A few weeks ago I decided, on a whim. to sew together some 2.5″ squares, with the only criteria being “brighter is better”. I didn’t have a plan but that didn’t stop me. The 2.5″ squares soon became two-patches and then four-patch blocks were created. I just love sewing four-patches together. It’s easy, calming and best of all they go together so fast.
I just kept making these four-patches until a pile accumulated. Finally I realized that I needed to find a pattern they work with or I’d have a random pile of four-patches to deal with later. When inspiration didn’t appear out of thin air I decided to started searching the web for ideas. I knew I wanted something fairly straightforward, preferably crib or lap sized and different to what I had made before. Other then that I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do.
After some searching through Pinterest, Google images and blogs, I found this great quilt by Sarah at the Sew Me Blog This quilt, the Charm Pack Quilt gave me the inspiration I needed.
(Posted with permission)
I decided that I could use the four-patches that I’d made where Sarah’s quilt used the charm squares. I knew I’d need some math to adjust the size of the strips between the strips to take into account the difference between the size of the four-patches and the charm squares. I also knew I might need to add another “round” to the quilt to make it a good width for a baby quilt. It all seemed quite doable.
It didn’t start off too well. I wasn’t thrilled with how the quilt looked as I started the project. It didn’t look scrappy enough or it was too scrappy – I couldn’t decide. Also, I wasn’t happy with my implementation of random and I questioned if the black polka dot material I had selected in place of the white strips was too busy. The only thing working well at the beginning was my math.
However, I kept going and I started liking it more. The black polka dotted fabric looked much better once I added the next row(s) and the randomness of the four-patches was worked better the more I sewed.
Here is the completed quilt top
I’m really happy with how this turned out and I’m glad I decided to adapt Sarah’s charm pack quilt to work with my four-patches. I’m also glad I kept sewing after early doubt about my choice of fabric. I’m calling this my Around the Block quilt.
I haven’t decided on the quilting or the backing yet but I’ve decided that I’ll bind it with the black polka dotted material that I used for the strips. Now to start searching the stash for a backing. it would be nice if I didn’t have to buy one.
And of course I’ve got a small pile of four-patches left.
I’m linking this up with Too Cute Tuesday and Monday Making
I’m glad you kept going and didn’t ‘throw in the towel’ too early with this one. I think it looks fabulous!
I have to admit I did have quite the moment at the start of it – but I’m so glad I kept going. I really like the completed top.
Great quilt top, what fun! I’ll have to give that a try. I’ve done something similar with the charm size and white, but this really works well.
Thank you! I’m very happy how well it turned out.
Love it! So bright and cheery, with lots of fun and relaxation making it – well done!
Thank you
Your quilt is darling, and thanks for sharing Sarah’s quilt as well. I bought a couple packs of charm squares on a whim and have been kicking myself for it, as I have NO IDEA what to do with them. I think I just stumbled upon a plan! 🙂
I’m glad you found inspiration from my post. Plan’s rock. Thank you for visiting my blog
It does look happy and bright. I think more than one polka dot was just what it needed to feel complete. You might enjoy looking at Deanna’s blog, as she makes lots of quilts with squares.
Wedding Dress Blue.
I LOVE Deanna’s blog. Her projects are the best – easy to put together and stunning to look at. And yes the first round of polka dot really didn’t look good. I’m glad it was worth keeping going
What a great quilt!!!! I too had doubts in the first go round but you were right — it improved with more rounds and turned out fantastic! Great job!!!!
That first round on it’s own so didn’t work at all. Luckily it was worthwhile continuing. Thank you for the kind words about this quilt.
It is very cute and bright, great for a child.
You made a great quilt. Sometimes when it doesn’t feel quite right you have to keep at the plan and think bigger picture. I do that all the time with my quilting and with scrap quilts. Thanks for sharing my quilt and for courteously requesting permission before hand. Happy stitching!
Nice, colorful quilt, Yvonne! The bigger it gets, the better it looks!
Thank you! I think so too. I have to admit at the beginning I wasn’t sure whether to keep going. i’m glad I did.
Wow. I can see how you would have felt after the first round. I am not sure I would have pushed on, but I am so glad you did. There is a lesson in that for all of us I think, because the final result is superb.
Thank you – I’m glad I kept going and didn’t get out the seam ripper. The end was worth it.