Pattern Play Baby Quilt

Thank you so much for your comments and kind words of encouragement regarding my first ever quilt block tutorial. I truly appreciate it.

I have wondered since my last post whether I am getting ahead of myself. What business do I have writing tutorials when I’m relatively new to quilting?

However, most of what I have learned has been due to the generosity of online bloggers who share their knowledge and creativity on a regular basis. I’m so grateful to these bloggers, as without them, I’d have never discovered this beautiful craft or the joy and fulfillment it brings to me and so many others.

I’d like to be able to share what I learn and discover on my own personal quilting journey.

Anyway, today I’m very excited to be able to show you what I have created using my block!

I made ten of these 12 inch quilt blocks – five pairs like shown above. (I did only use nine of these blocks in my baby quilt top.)

I chose varying shades of blue/aqua/teal and then discovered a nice variance when I changed the quadrants of each block around.

I actually like this new arrangement more than the original. I think it is playful and better embraces the name “Pattern Play”. However, I’ll leave you to make up your own mind!

I quilted a pinwheel in the centre of each block to highlight the primary pattern.

And then had some fun with a few other ideas.

The backing I chose is Windham Fabrics Ziggy by French Bull. I purchased 4 metres of this fabric at a half price sale quite some time ago. I think you’ll agree with me that it is a very usable backing fabric. The binding is a black polka dot from my stash which I think works perfectly with both the front and back of the quilt. Who doesn’t love spots?

I’m really pleased with how this little quilt has turned out and hope to make it again soon using a different colour scheme.If you decide to try my quilt block, and I really hope that you do, please link back to my blog somewhere in your post. I’d love to see what you come up with!

Deb 🙂

Linking up to Main Crush Monday @ Cooking Up Quilts, Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation and TGIFF @ Celtic Thistle Stitches!

 

 

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Pattern Play Quilt Block Tutorial

About a month ago, my family and I visited our State Museum. There is a current exhibition there called Pattern Play, which showcases a variety of patterns, including those found in nature and kaleidoscopic art images.

I found this exhibition really evocative and it inspired me to create my first ever quilt block design “Pattern Play” which I would like to share with you today.

What you will need for one 12½ inch (unfinished) block:

• 4 x 3½ inch squares (feature fabric – in this tutorial blue)
• 4 rectangles 3½ x 2 inches (feature fabric)
• 8 x 3½ inch squares (background fabric – in this tutorial white)
• 4 rectangles 3½ x 2 inches (background fabric)
• 4 x 2 inch squares (background fabric)
• Use a quarter inch seam

The method:

1. Sew a 3½ x 2 inch white rectangle to a 3½ x 2 inch blue rectangle to create a 3½ inch square. Press the seams towards the darker fabric. Make 4 of these units (A)
2. Draw a diagonal line across each of the 2 inch background squares
3. Place one of these squares on a corner of a 3½ inch feature square RST. Align the sides as shown and sew along the drawn line
4. Trim off the excess fabric as shown, leaving a quarter inch seam
5. Press towards the darker fabric. Make 4 of these units (B)
6. You should by now have the following block pieces
7. Sew each pair of the white background 3½ inch squares together to make 4 rectangles, each measuring 3½ x 6½ inches (C)
8. Sew an A unit (step 1) to a B unit (steps 2-5)
9. Make sure the colours are aligned and use a pin to carefully match the seams
10. Make four of these units (D)
11. Sew a C unit to a D unit as shown
12. Make four of these quadrants
13. Sew these four quadrants together, rotating each one as shownAnd there you have it – one completed Pattern Play block!Try swapping the feature and background fabrics for an alternative result

Let me know what you think of this block and my tutorial. I’m currently working on a project using this block and hope to share it with you real soon!

Deb 🙂

Linking up to MCM @ Cooking Up Quilts, Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts and (for the first time) Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation!