I didn't get much of anything else on the list completed but I got the Chinese Coins quilt top done. It turns out that I'm still a little sore so the laundry and this quilt top did me in for the day! That's OK though, I feel a lot better than I did Wednesday and I got to sew this weekend. All in all, a good weekend!
This quilt will be a QOV and it was a lot of fun to make. I already have more planned in my mind so I decided to document the dimension and basic instructions to have the notes for later. There are lots of ways to make these. In fact, I got the idea to do one from Mary. She has instructions for several different versions on her web site and she has made several of these for the Heartstrings Project. Here's how I did mine.
I'm not sure where I got the idea of using used dryer sheets* for foundations but it was from one of you talented people in blogland. That's what started me making these in the first place - that and a basket of leftover strings. I made about 40 foundation blocks before I ever started planning the quilt. I sewed random strips of fabric with a flip and sew technique to cover a dryer sheet. After the block is pressed, trim it to 6 x 8 1/2. This photo shows the front and back of two trimmed blocks. Make 56 of these blocks. Sew them into 7 rows of 8 blocks each - sewn together on the narrow end.
Here's the layout. I'm showing this one in blue and brown because I have a pretty blue/brown batik that I want to use for the next CC quilt border. I think it would look nice to do all of the coins in shades of blue.
You need about 1.5 yards of the border fabric and about 1 1/4 yards of the sashing fabric. The sashing strips are cut 2 1/5 inches wide and I needed about 16 strips. Sew all of the coin strip together with sashing in between and on each side of the whole center unit. The sashing strips will be about 64 1/2" long - depending on your seam allowances. Next add the top and bottom sashing strip (about 55" long).
The border fabric is cut 6" wide and you need 7 or 8 strips. I added mine to the sides first and then the top and bottom. I did not miter this border but I would if the border print called for it.
* I thought the dryer sheet foundation was a good idea and it worked really well to keep the blocks square but I am not sure I would do it that way again. The dryer sheets really dull the sewing machine needle quickly. I'll ponder this before I start the next one.
I love the idea of doing the coins in blocks. I've always tried mine in long long strips, and then had issues with stretching and distortion...
Posted by: quiltpixie | September 23, 2007 at 07:34 PM
I've always loved this simple pattern - and you make it look even better ! Fell better fast !
Posted by: Marie | September 23, 2007 at 09:06 PM
I'm wondering, did you use new or used dryer sheets? Cuz I certainly can understand how new ones dull the needle, but I would think used ones would be ok? Or maybe they need to go through more than one cycle? I must confess, I don't use dryer sheets. Got a box of Kabnet Wax Paper with my name on it. ;)
Posted by: Leah S | September 23, 2007 at 11:38 PM
Your quilt came out beautifully. I started using dryer sheets for a strippy quilt with the strips going on a diagonal but noticed that they seem to drag on the surface of the sewing machine. I thinkin the future I'm going to run them through more than one drying cycle before using them for foundation piecing because the more used up sheets are easy to use.
Posted by: Barbara | September 24, 2007 at 12:04 AM
Lots of space for cool quilting on this one. Any plans made for the quilting?
Posted by: Tracey Petersen | September 24, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Aren't these fun? Your version looks great. I was playing in the donated coins this morning pulling out some to send to another HeartStrings quilter and I need to start making more tops from the leftovers.
Posted by: Mary | September 24, 2007 at 01:33 AM
Your coin quilt has turned out great!
Posted by: Angela | September 24, 2007 at 07:00 AM
I love these "charm" type quilts. Also, I find them easier to manage than quilts that coordinate, say, 4-5 fabrics. The more fabrics,even within a color theme, the easier it is for me...and the more interesting, really. I never heard this referred to as a Chinese Coin quilt though. Interesting. Love the fish border!
Posted by: dawn | September 24, 2007 at 09:39 AM
I wonder why it is called a coin quilt? Is it supposed to look like piled change? I also thought maybe to used the dryer sheets after they have been washed and dried. It would take the softener out of them.
Posted by: Cindy | September 24, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Impressive! I've never seen this design and I think it works really well!
Posted by: Tany | September 24, 2007 at 07:01 PM
I love this pattern. Makes me want to make one.
Posted by: Deb Hardman | September 25, 2007 at 12:42 AM
So glad you are feeling much better now, Vicki! Love your coin quilt!
Posted by: Carla B | September 25, 2007 at 06:43 AM
So glad you are feeling much better now, Vicki! Love your coin quilt!
Posted by: Carla B | September 25, 2007 at 06:43 AM
I love this quilt design for using up scraps, I have yet to make one, but yours looks great!
Posted by: Karol-Ann | September 25, 2007 at 06:29 PM
I also use Kabnet Wax Paper sheets for paper piecing, and I will definitely use the Chinese Coin pattern to attack my scrap pile. Your quilt looks great. Thanks.
Posted by: Jan | January 13, 2008 at 12:57 PM
gotta love those dryer sheets..great idea. thanks for the info
Posted by: cindy | December 12, 2009 at 02:57 PM