I’ve almost finished my Splendid Sampler 2 quilt, at the weekend I arranged them all on the lounge floor, looking more at the sashing than the actual block. I’m using the quilt as you go method (QAYG) so all the blocks are already sandwiched and quilted, they just need sashing to stitch them together.
The fabric used for the block sashing was also, where possible, used to back the block, so I didn’t want two blocks together of the same pattern. Easier said than done!
I sorted them according to colour, blues and greys, light to dark, then I arranged the darkest and lightest first, trying to get an even spread, then filled in with the middlers. I spotted a diagonal line, tried to swop things round and ended up in a right pickle, wherever I moved things there was another problem. In the end I decided I’d played around enough…
I’ve decided I need a drone to take photos of my quilts!! Standing on tiptoe just doesn’t quite do it, my legs and arms aren’t quite long enough!
I quickly read Kate’s (Tall Tales from Chiconia) tutorial on QAYG, I always have a quick refresher there before I start stitching the blocks together, her instructions make it so straight forward.
I’ve used a dark grey for the sashing front and back, it’s surprising how much you use! I bought 3m as it was on offer, thinking I would have loads left – by the time I’ve made the binding I won’t have that much left. I’ve made the sashing on the back slightly wider – 3/4″ finished instead of 1/2″, it did mean I had to make sure I stitched the sashing on the same side each time. Of course I didn’t, so I did get very friendly with my seam ripper! It also means the quilting will not be quite central but I don’t think it will be noticeable.
So far I’ve stitched all the blocks together, hand-stitched the short lengths of sashing going down the quilt, but I still need to hand-stitch the long lengths going across, I left it as I think it will be a nice project to stitch when I next visit my mum – she loves seeing my quilts.
All that’s needed then is the binding, so happy dance is in sight!
thecraftycreek 
This is a beautiful quilt! That being said, I noticed something that caught my eye real quick. On the left side of the quilt, the second block in the third row I believe is upside down if it is supposed to be a house. I hope I am wrong because that will be a fair amount of work to correct!
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Don’t panic, it’s a needle 🙂
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Beautiful sampler quilt.
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Thank you
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Looking good!
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Thanks Lisa
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Wow, well done!
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Thanks, not much more to do 🙂
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It is looking fabulous, well done.
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Thanks Jane, nearly there!
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Gosh, looking fabulous! The layout looks great, everything lines up nicely, and I really love the colour you chose. Glad the tutorial helped…
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Thanks, I always have a quick scan down your post, make sure I’ve remembered everything 🙂
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This color combo is so calm and soothing, what a beautiful quilt!
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Thanks, I’m pleased with how it’s turned out
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The quilt looks terrific, Margaret! You have done a fantastic job! 🙂
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Thanks Laura, I’m nearly there 🙂
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Just beautiful, Margaret. The colorway is just serene.
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Thanks Kathy, the colours have worked out pretty well.
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oh Margaret! you really are doing yourself proud with this one! It’s turned out beautifully, and you will feel so pleased once you get the binding on! Well done: And can I ask, are blocks 12″, making it more than 7 feet square?
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Thanks Claire, they’re only 6″ blocks, plus sashing makes 8.5″, so it’ll be about 60″ square, a nice size for a throw.
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This is lovely and I almost love the back where you can see the quilting lines more than the front.
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Thanks Cathy, I like the back too
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That dark gray sashing is the perfect finishing touch!
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Thanks Kerry, the dark grey has worked just as I hoped.
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Wonderful quilt with lots of interesting blocks! The end is in sight!
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Thanks, I’m nearly there!
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Wow, it is looking amazing!
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Thanks, I’m pleased with it
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Wow this is certainly a splendid quilt. Each block is so interesting and the colours are lovely.
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Thankyou, I’m pleased with it
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Hello Margaret, how long has this quilt actually taken? Did you hand piece every block, as well as hand quilting? It is so gorgeous, the colours and the back, your sashing is perfect. It seems that this quilt hasn’t actually taken you very long. I’m keen to buy the book now. Well done. You’re very good at enabling people through your work. lol Regards Mandy xx
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Hi Mandy, I think I started this one last summer, so over a year ago, it was a weekly block release by Pat Sloan initially, then you had to buy the book. It’s all machine pieced and machine quilted, there’s just the odd bit of hand embroidery, I’m just hand-stitching the back of the sashing down, a bit like I do with the binding.
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Beautiful work! Love the quilt!
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