A Good Start

I have half of the blocks for my next quilt done, YAY :) I decided after the scrappy bargello fiasco I needed something quick and 'easy.' No seams to match and I used pre-cuts so I didn't even have to cut! I'm using Xanadu by Moda (charm pack and jelly roll) bought at Missouri Star Quilt Co.  The center strip is Sunnybrook Farm by Exclusively Quilters bought at Stitch-N-Frame (BTW, for those of you not on a fabric diet, they are having and AWESOME Winter Clearance sale til the end of the month!).  I did have to cut the yardage for the middle strip :) I am doing the Square in a Square quilt shown in this Jenny Doan tutorial.  Here are the blocks so far:

I didn't take pictures of the blocks on my design wall because I couldn't get them to look right and I think the pictures taken outside show off the colors better :) It is at this point in the process that I start questioning the color combinations.... it always seems to work out in the end so I don't stress about it too much.  Does this happen to you?  The center gold strip is cut at 2" instead of 1.5."  By doing this, the entire jelly roll strip is used to go around the block - I do NOT need anymore scraps!! haha Because blocks are finishing at 12.5,"  I think I may just sew the blocks together instead of using Sunnybrook for the sashing.... If I sash it, this quilt is going to be huge and the intent is for it to be a large lap quilt (it is going to be a large lap quilt even if I don't sash). 

So far this quilt has gone together without any problems - YAY :) I am starching the pre-cuts before I sew which is working out well.  I like to work with fabric that is about as stiff as construction paper :) I find it really helps with accuracy.  I do have to say, it is a good thing that this particular pattern is not dependent on accurate cutting... The jelly roll strips measure in at 2 3/4 inches.... A word of warning, when you are using pre-cuts ALWAYS measure them before you start a project!  I have read a good amount on forums of people having major issues with projects that require accurate cuts, getting half way through and finding out their strips or squares are not accurately cut.

The other thing that I am reminded of while working on this project is that I REALLY get bored with string piecing!! I know all of the benefits of string piecing (which is why I continue to do it) but I just get soooo bored with the process!  What about you?  Do you string piece?  Do you like it?  Is there something you do to make it more exciting?  If there is, please share!! :)

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday over at Quilt Story, Connie over at Freemotion by the River and Lorna over at Sew Fresh Quilts.  If you are visiting my blog for the first time, welcome!  Have a look around and if you feel so inclined leave a comment, I LOVE comments and answer them all by email :) If you haven't linked up with Fabric Tuesday, hop on over, link up and see what peeps are working on this week!

Until Next time, keep on quilting!