Posted on by agilejack

A Diversion Turns Into a Compulsion

This is so totally me. I start with an idea, then I need to test it out so I tell myself I’ll make one block. And before you know it, more than half the quilt is done.

I can get into a groove and just focus in and get a lot done in a short amount of time. and I did that today.

During my lunch break today I sewed together 8 four patches on the disappearing four patch I started last night…. just so I could figure out how big to make it. Yeah right.

I tossed these up on my portable design wall with the block I made last night.

After work I sat down and sewed the remaining eight four patches. I think I had them all sewn and pressed in less than 20 minutes. These things go really fast!

I really need to do grocery shopping this weekend so I didn’t have much to make dinner. I ordered some take out rockfish tacos from a favorite restaurant not far from my house. After a satisfying meal we headed out for a walk at around 8:30. We got home around 9:30.

I hit my sewing room again and cut, reassembled and finished seven more of the blocks. So that’s half the blocks I’m planning for this quilt that are done. Not bad for a couple hours work.

These blocks are so quick and fun to make. They are not near as complicated as they look.

I’ve always loved quilts where you make a simple block, cut it to pieces, then reassemble it to make something really cool!

What did we ever do without rotary cutters and cutting mats?

I might just go ahead and finish the remaining eight blocks tomorrow then put these away until I get my X & + blocks off my design wall. This one will go together really fast! I’m still going to have to decide if this will be big enough or if I will need to add borders.

61 Replies to “A Diversion Turns Into a Compulsion”

  1. I wonder what would happen if you made a second cut into the second stage of the block. I’m trying to visualize it but probably just have to make a sample.

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  2. I love the colors in your new quilt! It’s going to be beautiful, just like everything you make! To answer your question, which I’m sure was just rhetorical… What we did before rotary cutters and mats? I can’t speak for others, but I made cardboard templates, put them on the fabric, drew around them with a pen, and then cut. Sometimes I just used a tape measure to measure distances, put pins in the fabric, and cut along the pin line. Of course, things didn’t turn out quite as perfectly as today with all the great quilting tools… rotary cutters, mats, templates, etc. Somehow, with all the imperfections, things looked pretty good when finished. Geesh, I sound like my grandmother and my parents … well, back in the olden days…. Happy sewing!!!

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  3. Did you give directions on where to cut your 4 patch to make this neat design? I’m sorry I missed it if you did. I’d love to make this with some of my batiks. Thanks, Sarah Thering

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  6. This is looking really good and makes me consider using the block for my next project. I treated myself to 20 half metres of gorgeous batiks I plan to use to make a new quilt for our bed and think they could look really good…. What size were the original 4 squares, Ann?

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    1. I started with a layer cake and then added fabrics from my stash. So I started with 10 inch squares. the finished blocks are big! They will be squared up to 18 inches.

      Anne

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  7. Hello,

    Question for you: how big are the squares for the 4 patch you have just started??

    Best I could figure from the pictures they look to be 8″.

    I want to try this.

    Thx, Nancy

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  12. I am so impressed! You just take an idea and run with it. I have some gorgeous Kaffe fabric and perhaps this may be the perfect quilt design to use for it? Not too complicated, and it will show off the gorgeous big flowers which I hate to have to cut up. I have four quilts that are quilted(I have someone do that for me)but languishing in a pile waiting for me to put the binding on. I really don’t want to do the hand sewing and was considering sewing the binding on completely by machine?

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    1. Just take an idea and run with it.. that’s really the most fun for me!!! If I plan something too long it likely will never happen.

      this is a great pattern for the KFC prints. I love it when the blocks leave those prints intact!

      If I had to sew my bindings on from the get go, I’d sew them onto the back of the quilt and then top stitch them from the front where I can control how it looks.

      Anne

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    1. I’m afraid sashing would take away some of the effect of the narrow strips going from block to block. I may just play with a border to make it a little longer.

      Anne

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  14. Good Morning.  I’m inspired by your disappearing patch.  Will have to try.  Been missing photos of your boys and scenery from your walks. 😸  Genie

    Sent from my iPhone

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  16. Thank you for all you share … I am excited when I see you have sent an email … all good!! I am also wanting to know what block size works best .. the larger the better for me … and what size the cut measurement should be … I’m think of doing one in KFC prints (like the one you first showed) though I love your choice of fabrics too. Please know that you have a fan in seacoast New Hampshire … I love your dogs and quilts as well as hearing about your walks and other interests. Kindest regards always!!

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  18. These blocks are beautiful and seem to go together quickly. Do they end up being about 18 – 19 inches? I am trying to figure out how many 10 inch squares are needed for a certain size quilt.
    I was recently in Lake Oswego and went to Holy Tacos. Great food. Thank you for the tip.

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  21. Love everything you create, of course, and admire your enthusiasm! This latest with the disappearing four-patch has inspired me to try a block or two myself. How do you think Kaffe Fasset layer cake squares would work? I have two unused sets – one cool colors and one warmer, both mostly florals. I’d hate to waste even one square as an experiment if you don’t think that’s a good idea. If anyone else wants to chime in with an opinion I’d welcome the input.

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      1. Thanks Anne. I saw that quilt but didn’t look closely enough to see that it is KF fabrics. My next project for sure!! 🩷

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  24. I too am working on a disappearing four patch. I’m using 5 inch squares of Kaffe Fassett. It’s pretty crazy! Your batik one is lovely, very relaxing. Fun Times!

    -Peggy
    Beaverton, Oregon

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  26. I really like this new quilt pattern you have. I’m thinking of making one myself but what are the measurements you are using to make the block. I think the 4 patch is squares of 4″ but how much do you cut off and ‘rearrange’? I’m a newbe quilter so I don’t have a lot of quilt knowledge yet.

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    1. I started with a batik layer cake for this quilt and then added fabric from my stash. So I’m using 10 inch squares. you can use any size square you want. You just need adjust the center cuts to be a good proportion with the starting block size.

      Here’s a blog post where I explained what I’m doing. There are a lot of tutorials for the disappearing four patch on YouTube.https://agilejack1.com/2023/06/16/a-little-diversion-for-cyphering/

      Anne

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  27. Hello from Belgrade, Serbia,

    Thought of you today when we visited this huge, gorgeous Eastern a Orthodox Church and saw these on the floor.

    Our guide had no clue as to the situation significance. Do you think these might be some ancient, religious quilt blocks? How would we find out?

    Thanks,

    Joyce

    ” If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.”

    >

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