New photos of projects

Very nice! I particularly like the table topper and napkins - just perfect for your niece's dishes. She'll love it that you were so creative.

I really like your layout for the log cabin. Have you given it to your grandson yet?

Now, about that table topper for your son - I just can't help but think it would have looked nice if you'd chosen black and gold Iowa Hawkeye fabric instead! ;)

O m'gosh! That quilt for your grandson is just stunning! Did you have a pattern for it? Can you tell me where to get the pattern? I'm new to quilting but just love the log cabin blocks; they are so fun!

And the table topper is fabulous. I love the idea of making napkins (or hot pads) to match. I'm just finishing one with apples and will make the hotpads to go with it.

I just bought a pattern for a long-ish table topper. But when I opened it and reviewed the instructions, I am totally lost. The instructions are awful. Kind of takes the fun out of the whole process. I am finding this to be true of a lot of books and purchased patterns. The instructions leave a lot to be desired. Or. . . maybe it's just me. I realize that not everyone is a beginner, needing more hand-holding, but when instructions don't even give a clue as to what cuts go with what pieces or colors, gimme a break! Do I dare ask which patterns/mfrs to avoid? I don't want to start a flame war. But if you want to respond privately, I'd like to hear from you.

Kathy

Yes, Kathy, a lot of patterns assume a lot of knowledge on the part of the user. I think that a beginning quilter can't go wrong with one of the Quilt in a Day books, especially one of the more basic ones like Log Cabin or Irish Chain. They break it down into very detailed steps with pictures along the way. Once you've done those, you can apply what you learned to other, less detailed patterns. Also a good basic quilting book helps with those details. I like "The Quilter's Complete Guide" by Fons and Porter. "Your First Quilt Book (or It Should Be)" by Carol Doak is another good one.

Julia >

For Kathy's dismay over a difficult/vague pattern - Kathy, is there a way for you to show us online what pattern you've bought? Perhaps it is offered at an online quilt shop? It just may be that one of us has tried it and can give you some insight. Julia is right on target with the very best books for beginners. They are both really fine. Polly

OK. The pattern is Out of the Blue, Fat Quarter Table Runner VII and can be seen at:

I've figured out the cutting directions (I think!). But when I get to the assemby of the rows, I fall off the deep end. It talks about "placing row 7 on top of row 6, RST, staggering them at the ends as shown." This is in order to get the strips lying diagonally across the backing. Fine, but at what measurement? Stagger 1 inch, 2 inches, 1/2 inch, 7/8 inch or what? I can't tell by the illustration at all but can see that some of the pieces are staggered and some aren't. And then, miraculously (!!), once all the strips are sewn together, the points (on the illustration) all match up and then are cut straight across for finishing. I may be reading too much into all of this. What a joke that the instructions point out that "all instructions should be studied and understood before beginning." Studied, yes; understood, nope. Perhaps it will all become clear once I lay the strips out. And if not, I'll wing it. But probably won't buy from this company's stock again.

Thanks for any insight you might have. I do appreciate it.

Kathy

"Polly Esther" wrote

Thanks so much for the suggested books. I will probably get the Quilt in a Day log cabin one. I do have 2 basic books that are pretty complete how-tos that I've learned so much from. Now if there was a book on how to follow assembly directions that are incomplete or vague, that would be at the top of my list. Kathy

Going only by the picture here (please remember that!!!):

The strips will all have square corners at the ends, yet when paired and sewn into the top, you have to cut of parts of the ends, because the strips are put in the diagonal of the top.

You have to stagger two strips so that, for example, the blue check fabric on the two strips line up from one strip to the next one.

They could have put down how much that is in inches on the end, but I think they should have made it clear that it is those junctions between colour changes along the strips that are important to match in this pattern.

Some things get easier with practise, that also includes reading bad instructions. But some instructions are just not good. I hope my explanation above makes some sense?

Kind regards, Hanne in DK

No, I haven't given the log cabin to my grandson yet. The top is done, but it hasn't been quilted yet!

All I can say about the Black and Gold is.....ha, ha, ha!!

Thanks....I hope it matches OK. We live at opposite corners of PA.

Thank you Hanne! You just made my day! Now I understand. Wish they had said to line up the fabrics as pictured in the photo. Their illustrated diagram was waaaaay off.

What a great group!!!! Kathy in Michigan USA

"Hanne" wrote Going only by the picture here (please remember that!!!):

The strips will all have square corners at the ends, yet when paired and sewn into the top, you have to cut of parts of the ends, because the strips are put in the diagonal of the top.

You have to stagger two strips so that, for example, the blue check fabric on the two strips line up from one strip to the next one.

They could have put down how much that is in inches on the end, but I think they should have made it clear that it is those junctions between colour changes along the strips that are important to match in this pattern.

Some things get easier with practise, that also includes reading bad instructions. But some instructions are just not good. I hope my explanation above makes some sense?

Kind regards, Hanne in DK

I made the blocks in a class....there are directions in Quilters Cache for log cabin blocks. If you can't find a suitable one, let me know and I'll see if I can locate the directions.

Please post pictures of your table topper and hot pads when they're finished.....I'm always looking for new ideas.

I haven't had too much trouble following patterns, although some are a lot clearer than others. Good luck with your table runner!

Thanks Alice, I'm excited to get going on the table topper now that Hanne has given me very clear directions!!! I'll try to remember to post a photo.

Kathy

Okay. Now that Hanne has Kathy all fixed, we can get back to Alice. The idea of making place mats in the bride's dishes colors is so wonderful. I wish you'd suggested that back when our granddaughter was having showers. I would have loved to have done that. So smart of you, Alice. Your own bride is going to be so very pleased with such a beautiful set 'just for her'. Polly

Howdy!

Yes, that Log Cabin (Star) is a beauty; way to go, Alice!

Kathy, once you learn the LogCabin pattern, the rest is just how to arrange the blocks for the pattern you want.

The LogCabin Star in Alice's photo is all about the setting. This one is called Starlight: 's a free pamphlet: Good luck! And welcome to rctq. ;-)

Ragm>

All are beautiful, Alice! You especially did a great job of matching the topper and napkins to the dishes!

-Irene

Sandy, thanks so much for the information. I'll print out the pdf and study it.

Kathy

There are two examples of log cabin quilts here:

in my photostream. One is purple and green, the other is scrappy with a brown border. The blocks are the same pattern (and I think same size). That'swhat I love aobut log cabin blocks, there are so many things you can do with them.

Mary

Sandy, Thanks for all the Log Cabin information. When I was planning mine, I used EQ6, and the "lay out on the bed" methods! It was amazing how many possibilities there were!