SECOND CHANCES QUILT: Go For The Gold

There were around 200 4-patch blocks, most alternating background/print, and some, what I would call, mixed patches. All came together in a box.

They had issues–mostly inconsistent seam allowance. And some people might have considered them dated.

But there was something interesting about them. So, first things first–Square Up. I chose 3-1/2″.

Alone they weren’t enough to make a sizable quilt, so I explored a number of different options for the alternating squares–too light, too dark, too dull, too print-y. None were quite right. Then, I remembered, when struggling with colors, there are a few that are almost always the right answer. They brighten, connect, and go with nearly everything. GOLD is one of them.

(PS–a good solid aqua/turquoise is another, but we’ll cover that another day).

Right away things started to look better. The layout I settled on was to set the blocks on point with the light/background squares always facing the same direction. This gives a sort of waterfall effect, creating stability and movement at the same time. The mixed patches are scattered throughout for extra interest.

The final top is approximately 59″ x 76″ and has a warm, welcoming feel. Much like fall.

MINI TUTORIAL (in case you want to make something similar from scratch:

MATERIALS:

2″ scrappy squares–around 800

background fabric–2-1/2 yards

binding–1/2 yard

backing–3-1/2 yards

DIRECTIONS:

1. Create 192 4-patch blocks. They should measure 3-1/2″ square
2. Cut the background fabric as follows: 165 3-1/2″ squares (alternating blocks), 13 5-1/2″ squares cut twice on diagonal (84 side setting triangles), 2 3″ squares cut once on diagonal (4 corner triangles), 7 3-1/2″ strips width of fabric (for border).
3. Lay out the 4-patches on point in a pleasing arrangement 12 blocks wide and 16 blocks high.
4. Add the 3-1/2″ background blocks, setting triangles and corner triangles.
5. Assemble into strips along the diagonal lines, then join the strips together.
6. Should measure approximately 53-1/2″ x 69-1/2″.
7. Join the 3-1/2″ strips of background fabric together. Cut into two strips 3-1/2″ x 53-1/2″. Add these to the top and bottom of the quilt body. Cut the remaining into two strips 3-1/2″ x 76-1/2″. Add these to the left and right of the quilt body.
8. Ta-dah! a quilt top!
9. Layer, quilt and bind as you like.
10. This is very much a MINI-tutorial. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

This project originally appears in the Online Quilt Magazine, a great resource for your quilting needs.