Go from Nearly Insane to Just Plain Nuts!
May 5th, 2008 by Penny Haren
For those of us who love miniatures, Liz Lois has created a new quilt in the style of Nearly Insane. In her first book, Liz recreated a quilt and produced diagrams of ninety-eight blocks that were originally designed by Salinda Rupp in the 1870’s. These six-inch blocks are in vibrant colors and everyone is different!  The variety is amazing – one block has seven pieces, another has 229! If that isn’t enough to drive you crazy, nothing is!
Item #LLNIÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Retail $25.00
In her new book, Just Plain Nuts, Liz designed 49 new blocks and set them together in a whole new way. Pieced together, it is a breathtaking heirloom. Individually, each block is a miniature quilt and is beautiful on its own! Again, they are six inch blocks so they are truly possible!
I love to work in miniature. You get to play with color, try new techniques, experiment and perfect your skills. And the only investment is a fat quarter or two of fabric. Actually, as a rule of thumb, a fat quarter will make two miniature blocks.Â
It is a great way to use up your stash. These blocks have a lot of seams – and seams eat up fabric. And, many of the blocks just beg you to fussy cut. So, go through your stash - use those scraps of your favorite fabrics and bring them back to life!
Liz is the queen of piecing and loves the traditional methods. But, half of the fun is figuring out the best way for YOU to complete them! Each block is a mystery to be solved – and a challenge to be met! Start out small. If you love paper-piecing, many of them can be adapted. Hand-piecing? Give it a try. For anyone who loves math, this is a labor of love! Each one is a new equation that needs to be solved….and there is a solution to every problem.Â
And perfection is not the goal – the original quilt has flaws. But those flaws give it personality – and warmth – and style. It also removed the intimidation factor. This quilt has survived 140 years and we are still fascinated by it and respect the talents of the maker.Â
So, take a deep breath and take the plunge. Isn’t it time you challenged yourself as a quilter? Just take it one block at a time……
It is a perfect quilt to make in a class or group setting. By the time you finish this heirloom, you will have earned your Masters in Quilting. Perfect your piecing skills one block at a time…..
Just Plain Nuts – Item #LLJPN – Retail $18.00
Liz also designs fabric for Red Rooster with her friend, Terry Atkinson. Their new line – Paisley Party will premier at Quilt Market in Portland. She will be signing her fabric AND her books at the Checker booth. But, for those of you who can’t make it to Portland, Liz is lending us some wall hangings for our Open House in May. I can’t wait to see both!Â
Liz is the Checker rep in Wisconsin…she designs in her spare time!
Hi,
I have been trying to piece the Nearly Insane block and I’m struggling.
I’ve tried both hand and machine and my first block looks so bad the I stopped the BOM that was being sent for it. I need to take a piecing class; as I’m a longarm quilter. I’d be interested in your thoughts; as I just love this quilt. Also, my website is under construction.
Thank you,
Susan Hayes
301 9338262
Hi Susan,
So nice to hear that you love the Nearly Insane quilt…me too, but really sorry to hear that you have had trouble with the piecing. There is a wonderful online group ( nearlyinsane@yahoo groups ) People share all their tips and pictures and they even have a file that works with the computer program Electric Quilt 6 item # A-600EQ. With EQ you can print off paper piecing templates/ and or cutting directions and make the blocks with those methods.
These are tiny little blocks but worth the trouble. I approached each block as a mini quilt. I started in the center of the block, measureing and cutting that piece to size (remember to include the quarter inch seam allowance)
The next round of pieces I cut larger and sewed them on, pressed ( I like to press the seams open to reduce the bulk ) then measured again and trimmed to size. That way I was squaring up and making sure it was the right size each step of the way.
I hope this helps and that you will considre giving this project another try!
It’s worth it!!
Liz
I am looking to purchase Liz Lois’ new book “Just Plain Nuts”. My local quilt shop is unable to locate it. Can you help me? TIZ
Hi Mary Ellen,
The item number is LLJPN, it may not appear online, but your local store can order it from us,.
Jenny
I have begun ‘Nearly Insane’ as a project to work on together with a German friend of mine who has moved to the U.S. It is certainly giving us the feeling that we are still in a quilting group together. She is paper-piecing hers the traditional way and I am foundation-piecing mine. We are both meeting obstacles and overcoming them – blocks 1-8 finished now and I feel that if we can manage block 8 with that number of pieces, then we can carry on undaunted. When I trace the patterns, I need to make extra patterns for the outside strips, sometimes several copies so that each block can be broken down into areas for foundation piecing. I then put these sections together. I find it is much more economical in fabric use as I have such small seams and very little waste. It is also very accurate in matching all points etc. My friend is quite happy doing it her way – each to their own! We are having such fun doing it despite its frustrations…
I just heard about Liz Lois’s newest book and it will be next for me to order. I have Nearly Insane. I have not made that quilt yet as I am in the process of working on my second Dear Jane quilt. As soon as that one is finished I will be starting Nearly Insane and then maybe Just Plain Nuts!! I do these miniature blocks by hand piecing one little piece at a time – just have patience and press as you go if you can it will help the little pieces stay flat and line up your seams good.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
[...] I think two Dear Jane’s in two different color layouts will be enough because I have found other quilts to make with tiny blocks like these. One is called “Nearly Insane” by Liz Lois and [...]