Hello Fall – Awash in Acorns!

I am so pleased to be a part of Carla’s Hello Fall Blog Hop. Her hops are always so much fun and this one I am sure will prove to be also.

For my project, I decided to deal with some old blocks that needed a purpose in life. I will give you the instructions for the blocks and the setting triangles I used so you can make your own version, either using my blocks or ones you have left from other projects.

I had many test blocks left from when I designed these blocks for the 2018 Let’s Fall into a QAL. I had 3 – 12 1/2″ blocks and 4 – 6 1/2″ blocks. So, I headed to Electric Quilt 8* to figure out what to do.

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I needed two kinds of blocks…the corner triangles and the setting triangles. Remember we know the dimension of the block these triangles are next to…12 1/2″ for the corner triangles and 6 1/2″ for the setting triangles. Of course, Electric Quilt does figure this out for you, except the corner triangles were cut as one square cut in quarter. So, I went back to the formula for half square triangles. That long side of a HST is 1.414 x the length of the square. So, in order to cut a square that is close to the size of the 12 1/2″ block, it would be 9 1/2″ [(12.5/1.414 +.5)=9.3 rounded to 9.5). I actually cut a 10″ square as it just seemed safer. I prefer to trim and know I have a little wiggle room.

So, I turned to quilting. That turned into more of an adventure than I anticipated; I thought I would just do it the long way. Well, that did not work as well as I thought because there was not quite enough room to do the 12″ block on point in the space between the bars – remember that is 12 x 1.414 = 16.96″. I really can quilt about 11″ before I have trouble running into the rails. Again, I had to readjust my plan and would have to do half a block at a time. I found designs I liked and worked and am pleased with the way it turned out. [You can find lots of information here on quilting calculators].

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These are the quilting designs I used. One is flipped and made to join on the ends to use in the 12″ squares. My Simply 16 Handi Quilter, SS Tabitha, worked like a charm. I even used heavier thread in the bobbin than on top – because I liked the color!

I am pleased with the overall effect. It fits nicely on this bureau, so I can see it getting some use. I love the Essex Linen that is some of the background, as well as the red maple leaves in the corner and the Dit Dot pumpkin on the edges.

The back has a fabric I have hoarded for a long time. I loved the lambs and the colors looked great with a little Dit Dot pumpkin! Funny thing, I wasn’t planning on using all of my new yard of this at one time.. I didn’t put a label on it as it was really meant to be a double sided piece. Also, I have sometime to tell you about binding tomorrow, in my Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd. If you are new here, that is a monthly feature with a link up party – there are lots of great tutorials and tips that get linked up through the month.

But, before I forget, here is a link to the pattern. I give the cutting instructions and layout, but not the details of sewing rows together, all but novices or newbies should be comfortable with the pattern.

This old oak is down the street from us. She is a beauty and her owners had 3 piles of acorns, and more falling as I took the perfect photo with my new table runner! Funny thing, we don’t have squirrels on the island and we would like to keep it that way.

This project also was my One Monthly Goal and one of my PhD in 2020 projects! Hooray for September goals reached.

Awash in Acorns
20″ x 50″
Pattern design by me
Quilt pattern from HQ Prostitcher (see above pictures)
Batting: Quilters Dream 70/30
Threads for Quilting:
40 wt Glide in gold in bobbin
50 wt Superior Sew Fine #403 and 50 wt Craftsy Rose on top

Coming Up on the Blog:
QAL by the Sea #7 – 9/22
Tips and Tutorials on the 22 – 9/22 
QAL by the Sea #8 – 9/29 My block!

Linking Up With:
What I Made Monday
UFO Busting
Colour Inspiration Tuesday
Longarm Learning
Midweek Makers
One Monthly Goal
TGIFF

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