As I started writing instructions for my prairie point embellished pumpkin runner, it occurred to me that I chose a rather uncommon block size as the base. Who makes 7 1/2" finished blocks? I do, apparently.
I'm trying to figure out why I chose that size. I pieced the top two years ago this month, so it's all a little foggy in my memory. I think the answer lies in the Canada Day runner I made in July that year.
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When I made this one I was just playing with red scraps. I had a stack of 3 1/2" red squares in the scrap bins, and I used those to make the HST for the leaf tips, which led to 2 1/2" finished HST. Those dictated the size of the finished block: 3 x 2 1/2" = 7 1/2".
How did that dictate the size of my pumpkins? I used the maple leaf runner as my model for the sashing and borders widths. Since I was just playing with orange scraps, it wasn't a big deal to make my pumpkins the same size as the leaves so the proportions would still work.
I had planned to share the runner setting instructions as a free download for my newsletter subscribers, with the understanding that you could use any 7 1/2" finished block of your choice to suit your purpose. Now I'm wondering if there's any point, because there aren't a lot of patterns for 7 1/2" blocks floating around. Maybe I need to pair the setting with block patterns? That's would be a whole new project to add to my "to do" list.
Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Please share!
Happy quilting,
Hmm, I don't know if I've ever seen a 7 1/2" finished block before. Very clever of you to come up with blocks that size. Probably for me the setting would not mean much with no blocks to fit. But maybe other quilters are more versatile than I am.
ReplyDeleteIt would certainly be easier to swap with say an 8" finished block. How wide is the runner as you have made it now?
ReplyDeleteThe pattern is cute, despite the wierd size. Maybe ask the Google if there are any free patterns out there of that size, and if you find a fair amount, go ahead and publish it without block patterns?
ReplyDeleteI would love to see this setting with different blocks for different holidays! I also love your Canada Day runner. Rings my chimes.
ReplyDeleteThey are both lovely & when you think about it, playing with jelly roll strips & cutting squares from them & making a 3 x 3 block would bring it to 7 1/2", so I'm sort of surprised there aren't many blocks that size. Take care & hugs.
ReplyDeleteI tend to do whatever block size works for the size of the quilt I want. Sometimes to the size of the scrap I have on hand. So to me a 7.5 finished block doesn't seem too crazy. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is stunning. I would love to make these.
ReplyDeleteIf the odd block size really bothers you, you can always frame the blocks with a border to create a sashing
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this pattern in my e-mail. I have mine on the longarm today. I LOVE the prairie points!!! ~Kathy Here's my blog post about it.
ReplyDeletehttps://draft.blogger.com/blog/posts/4780839684849928705?hl=en
Hi Joanne, since I don't quilt that much, I really don't care what size my block is, as long as it turns out to be roughly what it was supposed to be :-) I imagine that depending on the block, an 8" block can always be trimmed down? Good luck - your runner is really lovely!
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