Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress

Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

The same but different; this Giant Granny Square Quilt (traditionally known as a Trip Around the World Quilt) is not my first and probably not my last. I love a good Trip Around the World Quilt and really enjoy the fabric play involved in creating these quilt. For this particular quilt I wanted to recreate that feeling of early Spring, when after a long northern Winter the sun comes out and parks are filled with children, and families gather on picnic blankets. And bunnies of course. For it is almost Easter!

Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

Working from the center square out, "rounds" of fabric are added one at a time. It is all about the fabrics, and choosing the right fabric requires auditioning, arranging and rearranging, and walking away. Then upon return you re-arrange ... everything, substitute fabrics, and cut more squares. As the quilt grows the fabric requirements for each round increases and it doesn't take long before a fat quarter does not suffice. This in turn makes choosing fabrics more difficult, for while I do have many fat quarters on hand, half yards quantities in my stash are limited.

Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

There is no quick and easy way to arrange or piece this quilt by machine; no strip piecing technique will work when many of the fabrics have been fussy cut and the printed design is orientated in a certain way. Six of twenty rounds of fabric have been fussy cut and require attention to placement when sewing rows together.

Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

QUILT STATS
Giant Granny Square Quilt 
841 squares each measuring 2" x 2" (finished)
1 center square plus 21 of rounds of squares, plus setting triangles.
Quilt Top measures 60 inches x 60 inches.
Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

Fabrics used:

Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Giant Granny Square Quilt ~ Work in Progress | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
----------------------
Last week was a difficult week as we said goodbye to our sweet Oliver, our faithful friend and constant companion. Oliver occasionally popped his face, paw, or tail, into a quilt photo and enjoyed being at my side as every one of my quilts was pieced, basted, and quilted. Rest peacefully buddy. We will miss you.

Oliver ~ July 2004 to April 2017.

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
More RPQ Trip Around the World / Granny Square Quilts:

Pin It!
Follow RPQ on:
COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

24 comments:

  1. Rita,I enjoyed reading about your beautiful quilt and sweet sentiments for your little companion.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so sorry for your loss of Oliver.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so sorry for the loss of your dog. So sad. This quilt is awesome, as per usual.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My deepest sympathies on the loss of your precious dog.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A very beautiful 'Around The World' quilt with a fresh and modern feel. Sorry to hear about Oliver. I hope you have many good friends and family around to support you through this period of loss.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I sympathize with you because we lost our beloved Rosebud, a beautiful Old English Sheepdog, who grew with us for fourteen years. She was ever at my side, both day and night. I know how huge that hole is that Oliver left in your heart and I hope you soon find relief with beautiful memories that you alone hold.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so sorry, Rita. RIP "Over the Rainbow Bridge?, Oliver. In sympathy and caring, Jean

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful quilt and beautiful companion. Sympathies on your loss. We also have a schnauzer and they are so dear to our hearts.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So sorry to hear about your little dog. It is so very hard when we lose a beloved pet. Beautiful quilt, as usual.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the quilt. So sorry for the loss of your doggie. They fill our hearts with joy but it is so sad when they cross the rainbow bridge.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful quilt Rita. Very hard losing such a beloved buddy. Thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Rita, you are so fortunate to have such a sweet adorable little fella, Oliver, ♥️in your life. I am so sorry he is not with you anymore. This hurts me heart extra because I lost my adorable Pierro kitty last November (a month after my mommy died) and he was still just a little guy of 8 years.
    We are so fortunate to have photos and memories.
    I will pray for you and your family.

    Your quilt is adorable. I love each one of these fabrics. You made a masterpiece

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sorry for your loss of Oliver, looks like he had a wonderful long life(though never ever long enough)

    ReplyDelete
  14. so sorry for your loss, sure we will miss Oliver.. such adorable puppy ever...

    ReplyDelete
  15. So sorry about your Oliver!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm very sorry for you and your family. Pets are the best companions and they leave a terrible hole in the heart when they're gone.

    I like the quilt, though I did notice three bunnies in a row facing the same way... was it on purpose?

    ReplyDelete
  17. So sorry about your little doggie. Your quilt is amazing. The little bunnies are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  18. That is a beautiful quilt and great piecing with the fabrics. Sorry for your loss of Oliver.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Condolences on the loss of your beloved Oliver. My neighbor has a sweet Schnauzer girl, Penny. We lost our little Pemba kitty, just 10 in Oct. She two was my quilting companion. Our new kitty is attempting to take up the mantle. You patchwork always inspires me and makes me smile!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sorry to hear about Oliver. He looks most sweet friend. Your quilt is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Farewell beloved pup, I'm sorry you had to go.

    Your quilt is, as always, stunning. So neat and clean.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very sorry to hear the loss of Oliver. Very hard. Love this quilt. The black is used so well. Your work is fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the way you fussy cut all those rabbits! They are so cute running around this quilt. Did you have a lot of waste?

    Sorry for your loss of Oliver.

    ReplyDelete
  24. So sad about Oliver. Hope your family is getting along okay. Quilt is terrific.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! I really appreciate it.

Comments are published after review.

Feel free to ask questions and I will answer either here or by email, as is appropriate.