Saturday, July 18, 2009

Bowing Down.....

and of course that seems to indicate a lowering the head and a bending of the knee. But that's not it today. Rather than that, think "bo" *VBS* With the posting of the newest bow tie quilt top last week, a couple of questions arose. I answered those in e-mail, but it got me to thinking. I really DO use the old standby "bow tie" block quite often. I like the look of it, the various ways you can lay them out, and the ease of piecing since we no longer have to use a Y-seam. With the invention of the "use a square, sew and flip", bow ties got a whole lot easier. And they lend them well to working with scrap, as you can see in these pictures. The only one of this 6 that I followed a pre-determined "set" on, is the red, blue and purple Half Dropped Bows quilt. That's the pic with me holding the quilt. It was one of my earlier quilts. It's machine pieced and hand quilted. Back in the early 1990's. In the other pictures you can see(and they will enlarge with a click)that I sometimes keep all the backgrounds the same, but more often I use scraps, not necessarily even keeping both background pieces the same. I do, however, seem to keep the bowties all one fabric. Not sure why, but I don't like them to all mixed up. I think it's that in each/any scrap endeavor some thing needs to be static, so the eye can rest.
 If you want to give bow ties a try, the formula is very simple. I make mine mostly 6.5". It's a size I like. Not too big, not too small. Altho 2.5" and 4.5" are nice too, and I've been know to make those also.
You need two squares of background fabric for each bow tie. I cut them 3.5" and set them aside. For the bow tie itself, I cut two squares(novelty print) 3.5" and two squares of the same fabric as 2" squares. Those become the knots. The block is laid out like a 4 patch. A bow tie piece next to a background, and reverse that in the row below. Lay the small square RST in the lower corner of the background where it touches the bowtie fabric. Stitch across on the diagonal, trim and reposition. Do the same with the bottom row. The side where the 2" square touches the bow tie is opposite from rhe pieces above. Sew, trim and flip that little square into a triangle also. Join up with the bowtie body and then sew the "parts" into a 4 patch. Now I know it seems impossible to get anything reversed in this very simple block, but trust me....it's possible. I know!! When I am cutting up scraps into sizes, I often "cut" for a 6.5" bowtie quilt. Especially from the prints. It's easy to cut an extra 2 3.5" squares, 2 2" squares, pin or stack them together and put aside for when you want to make this quilt. It really does make the job alot easier. If you have questions or need pictures to see the layout, just give me a hollar *VBS*
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21 comments:

Michele Bilyeu said...

Love all of them! Especially bow-dacious when using the double click enlarge option! And that's you!!!! Are you just so pretty, then...before then....and now!!

Scrappy quilter said...

I love the bowtie pattern too. I haven't made many quilts with it, just love the looks of it when others do that pattern. I really enjoy doing the older patterns. Hugs...

Meggie said...

I have never made a bow tie patterned quilt. I love your scrappy happy quilts!

Gypsy Quilter said...

Cute!

Chris Daly said...

I can't believe how different they all look. This is a block I've always wanted to play with. If there were only 10 more hours in each day!

Libby said...

I have wanted to try a bowtie for a while. I love the Amish feel of the last photo and scrappy quilts are always a favorite.

Susan J Barker said...

first time visitor here...
came to your blog via Paula the Quilter.
I must say, reading back through some of your posts you seem to have a similar philosophy to my scrappy system. Will be back to visit often as I have put you on my RSS feed...

Stephanie D said...

Better bowing down than bowing out!

I have never made a bowtie quilt myself, but it does look like a good way to use up scraps.

Leslie said...

Thanks for all the additional pictures of Bo quilts. I just cut scraps for two days, have enough for 6 x 7 but I see 6 x 8 might be better. Thanks for sharing!

Greenmare said...

here it is! Finns bow tie book! They are fabulous and now I want to do a bunch!!!

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Delicious quilts. I made a bowtie quilt a couple of years ago, and it's one of my favorites. I used holiday fabrics with white background.

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

Those are all divine... I guess I never thought about how versatile that little block can be.

AnnieO said...

I really like the bow ties and your instructions are so simple. My brother hinted he wants a quilt for his 50th bday in October and this may be a perfect quick project! Thanks for sharing.

*karendianne. said...

Yeah, I have a question. How do you manage to inspire me all the time with these great, solid, classic blocks? Is it simply that you're an "EveryWoman" Quilter. I think so but that's just my little LeeHaven opinion. Now, I have to go do something with the inspiration before it gets out of hand...

Silly *karendianne.

Granny Lyn said...

You make them look so easy!! now we are all going to want our own bow-tie bananza!!!

I, too, like a little control on the scrappy-ness, so I'm going to try your way...always tried and true...

julieQ said...

Love all your bow ties! I have one ready to quilt...sometime! I really like your scrappy goodness.

Elaine Adair said...

Wow - a great bvariety - my next one is going to be dimensional, if I can find my book that reminds me how to do it.

I like your lower left on best, with all the kids prints. 8-)) cute!

em's scrapbag said...

I have never made a bow tie quilt. After seeing all yours I think I just might have to.

The Calico Cat said...

Loved seeing all of you bowtie quilts, thankt for the tutorial.

Auntie Em said...

Hi Finn! I can't help but notice that you haven't posted in a while. Hope everything's okay with you. I'm sure I'm not the only one who loves and misses your posts.
Hope to hear from you soon.
-Auntie Em

Cheryl said...

I've always wanted to make a bowtie quilt, and yours have really inspired me to do it sooner rather than later. What a great way to use scraps!