Sunday, February 27, 2011

Postage Stamps (with design notes)

In quilters' lingo, "postage stamp" is a term often used to describe quilts made from many small squares. 

The box of 1.5" squares stayed out after I finished the Crabapples flimsy (see previous post).  These are not exactly leaders-and-enders because this was the only project I was working on.  I just cranked them out--sew a bunch of pairs (30 or so), press open. Sew the pairs  together, press open.  Sew the fours together, press open. Sew the eights together, press open. Repeat.

As to how I design:  the 1.5" squares pretty much alternate light and dark, but not exclusively.  I made a stack of 16-patches and put them up on the design wall.  There weren't enough so I made some more until I had 72.  I like on-point settings: the diagonal line has energy.  Also, on-point settings take up more space than straight settings. (The rule of thumb is 1.5 x the block measurement, so these 4" blocks are 6" on-point.)  For the setting squares and triangles I used a yellow print from my stash ("Van Gogh's Dream" by Northcott).  It has flecks of pink, red, and brown that keep it from reading as a solid.  I didn't have enough of it left for the border.  I auditioned several fabrics for and this cinnamon-brown complement the flecked yellow.  It was easy to keep sewing twos and fours of 1.5" squares for the checkerboard inner border.

The flimsy measures 58 x 65 and uses 1,460 "postage stamps." 

12 comments:

  1. What a wonderful postage stamp quilt! I've always loved them, and yours really sparkles. It's beautiful!!

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  2. It is a very beautiful quilt. Congratulation!

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  3. Your postage stamp quilt is lovely.

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  4. Fabulous! The yellow and brown work perfect together.

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  5. I really like this - on point makes it special!

    sao in Midlothian, VA

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  6. What a wonderful quilt top! Thank you for posting the photos and describing your behind the scenes designing thoughts - really helpful!

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  7. What a fantastic quilt! I can see how working on the CrabApple has inspired you with this one. Brilliant :)

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  8. What a lovely quilt. I love your color choice of gold-cheddar--not quite sure what you call it--but it really WORKS WELL!! (I'm still saving the 1.5 inch scraps for mine!)

    Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Great setting for your postage stamp blocks. I have 25•patch blocks that's been waiting a few years for a setting. Love the gold background.

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