This quilt, popularly known as the ‘Nearly Insane’, is based on the 1860s quilt by Salinda Rupp, with 98 blocks measuring 6” square. The block patterns are available on my store patchworkofmylife.
Continuing to update my blog with the quilts finished over the last few years, comes the one that drew me to quilting in the first place.
It took me nearly 10 years to complete!
This quilt was the background theme of my quilting life for over ten years, before I finished it last year. So after yet another year, here finally are the pictures of my completed quilt. Also enjoy some trivia about the original quilt, made by the Pennsylvania resident, Salinda Rupp in the 1860s, which came to be known as the Nearly Insane Quilt and which launched a thousand quilts!
Do you know that this quilt (not mine, but the original Salinda Rupp quilt) actually has at least two poems inspired by it? One of them you can check out here. Despite all my research on the net, I could not discover who wrote the other, titled ‘The Geometry of Grace’, so am not sure if it would be fair to share it here.
As for my quilt, which I call ‘Totally Mads’ , the colours were inspired by Jaipur blue pottery.
Jaipur blue pottery ( image not mine— from the web)The average number of pieces in each block are between 35-40
It has over 5600 pieces, including the borders and sashing!
The most intricate block has 229 pieces in a six inch square!
Most people prefer to English paper piece it or piece it by hand, because the pieces are so tiny. I decided to draft patterns to foundation paper piece it by machine.
When actually quilting it, I used the quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) method, best suited to my sit-down Husqavarna Viking Topaz 30. Because the squares are on-point, I had to be innovative about the panels. I decided on a total of nine panels, but had to add four for the borders because of the way blocks joined up…
The quilt back! The centre blue square actually has 5 QAYG panels. The four yellow corners are again separate QAYG panels.
The original quilt finishes at 88” x 88” but I added and extra border to increase the size.
The extra border and the flanged binding.
I have used a double batting, one a bamboo and the other cotton. The quilt weighs a ton now! Lesson learnt— never again, especially for a quilt where the top is already so heavy because of the enormous number of pieces. (This also explains why I have no full frontal picture of the quilt!)
The other thing that irks me ( but I refuse to do anything about it) is that the borders are not as heavily quilted as the rest of the top, so they kind of ‘hang loose’.
This video might give you a better look at the quilt.
A closer look at the quilt…
Hope you enjoyed that!
From yet another angle!
P.S I have realised that my block-wise record of the quilt was also not completed, so I shall do that in subsequent posts, for those of you who want to jump into this extremely soul-satisfying (and yet at times exasperating) project.
Like I mentioned, the patterns are available on my store!
An original quilt block inspired by the lovely Aster flower…
The Aster is another original 18″ Quilt block with an inset 15″ circle flower, designed by me for the Dreamcatcher Quilt.
I have always loved the Aster-such a pretty flower, which is also the Birth Flower for September! Did you know it gets its name from Greek, meaning ‘star’, because the flowers resemble stars? In Greek mythology, it became a symbol of love when it was placed on the altars for the Gods. I included it as the eleventh block in the DreamcatcherRound the Year quilt…to coincide with Valentine’s Day in my Block of the Month Quilt. Asters also symbolize wisdom, faith, colour, besides patience, daintiness and charm.
My Aster comes in blue-the blue blooms are not only rare but also extremely lovely-the colour ranging from a light through deep blue to purples. The block is really easy to piece and comes up very quickly. To make it more challenging, I added y-seams to the centre. Of course, you could applique a simple circle as the centre, or try out any of these options!
The printable PDF files instructions and templates for the block are now available on my MadsPatch store on Ecwid.
Four shades of the main colour (blue) totalling about 1/3 yard and small scraps of yellow, gold, light and deep orange – are used here. My Aster is blue to go with Dreamcatcher Quilt, but you could make yours in any of these colours -pink, purple, red or yellow.
Please note that this in a digital pattern, you will receive only a link to download the .PDF files on your computer/device. A paper pattern WILL NOT be snail-mailed to you. The links expire in 72 hours, so you would be well-advised to download the files on a permanent location on your PC/ Mac / Notepad asap.
You need Adobe Acrobat Reader Software, downloadable for free at the Adobe site, to read the files. Print from the saved files; do not print directly from the mail/ link. The patterns are designed for printing on A4 size paper, but letter size 8.5″ x 11.5″ will be fine. Set your printer to ‘Actual Size’ or 100% setting before printing.
All patterns are for your personal use only. Please do not share with others or use for teaching/ workshops etc without my prior permission! The 4 files will include:
Instructions File – contains these instructions including the fabric requirement, piecing order and Master Template to be used as a guide for assembling the block.
FPP Templates File containing foundation paper piecing templates.
Master Template that will help you in assembling the block – remember this is is a mirror image. You can also try out your own colours on the outline block.
Bonus: I also include a bonus file with the pattern, these are tips for paper-piecing you can print and keep with you always!
So what do you plan to make your Aster Block into? A round Christmas table runner?
Like every other quilter, I also always had Mariner’s Compass on my bucket list!
So, when I was designing the DreamcatcherRound the Year , I included it as the seventh block in the quilt, albeit a little different.
This off-centre Mariner’s Compass is a variation of the block, which is traditionally hand pieced or English paper pieced. However, this pattern employs a number of techniques, including foundation paper piecing, machine piecing and appliqué. It finishes at 18″ square, with a 15″ pieced circle.
The printable PDF files instructions and templates for the block are now available on my MadsPatch store on Ecwid.
This is the Dusk colourway, the rays of the setting sun lighting up the needles on the right, as the darkness gathers from the East on the left. The name of the block came about as the pattern originally had a circle of geese , receding in size, flying upwards from both sides – I dropped them to simplify the design.
Fabric Requirement
Fabric Colour Code – Block Seven Southward Bound
Four shades of the main colour (blue) and four in a contrast colour way – yellow, gold, light and deep orange – are used here.
The fabric requirements given in my pattern are quite generous (according to me!), but you may want to cut fabric as you go along.
Please note that this in a digital purchase of a pattern, you will receive only a link to download the .PDF files on your computer/device. A paper pattern WILL NOT be mailed to you.
2. On purchase, you will immediately receive a mail confirming receipt of the order, followed by a second mail with download links. If you do not see the mails in your inbox, please check your Spam folder. Please do not click the links repeatedly as each click is treated as a download and number of downloads is limited.
3. It is advisable to access the files on your laptop or notepad where you can save them, rather than on your smartphone.
The links expire in 72 hours, so you would be well-advised to download the files on a permanent location on your PC/ Mac / Notepad asap.
4. You will need to download the software Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)at Adobe site to be able read the files.
5. Download the files on your device/ computer; do not print directly from the mail/ link. The patterns are designed for printing on A4 size paper, but letter size 8.5″ x 11.5″ will be fine. Set your printer to ‘Actual Size’ or 100 % setting before printing.
All patterns are for your, the buyer’s personal use only. Please do not share with others or use for teaching/ workshops etc without my prior permission! The files will include:
Instructions File – contains these instructions including the fabric requirement, piecing order and Master Template to be used as a guide for assembling the block.
Template File.1 containing paper piecing templates A to P . Print at actual size or 100% in portrait mode
Template File.2 containing templates Q to X and Z . I suggest you print these on freezer paper, if available, at 100% or actual size. These are odd shaped pieces with circular edges, and I personally like to use freezer paper for accuracy for cutting these.
Master Template
This diagram is the Master Template that will help you in assembling the block – remember this is is a mirror image. It is also included with the files. You can also try out your own colours on it.
Printing and Templates
I printed the templates on Freezer Paper.
If you don’t have freezer paper printer sheets, what do you do? Cut the freezer paper to your regular printer paper size (A4 or letter – approximately 8.5″ x 11″). Iron just the edges of the freezer paper (about ¼”) to a regular printer sheet, so that they are joined evenly, without any creases. Print as usual, taking care to insert the joined sheets in the printer so that the printing is on the freezer paper.
Place freezer paper, sticky side down on regular printer sheet. Iron about a 1/4″ on all edges. Print the double sheet as usual.
Piecing
The block is partly foundation paper pieced. I have blogged about the paper piecing patterns for this quilt earlier, and also given a few paper piecing tips here. In case you are too lazy to go through those ( I would be, I know!) here is a quick checklist before you begin! I also include a bonus with the pattern, these tips in a file you can print and keep with you always!
Paper Piecing Checklist
Have the fabrics been colour coded?
Has the machine stitch length been reduced?
Are the templates in order specified in the instructions?
Have you picked up the correct fabric pieces or strip/s? The fabric code number is printed on each piece position. It is a good idea to check that once in a while.
When you start, is your piece #1 placed on position #1 on the templates?
Is the wrong side of the fabric piece touching the paper?
Is the incoming piece placed right sides touching the previous one?
If strip chain piecing the templates, have you sufficient space between one template and the next?
Once done with the piecing, and before you start assembly, you may like to refer to this checklist!
TemplateAssembly Checklist
Have you a print out of the Master Template in front of you?
Avoid removing paper pieces before your template is ready to actually go under the machine! Arrange the templates, printed side up, using the Master Template as a guide.
If you do remove the paper, ensure you have the template (alphabet) name pinned to wrong side of the pieced template, to guide you during assembly.
At all times, keep the printed/ wrong side up, pick up the templates to be assembled, (remove the paper, if you wish to) sew them together. Put back in place, wrong side up. Go on to the next. At all times, remember to keep track of template names
Refer to the Master template at all times during assembly to ensure all is in order! Reminder: If you take off the paper before assembly, remember to stick a post-it note or pin a piece of paper with the template name on the pieced template.
Before I sign off, here is a look at the Rainbow version of the block. The templates and instructions are available my Ecwid online store, Madspatch.
The pattern for this gorgeous 15″ Chakra (Wheel) circle block set in an 18″ square is foundation paper-pieced and much easier to sew than it looks! And there are so many ways to use it!
The Chakra Block Pattern is now available on my Madspatch Ecwid Store! Check Link below.
The Chakra (Wheel) Block from my Dreamcatcher Quilt has to be my absolute favourite. For one, it is a tribute to my country, India! Secondly, it is designed by me, not based on any other quilt block that I have seen.
Why not celebrate India by making your own Chakra? The pattern is now available on my Madspatch Ecwid store! It is surprisingly easy to piece the paper-foundation paper piecing way, and assembly is also simple enough. The half-circles could be appliqued, fused or even omitted if you don’t feel up to it!
The block, a 15” square set in an 18” circle was designed as the tenth block in the Dreamcatcher Round the Year BOM quilt. However, like the other blocks of my quilt, it works great as a stand-alone small quilt! Here are some great options for you!
You could use just the centre circle as a great-looking round table runner.
The Chakra Block in its original Dreamcatcher by Dusk colours
Make it in the original indigo and white of our flag and bind with a green and saffron double binding to make it look special!
The Indigo and white Ashok Wheel round table runner with a tricolour double binding!
Substitute the colours on the pattern and make a couple for a pair of gorgeous tricolour cushion covers.
A pair of cushions in the saffron, green and white of the Indian tricolour
…Or you could combine with another two blocks from my store, the Lollipop Candy and Dahlia; add a 1.5” border and sashing to make a table runner 21”X 60”!
Or perhaps join four blocks two by two to make a stunning wall-hanging!
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