Traditional Tuesday - Block 34

Checkerboard Unskew?

 Block 34 - Checkerboard Unskew?

I'm not sure on the name of this block because wouldn't a checkerboard have all the same size squares? But that would be a nine-patch! Anyhow, today is the counterpart of yesterday's block. I think I would call this Unequal Nine-Patch for practical purposes.

I chose orange, yellow and white solid.

Cutting:

• From the orange, cut 1 - 3 1/2" square
• From the yellow, cut 4 - 2" squares
• From the white, cut 4 - 2" x 3 1/2" rectangles

Lay out the block as it will look when finished.

Sew into rows and join the rows. It will measure 6 1/2" when finished.

Modern Monday - Block 34

Checkerboard Skew

Block 34 - Checkerboard Skew

Again this week, we're making a block that starts out Modern and I will modify it tomorrow to be Traditional! I love these. I got it out of The Collector's Dictionary of Quilt Names and Patterns by Yvonne M. Khin. I wonder where she found all these odd, quirky gems. Many, many patterns she has are different from Barbara Brackman's Pattern Identifying book. I'll keep looking for these kinds of blocks and make them as I find them!

All solids this week! Orange, blue and gray.

 Cutting:

• From the light blue, cut 1 - 3 1/2" square
• From the gray AND orange, cut 4 - 3 1/2" squares EACH

We're making a big block and cutting it down. This part will measure 9 1/2" when done. Lay out your pieces like you want them.

Sew them together in rows. Press so seams oppose.

Join the rows.

Now for the fun! Lay your 6 1/2" ruler on the block and skew it so the lines aren't straight. Be as skewed or straight as you choose! Cut the block out to be 6 1/2". There is a lot of waste on this block, but this time, I think it's worth it!

Traditional Tuesday - Block 33

Illinois Road

Block 33 - Illinois Road

Although I said yesterday, I thought the Modern version of this has more character, that doesn't mean I don't like this one too! I can see this being a fun border on a quilt or one row in a row quilt. It has nice movement and most of all, it's easy!

These orange and yellows really are bright! But looking over my blocks, I think I was lacking in the brighter blocks! We're only half way done with the quilt, so there will be many many more bright ones. These won't stand out too much!

 Cutting:

• From both the orange print AND yellow print, cut 4 - 2" x 3 1/2" rectangles.

You'll need 4 each to make this block.

Sew an orange and yellow along one long side. Press to the dark. Make 4 units.

Lay out the units as you want the darker fabric to "spin" and sew together like a 4-patch. It will be 6 1/2" unfinished.

Modern Monday - Block 33

Illinois Road

Block 33 - Illinois Road

I think this is my favorite block so far! I love how by making the "blades" a little wonky, all the sudden this block has much more character than it's traditional counterpart. (Don't worry you traditionalists, we'll talk more about this tomorrow!) I think this could make a cute, easy and fast baby quilt. Each "blade" could be a different baby pastel on cream. Or you could go brights on white!

I chose my new orange print and white for my block.

Cutting:

• From the both the white AND orange print, cut 2 strips about 4" x 5". This is super generous, you might find you need a shorter length.

I didn't get a good photo of the first step, so I'll have to describe it. Stack your 4 strips  one on top of each other. If you are using two prints, make sure one is upside down and one is right side up. If you are using a print and solid, this doesn't matter. Roughly on one end of your stack cut all 4 fabrics on the diagonal. This can be as wonky or as straight as you want it. I went medium-wonky with mine.

Once your fabrics are cut, you can see how they will sew together. You'll have to flip over the solid so the cut edges match. If you are using two prints, now is the time you'll discover if you did it wrong!

Sew each of the 4 units together, offsetting the ends slightly. Since there is room to trim down later, this doesn't have to be perfect.

Line up your ruler on the unit so the diagonal line is roughly down the center You will be cutting the unit 3 1/2" so the center will be about the 1 1/2" to 2" line. If you want your blades skinnier, that's fine, but I'd make sure they are all roughly the same size. Trim the top and bottom, too.

Here's the unit once it's trimmed to 3 1/2" square.

Lay out the four units, making sure the blades are all rotating the way you want them too. I tried having the fat part of the blades facing in, but I didn't like it. Try it to see what you think.

Sew together like a 4-patch block. It will measure 6 1/2" when you're done.

So how are your rows coming along? Anyone have them started? I have 3 rows done now, and I'm glad I'm starting them now instead of waiting until the end!

We Have A Winner!

Thanks everyone who left a comment. I love all your color choices! Some I would never have thought up, but I like them! It's good to get out of your comfort zone sometimes to kick start a new level of creativity.

Congratulations to Carol F. and Sandy B.! They each will receive a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. Thanks everyone who left a comment. I love all your color choices.

Quiltmaker's 100 Block Blog Tour

Welcome to Quiltmaker's 100 Block Blog Tour! This is the second issue I've been in, and it's so much fun to be a part of the festivities. Today, I'm happy to finally be able to show you my block, Window Panes. It's an original block with lots of Modern inspiration!

Block # 458 Window Panes

It's no secret how much I love solids! I've always used lots of solids, near solids or small prints that read as solids in my quilts. Now that solids are so popular, I use them with abandon! This block reflects that. And of course, gray is the unofficial color of Modern quilting, so I used that abundantly, too! I just threw in the orange for accent and blue for a little kick of subtle color.

I also wanted to show you this table topper I designed to make with the block. Doesn't it look like the windows on a sky scraper? Well, maybe not so much, but it does have an urban look to me! If you want to make this 58" square topper, all you have to do is make 16 Window Pane blocks using the directions on page 52 of the magazine. Then rotate them until you're happy with the way it looks and sew together with 2 1/2" wide sashing strips. I used gray corner stones to enhance the chain effect, so pay attention to those (two in the top and bottom sashing rows and one in the center of the quilt.) Send me a picture of your finished topper - I'd love to see it!

I was also thrilled that my block made the cover! See it? It's the middle block on the very top row!

Now for the contest. Quiltmaker is generously giving away a magazine to one lucky reader and I am going to match that. So two readers will win a copy! All you need to do is leave a comment saying what colors you would make your Window Panes block in! I love hearing what colors others like to work with!

For an extra chance to win, sign up to follow my blog and/or like my Facebook page. So answer the question for one chance, follow or like me for a second chance (leave a second comment saying you did). If you already follow me or like me, tell me that and you're entered twice as well. I'll draw the winners this Friday morning at 10 a.m. Good luck!

Don't forget to go to Quiltmaker's blog to find out other ways to win a prize! They are giving away great stuff!

Traditional Tuesday - Block 32

Double Pinwheel

Block 32 - Double Pinwheel

It's May Day! Happy May Day! A new month means a new color and for May I chose yellow and orange. I'm notably lacking on the hot colors, so I thought I'd work on that now. This block is another one with a lot of points coming together in the middle - 8 to be exact. It's really not hard to get them to match, (although mine are a little off! Look at yesterday's to see a good block!) Just take your time, sew accurately and press those seams open and it should go well for you.

Cutting:

• From the orange check, cut 2 - 3 7/8"* squares. Cut each in half on the diagonal to make 4 triangles.
• From the orange AND yellow, cut 1 - 4 1/4"* squares. Cut each in half on the diagonal with an X to make 4 triangles each.

*I cut mine 4" and 4 1/2" so I had wiggle room at the end to make them the exact right size.

I love this orange check. I've had it in my stash for years! I matched it with a Moda Marble for the yellow and a Fossil Fern (I think) for the orange.

Cut your squares.

Layer the large 2 squares right-sides together. This is so the pairs will be ready to sew without having to re-match them.

Cut in half on the diagonal both ways to get 4 triangles each. Cutting the triangles like this keeps all the bias on the short edges. When sewn in the block, the long edge will be on the outside of the block, minimizing stretch when you sew it together with the sashing. It's a nice trick to keep everything going smoothly as you sew.

Cut the remaining 2 small squares only once on the diagonal.

This is one unit. Sew the small triangles together, pressing to the dark. Then sew the triangles together pressing to the large triangle. Trim to 3 1/2" if you cut your pieces larger. Just trim the dog ears off if you didn't.

Make 4 of these identical 3 1/2" units. Make sure you keep the dark and light small triangles consistent on all 4 units.

Lay out the 4 units and sew together in pairs. Press the seams open. Make sure the placement is correct to get the double pinwheel effect.

When pinning the two halves of the block together, make sure to line up the two perfectly and pin. I think pressing the seams open makes this easier to do. You can see a little triangle that is easy to match with the other one. Sew the halves together to get your 6 1/2" block.