Gypsy!

Behold!

Gypsy Wife quilt (top), September 2014

Assembling the ten segments of the quilt was a process that required, above all, organization. I laid out 63 1.5" strips across my entire ironing board and cutting table so I could keep them in the correct order through the whole assembly. I also numbered the strips on the pattern before cutting anything, to make sure a single fabric ran the entire length of the quilt (even across three different segments). I don't know how I would have done this if I didn't have a dedicated space where I could leave the strips out for the entire time. Having the big wall was also critical. Due to the space hogging reality of this quilt, it practically demanded being finished rapidly. I can't live with that kind of mess for too long, and I need the wall back so Cedric can finish his Settlers of Catan quilt and Ingrid can get her Cloud Nine rows together.

If I did this again (?), I'd do a few things differently. First of all, I'd put together a big chart with the complete cutting requirements (width and length, subdivided into piece lengths) for each strip, cross referenced by segment. I can do that in Excel. Second, as I made the blocks I'd sort them into ten envelopes, arranged by segment . It would be a lot easier to just pull out one segment at a time instead of sweating over which piece belonged on which area of the wall. It got a little confusing sorting out which blocks were 3" v 3.5" or which width border belonged in which position.

Ultimately, I think of this project in three ways: (A) a test of one's ability to complete a jigsaw puzzle, (B) a clear testament to one's shopping prowess and preferences, and (C) a spectacularly eye-dazzlingly beautiful thing.

My mental processes are now considering how I could achieve this kind of effect on the isometric grid (hexagons!) at a larger size...