Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Hello, my name is Pam - and I am addicted to fabric

Okay - there, I've said it - and now we will move forward.

I ordered the Moda "A William Morris Garden" from Hancocks Fabrics and it came in the mail on Monday. I am quite happy that I bought it. Including shipping it was $85.0 Canadian - which is basically $85.00 American. One thing I discovered today is that it is missing one of the fat quarters . They sent 30 fat quarters but one of them does not belong -- hmm... what does that remind you of -LOL



Can you find the one that doesn't belong? I sent an email to Hancocks and I hope they will send me the right fat quarter.

There is this quilt pattern that has been designed for the fabric. I was looking at it and thinking about maybe making it, It certainly shows off the fabric beautifully.





But I was thinking maybe an old Civil War era block would be really nice for the fabric. I spent most of the afternoon looking for a block I liked. I decided I liked the basket block. And what an event it all turned out to be.

I found this picture of a basket block ( Grape Basket) I hope who ever this block belongs to doesn't get upset that I have it on my blog. I found it in Webshots. I really think it would be a good block for the fabric. I could not for the life of me find the block pattern.


So -- I have EQ6 -- I can draft the block in EQ6 and get the rotary cutting directions --- NOT!!

I spent the afternoon trying my darndest to draft the block. I just couldn't get those lines to go where I wanted them to go and then not go where I didn't want them. Talk about an event.

Finally I just switched over to good old graph paper and pencil.





I made a 10" trial block out of scraps. I think I would prefer an 8" block. I might work on designing an 8 inch block tomorrow - as this little exercise took me about 6 hours!!

Although I am wondering if 8 inches might be too small of a block for the florals in the fabric collection. Maybe I should use my left over Dear Jane civil war scraps to make an 8 inch basket block quilt. Maybe I should make the "Stepping Stones" block instead. No wonder I never get any actual quilting done!!!

19 comments:

  1. I think you should make a few more practice blocks before you actually make your quilt, then you can send them all to me! LOL

    Your first practice block looks great.

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  2. These decisions are the hardest part! They are both fun quilts, don't know how you are going to choose!

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  3. What pretty fabric - I wouldn't have a clue as to which one doesn't belong.

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  4. Pretty fabric. Is it the one in back on the right hand side....right by the Altoid tin?

    Guess I need to confess just like you did because I'm addicted to fabric too!

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  5. Oh, you bought some lovely fabric! How do you know you will have enough for a quilt or are you gonna make a small one? Maybe this is a stupid beginners question. Or does the EQ6 normally calculate the amount of fabric you need for a certain pattern? I know you are a busy woman there is no hurry in answering my "difficult" questions.

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  6. Hello, my name is Suze and I am addicted to fabric.

    See...... you are not alone it this.

    I am think of drafting a block myself and I can't decide if I want to learn how to use my EQ5 or get out my graph paper. Both seem daunting.

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  7. Oh what beautiful fabric. I love living vicariously through your fabric purchases. I love that you are drafting the blocks the same way people in "those days" would have had to draft their blocks.

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  8. The fabrics are luscious and I love the basket block. Sooo cute. I have EQ6 and would be happy to draft the block for you and e-mail you the file if you'd like. Just let me know. Quilty hugs. :o)

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  9. I love the William Morris repro fabrics and just last week was trying to decide whether to splurge on the same fat quarter bundle. Um...I'm afraid I did. The grape basket block looks like a great way to use it. Good luck with your pattern drafting!

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  10. What lovely fabrics, hmm both designs are great, glad it's you and not me making the decission.
    I'm also an addict, fabric that is....

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  11. Some basket patterns to mull over. http://homepage.mac.com/chiaverini/sylviasbridalsampler/patterns/patterns.html

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  12. Love these fabrics. I also could not pick out the one that didn't belong. Deciding what to make can be the hardest part of a project, some times you just have to start.

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  13. I couldn't find the rebel piece of fabric in the grouping, either.They all look wonderful to me. But then, I'm an addict too! I can get a little carried away with the design process as well, we're a lot alike I daresay... what ever you decide will only enhance the beauty of these WM pieces, an heirloom in the making!

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  14. Well, you're certainly not the only fabric addict out there. I can't find the fat quarter that doesn't belong... but I'm fond of using tons and tons of different fabric.

    Good luck with the basket block. I'm trying to do the math for a (different) flower basket block... I've graphed it out, but I always get confused with the seam allowances.

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  15. Hi Pam , my name is Peg and I am also addicted to fabric.....I have just received two charm packs of 'A William Morris Garden'..as a gift from two different people...they are lovely fabrics

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  16. Yup...that's me addicted to fabric too. Your practice block looks great. I think that basket will be wonderful in the WM fabrics.

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  17. Hi Pam, I'm Toni and I too am addicted...le sigh....

    LOL - great selection though!

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  18. What delicious fabrics! Addictions are relative! ;o) I do like that quilt and the block! EQ is not an easy program to learn. I EQo it in small doses! Like you, I've spent a day in EQ getting nothing accomplished. Have you looked in the block library? Did you down load the patch? They have an update for EQ6.

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  19. Wow, what a wonderful use of those gorgeous fabrics!

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