Deco Block Construction

When I first saw the rotary cutter in the early 1980's, I could see its potential right away and I knew I'd never make a quilt using templates ever again, and I never have. (I don't do paper-piecing either.)

So when I had to add a 2-1/2" square on the end of a 4-1/2" strip, there wasn't any way I was going to cut either 2-1/2" squares or 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles. Since the exact location of the square at the end of the strip didn't need to be precise, I came up with a different way of doing it. The other reason was I was using a LOT of different fabrics. If I had wanted a group of these exactly the same, I would have sewn a 2-1/2" strip to a 4-1/2" one and then cut them crosswise. (See one of my earliest blog posts for an explanation*.)

 Instead I sewed the ends of my blue strips to a long colored strip that would be the square...

 Cut them apart,

And them trimmed them down to size.

Then I made all the blocks. I confess I did need to cut a few more strips (about 10) to finish the blocks, but as I trimmed them I set them out on the floor to see what they might look like. This is by no means a final layout.

I should have the blocks done tomorrow (well, if I ignore the housework I can), and I may start sewing rows together.

This is kinda wild. I'm not used to making a quilt in less than two weeks.




*The black quilt in that post is still on my bed, btw.

More Seminole

 A few months ago I promised I'd show more information about making simple seminole patchwork bands of on point squares.



These strips are all the same, the outer ones are cut 2" wide, and the inner ones are cut 1-1/2" wide, and sewn together with a 1/4" seam, The seams are pressed toward the outer edges.

When cut crosswise 1-1/2" wide, staggered and sewn together you get a band of on point squares.

If you make the outer strips contrasting colors, you get something that looks different.

But you really get something different when you rotate every other strip when you sew them together.

Of course, you have to trim those pesky triangles and sew straight strips on either side to stabilize the seminole band. Remember, these are all bias edges.

Now let's add two strips...

This symmetrical band has a dark center strip surrounded by lighter strips, then the background.

You knew this was going to happen, right?  But check this out...

This is the same five strip band, but the center strip is the background fabric, and the other two are contrasting.  Cut these crosswise 1-1/2" just like all the others, but rotate every other strip, stagger them and sew them together and you get this:

Pretty cool, huh?  But we're not done yet. We can add two more strips...

and make something symmetrical...

or not.

And no, you don't need a pattern. All the inner squares finish out at 1" square. Cut those strips 1-1/2" wide, and cut the outer ones 2" wide, or wider. Sew the strips together with a 1/4" seam. Cut crosswise into 1-1/2" pieces, stagger and sew together. You can find slightly more detailed instructions here.

And if you think a quilt made from simple strips this way is boring, then check this out.

Enjoy.