Learn how to cut and resew a ho-hum four-patch block and turn it into a spectacular disappearing four-patch quilt block. (Easy, too!)
Top US quilting blogger, Kate Colleran Designs, shares their Tutorial to make the Disappearing 4 Patch Block. Click here now!!
Photo above © Peoniagialla Learn the fun and easy Disappearing 4 Patch technique from Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company! This project uses handy charm squares, which are pre-cut 5" squares of fabric, perfect for quick and colorful quilts. Head over to link below to find Jenny's free Disappearing 4 Patch quilt block tutorial. It includes everything you need to get started, from materials to step-by-step instructions. Get ready to be amazed by how this simple technique creates beautiful disappearing patch effects in your quilt! Full post: Disappearing 4 Patch Quilt
Christy Jr made this quilt for her daughter, Elly, and it was so much fun to make we had to share! The pattern is from Missouri Star, and is called the Disappearing Four Patch. All you need are your standard rulers, rotary cutter, iron, sewing machine, and five inch charm squares. We used Fossil Fern Quilting Squares and Cotton Supreme Optical White (but there are lots of charm square options out there!). See the photo tutorial below of how me made our quilt! The blocks are sewn together, ironed, then trimmed to nine inches. Then the block is cut into three inch pieces and the outer center pieces are rotated one position clockwise. Then the pieces are sewn back together as a whole block. A major part of the "look" for this quilt was a color gradient, so we spent a fair amount of time arranging and re-arranging the squares before settling on a final layout. Since we didn't really plan out the squares ahead of time, we ended up making a few extra blocks that helped transition colors. For example, there's a block with a yellow bottom and orange top, and another with a pink top and dark bottom. All in all, this was a blast to piece together. We added borders, and quilted with our popular West Wind at Night Edge-to-Edge. As you can see, the stars add a lot of fun and flavor to the quilt, and the swirls provide good coverage and movement! And here's the happy recipient of the quilt getting cozy before a little nap! And if you're interested in learning more about how to make this pattern, check out this fantastic YouTube tutorial made by Missouri Star Quilt Co.
This is the disappearing nine patch quilt I started back in October. As happens with so many other projects, once the blocks were done, but not yet assembled, I had to take them down from the design wallto work on other things. Once I saw...
Hi, all! Welcome to the second week of Charmed, I'm Sure! A series of tutorials designed to be simple enough to use for comfort quilts to be donated, that will also help you build skills and learn new tips and ways to work quickly and efficiently! Last week, I shared this quilt... ...along with a link to Amy Smart's fantastic tutorial for a simple charm quilt on point! This was such an easy quilt to make, and a great scrap buster. Today I want to share a pattern I've seen around a lot, so it's an oldie, but this was actually the first time I've ever tried it myself. You may have made a disappearing nine-patch in the past (most of us have!) but have you ever tried a disappearing four-patch? I don't know about you, but I really like cutting up blocks to create something new and different. So it was about time to try a D4P! I started with a bunch of two-patch blocks made using some batik charm squares paired with a black and white "etch-a-sketch" print. While not scrappy, the batik squares had been in my stash f-o-r-e-v-e-r, and this was the tail-end of the black and white print. I feel virtuous! FYI, I pressed all the seams towards the B&W print. I chose two of the two-patch blocks, a blue and a green, and sewed them together into a four-patch block, with the black and white squares on opposite corners. I "spun" the center seams (click here for a great quick tutorial on the process by Beth Sellers) and then laid it on my cutting board. Placing the 2" mark of my ruler vertically along the center line, I cut to the right side of the ruler. Without moving the pieces, I repeated the process to the left side and also horizontally above and below the center line. And this is what I ended up with! Now it's time for the magic to happen. Experiment with moving pieces around! In the picture below, I took the top center and bottom center pieces and swapped them, and did the same with the right center and left center pieces. And here's a sample layout that you could make with this block... But I decided to try something a little bit different. I took the same center outside blocks and just turned them around in place, and ended up with this block. I made a few more, then started playing with layouts and ended up with this one... I sure was happy to get to church and a functioning design wall! And here's a tip - when you are trying to figure out how to lay out your colors with this layout, lay out your two-patch blocks so the colors match, then decide what colors you want to be on the other side. Place the four-patch blocks in place before cutting and re-sewing to see how the colors will work. As you can see, I figured this out late in the game, or I wouldn't have two blue blocks on the top half of this layout! Alas - live and learn! After making all the four-patch blocks on Wednesday night at church, I headed home with a picture and a plan! I sliced-and-diced all the four-patch blocks and put them back together again, then assembled the whole top. And voila! A sweet little top just large enough for a baby or small child, or for a comfort item for a foster child. The blocks finish up just slightly larger than 8" (finished), so this top made with 20 blocks is about 32 x 40. It would be easy to make almost any size quilt, just increase the number of blocks made. Time constraints limited this one, but I may make a larger one soon, because it is quick and fun! And now, I want to know - - - am I the only person in the world who has never made a disappearing four-patch block before? Come back next Sunday for another fun charm pack quilt. Because those charms aren't going to sew themselves up by themselves! Hugs! Sarah
Are you in the mood for this? I’m sure you’ve seen disappearing nine patch blocks below, but have you seen double disappearing ones? What about triple disappearing, just kidding but not…
Versatile, easy pattern with a complex look! Guest post by Christine Vinh A few years ago I made a Disappearing 9 Patch quilt for the shop using a pack of 10 in. squares of Australian Aborigine-designed fabrics — and we still get asked what pattern was used. And when we answer it’s a Disappearing 9 Patch, we’re then asked the ‘How do You Do That?’ questions! So we decided it was time to make a new sample to document the process (pictured here in progress; see below for a full view of the completed quilt). We were so pleased with the results we’ve decided to make quilt kits for our customers, available while supplies last. Choose from our Australian Disappearing 9 Patch Quilt Kit or our kit that includes the colorful Kitty Litter fabrics. The original sample used the authentic Aborigine-designed fabric from M&S Textiles, so I chose to pick new designs from that collection. I opted to go with five different fabrics for the color and used half yard per color —just in case I wanted to make the quilt larger! I did some research on Pinterest and found some guides about different quilt block sizes, layouts and finished quilt size. I wanted to use 5 inch squares, and found the table (reprinted above) from The Crafty Quilter Disappearing 9-patch QAL to be the most helpful. I chose to make the center portion of the quilt 52 in. x 65 in. and, using the guide, determined that it would require a total of 20 blocks, each made up of 4 (four) squares of color, 1 (one) square of dark, and 4 (four) squares of white. Fabric requirements for the blocks plus borders: Half yard each of four different color fabric, for the blocks 1.5 yards of one color, for blocks and for outer border 1 yard of dark value fabric, for the center squares and inner border 1.5 yards of light value fabric, for the background Cutting Directions for your 9 Patch blocks: Cut 2 (two) 5 in strips from each of your chose color design fabrics and then sub-cut into 5 inch squares for a total of 16 squares For the dark blocks, cut 3 (three) 5 in. strips. Two of the strips were sub cut into 5 in. squares and 2 (two) additional 5 in. squares from the remaining strip The background fabric was cut into 10 (ten) 5 in. strips and sub cut into 5 in. blocks There are a number of layouts one can pick for the starting 9 patch, and I used the basic one — the color fabrics in outer corners, dark square in the middle, and fill in the spaces with the light background fabric. I found it easiest to sew the blocks together one at a time to keep colors in order. I string pieced (above) and then pressed to assure seams would butt up against each other (below). Once all 20 blocks were assembled and pressed, I cut each block down the center then carefully turned and cut down the center again. This gave me the 80 blocks required for the overall top. Pictured above left, a block after cutting in and turing two of the quadrants, before sewing back together. Now it’s time to play with layouts of your blocks! For this sample I chose to start with one color block in the upper left corner, adding a different color for each diagonal row. Right, Wonder Clips are handy for keeping your blocks together in rows after you've decided your layout. There are many different options to lay out your blocks — The Crafty Quilter blog I referenced has several layout diagrams, or do a web search for Disappearing 9 Patch (also Disappearing Nine Patch) — for lots of inspiration! Try different arrangements with your cut blocks until you find the layout that speaks to you! That’s the fun of this pattern! I always take a picture of what I think will be my final layout, and then walk away before preparing to stitch the rows together. In the second sample I made, this pause for a fresh look helped me to identify one block that was turned in the wrong direction — before it was sewn and preventing me from having to use the seam ripper! I like to stack all the blocks in a row and then stack the rows to sew one row at a time. I sew the rows together as I go with this pattern, again to make sure I haven’t turned a block in the process. Once the center portion was complete, I cut and pieced the border strips: 6 (six) 2.5 in. strips of the dark design for the inner border and 6 (six) 5 in. strips of the fabric for the outer border. Sew the inner border side strips first and then add the strips for top and bottom. Repeat for the outer border. Then it was off to the quilter! I chose to use 2 yards of the yellow ombre wideback fabric and had enough left over to use for the binding. (I didn’t mention backing fabric in the fabric requirements; the choice is yours depending on your preference and what size you make your Disappearing 9 Patch.) Having enjoyed making the first sample, I decided to try another one using 4 in. strips instead of the 5 in. I love the variety of colors available in the Kitty Litter blender collection from Pammie Jane (Pamela Jane Morgan) for Dear Stella. Fabric choices: 10 fat quarters of Kitty Litter colors for the blocks (I used a fat quarter bundle and ended up with more than I needed, so chose not to use two of the colors) Half yard of Kitty Litter in Drift, for center squares 1 yard of Kitty Litter in Neutral, for background squares Half yard of Kitty Litter in Laser, for inner border 2.5 yards of Charley Harper Rocky Mountain, Mountain Flowers for outer border Cut two strips, each 4 in. x 22 in. from each of the fat quarters. Then sub-cut each strip into 4 in. squares. Cut the gray and white fabrics into 4 in. strips and sub cut into 4 in. squares. Sew your nine-patch blocks and then cut them, as described above for the Australian quilt. Forthe Kitty Litter Disappearing 9 Patch layout, I chose to match color blocks throughout the top. Look closely at the two samples and you can see the difference in the layouts. Hope you enjoy making either one of the kits or fabrics of your own choice. Make sure to share your quilt with us on Artistic Artifacts Creative Minds Facebook group!
This is a quick and easy block that looks a lot more complicated than it is. It’s also perfect for 5″ squares also called charm squares. Learn how to make a disappearing 9-patch quilt b…
Learn how to create disappearing four-patch quilt blocks using diagonal cuts. Create blocks that look more complicated than they actually are
While my "Modernized D9P" is one of my most popular tutorials, and always provided a glimpse behind the curtain. For years I have ...
Versatile, easy pattern with a complex look! Guest post by Christine Vinh A few years ago I made a Disappearing 9 Patch quilt for the shop using a pack of 10 in. squares of Australian Aborigine-designed fabrics — and we still get asked what pattern was used. And when we answer it’s a Disappearing 9 Patch, we’re then asked the ‘How do You Do That?’ questions! So we decided it was time to make a new sample to document the process (pictured here in progress; see below for a full view of the completed quilt). We were so pleased with the results we’ve decided to make quilt kits for our customers, available while supplies last. Choose from our Australian Disappearing 9 Patch Quilt Kit or our kit that includes the colorful Kitty Litter fabrics. The original sample used the authentic Aborigine-designed fabric from M&S Textiles, so I chose to pick new designs from that collection. I opted to go with five different fabrics for the color and used half yard per color —just in case I wanted to make the quilt larger! I did some research on Pinterest and found some guides about different quilt block sizes, layouts and finished quilt size. I wanted to use 5 inch squares, and found the table (reprinted above) from The Crafty Quilter Disappearing 9-patch QAL to be the most helpful. I chose to make the center portion of the quilt 52 in. x 65 in. and, using the guide, determined that it would require a total of 20 blocks, each made up of 4 (four) squares of color, 1 (one) square of dark, and 4 (four) squares of white. Fabric requirements for the blocks plus borders: Half yard each of four different color fabric, for the blocks 1.5 yards of one color, for blocks and for outer border 1 yard of dark value fabric, for the center squares and inner border 1.5 yards of light value fabric, for the background Cutting Directions for your 9 Patch blocks: Cut 2 (two) 5 in strips from each of your chose color design fabrics and then sub-cut into 5 inch squares for a total of 16 squares For the dark blocks, cut 3 (three) 5 in. strips. Two of the strips were sub cut into 5 in. squares and 2 (two) additional 5 in. squares from the remaining strip The background fabric was cut into 10 (ten) 5 in. strips and sub cut into 5 in. blocks There are a number of layouts one can pick for the starting 9 patch, and I used the basic one — the color fabrics in outer corners, dark square in the middle, and fill in the spaces with the light background fabric. I found it easiest to sew the blocks together one at a time to keep colors in order. I string pieced (above) and then pressed to assure seams would butt up against each other (below). Once all 20 blocks were assembled and pressed, I cut each block down the center then carefully turned and cut down the center again. This gave me the 80 blocks required for the overall top. Pictured above left, a block after cutting in and turing two of the quadrants, before sewing back together. Now it’s time to play with layouts of your blocks! For this sample I chose to start with one color block in the upper left corner, adding a different color for each diagonal row. Right, Wonder Clips are handy for keeping your blocks together in rows after you've decided your layout. There are many different options to lay out your blocks — The Crafty Quilter blog I referenced has several layout diagrams, or do a web search for Disappearing 9 Patch (also Disappearing Nine Patch) — for lots of inspiration! Try different arrangements with your cut blocks until you find the layout that speaks to you! That’s the fun of this pattern! I always take a picture of what I think will be my final layout, and then walk away before preparing to stitch the rows together. In the second sample I made, this pause for a fresh look helped me to identify one block that was turned in the wrong direction — before it was sewn and preventing me from having to use the seam ripper! I like to stack all the blocks in a row and then stack the rows to sew one row at a time. I sew the rows together as I go with this pattern, again to make sure I haven’t turned a block in the process. Once the center portion was complete, I cut and pieced the border strips: 6 (six) 2.5 in. strips of the dark design for the inner border and 6 (six) 5 in. strips of the fabric for the outer border. Sew the inner border side strips first and then add the strips for top and bottom. Repeat for the outer border. Then it was off to the quilter! I chose to use 2 yards of the yellow ombre wideback fabric and had enough left over to use for the binding. (I didn’t mention backing fabric in the fabric requirements; the choice is yours depending on your preference and what size you make your Disappearing 9 Patch.) Having enjoyed making the first sample, I decided to try another one using 4 in. strips instead of the 5 in. I love the variety of colors available in the Kitty Litter blender collection from Pammie Jane (Pamela Jane Morgan) for Dear Stella. Fabric choices: 10 fat quarters of Kitty Litter colors for the blocks (I used a fat quarter bundle and ended up with more than I needed, so chose not to use two of the colors) Half yard of Kitty Litter in Drift, for center squares 1 yard of Kitty Litter in Neutral, for background squares Half yard of Kitty Litter in Laser, for inner border 2.5 yards of Charley Harper Rocky Mountain, Mountain Flowers for outer border Cut two strips, each 4 in. x 22 in. from each of the fat quarters. Then sub-cut each strip into 4 in. squares. Cut the gray and white fabrics into 4 in. strips and sub cut into 4 in. squares. Sew your nine-patch blocks and then cut them, as described above for the Australian quilt. Forthe Kitty Litter Disappearing 9 Patch layout, I chose to match color blocks throughout the top. Look closely at the two samples and you can see the difference in the layouts. Hope you enjoy making either one of the kits or fabrics of your own choice. Make sure to share your quilt with us on Artistic Artifacts Creative Minds Facebook group!
Top US quilting blogger, Kate Colleran Designs, shares their Tutorial to make the Disappearing 4 Patch Block. Click here now!!
I just love the Disappearing Four Patch block. I first used it for a baby quilt that I made in the summer of 2013 . It’s such a cute block and is perfect for using pre-cut 5” squares (but would also be great for using up your scraps!).
Yes…. I got the quilt finished and easily before the due date. I wasn’t sure that would happen after the weekend drama. Kelli came home on Tuesday to get some things she need for a col…
Have you seen those super fun disappearing quilt blocks? Not sure what to do with them? Here is a collection of 15 disappearing quilt patterns to help you out.
This is one of the two finished blocks you can make with this tutorial. Learn how to make this block in less than 2 minutes This is a very short video that shows you how to cut your blocks and arra…
I first spotted the Sew Together bag over at Crazy Mom Quilts - seriously, how adorable is her bag and those teeny tiny squares? I was packing up my stuff for my retreat and I wanted something a little cuter, a little nicer, and a little more functional than this big plastic bin (not that I'm not a fan of the plastic bin, but not for my little notions). So I pulled out the linen and aqua and yellow stuff I used for this sewing room project a while back. I cut it all out Wednesday night, did the fusing Wednesday night and then realized I didn't have the zippers I needed. So off to the store first thing Thursday morning and I was set. This bag is . . . challenging. But not impossible. The directions are very clear, which is always a plus. And I love it! My aqua rotary cutter looks so at home, doesn't it? There's room for scissors, pins, needles, machine feet, oil, tweezers, screwdrivers, chocolate - everything I need. And so cute! I might need to make another one to match my Glamping Weekender. That wouldn't be too insane and matchy matchy, would it? I mean, I know it would be matchy matchy, but I don't care much about that. People have matching luggage all the time! Linking up!
When I started with Double Disappearing 9 Patch (DD9P) I gave an explanation of what I did but not a real tutorial. I would like to correct...
Hi Marie, This was fun and quick! I actually found a print with brown, in my stash 🤣. They go on their way to you on Tuesday. Happy sewing, Rita x
Here's how to make an I-Spy version of the Disappearing Nine-Patch. It's SO EASY, but it looks like you spent FOREVER on it! I am assuming throughout this tutorial that you are familiar with the Disappearing Nine-Patch pattern -- I have previously posted specific step-by-step instructions on that quilt pattern, which you can find here. What you need: ~ 88 - 4" I-Spy squares (From time to time I host swaps where you can join in and trade with others to collect these!) ~ 1 1/8 yd fabric for sashing (mine is white) ~ 1/3 yd fabric for setting squares (mine is blue) ~ 1 7/8 yd fabric for backing ~ 3/8 yd fabric for binding ~ crib size (45"x60") batting What to cut: From sashing fabric: ~ 88 - 4" white squares ~ 17 - 2"x4" white rectangles From setting square fabric: ~ 22 - 4" squares ~ 20 - 2" squares From binding fabric: ~ 5 - 2 1/2" strips -- sew end-to-end to create one long strip Finished Quilt Size: 41 1/2" x 56 1/2" (nearly crib size) Here is the KEY to setting up your blocks -- the lower right corner's I-Spy always needs to face the same direction no matter which way you turn the block. I made my lower right corner's I-Spy always right side up. STEP ONE: Sew together the center rows on all your blocks. Start by sewing a white square to every blue square. Then sew another white square to the opposite side of every blue square -- creating 22 rows of white-blue-white. STEP TWO: Place your stack of I-Spy squares right side up (with the bottom edge of the I-Spies closest to you) to the right of your stack of white squares. Fold one I-Spy over one white square like shutting a book, and sew the right side seam with a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat until you run out of white squares. STEP THREE: Open all your sewn squares and stack them with the I-Spy square on the left. Place your I-Spy squares to the right, with the top edge of the I-Spies lined up to the edge of the white square, as shown in the photo. STEP FOUR: Take the top I-Spy square from the right hand pile and fold it like closing a book over the left hand pile. Sew the right side seam with a 1/4" seam allowance. STEP FIVE: Press your rows! Press the seam allowances toward the darker fabrics (toward your setting square fabrics and toward your I-Spies). STEP SIX: Set up your rows as shown. CAREFUL -- It DOES matter which way those rows are set up! Close one I-Spy row over one setting square row like shutting a book. Sew right seam with 1/4" seam allowance, matching seams on the rows. STEP SEVEN: Set up your rows as shown -- again, be CAREFUL! It matters which way those rows face! Close right side I-Spy row over the left side like shutting a book. Sew right seam with 1/4" seam allowance, matching seams on the rows. STEP EIGHT: Press seam allowances to one side. (I pressed mine towards the I-Spies.) STEP NINE: Cut your nine-patches into quarters as shown, measuring and cutting carefully. Your sashing and setting squares are DONE -- with the exception of the bottom row of your quilt and the right side vertical row of your quilt -- which you will piece together using your white rectangles and 2" squares. You're ready to lay out your squares and sew them together!! Wasn't that EASY?? (I never could decide whether I would have preferred an additional border on this quilt -- but it would be simple to adapt the pattern to allow for it!)
Made in Cherry Made in Cherry back Easy Street Irish Chain Irish Chain Back Crossroads Crossroads back Crossroads Detail Plaid Obsession #1 Plaid Obsession #1 back Warrior Pride - T-shirt Quilt Warrior Pride - T-shirt Quilt - back D9P - 1 D9P 1 back Back D9P 2 and 3 - love this backing fabric D9P 2 D9P 3 Double Disappear 9 Patch - H2H 4 Double D9P Back Pezzy Print Zig Zag Girl - H2H 1 Pezzy Print Zig Zag Girl - H2H 1 - back Pezzy Print ZigZag - boy - H2H 2 Pezzy Print ZigZag - boy - H2H 2 - back Twinkle - H2H 3 Twinkle - H2H 3 - Back Scrap Attack Quilt 1 - Jelly Roll Scrap Attack Quilt 1 - Jelly Roll back Scrap Attack #2 - Fresh Squeezed Fresh Squeezed - back Scrap Attack #3 Scrap Attack #3 Back Scrap Attack #4 - U of WI quilt Scrap Attack #4 - U of WI quilt - back Plaid Obsession #2 Plaid Obsession #2 Back Twin Girl #1 Twin Girl #2 100 Quilts for Kids #1 100 Quilts for Kids #2 100 Quilts for Kids #1 Back 100 Quilts for kids #2 back 100 Quilts for Kids #3 Shower Stash Quilt #1 Shower Stash Quilt #2 - love the free motion quilting on this one 100 Quilts for kids #4 100 Quilts for Kids #4 back 100 Quilts for Kids #5 100 Quilts for Kids #5 back 100 Quilts for Kids #6 100 Quilts for Kids #6 100 Quilts for Kids #7 100 Quilts for Kids #7 back 100 Quilts for Kids #8 100 Quilts for Kids #8 back Baby Rainbow - Back Baby Rainbow Front Baby Girl Jelly Roll Splat - Back Baby Girl Jelly Roll Splat front Baby Girl Jell Roll Splat Details Baby Girl Jelly Roll Splay Baby Girl Jelly Roll Swirls - back Baby Girl Jelly Roll Swirls front Budding Nine Patch Boy Marmalade Square - Back Boy Marmalade Square detail Boy Marmalade Front Girl Marmalade Square Front Girl Marmalade Square detail Baby Boy New Port Beach Posie Patch Front Posie Patch Detail Sage Cancer Center Quilt Sage Cancer Center Detail Lollipop Panel Lollipop Panel Back Lollipop Panel Detail Sums it all up back Sums it all up Detail Sums it all Up
Made in Cherry Made in Cherry back Easy Street Irish Chain Irish Chain Back Crossroads Crossroads back Crossroads Detail Plaid Obsession #1 Plaid Obsession #1 back Warrior Pride - T-shirt Quilt Warrior Pride - T-shirt Quilt - back D9P - 1 D9P 1 back Back D9P 2 and 3 - love this backing fabric D9P 2 D9P 3 Double Disappear 9 Patch - H2H 4 Double D9P Back Pezzy Print Zig Zag Girl - H2H 1 Pezzy Print Zig Zag Girl - H2H 1 - back Pezzy Print ZigZag - boy - H2H 2 Pezzy Print ZigZag - boy - H2H 2 - back Twinkle - H2H 3 Twinkle - H2H 3 - Back Scrap Attack Quilt 1 - Jelly Roll Scrap Attack Quilt 1 - Jelly Roll back Scrap Attack #2 - Fresh Squeezed Fresh Squeezed - back Scrap Attack #3 Scrap Attack #3 Back Scrap Attack #4 - U of WI quilt Scrap Attack #4 - U of WI quilt - back Plaid Obsession #2 Plaid Obsession #2 Back Twin Girl #1 Twin Girl #2 100 Quilts for Kids #1 100 Quilts for Kids #2 100 Quilts for Kids #1 Back 100 Quilts for kids #2 back 100 Quilts for Kids #3 Shower Stash Quilt #1 Shower Stash Quilt #2 - love the free motion quilting on this one 100 Quilts for kids #4 100 Quilts for Kids #4 back 100 Quilts for Kids #5 100 Quilts for Kids #5 back 100 Quilts for Kids #6 100 Quilts for Kids #6 100 Quilts for Kids #7 100 Quilts for Kids #7 back 100 Quilts for Kids #8 100 Quilts for Kids #8 back Baby Rainbow - Back Baby Rainbow Front Baby Girl Jelly Roll Splat - Back Baby Girl Jelly Roll Splat front Baby Girl Jell Roll Splat Details Baby Girl Jelly Roll Splay Baby Girl Jelly Roll Swirls - back Baby Girl Jelly Roll Swirls front Budding Nine Patch Boy Marmalade Square - Back Boy Marmalade Square detail Boy Marmalade Front Girl Marmalade Square Front Girl Marmalade Square detail Baby Boy New Port Beach Posie Patch Front Posie Patch Detail Sage Cancer Center Quilt Sage Cancer Center Detail Lollipop Panel Lollipop Panel Back Lollipop Panel Detail Sums it all up back Sums it all up Detail Sums it all Up
Learn how to create disappearing four-patch quilt blocks using diagonal cuts. Create blocks that look more complicated than they actually are
July 18, 2010 If you are feeling like you want to cut loose and do a few wonky blocks, maybe this will help you to get started. ;-D The number of pieces of fabric you start with in your stack is equal to the number of blocks you will end with after sewing....I'm using 3 fabrics for the tutorial, but I've used up to 6 or 8 at a time for my own quilts. The chain piecing will make the sewing go faster... You could use this method using any size starter blocks--I used 10" layer cake squares. But you could just as easily use charm squares, or something larger, like fat quarters. First, stack a few squares on your cutting mat. Try to vary the prints in your stack...these prints will end up next to each other in your blocks. Cut a wonky strip from the right and left sides of your stack. Try not to let the narrower end of the strip go below 1" (usually make my narrow end about 1 1/4" wide...and my larger end about 2" to 2 1/2" wide--but anything goes!). Pull them off to each side, keeping them oriented correctly. Now, rotate your cutting mat (or your body) and cut a wonky strip from the top and bottom of your stack (which will now be your left and right). Pull them off to the top and bottom, keeping them oriented correctly. Go back to your original position and cut another wonky strip from the right and left sides of your stack. Pull them off to the sides.... Rotate your cutting mat and cut a wonky strip from the top and bottom of your stack (which will be your left and right again). You should be left with a wonky center piece (an awkward looking quadrilateral). This is just perfect. Push all of your pieces back into the original stack shape. Now we are going to shuffle....Leave the outside four strips as they are. Next, take the top strips from the four middle strips and shuffle them to the bottom. Finally, take top two center pieces and shuffle them to the bottom. You stack of pieces should now look like this.... I place pins into the two horizontal top strips so that during sewing (and ironing) I can remember the proper orientation of the blocks. When I sew, and subsequently iron, I am very careful to note where the pin is to I know where the top of my stack is. You must keep the stack in order or you will end up with some real problems later on when your pieces don't match each other....just guess how I know? LOL.... I chain piece the top and bottom middle pieces to the center piece, using a 1/4" seam.... ** Notice that I offset the two pieces by 1/4" so the edges would line up correctly when ironed...** Now, off to the ironing board--yes, you have to press these before moving on to the next step. I press with the seams going toward the outside of the block, but I doubt it matters. Just be consistent. Take your block back to the cutting table and trim the sides of the block so they align with the center square. They might not be that far off, depending on your piecing, but you want a straight edge to sew your side pieces onto.... Next, attach the left and right middle sides. Watch the orientation of the blocks....trust me. I've sewed things on upside down and ended up spending the evening with Jack, the Seam Ripper.... Go to the iron an press the seams. Return to your cutting mat and trim off the excess at the top and bottom. Don't be alarmed about wasting fabric...it is just a bit. You will now add the top and bottom outside pieces to your wonky blocks. Go to the iron and press again. And back to the cutting board to trim the right and left sides. Don't panic! Finally, sew on the left and right outside pieces. And go back to the ironing board...and press! And trim...see that waste? It is the grand total of all the scraps from all three blocks, all the stages of trimming!! Not as much as you might expect.... There you have it...a wonky block. You would now need to square up your blocks to some standard size (maybe 7 1/2" by 7 1/2") and you could assemble your quilt top. Or you could NOT square up the blocks and add some solid strips around the edges of the block and then square up with a wonky solid border going around. I did something similar to this with my Dream On quilt...I added TWO 2 1/2" strips of white to the sides of each block, and ONE 3 1/2" strip to the top of the block...then squared up my blocks to 10 1/2" (finished size of 10"). White border on only three sides of the block.... When I arranged the blocks on my design floor, I made sure that there was a white strip along all of the edges of the quilt (not a colored block part)....and that no two colored parts touched each other. The blocks appeared to be floating around randomly....but each square is really the same size--but a bit wonky! Cool, huh? Anyhow, I've adapted this with charm squares...only cutting once for the each side and once for the top and bottom. I made little 4 1/2" blocks. You could also just cut perpendicular to the edges of your quilt and get varying width of straighter strips. Very modern and cool. Just do what you want and enjoy it! *** Note: the more cuts you make from the center to the edge, the more fabric you will have to trim off in each round around. Still, don't be alarmed...it is a nominal amount of waste--and worth the effort for the effect! Have fun!
Learn how to take a basic four patch quilt block, make a few cuts which result in more complex quilt blocks with the disappearing four patch.
I pulled out four more quilts that need borders. This Stack and Slash top had the border and backing fabric hanging with it so it was a no brainer which one to do. The border is navy blue even though it looks like black or charcoal gray. I thought this quilt really needed a border to contain all of the color and also to make it a little larger. It is 62" x 76" now and will shrink a couple inches with quilting. Here is a link to a post that talks about the Stack and Slash quilt. There is a link on it to another blogger's tutorial for it. I had a leisurely lunch out with three friends yesterday, a perfect day!
This quilt top has been made using: one and a half charm square packs of Hunky Dory by Moda for the blocks cream fabric scraps of fabric for the prairie point cut in 4 1/2 inch square polka dots fa…
This top, for my Aunt & Uncle, in celebration of their 40th Wedding Anniv is done. My "quilt models" weren't available, so I tried to hang this in my sewing room. It doesn't really work well to display my quilt for documentation purposes, but I love how it looks like stained glass! Makes me happy...so happy that I made this the background on my cellphone! :) Here are the blocks pre-assembly: Thanks for stopping by! Happy Wednesday!
This is one of the two finished blocks you can make with this tutorial. Learn how to make this block in less than 2 minutes This is a very short video that shows you how to cut your blocks and arra…
