Backing too wide, not long enough, a Solution

I've been quilting for umpteen years and this is the first time this "trick" was useful.

My finished wall hanging is on the right, backing is on the left.  You can see that the backing is too wide, but not long enough.  I am aware I could take the extra side fabric and sew it along the bottom, but I wanted to try this trick.  The ruler is just sitting there - I'm trying to visualize the solution, but this first photo is NOT correct.  John Flynn  http://www.flynnquilt.com, has a solution but I'm ashamed to admit when I see his formulas, my eyes glaze over.  DH tried to "help" me, but I'm still not sure if he is pulling my leg, trying to buffalo me, or perhaps he really knows the solution.

My solution was to calculate square inches.  The wall hanging was a bit over 504.  The backing was 610 - waaay more than I needed.  Here goes.  I drew a line from corner to corner, slid one side down, the other side up, and sewed it together with a diagonal seam.  Voila!  It's tight, but it works. The points will be trimmed off.

I've heard that long-arm machine quilters LOVE this diagonal seam trick as it spreads out that "lump" on the backing as it is rolled.

If you are interested in the formula, it's on John Flynn's page, under Instructions.  Perhaps you are better at algebra than I.  (Should I admit that the ONLY time I was sent to the High School Principal's office was in my Algebra class?  I still have nightmares!)

More Quilt Show Eye Candy

Barb and Anita with the Serendipity (Raffle) Quilt for 2012. I know others helped with making this beauty, but don't have their names. This quilt was 4 Storm at Sea kits from John Flynn - Barb said they needed 4 to get enough of the right colors - (not sure what that meant). When I saw this quilt folded up, it was beautiful, but when it was on the hanging rack, the complicated design pattern became visible. This is a quilt that you want to step closer to, i.e., "it brings the viewer in." Barb, the math teacher, explained that they made it in 4 quadrants, one quadrant at a time, so they could assemble the design correctly. It's another stunning quilt, machine quilted by Anita (Prairie Creations) with straight lines, following what appears to be curves, but are not. I really want to win this one! I seem to remember they are batiks.

Arabic Lattice - John Flynn

Quilt Guild yesterday with John Flynn, and today we are working on Arabic Lattice - what an entertaining block, with many variations. He was also teaching an All-Day Friday class on another pattern, which I did not attend.

Below are 4 of M's blocks. Many of the attendees started with a kit -- every one of those plaids was so bright and cheerful. We started with the center 4-patch, then added the first fan, using a partial seam. They work up very quickly. My templates are for 6 inch blocks. They also came in a 12 inch size. As many of the kits were purchased, it was not necessary to purchase the templates, unless you wanted them.

I wanted to set mine "offset", and made a lot of blocks before the class, using many of MY plaids saved for years. (I like to be prepared!) Note the bias edges on the long outside, NOT the best idea, but when firmly starched, they held up nicely. (My ironing board top sure needs replacing now!) I liked the effect of the diagonals in the plaids.
Below - Many of the 'offset' square suggestions were dark in value, but I wanted mine to be light. Then that square appeared TOO too light, so I played around with tea staining. I still don't know what I want but ... The left is original color, right was a quick dip in strong tea. Occasionally a too-light value in an already-made quilt can be spritzed with a tea bottle, kept permanently in my sewing area.
One row laid out.
This pattern (with the offset square) requires 2 partial seams. Confusing at first, but one step at a time, and it quite do-able.

John brought all his kits - wow - did we have fun pouring over them all, and naturally, many of us left with more than the supplies we arrived with. I bought a Drunkard's Path kit - these kits are all laser cut, leaving fabric edges neat and tight - no raveling -- with registration tics on those curves. NICE!

Thanks for coming way out here, John!

When we left the Convention Center, full of threads, dragging all our 'stuff' through the lobby, parts falling to the floor as we wheeled by, all of us worn out and weary, we were surprised to find the lobby filled with a formally dressed crowd, diamond decorated-women in long dresses, black formal dinner jackets, men with boutainerres (sp?), and there we were looking like frazzled hayseeds! I believe the governor was among them - didn't take photos, though!

Church Rummage Sale Goodies

This dress fabric is beautiful - a quality cotton blue/white gingham fabric - 4 gores, about a size 20 - I snatched it up fast and cut it into fabric parts - Fifty Cents!
Next (below) is a very handsome Tommy Hilfiger shirt, look at the contrasting inner collar, and it appears to be never worn. Fifty Cents!
Next, (below) a shirt with tags attached, original $45.00, marked down to $39.00. I got it for Fifty Cents!
There is also a third plaid cotton shirt, not pictured, as well as a carton (about 10 lbs worth) of usable cotton pieces, some as large as 3 yards. $5.00 bought the carton.

This is the twice a year Rummage Sale. Two of those shirts are too nice and I may not be able to cut them up -- which was my original purpose. In May I am signed up for a John Flynn Arabic Lattice class, and am planning on using plaids -- I have a LOT of plaids!

When I first moved here I was shocked that the church Rummage Sale brought so many people shopping - people who can very well afford nice things. Over time it became apparent that the Rummage Sale, and goodies found, was like the local hot spot! Everyone wants to find something for pennies!

One year I bought 2 quality wool coats, a set of kitchen cannisters, 3 lovely decorator glass pieces of fruit, a wall 4-coat rack hanger, several sweatshirts for DH, can't remember what else, AND a working sewing machine -- all for $25.00! What a thrill.

Many items are purchased one year, and returned the next year for someone else to purchase. Now, it's one of my favorite events!