The 4-patch: easy, patchwork goodness

The humble 4-patches from my back-to-basics patchwork interlude turned into this handsome quilt top. 

A variation of "Cloe's Quilt" pattern, 51" x 67"

Scattering the stylized floral fabric across the top adds a bit of playfulness and contrast to the grid-like composition. The solid white provides the brightness and sparkle (and a blank canvas for future free-motion quilting). I can't decide if the framed blocks look like window panes or a tiled floor. What does it look like to you?

What a fun top to piece—especially the 4 patch blocks. You can crank out a bunch of these little gems lickety-split. Here's how:

Cut strips WOF (width of fabric or width of a Fat Quarter). My strips were 3.5" wide. Pair up the strips.

Cut and pair up strips.

Sew each strip-pair together along the long edge. Use a 1/4" seam.

Chain piecing the strip sets goes quickly.

Subcut the strips into 2-patches and sew two pair together to make 4-patches. The chain piecing saves time and thread. I like the random scrappiness of these 4-patches. So, don't stress over selecting the pairs… just pick and sew.

Chain-pieced 4-patches.

That's it!

Scrappy 4-patches.

Easy. Scrappy. Patchwork goodness!

First Blocks

I'm really enjoying teaching a Beginning Quilting class! The second session of the 5-week class was very productive as my students completed their first quilt block for their Churn Dash quilts. Yay! Applause, applause.

 

You can see the wonderful combinations of color, print and value in these quilt blocks.

They have lots of homework this week: completing all 9 blocks for their quilt. Next week we'll have a Show and Tell of everyone's accomplishments. Then, on to the sashing, borders and backing ...

Cuddle Quilt Quest kicks off with 59 blocks

The first collection of blocks for the Great Cuddle Quilt Quest was a huge success with 59 blocks turned in by members and friends of the Chattanooga Choo Choo Quilt Guild. It was impressive! Sets of the collected 9-patch blocks are now moving to Stage II in the process—the quilt top assembly.

The block for June is a 12" finished (12-1/2" unfinished) Friendship Star block using green or purple for the background. Stars can be yellow, gold or white. We also collected 8 completed cuddle quilts which can be seen here. Thanks to everyone for a great program kick-off!

Round Robin: Pansies

Pansies are one of the earliest flowering plants, blooming right alongside the spring crocuses and other flowering bulbs. Many varieties of this delicate flower have coloring that make them appear to have a "face." The pansy fabric included in this Round Robin package was accompanied by blueviolet and forest green textured fabrics with a request for a "pretty, feminine, soothing" quilt. Two of us have added  rose-colored fabrics to this palette, which brings out the warm pinks and peaches of the flowers—very pretty and romantic.

The name "pansy" comes from the French word, pensie, meaning "thought" or "remembrance." I think the quilts made from our Round Robin Project, as well as messages in the accompanying Quilt Journals, will be a sweet and thoughtful remembrance of all the participants. We have a very special group.

A Round Robin Quilt Project

I belong to a small, close-knit and supportive group of women who enjoy quiltmaking. I guess you could call it a "bee," though I've never belonged to a bee, only to guilds. Several of the members were intrigued by a randomly-set quilt I made with a combination of contemporary and vintage quilt blocks of various sizes. "How did you sew these blocks together?" "How did you lay that out?" "I wouldn't know where to start," were some of the questions and comments.
    There's nothing like going through a process oneself to gain experience,  so...

Through a brain-storming session, we conceived and decided to work on a Round Robin project. Each person picked 3 fabrics, chose 3 words or phrases that described the "personality" of the quilt they wanted to make, and randomly drew a size for a quilt block they would make for each person. We can also add fabrics from our own stash when needed. To make it more interesting—and personal—I designed Quilt Journals for each member. The journals travel with the fabrics and each person writes in the journal during the time they are making a block.

The group meets monthly and the first month's results were delightful. Everyone was so thoughtful and creative with their choice of block designs and fabrics. We are on the second round and here is my 10" pomegranate basket block for Sandy's "traditional, Christmas, and holiday" quilt. The smaller blocks were Pat's contribution to Sandy's quilt. I saw the block that Camille made for my quilt and I love it! I can't wait to see this month's blocks at our next group meeting. It can't come fast enough.