So, I have 26 blocks cut 6.5x6.5 each representing a different letter of the alphabet.

I love Jami's Happy Quilt, and I'd like to border each of my blocks like Jami did. However, I need this quilt to be for a double bed. I don't want 10" borders on the outside. What do I do? I thought about doing sashing (is that what it's called when you add strips between blocks?), but how wide?

Anyone want to make suggestions?

26 is an odd number for placement. Do you have a placement in mind? Have you thought about doing numbers 1-10 as well. That would give you 36 blocks and you could do a quilt 6 blocks across and 6 down.

I was planning to put the Z on the last row alone and putting his name in a corner block and the date in the other and leaving two just solid.

I love the numbers idea, but I'd have to applique them on, and that wouldn't be pretty.

So you will have 30 blocks, is that correct, Katie? That will give you 5 blocks across and six blocks down. At 6" finished size, you have 30" across and 36" down.

The standard double bed mattress is 54" (you need an additional 24") by 72" (you need an additional 36").

If you do 6 vertical sashings (up and down) that are 4" finished, that will give you the 54" you need across from side to side.

You need seven horizontal sashings, but seven doesn't go into 36". You could do 7 5" finished sashings if you don't mind them being different from the other sashings. You would make up that last inch in the overhang (the part that hangs down the side of the mattress).

That is a design decision you have to make, do you like that look or not? There is another option- make them 4" finished as well. That will leave you 8" shy of the total length. You can either make a second row of 4" finished sashing top and bottom, or make a row top and bottom 4" finished pinwheels or flying geese, or some other simple motif. This would serve as a border and give the eye a stopping point.

I am guessing you have used some bright colors. What about a row, top and bottom, of just 4" finished squares in random colors? Sort of a checkerboard effect.

You also need to decide how to do your sashing. There are many ways, but two are used more often than the others. One is called sashings and cornerstones. All the sashing strips are cut to the length of the block. Where they intersect, a cornerstone (usually a square) is added. In your case, you would cut them at 6.5" by 4.5" and 4.5" squares for the cornerstones to finish at 6 x 4" and 4" squares.

To construct the rows, stitch a sashing to a block to a sashing.... Take the remaining sashings and stitch a cornerstone to a sashing to a cornerstone... Then alternate the block rows and the cornerstone rows, and voila!

To make without cornerstones, cut enough sashings to make either rows or columns (but not both). Stitch together. Cut long sashing to sandwich in between the rows or columns. You will probably have to piece these if you did not plan ahead in order to cut the entire length. Do you know how to miter the strips to make the seam less noticable?

You also need to make a design decision about the overhang? How long will it drop? Nine to 12" is average, it can vary depending on the bed it is going on. What treatment are you going to use? I think continuing out with rows of borders would be nice.

Hope this is helpful. I tried to indicate if I was talking about a finished size or a cut size. Hope I didn't confuse you. Good luck, would love to see the finished quilt. Please pop on again if I've left you will more questions than answers.

Oh...I hope you get some great ideas! I have a set of 26 "I Spy Alphabet" blocks I have been wondering what to do with!

One idea, what if you set them on point, with a plain square as an alternate block?

With the blocks cut 6 1/2", you could make the outside borders larger. The happy blocks are 4 1/2" centers with a 2 1/2" border all the way around. Cut the borders say, 3 1/2". It would make a 12" block that way. Maybe use some bright primary colors on the blocks? This would make the quilt 60" x 60" plus the bottom row with the "Z" adds another 12" to the length = 60" x 72". I think that is to wide for a twin bed, but you could set them 4 blocks wide x 7 blocks long. That would make the quilt 48" x 84". Standard bedding measurements for a twin is: comforter size is 69" x 90" and a bedspread size is: 81" x 110".

Hope this helps a little...and I didn't confuse you more!

Jami

PS- Another great block you could use for "simple" is The Bright Hopes block. I really like that one also.

I did the figuring for a twin...I see that Meg did a double.

Your best bet to fit a double with the blocks you have, is to set them on point, I think...

Jami

Gosh OhioRose53 did you do all that working out in your head.
I have just a little question here, What is twin size.
We have Single Double, Queen and King, and of course cot size. I have heard of twin but don't know what category it would fit in.
Am I being Blonde with that question?

Margarita-
A twin bed is the same as a single. No, you aren't being blonde with that question...unless you are blonde...
Jami

Hello...I am new here, but was directed here by one of your members. I am working on a schoolhouse block quilt that I have added alphabet blocks to. I made the decision to place 4 rows of letters (mine are 6-1/2" also) with 6 in 2 rows and 7 in two rows. I made "filler blocks" for the rows that were 6 by doing 2 apples in the top row and then I designed a "pencil" block for fillers in the other 2 rows. You can find a picture of it here: http://flickr.com/photos/blewbird/ It is not a great picture, but you can get the idea.

quote:

Originally posted by Margarita:
Gosh OhioRose53 did you do all that working out in your head. ....... Am I being Blonde with that question?

Hey! I resmble that remark! I am blonde, and I can figure in my head, but then I have been doing it for 50 years!

Welcome to the forum, blewbird! Lovely quilt! I am guessing by all the snow in the picture that you live north of the Mason-Dixon line.