Posted on by agilejack

A Little Diversion for Cyphering

I made a quick diversion this evening from my X & + blocks. I’ve been thinking about the batik layer cake being made into disappearing four patch blocks and I couldn’t figure out how many to make for a good throw size quilt. I wasn’t sure how large the block would turn out, but I knew it would be big.

So I took a few minutes and whipped up one of these big boys so I could firm up my plans for this quilt top.

I had to press the layer cake and then I dug into my bins of batiks and selected a pile of fabrics that would work with this layer cake. I landed on four additional fabrics out of this pile, but I might have to select a couple more to get the blocks I need.

Here’s the layer cake all pressed with the four additional fabrics from my stash.

The four fabrics from my stash are the four on top.

I selected four of the layer cake pieces and sewed them together into a great big four patch.

I have to say that it feels very odd to be sewing on batiks. After sewing on KFC fabrics for a few months, the batiks make me feel like I’m sewing on cardboard.

Next I cut a four inch strip out of the center of the block, going both vertically and horizontally.

Then I rotated each of the rectangular pieces.

Once I had the pieces arranged I sewed them into a block and pressed.

I figured out the arrangement of the pieces in this block after watching a video tutorial for these blocks and after looking at the quilt I saw in a local quilt store.

My arrangement is the same as in this quilt. There are lots of different ways you can arrange the pieces in the disappearing four patch. and there are lots of tutorials available on YouTube.

This block measures right at 18 – 1/4 inches square. So I’ll have enough to square them up to 18 inches.

So now I just have to decide how big I want it to be. Since the blocks are so big, it’s hard to increase a few inches horizontally or vertically. So I have some choices to make.

If I made this 3 blocks by 4 blocks it would finish at about 52 x 70 inches. That’s a little small for me for a throw quilt. I like them to be generous enough to cover my shoulders and my feet without having to choose between the two. I could add some borders to make it bigger.

If I made it bigger, say 4 blocks by 5 blocks, It would measure about 70 x 90. Seventy inches isn’t a bad width, but 90 inches is way too long. I could make it 4 blocks by 4 blocks, but I’m not a big fan of square quilts.

Maybe I’ll just make it square with 4 blocks by 4 blocks like the store sample.

Maybe I’ll go with the 52 x 70 inches. I’ve never made a quilt that size. Maybe I’ll do that and add some borders. that’s an option.

I’ll be back at my X & + quilt tomorrow evening. I hope to get a couple rows done tomorrow night.

37 Replies to “A Little Diversion for Cyphering”

  2. Love batiks and this quilt will be lovely! Even though I don’t comment often, I enjoy your project ideas and sometimes it gets my creative juices flowing ☺️…I need it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Well, it’s going to be pretty no matter how you do it. Someone told me this pattern can be addictive, I’ve not made one yet. I found out that I’m really picky about size. I don’t like 90” quilts unless the width is at least 76”. I took a quilt top apart when I was a new quilter because I didn’t read the size. Now I do.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. This block is fun because you can switch it up by starting with different size blocks. Then you can switch up how wide you cut the center strips. So many options.

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  7. Boarders don’t have to be equal on all sides. Other kinds of blocks can make up the boarders. The quilt might be more interesting if the disappearing 9 patches are surrounded by something other than plain borders of the same size. Just a thought.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I love the 52 x 70” size for a throw/lap quilt; and it’s perfect for a smaller child, too. But, as you said, you can always add borders and make it a little larger. I have a lot of batiks and am going to try this pattern, or something similar. Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It’s really very easy. You should look at some of the tutorials on YouTube. this was actually one of the first quilt blocks I ever made. I have a table runner under my TV that is a disappearing four patch.

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  16. Ohhhh … I sent a message on the other post today asking about size of blocks … I had no idea there was a second email/posting. thanks so much … I may try 10″ squares with 6″ wide cuts … any input on that is appreciated. I like square quilts because they can be used in all directions and if in a possible fade situation, they can be rotated. Just my take on that!! Thank you thank you … I enjoy your posts (a lot)!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. The six inch wide cut may be a bit wide. You might want to make a couple blocks out of scraps and experiment with the width of the cuts to see what works.

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

      1. Thank you … on size of your quilt … what about adding a half row to the bottom of the quilt to get approximately 72 X 81 would that work?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Not sure how that would work, but it’s an option. I’m thinking of several different ways to approach this it might just be a solid piece of batik. I’ll have to wait until the 16 blocks are sewn together to see what will work..

        Anne

        Like

  18. Pingback: URL

Leave a comment