Monday, November 24

Seeing red, while feeling blue...

The black dog thinks I am it's personal coathanger.


It has itself draped about my person, like some huge black overcoat, or perhaps one of those hideous fox furs, where the poor little creature's stuffed head was on one end, & it's pitiful little legs hung down the back or from the other end.


This black dog is not so easily shed. It is a tenacious beast.
By way of trying to shake it off, I decided to begin a quilt made in reds.
Now I don't like red as a colour. I am afraid of it, somehow. It discomfits me to wear it, so I have no red clothing.


I like to see others wearing red. My daughter & granddaughter both look very nice in red.



I shamelessly stole this idea for the quilt off someone's picture gallery taken at a Quilt show.


They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery don't they??


I was quite surprised to find how many red fabrics I have. I did get some to use for a quilt I made one of my sons. I felt I had a fair stash, so I went ahead & made patches- the ever comfortable 9patches that I am so fond of.


Now my lame brain hurts every time I try to work out how to cut the correct size setting triangles.



I want to set them on point the same as the one I admired. I have less patches in my version. However that should not be a problem. I just can't seem to get the hang of how to calculate the setting triagles. I have cut some, but they don't seem to be the right size.


So deep breath to hide the panic, here HALP!!!! HAAAALLPP!
Help? help?...



The reds look very garish here in the photo. They are not quite so garish in person. They are 8 1/2 inches square with the black borders. I cut the triangles from an 8 7/8" square, but they seem too large.


I am just going to go out into the garden & sulk for a while.


I know the answer will be in one of my quilt books or magazines. I just cannot stand the thought of pulling them all out, & going through them all trying to find formula... if that is what it is.


Why did I not 'get' maths?? I got words ok. I just never got maths. It terrifies me as much as red does.


'They' say, if you dislike something, you should tackle it. Well... red plus maths ... nah! It is not working!!


So much for thinking red might shake the black dog.... I think it has caused its fangs to sink deeper...


Who wants to feel stupid as well as blue?

I have another quilt that is patiently waiting to be finished. It is for my granddaughter, & I really should try to get it done by Christmas.

Chris Isaak, Somebody's Crying

22 comments:

molly said...

Sorry to hear about that tenacious canine! But quilting is good therapy, and red is such a bright, cheery colour! If your setting triangles are too big it shouldn't be a problem. Sew them in and then trim. I always cut mine too big on purpose....hate it when they're skimpy. Much easier to trim off excess than to s-t-r-e-t-c-h!

AnnieO said...

Go to quiltville.com--Bonnie has a chart for setting triangles on her website! I printed it out to save in my archives for when I make an on-point block setting. She also has one for backings and, my favorite, how many squares you can get out of a fat quarter (all different size squares). Good Luck!

Tanya Brown said...

Take the black dog to the vet and have it put down.

Your quilt is going to be neat. The reds and black are going to make a nice dramatic combination.

Ali Honey said...

I agree with Molly but if you want the formula my book says - (take the finished size of the block x 1.414. Take that answer and add 1.25. Take that answer and round it up to the nearest half inch and cut a square that size. Then cut it on the diagonal twice. )
Gosh that sounds awful doesn't it but try it on a sample and see if it works. Good luck.
I think your answer will be a 13.5" block - note you only count one sashing strip with each block )

Mary said...

Tell that bloody old dog to naff off will you - from me..

Del said...

I am also math challenged.
I use the setting triangle calculator at:
http://quiltingpassion.com/diagcalc.html
Works for me every time.

Andrea said...

I was just coming to tell you about Bonnies charts but see I was beaten to it. Good luck !

fifi said...

away, dog! Away!



cannae help with the quilt. Sorry.



Cheery thoughts! :-)

Mike said...

Black dog's got me too. I'm writing it off to the pre-winter doldrums here. I can't even find any inspiration to blog right now.

Anonymous said...

meggie, There is NOTHING better than Chris Isaak and quilting!! I am a HUGE fan of both. I would love to meet other quilters with the same interests.

Ian Lidster said...

Fie on the black dog, love, and May you feel much better very soon.

Yolanda said...

The quilt is lovely as are you.

Rosie said...

doing stuff always helps..even if it goes wrong!

jovaliquilts said...

Bummer about the dog!
But I'm loving that red quilt. I've been collecting reds, and one day...

ancient one said...

If you don't feed that 'ole black dog, he'll leave ... seems he runs in cycles (not circles).. your quilt is very pretty!

Strider said...

I like the color red....beautiful color for a beautiful quilt.

Deb said...

That black old dog is a b.... isn't she!! I have had her visit of late and found solace in my quilting, stitching and peace and quiet. Take the dog, talk to it and then take it for a walk ..... tell it thats its all about you not her.

Anonymous said...

You could just cut one out of paper and keep going until you get one the right size, then use it as your template. In edu-speak that is the guess and check method.

It will be a beauty when you finish.

Pearl said...

The quilt is looking gorgous, I love the red. :)

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Those are such beautiful reds - it is going to be a lovely quilt. I always have to look up the formula as well. Here's a link to one http://www.mccallsquilting.com/lessons/opsets/
You'll need two kinds, one for the sides, and another for the corners.

Marja said...

Scare it away that black dog. Shoe go. I am absolutely stunned by your quilts Meggie. They are absolutely beautiful You are a master. The song is nice

Paula said...

Math gets me every time. The quilt really is lovely...

I hope you're feeling better soon, Meggie.