Making Hodgepodge

The Hodgepodge quilt top is a perfect project for those who have too much stash and little time. I made my Hodgepodge quilt using a pile of stashed 6-inch squares that came to me via trades or gifts from past students and quilting friends.

Block size can vary as well as the finished size, of course. My own Hodgepodge quilt measures 42″ x 63″. The basic blocks on Hodgepodge measure 10.5″ square with the block setting of 4 blocks by 6 blocks. I made 24 blocks total.

Hodgepodge is made with an easy Nine Patch block composed of 4-inch patchwork squares. Once the Nine Patch block has been stitched and pressed, then it must be rotary cut into four equal, but separate, units. (As I made these blocks, I took photos so the written instructions are easy to follow.)

The center patchwork square of each stitched Nine Patch block becomes the intersection where the cuts divide the block into those four units. This patchwork square becomes the overall repeater for the entire quilt top, so the center patchwork square is an important square. In my design, I chose a bright yellow fabric so that it would be brighter than some of my zinger reds and teals.

My yellow fabric came from my stash, so I rotary cut a few 4-inch strips, then cut the 4″ center pieces from the strips. To create each Nine Patch block, I cut one 4″ center for each of the Nine Patch blocks, plus 8 more 4″ squares from a variety of fabrics. With my Hodgepodge layout, I made 24 Nine Patch blocks, then once cut, I arranged them to create a stair-step diagonal throughout the quilt top.

Since I worked with 6-inch squares, I decided to make my patchwork pieces 4″. Choosing this size would yield 2″ remainder fabrics that I could use in other projects. Patchwork size can vary, so if 5-inches suits your needs better, just remember that ALL of the patchwork needs to be cut at 5-inches.

The photos will show how to make the Hodgepodge, step-by-step:

Cut all patchwork pieces. My 4″ patchwork is at the bottom of the photo and my remainder pieces were divided into 2″ squares and 2″ strips for other projects.

Make the Nine Patch block. I quickly made all of my blocks by chain piecing the patchwork.

The block’s four corners will remain as full patchwork squares but the four inner patchwork pieces will be cut in half. Hint: if you want to showcase some of your favorite or zinger fabrics, place them in the corner positions. Remember to keep your center patchwork piece consistent — chose one fabric or one color for this piece of patchwork.

After making the Nine Patch blocks, press all of the blocks. Press seams to one side. Press all seams around the center patchwork square outward to make that patchwork square flat. Pressing the center outward is important because the center patchwork square will be rotary cut in two directions — flat is critical for precise measuring and cutting.

Now it’s time to cut the blocks! Working from the back-side of each Nine Patch, use your see-through ruler to cut your block in half vertically. If you are using 4″ patchwork pieces, you will cut in half by 2″. If you are using a different size of patchwork, calculate half of your patchwork size.

Align the edge of your seam with the appropriate line-increment with your see-through ruler. Make certain that this line-increment aligns accurately from top-to-bottom. Once the ruler is placed correctly (remember the adage “measure twice, cut once“?) Carefully rotary cut the block in half. Note: Be sure to measure your cutting line from the outer edge of your seam and not from the seam line!

Carefully lift the see-through ruler off of the patchwork and reposition horizontally, following the instructions above for your rotary cut.

Make your second rotary cut, horizontally. This second cut will quarter the Nine Patch into 4 separate units.

Flip the 4 units over to admire your work!

My own Hodgepodge reconfigured design looks like this:

Once you’ve patted yourself on the back for making a really cool patchwork block, dive into your stack of Nine Patch blocks and cut the rest of them into four separate Hodgepodge units.

I couldn’t help stopping halfway through the rotary cutting. After I cut some of my Nine Patch blocks into their quartered Hodgepodge units, I began playing on the design wall. There are umpteen various designs that can be created with this simple block. I couldn’t help it — this was just too much fun!

I hope you try this one and enjoy making Hodgepodge as much as I did! The design almost made a dyslexic out of me, but I persevered….

UPDATE: Here is Hodgepodge once borders were added and it was quilted with my longarm.

I hope to make more of these easy quilts. One would be for a child, using some of my theme fabrics for children. Putting themed fabrics in the corner positions will allow the quilt top to become an I Spy quilt. What kid wouldn’t enjoy that?!