Thank you to those of you who left me comments or talked to me in person. I appreciate your perspectives that I was not exactly clear on what this project will look like.
If you do the quilt-a-long (QAL) strips in the same sequence that I do, doing the same fabric placement, you will obtain results similar to this quilt diagram:
The first time I did this jelly roll pattern, I did not put the colors in any particular arrangement and ended up with a star and a scrappy look. I still really like that. Here is a diagram:
Here are photos of my strip sets.
I sketched this out by hand first and noticed a mathematical arrangement could be used for the color placement to change from my original random version to the radiating version.
1) Sort your piles into 6 strips of the same fabric. If you don't have 6 strips in the jelly roll, use the same color and hue. You can tell the strength of the hue by squinting at the fabric. You will need 6 piles of fabric containing 6 strips.
2) Use this math relationship for placement:
Inside star:
- 1 strip for the inside and 5 for the point. (1+5=6) This is designated as blue 1 on the diagram.
- 2 strips for the inside and 5 for the point (2+4=6). This is designated as red 2 on the diagram.
- 3 strips for the inside and 3 for the point (3+3=6). This is designated as green 3 on the diagram.
- 4 strips for the inside and 2 for the point (4+2=6). This is designated as orange 4 on the diagram.
- 5 strips for the inside and 1 for the point (5+1=6). This is designated as purple 5. Note that the one remaining strip becomes the outer-most tip of your quilt. So if you want it to be more eye catching to create that quilt sparkle, make this a highly contrasting color with the background fabric. (Dark color. I just did a medium gray then realized this after I did my diagrams).
- 6 strips for the connection between the center and the point. (6+0=6). This is designated as yellow 6 on the diagram. If you choose this to be the darkest color of your quilt, it will create a circle all the way around. I just noticed this after doing the diagrams and started the piecing.
Here is my original sketch of the mathematical relationship from above. (Be glad you didn't use this diagram, ha ha!)
Here are my strips and progress photos:
Layout your strip sets.
When you are satisfied, fold a 45 degree angle to offset your strips at the top of each strip. This will create a triangle. Attach the next strip at the bottom of this triangle. You will get off-set strips of 6 as in the photo above.
When you have your sets completed, cut your first strip using the 45 degree mark on your rotary cutter mat to create the diamonds. The top diamond of this strip becomes the center of your quilt. You need 8 strips cut at a 2 1/2 inch width. Please note that you can get 11 strips out of these. I save the leftovers and use them in a scrap long star later.
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| Cut eight 2 1/2 inch strips from your strip set using the 45 degree angle. I use tape to mark the 2 1/2 inch width on my ruler. |
When all 8 strips are cut, then go to pile 2 and repeat. Since I do not want to mess with the orientation of the strips, I sew these 8 to the previous 8 before cutting any more strips. This way I keep track of my work.
Sew row one to row two. I press seams to the top. Most patterns say to press seams open so you can find the "x" in the diamond for pinning. I can find it by looking at how the seam allowance cross each other. Pinning each "x" will ensure you don't blunt your Lonestar diamond tips.
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| "X" marks the spot when it comes to pinning! |
I should have a finished quilt top by the end of the week to show to you! More next time! Here is a photo of the scrappy one.
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