Quilting in Connecticut

The weather this past weekend in Connecticut was spectacular.  I spent the long weekend with friends enjoying finishing up and then starting new projects.

Here's a very easy project for confident quilters that can produce great results;

Start with 2 1/2" strips of fabrics.  I used a set of Bali pops; 40 strips on the width of fabric.

 Sew sets of 2 fabric strips together trying to create some contrast in value (a dark and a light strip) using 1/4" seam allowance.  Contrast is relative, so use your best judgement.

Press the seams to the dark strip.

 

Line the strip sets up on your mat and cut 2 1/2" sections.  You should end up with 16 units plus some leftovers.

Stack the sets up in sets of 8 pairs of units with seams in opposing directions so you are ready to sew. 

Sew the units together to make 4-patch blocks.

Press the blocks open.

Now begin the design.  Using a backdrop of the fabric you plan on using for set-in triangles, arrange your blocks on point with alternating rows of 7 and rows of 6.  You should start with a row of 7 and finish with a row of 7 to keep the design rectangular.  You will have 1-2 extra blocks for each row and one entire extra set of blocks.  I liked the fact that I could pick my least favorite set and pull them out of the design

Although you could drive yourself mad trying the blocks in differing arrangements, at some point they will be pleasing and good enough.

The next stage of this quilt will be adding a very thin border and then a wider border out of the navy blue batik.  My plan is for this quilt to be a background for applique.  Disclaimer:  This plan is subject to change!