks to the centers of each border row--or larger star blocks.

Fourth, treat the border fabric as you did with the fussy cut block centers and fussy cut each section and alternate those pieces with plain fabric.

I wish I could say I'm done with the Ghastlies when it comes to my own quilt, but I'm still plugging along. Sometimes it feels like I'll NEVER finish, but I'm getting close--I just have two and a half borders left to quilt and then, of course, there's the binding.

But, I think before I get done, I'm going to need more of that green thread. Isn't that always the way it goes? Still, I'm pleased with the way it's turning out. Happy quilting!

Oh My Stars!

Are you ready to make some Ghastlie stars? (Of course, you don't have to use the Ghastlies fabric for this quilt--you can use any focus fabric in place of the Ghastlies, but I think the Irish chain with star center block as an alternate block is a nice way to tie any focus blocks together.)

First, you'll need to do a little cutting. The number in parenthesis is the number of pieces to cut to make the full 12 star blocks I used in the Ghastlies quilt, but if you're making a smaller version, use the first number and multiply by however many blocks you need.

1 (12) 3-1/2" pink square for star center
8 (96) 2" pink squares for star points
12 (144) 2" white squares for chain
4 (48) 2" by 3-1/2" green strips
4 (48) 2" by 6-1/2" green strips
4 (48) 2" by 9-1/2" green strips

For each block, you'll need to make four flying geese blocks using the 2" pink squares and the 2" x 3-1/2" green strips. For instructions on making flying geese, click HERE.

I'll give you the piecing directions for one block--please feel free to chain piece for as many blocks as you're making, of course! Refer to the photo of the block for placement of colors and pieces.

Starting with the 3-1/2" pink center square, add flying geese pieces to two opposite sides. Press seams toward the center pink square. To the two remaining flying geese, sew a 2" white square on each end and press seams toward the white square. Sew the second set of geese to the star center. Press seams toward the center. This completes the star part of the block. Do a visual doublecheck to make sure the geese are sewn on correctly to form star points--every now and then I find myself starting to sew geese upside down!

To two opposite sides of the resulting star block, sew a 2" by 6-1/2" strip. Press seams toward the center. To the two remaining 6-1/2" strips, add a 2" white square to each end. Press seams to the white squares. Sew the second set of strips to the star center. Press seams toward the center.

Repeat as above with the last set of strips and white squares.

There you go! The alternating star blocks are done!

Alternate Ghastlies blocks with star/chain blocks and sew the center together. For the large quilt like the one I made, start with Ghastlies on each end of the top row and in the center (that makes three Ghastlies) and use two star/chain blocks between them. Reverse that order for the next row using three star/chain blocks. Keep reversing back and forth until all the blocks are used. I found it very helpful to use a design wall so I could decide where to place each different Ghastlie block. As you sew the blocks together, press the seam allowances toward the Ghastlie blocks.

Once you get the center together, all that remains is the borders and corner blocks. I'll give those directions soon. Nice job!

Forecast? Continued Ghastlie!

I really have to apologize for not getting back to the Ghastlies instructions sooner, but I plan to remedy that this weekend--barring any unforeseen circumstances as have seemed to arise in my life lately.

When I last left you (those of you intrepid quilters who wished to follow in my Ghastlie footsteps), you were fussy cutting your Ghastlie images and bordering them in black sashing--at least that's what I used. You, of course, may use whatever you wish. Let's continue on, shall we? I have a photo of the quilt top below just for reference.

I'm afraid you're going to have to do a little math at this point. Bummer, eh? But I think this is probably as hard as this quilt gets; the rest is much easier.

First, we're going to work with the blocks for the center of the quilt only; set aside the four corner blocks if you've decided to make them. So at this point, if you're making the large quilt, you'll be working with 13 blocks. You will also need your background fabric at this point--mine is the green with the black trees.

Because all your blocks will measure differently at this point, let's use an example measurement for my explanation--maybe you have one that measures the same; if so, pull it out: Let's say your block, with sashing, is 9-1/2" tall by 7-1/2" wide, okay? The goal for this part of the instructions is for each of your blocks to measure 12-1/2" square when we're done.

We'll start with the block width--7-1/2" on our example. First subtract 7-1/2" from 12-1/2" (the end measurement); that equals 5". This is how much fabric you'll need to add to the sides to make the block measure 12-1/2".

Now divide that measurement, 5", by two (because you're going to add half to each side) and that equals 2-1/2". To take into account the seam allowance you'll be using, add 1/2" to each. Now you know the strip of fabric you need to add to each SIDE of the block will be cut at 3". If you want a little wiggle room, cut it at 3-1/4" and square up/trim the blocks later.

Okay, and how long does that 3" strip you're adding to each side need to be? The height of the example block is 9-1/2", so that's how long you cut your strips: 3" x 9-1/2". And you'll need to cut two. Go ahead and do that and then sew them on each side of the block; press open. I'll wait right here.

Now we need to add strips to the top and bottom of the block to make it measure 12-1/2". Like before, this time we subtract 9-1/2" from 12-1/2", and that equals 3". Half of 3" is 1-1/2", and you'll add 1/2" for the seam allowance. Now you know you want to cut your two strips 2" wide. (If you like the wiggle room and trimming option, cut at 2-1/4" wide.)

And how long do you need to cut them? 12-1/2" (the width of the block after adding the two side strips). So, cut two pieces 2" wide by 12-1/2" long and sew those to the top and bottom of the block. Press open.

At this point, your block will measure 12-1/2". Check the measurement and square up/trim if necessary. Repeat with the rest of the blocks.

One little tip for this part: Some of your measurements before you even add the background fabric will be close to the 12-1/2" measurement. If you do the calculations and need to add less than 1" of background to the blocks, go ahead and add 1" and then trim down--it's easier than trying to deal with tiny strips. Also, press your seam allowance to the sashing side, so it's easier to trim the excess.

Next up: Directions for the alternating Irish chain/star blocks. Stay tuned!

It Won't Be Too Long Now . . .

I want to thank everyone who voted and/or commented to help me pick a border for the George quilt. Most of you advised me to go with the red, and I did. I thought the yellow would have worked better for directing the attention to the center of the quilt, but I think those of you who mentioned scale were probably right. I think the width of the stripes on that one were just too large.

I also liked the suggestions to use the yellow for the binding, but I couldn't bear to cut into that yellow stripe just for binding, especially since I like to use bias binding. I found another yellow in my stash and I've pinned it to the design wall--I'm not sure there's enough there, but I'll figure it out when I get close to binding it.

Looking at this photo, though, makes me think those larger red half square triangles should be a different color. Maybe yellow. Do I want to mess with the mitered corners of the borders to take those out? Well, I'll have to give it some thought, that's for sure!

I took a photo of the Ghastlies when I was pinning it last night. I should be able to put together the pattern directions in the next several days--maybe sooner, but no promises.

I know there are several of you who have purchased fabric and are patiently waiting. If you feel you are a reasonably competent quilter and want to get a head start, I can give you a few directions. I'll repeat this part later when I have the whole thing written, so if you're not ready to start yet, don't worry--just wait a little longer.

To get started on this, first decide if you want it as large as mine--which is a good size for a double or queen size bed, I think. My size uses 13 fussy cut Ghastlies "portraits" for the center and 4 more for the corners. Making a quilt that's not as wide but just as long would likely fit a twin bed. For that size, you'd need 8 fussy cut Ghastlies for the center and 4 more for the corners. A smaller wallhanging might use 5 Ghastlies for the center and 4 for the corners. (In deciding how large you want to make yours, be aware that each block in the center is 12" finished and each border is 12" finished, so my quilt is 7' square. The next smaller size would be 5' wide and 7' long. And a wallhanging (or tabletopper) would be 5' square.)

Next, you'll want to fussy cut your Ghastlies to whatever size makes sense given each image. Some images are large and some are not. I find a good way to decide what size to cut a particular image is to use a large, square, clear ruler and place it over the image to check before cutting. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Remember to leave at least 1/4" around the image for the seam allowance.

If possible, cut these to the half inch measure. In other words, try not to fussy cut an image that measures 5-7/8" x 7-1/4"; instead cut it 6" x 7-1/2". It's not a terrible thing to not stick to the half inch measures, but it will make it a little harder to do the math later when we add more fabric to the blocks to make them all the same size.

Do not cut any blocks larger than 10-1/2" in width or height, and try, if possible, to cut them no larger than 9-1/2". Don't cut off feet or hats to keep them under 9-1/2", but don't leave a lot of background in either if your measurement would otherwise exceed 9-1/2". (Leaving background for the smaller images is just fine.)

Finally, for this part, cut strips of fabric (mine is the black with white polka dots) 1-1/2" wide to sew around the fussy cut Ghastlies. This will make the "frame" for each image. To figure out how long to cut these pieces, measure the longest length of the block. For instance, if your cut measurement is 5-1/2" x 8", the longest length is 8". Cut two strips 8" long. Now add 2" to the shorter length. For 5-1/2", that would be 7-1/2". Cut two strips at 7-1/2".

Next, sew the first set of strips you cut to the longer edges and press (seam allowance to the darker fabric). Then sew the next two strips to the remaining sides.

Once your Ghastlies are cut out and framed, you can stop and wait for the next step.

Let me know if you have any questions or if something doesn't work out right. Be forewarned that the early birds among you are "testing" these directions for the others, and that's why I suggest you should be reasonable competent to take this on now. Please try out a block before you cut for ALL the blocks, just to make sure my calculations and directions are clear. And thanks for playing with me and the Ghastlies!