design decision... cutting strip sets (fuzzy math)

We have to cut the strips (in half) to size before we sew the end blocks on. (See previous post re: too confusing to describe what I discovered I had to change)
Read the directions three times, measure twice, cut once.
In related news, I have a headache. LOL

more squaring strip set ends

I already trimmed the starry blue/white strip sets, and here I've trimmed the blue/water strip sets.

more trimming selvage/ends

I trimmed the other end as well. This led to a design decision that would be ridiculously confusing and pointless to describe, LOL... remember, what matters most is that you're happy in the end!

preparing strip ends for end blocks

I like to check the waste to make sure I got all of the selvage off, instead of disturbing each of the layers to check, since they are stacked and ready for the other ends to be trimmed already.

cutting 4.5 x10 inch blocks for ends of strips

Of course, it turns out that it would have been fine just to have cut solid 4.5" strips and then chain-piece the strip ends to the solid 4.5" strips, since I'll probably have to square everything up later on anyway...

design decision: 2" (middle) strips

We are assembling 2 strip sets into one long strip and then into a tube, and then cutting the tubes so that when laid out the design is staggered (per the original pattern).
The plain blue strip sets have a strip of "water" going down the middle. We cut them perpendicular in direction compared to how all the other strips are cut, so it will look like water and not an EKG after assembly.
So the water strips are longer than all the other strips, which were cut from selvage to selvage (the factory-cut ends). Although this results in more waste after trimming, it will be worth it to have the effect we want.

cutting: 2-inch strips for center of strip sets

These will be the center of the assembled strip sets, that the poly pellets will go in after being sewn to the quilt backing.

cutting: eight 4.5" strips of each color.

Lining up the layers exactly, and then cutting 4.5" strips from the (trimmed) edge, makes for less work cutting overall. If cutting through two layers, you only have to cut 4 strips instead of 8.

preparing the fabric: washing, ironing, cutting strips

I had H. wash the fabric with the detergent that she uses. Then my daughter RM and I ironed the fabric and cut into strips. 

Read the directions three times, measure twice, cut once...


Here I trimmed what will become the backing piece, that we will sew our assembled strips sets to. Those strips we will pour the poly pellets into, one strip at a time going across.