Scrappy Rectangles Quilt

Yes, it’s been quite a while since I’ve utilized this space. Life happened, and it keeps happening. Children are born, pandemics happen, you know, all the exciting stuff.

During this hiatus, I joined again with the Serenity Circle of the Do Good Stitches quilting bee. Thankfully my group only makes a quilt every other month, so the stress is really nonexistent. We get the joy of creating a few blocks every so often, mailing them along, and seeing a beautiful quilt that will be donated to someone who just needs a loving hug.

(Scrappy Rectangle Quilt 2017)

For me, being a part of this group presents a few moments to be creative in a carefree way. Not having the pressure of making the entire quilt is quite wonderful, and knowing I’m not contributing to a few blocks being added to my WIP pile or box of single blocks is also very satisfying. My moments of creativity get to be just that, and it’s perfect.

My months this year were March/April, which essentially means that I chose the block & color palette for that quilt, and I would be responsible for finishing and donating said quilt.

(Color Palette for 2020 Quilt)

Who has jelly roll scraps (or 2 1/2″ wide strips) leftover from cutting remnants or unused from other projects? This block uses exactly that, so feel free to use a fabric line or go as scrappy as your heart desires.

Download the instructions as a one page PDF here:

scrappy-rectangle-quiltDownload

Please share your creations and tag #scrappyrectanglequilt.

Jacob’s Ladder Block

This is a quick tutorial for a vintage block with lots of possibilities!

These blocks finish at 8 inches (AKA- jellyroll scrap friendly). Also, I made more than one block at a time so that I could switch around my HSTs (half square tringles) blocks to get a scrappy look.

 

For each block you will need:

4 – 2 1/2 in squares color A (warm colors in photo)

4 – 2 1/2 in squares background (low volume in photo)

2 – 5 1/2 in squares one color B and one background (color B is cool color)

First, I made the HSTs. To do this, draw a line diagonally across the back of the background (low volume) square that is 5 1/2 in. Then, sew 1/4 in away along both sides of the line you just drew.

Then, cut along the line, and press the HSTs towards the dark fabric. Trim each HST to 4 1/2 in square.

Next, make two 4 square blocks using the 2 1/2 in squares. Press. Here’s what things should look like:

Next, just sew these 4 smaller blocks together to get your finished Jacob’s Ladder block.

This is a great block to burn through different sized scraps, so go ahead and ATTACK your scraps!

 

To make a larger block, simply cut the pieces larger using:

4 – 3 1/2 in squares color A

4 – 3 1/2 in squares background

2 – 7 1/2 in squares, one color B and one background.

Using the same instructions as above you will have a finished 12 in block.

Churh Dasher Block Tutorial

There are a few other names for this block, since it dates back to before 1900. A few others are: Sister’s Choice, Five Point Star, and Father’s Choice. Some of these names have a third color in their design, but we’re just going with the basic 2 color block. I’m thinking a scrappy version would be quite fetching!

This block is nothing new, sorry no reinventing the wheel here. However, while figuring out what fabric to cut per block, quickest way to assemble, and best ways to press, I figured sharing would be nice, so here we go. I did find that this block is rather scrap friendly and only needs roughly 2 fat eighths for the 10″ block, and a little under a FQ for the 13″ block.

 

Fabric Needed:

For the 10″ unfinished block, cut:

Light/Background:

4- 3″ squares
4- 2 1/2″ squares
1- 2 1/2″ x 11″ strip

Dark/Main:

4- 3″ squares
5- 2 1/2″ squares
1- 2 1/2″ x 11″ strip

For the 13″ unfinished block size, cut:

Light/Background:

4-4″ squares
4-3″ squares
1-3″ x 13″ strip

Dark/Main:

4- 4″ squares
5- 3″ squares
1-3″ x 13″ strip

 

All instructions are for both size options, specifications for the different blocks are included – PLEASE read all the way through before getting started (always a good idea).

To start, sew one of each color strip together and press towards the darker fabric. Then you will cut this strip set into 4- 2 1/2″ sections for the 10″ block, and 4- 3″ sections for the 13″ block, which should look like this:

Then, take the 4 light squares that are larger and draw a line across the back to use as a guide for making the HSTs (Half Square Triangles*).

Now, using the larger dark squares put right sides together & sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line, double check you diagonal if you are using a directional fabric.

Cut down the line that you just used as a guide and press seams towards the darker fabric. Trim each HST to 2 1/2″ square for the 10″ block and 3″ square for the 13″ block.

Next, sew the middle row, and press seams around the middle square to the center.

At this point it’s good to lay everything out and get a visual/base to start finishing up with.

Now, I like to put the corners together individually. Set up all you squares and double check you like the set up, keep in mind directional fabrics.

Then, sew the top two together, then the bottom two, and press the fabrics towards the plain square (away from the HST). And then sew the rows together. This is just like making a 4 square. Press the seam between rows towards the darker square that will be closest to the center of the block. Make the other three.

Almost there!

Take one of the strip sections from the start and sew it to one of the corner sections. Press towards the smaller strip section. Sew the other corner section to the other side of the strip set. Press towards the smaller strip section again. Do this with the same sections from the other side of the block. You should now have two of these larger parts and the middle row.

Now, sew each section to the middle row and press towards the center.

Done!

Then, have fun and make more!

*If you plan to make lots of these blocks in the same colors then I would highly recommend using HST paper. You can make upwards of 20 HSTs in one shot with NO trimming and squaring. I oooed and ahhhed over HST paper here.

Feel free to share photos of your work via Flickr: BlueStripedRoom.

 

Bee Blocks

This month the bee block that I was asked to make was the Starburst Block by Lee at Freshly Pieced.
 

Only one block was requested by this month’s Queen, but I was loving making it so much that I made another!

What do you think?? I can’t even decide which one I like better!

On a side not, the first 2 pictures of the Starburst blocks above are actually turned sideways. This orientation looked the best of all the photos I took. I’m thinking I should just put tape on all four corners of the blocks I photograph next time so it’s not noticeable.

Last month, it took me forever to get my bee blocks done. I’ll be the first to admit I was a slacker! The block was the Freewheeling Block from the book ’99 Modern Blocks’. Very cool book.

This was the first time I tried any paper piecing, and this was a pretty easy block to start with. I was sewing along, super happy with how fast it was going.

Then, I realized that the last 2 triangles I added to the outside of the color triangle was not placed correctly and didn’t go all the way to where the seam allowance needed to end. On EVERY SINGLE BLOCK. So sad it was though, especially since there were 4 smaller blocks to make up one block. My seam ripper and I are a little closer now.

See those corners, ahh!

Either way, I’m having tons of fun doing bee blocks each month!! How about you?? Have you joined a quilting bee?