Four Patch & Bars

The scrappy Four Patch & Bars quilt top I made was constructed from scraps and leftover strips of fabric. The quilt top finished up at 64″ x 86″, so it will be large enough for a twin bed. (Photo of finished quilt is at bottom of this post.)

This quilt top is made with 3 strips of simple blocks and 4 bar-strips. The top went together quickly and adding the Bars gave me the ability to use some long remainder strips I had on hand. If you want to make this quilt but don’t have wide strips, combine a few fabrics to make strippy bars. It would give your quilt another dimension!

My Four Patch blocks were randomly pieced. The Four Patch & Bars quilt top was made to be scrappy and there was little regard for placement of the blocks in each of the rows. Working only with the 3-inch cotton squares I had cut years ago, I had a mixture of old calico and ugly cotton fabrics to use.

Looking closely at a few of the Four Patch blocks, you see that many of these patches really are not attractive.

(See? I really DID use ugly fabrics !)

Here’s the basic recipe to make a Four Patch & Bars:

The Four Patch block is made of 3-inch squares. The finished Four Patch block will measure 5-inches.

The Four Patch & Bars is made with 3 strips of Four Patch blocks, 10 per strip.

Cutting and sewing the Four Patch block

For the Four Patch block, cut 120 3-inch squares of assorted scraps or coordinated fabrics.

Make 30 Four Patch blocks. Note: All seam allowances in this tutorial are 1/4-inch.

To square-up each of the finished Four Patch blocks, you will need corner triangles so that the Four Patch block can be sewn on point. For each Four Patch block, you’ll use 4 triangles. Note that these triangles should be cut so that the straight edges are on the outside of the Four Patch blocks.

For the 30 Four Patch blocks, cut 60 4 3/4-inch squares, then slice on the diagonal from one corner to the opposite corner. You will have 120 half-square triangles.

Stitch triangles onto the Four Patch blocks. Since the length of the triangle is the bias-edge and is the edge you will be stitching to the Four Patch block, be sure to stitch with the triangle facing you, away from the direct pressure of the feed-dog. This will minimize any bias stretch as you sew.

Stitch 2 triangles per Four Patch block, in opposite placement as shown in the below photograph.

Once you have stitched two of the triangles onto each block, press the seams away from the pieced Four Patch. Now stitch the other two triangles on each of the blocks.

Press all of the squared-up Four Patch blocks, then trim off the little dog ears.

When all of the triangles have been sewn onto the blocks and pressed, the Four Patch block will measure 7 3/4-inches. Square up edges so that the Four Patch with triangles measures 7 1/2-inches. (Note: Use care when doing this, making sure that the center Four Patch is truly centered. I use a see-thru ruler, rotary cutter, and cutting mat for accuracy.)

Assembling strips and bars

To assemble the quilt, you will first sew 3 strips of Four Patch blocks. Sew 10 Four Patch blocks per strip. Each finished Four Patch block will measure 7-inches, making the strip 70 1/2-inches long.

Make 3 strips of Four Patch blocks.

Once you have made the Four Patch strips, cut 4 Bar strips. A word of warning: Before cutting the Bar strips, measure your Four Patch strips first. The Four Patch strips should measure 6 1/2-inches x 71-inches, but if your length is a bit shorter or longer, adjust your Bar strips according to your own measurements.

Stitch a Bar strip to each of the Four Patch strips, plus a Bar strip for the remaining outer side. A total of 4 Bar strips are used in this quilt and the quilt is stitched in the following pattern: BAR to Four Patch to BAR to Four Patch to BAR to Four Patch to BAR.

The below photograph shows the quilt top in progress, showing the Four Patch strips and Bars.

Adding borders

The quilt top shown in the photo at the top of this blog entry has an inner red border of 1 1/2-inches finished (strips were cut 2-inches).

The outer brown border measures 6-inches finished.

(I don’t need to explain how to add borders, right???)

If you make one of these, please let all of us know how yours turned out!

Happy New Year to everyone!

UPDATE:

Four Patch & Bars quilt

This Is No Daily Grind

Our Christmas celebrations with family were wonderful this year. We shared four busy days with family, both here and in Maryland. During Christmas, we always reflect on times past. One of our traditions is to recall some of those most precious memories we have had with family gatherings.

Today marks the beginning of the last week of 2008. I now return to my regular daily activities and there will be ample time for stitching today. I have looked forward to this day! With the hustle-bustle and busy time that surrounds our Christmas, I wear down, as many others do. I always long for the return to the norm, to the peace and quiet my routine offers me. I appreciate how my routine offers me the organization I need so that I have time to quilt each day. With routine, there are always chores, but what I have is no daily grind.

Through my regular activities and routines, I am reminded why I cherish the routines as I do. My routines set the pace for me and my schedule gives me the expected organization that I work best with. And while the days may be predictible, what I have is no daily grind — I will plan to have time for some stitching, some quilting.

During the flurry of activities during the past two weeks, I concentrated on some simple patchwork. Stealing fragments of time here and there, I stitched a few scrap blocks for a few scrap quilts. I’ve worked on my small Nine Patch blocks, added the outer border for the Sixteen Patch quilt top, and worked on some Four Patch blocks. Bits of time used to stitch some simple blocks made such a difference and I have three quilt tops on the way to becoming quilts!

Since I have run out of design wall, the Nine Patch blocks are being assembled into Double Nine Patch blocks for the quilt top. I’m using a tone on tone as the plain block.

The Four Patch lap quilt is made from scraps with four patch blocks set on point and squared up. The vertical rows will be stitched with bars and a finishing border. All fabric is from a baggie of 3-inch squares, my large scrap tub, and leftover strips. Many fabrics are old calico prints and some are downright ugly. (Just wait until I share some ugly closeups! You’ll see…)

The Four Patch blocks were stitched during the past week as I would steal myself a few short breaks to sew. There is something to be said for the simplicity of chain piecing simple patchwork blocks.

Since there are plenty of leftovers for dinner and the house is still clean, I have most of the day to myself. I made a proclamation that today was my day to stitch and quilt which is certainly no daily grind.

More Quilts Of Red & Green

More red and green quilts from IQSC!

The Laurel Wreath, appliqued in red and green, makes such a beautiful quilt. This one, made between 1840 and 1860, measures 106″ x 105″!

The North Carolina Lily, made in red and green between 1840 and 1860, measures 98″ x 90″.

The Pineapple applique quilt was made between 1860 and 1880.

This red and green Peony Variation applique quilt is stunning. Forty clusters of red berries in the border!

The Pots Of Flowers, a four block applique, c. 1850, measures 77″ x 78″.

Another Pots Of Flowers, this four block applique showcases coxcombs and tulips. The quilt was made in 1904 and measures 81″ x 83″.

This four block Pots Of Flowers of coxcombs was made between 1860-1880. It measures 83″ x 79″.

The Princess Feather quilt made between 1860 -1880 measures 94″ x 92″. Note the red and green eagles in the corners.

This red and green appliqued Princess Feather quilt, dating from 1860-1880, has urns in the border.

The Tree of Life quilt, by Polly Ann Squires Nesbitt, was dated 1850. The quilt measures 90″ x 79″.

Enjoy the holidays!

Merry Christmas!

Quilts of Red & Green

The Christmas holiday season is marked with shades of red and green everywhere. Looking at antique quilts, we can appreciate how past quiltmakers enjoyed these colors as they plied their needles making exquisite red and green quilts.

This red and green floral quilt, made between 1860-1880, measures 75″ x 76″.

This red and green Album-style Princess Feather, is somewhat whimsical and definately unique. The quilt, c.1860-1880, measures almost square, at 80″ x 78″.

Jesters Plume, made between 1850-1870, is magnificent and beautifully detailed. (Don’t miss the birds in the center of this quilt!) This applique quilt measures 93″ x 91″.

These baskets could be Christmas Baskets! This quilt measures 89″ x 85″, circa 1880.

The Coxcomb applique quilt (below) is dated 1858 and measures 97″ x 101″.

The Fleur de Lis applique quilt, c.1860-1880, was corded and stuffed. This quilt measures 86″ x 83″.

The Cactus Rose applique quilt, made between 1860 and 1880, measures square at 85″.

The Christmas Cactus has been used as an applique motif with quilters. This Christmas Cactus, is a red and green applique quilt, dated 1861.

This Christmas Cactus quilt, a 4 square applique quilt, was made between 1880-1900.

Note: These quilts are part of the collection at IQSC.

While I Make One More Quilt

I’d druther quilt than to eat on the hungriest day that ever I seen.

Ethel Hall, Viper, Kentucky

Some of us have discovered that quilting is no mere hobby, but more of a passion. Those of us who share Ethel Hall’s sentiments have discovered that our passion to quilt consumes us. Like Ethel Hall, we have found that quilting creates sanctuary within oneself, a sanctuary where personal happiness and inner peace is attained.

I am blessed to have found this passion, this sanctuary, in my life. Quilting has given me something extra-special, a functional and art-filled purpose offering me the ability to have a quiet, creative focus so that I might enjoy sanctuary every day. For me, quilting soothes my soul. It always has.

When my boys were young, I would rise at 3am so that I could quilt quietly for several hours before they began to stir. I smile as I reflect on those days. Back then, I had a small corner in our living room where I would sit and quilt. Back then, if I used my sewing machine, I would borrow the dining room table to sew patchwork. Even with limited space shared by a family with three boys, back then I knew that within myself I discovered sanctuary. Even with three active boys. Back then, quilting was already a passion.

Now, with 30 years of quilting behind me, I am still eager to quilt each day. I always look forward to my quilting time where I can play or become introspective while I seek some sort of refuge with my quilting. Sometimes meditative, sometimes reflective, sometimes exciting …. Quilting is my sanctuary.

Just let me rummage through my scraps or look through my stash while I make one more quilt. I will find joy and meaning through cloth. I will revisit memories. Or a friend. Or even think through an issue. I don’t need coordinated fabrics or jelly rolls all matchey-matchey. The latest new tool or ruler on the market doesn’t turn my head either. And I don’t have a desire for every gizmo-gadget or cone of thread manufactured. At this point, I don’t even need new fabric. That doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate a new fabric purchase, but it is simply not necessary. My studio has both a sewing machine and a longarm, but if for some reason I had to do without the machinery, or my studio, I would simply return to all handwork, and stitch my patchwork with a needle between my fingers.

Quilting is more than making a quilt — it is a process where you can express yourself while you create or reflect, whether alone or with a community. Some quilts become special and in the making of a special quilt, a bond is established. Those are the quilts that grow on you and with time, as you create that quilt, it creates something within you. That is sanctuary. I wrote about this earlier in the year, in Bittersweet Endings.

“For me, I always know if the bittersweet endings will come. I know myself well. Once I have finished hand stitching the back portion of the binding on a quilt, I am in the final stages of letting go of that quilt. Some quilts I’m just happy to finish. Others I’m not ready to leave. Those are the ones I bond with. Those are the good ones. Those are the ones that grow on you, with time. And those are the ones that, while you are creating them, they are creating something in you. (How do they do that?)”

To me, that’s what quilting is all about. A passion that consumes me as it calms me. A passion that gives me motivation to enjoy creating a quilt. I love that passion — it’s the sanctuary that feeds my soul.

I have no need for unnecessary things like do-lists, or inventories, or time-constraints. I don’t quilt by deadlines. Nor would I. I am saddened to read so many quilt blogs where the focus is more on what-has-been-accomplished or how-much-fabric-I’ve-used than the quilter’s inspirational design or the passion ignited while creating a quilt. To some, quilting appears to be a dreaded chore with do-lists and a fabric inventory. This logic makes no sense to me. Does a carpenter count his nails, then try to use them all up while crafting a handhewn chest? Would a painter want to use up the tubes of oil paints, or would the painter create with an ignited passion that burns like a fever inside him?

I have a large fabric stash and lots of scraps, but I have no need to use it all up. And I don’t need to use a yardage tracking system. What I see is what I got. Simple. My stash is organized by color group, by specialty fabrics, and by vintage/antique fabrics. Most fabrics are stacked and in closed shelving units. I don’t keep inventory cards of my cotton yardage. If I run low or run out, I’ll see it. I don’t measure off 18-inch sections of thread to track how-many-inches-I’ve-stitched. I just sew. I don’t count how many minutes it took to add a binding. For me, I stitch the binding on and often reflect about the quilt’s creation, savoring that time. Why would I have a need to track time spent doing that?

“How long did it take to make that quilt?” How do I know…

“How much fabric did you use for that quilt?” I dunno. It’s all scraps and bits of cloth.

“How many quilts have you made?” A bunch. About 30 years worth.

I have made enough quilts for our home, for giveaway, and for stockpiling as a small portion of the legacy I will leave behind. There are also antique quilts that will be donated to a museum in the next year or two. Quilts live here with me, in my home. There are enough to share and for my family. And I’m still making quilts.

Quilting tugs at my heartstrings as tightly as I tug my cotton threads along a seam line. I quilt because I have a burning passion that calls to my soul. And in my sanctuary, there is no need for a do-list or a fabric inventory, just that personal craving to enjoy those special moments while I make one more quilt.