One of the quilt kits that I have been working on is Traincar by Alexia Abegg. I was immediately drawn to the graphic nature of this design. The block is unique – simple and complicated at the same time – and definitely not something I have seen before. Also, who's kidding? I am a little bit in love with Alexia's Hatbox fabric that the quilt is made from. I love these Cotton and Steel prints in navy, coral, aqua and green – my kind of colors! It was really fun and liberating to just place an order and have everything I needed for the quilt top arrive on my doorstep without having to make any choices.
It's a very straightforward pattern starting with some easy strip piecing that is cut apart and sewn back together to make each individual block. While simple in concept, that is a whole heck of a lot of seams! 40 per block! (Yes, I counted.) And there is no room for error as every piece needs to line up when it is sewn together. I think my piecing is pretty accurate and I managed well enough, but if I were to make this again, I would make one big change. Namely, I would cut the pieces for each strip set 1/2" wider. I think there was sufficient fabric in the kit to do this (I haven't done the math, but I had big leftover pieces) and having this little bit extra would have allowed me to trim the sets evenly for a perfectly straight line. Instead, there were a few instances where the piecing was a teensy bit off and, as we know, a bunch of 1/16" mistakes will add up along the way. I made it work so the only thing it cost me was some time. No big deal.
The kit instructions say that it will yield a 60" x 76" quilt and that math is off. With the 12 blocks shown, each finishing at 15" x 19", the quilt top measures 60" x 57". I do have enough of the background fabric in my stash to make another four blocks, but I haven't yet decided if I want to do that. All those seams! But the bigger size would be more useable so I just may jump back in. In the meantime, I am going to admire what I have done so far and dream about how to quilt it. I'm leaning towards straight lines, but am very open to suggestions. Feel free to chime in!
“simple and complicated” is the perfect description for this – It’s amazing. Love it. Straight lines seem like they’d work so well with all the straight lines of the design!
Those blocks look intricate and mind boggling. I hope that after the quilt top rests a bit the answer about more blocks or not comes easily.
Love these colors and the graphic pattern! I am on the fence about taking up sewing – I never have enough time for everything I’m already doing – yet I’m pretty sure I’d love it. There’s a place here (drygoods design) that teaches classes, including clothing classes! I’m tempted.
PS – maybe in September, after my manuscript is in, I could sign up for a class as a reward to myself…
Wow! I’m so impressed by your top. I say keep going if you like bigger quilts. I don’t think you will regret it.
It’s just beautiful. And fussy!
I love it! Now I’m going to have two more quilts to do as my niece will try and take this one and I’ll end up giving it to her but I know I’ll need one for myself. Thanks for the heads up about the size. Do you think another yard of the background and a fat quarter of the prints will be enough to make it the correct size?
Yes! That would be plenty. I bet a half yard of the background would be enough, but I haven't done the math so double check!
This quilt tricks the eye! It looks like it has soooo much depth and texture- I know it doesn’t, but it does! I love this!
I am working on this quilt as well. Put it away for about six months and am now determined to finish it. (I also ordered a few more kits from Craftsy and vowed to complete a project first…)
Love the finished block, but I agree the stitching, slicing and sewing is a little mind boggling. I took your hint and added a half inch wider and now am at the same point as you were. Do I make more blocks to make a larger quilt? What did you end up doing? Did you call it quits and are happy with the smaller quilt or did you continue and slice, stitch, slice and stitch again to make a larger quilt?