Posted on by agilejack

Lickity Split — 16 More Block Centers Made

During my lunch break today I stepped into my sewing room and pulled some scrap strips and put them into sets that I would sew later in the evening. It was a good plan because once I hit my sewing room after work I just flew!

I sewed four strip sets and got them all pressed, trimmed and cut into 3.5 inch sections.

I ended up with 16 sections. That’s the same as the number of completed blocks.

And, hey… some of them are wonky and that’s ok! This is free form piecing baby!!! There are no rules here!

Once I had this all done I decided to add the side strips to each section. I had all the sets put together with their trim and stacked up next to my sewing machine. I sat down at the and cranked through them in no time.

Here’s a lovely stack of pressed center sections, ready to be trimmed.

Next I trimmed the side strips on all 16 blocks to 1 inch width. If I make them a little wider than I need, I can trim them precisely after pressing and they look much nicer!

Here’s all 16 center pieces up on my design wall with the finished blocks. All I have to do now is add the black and white triangles and then square up the blocks.

I still need to cut the squares for the triangles. I’ve only been cutting a few at a time. I guess I should just dig in and cut a bunch while I’m cutting!

Once I get the squares cut, these will finish up really fast.

I’m still trying to decide how big this quilt will be. I’m thinking it will either be 8 x 10 blocks, or 7 x 9 blocks. I just have to decide whether or not it needs to be symmetrical. Either way, I’m close to having half the blocks I’ll need completed.

Here’s a closer look.

and an even closer look…

I think my scrap pile is actually bigger than when I started on this two days ago!!!

My foot was feeling so good today that I took the boys out for a 2.5 mile walk in the afternoon. I need to remember to take a photo of them on our next walk!

21 Replies to “Lickity Split — 16 More Block Centers Made”

  1. The quilt is coming along quickly. I love everything you make, but this might be at the top of the list! It seems as though scraps multiply on their own. No matter how many projects I make with them, there are always more scraps. If I use a larger scrap piece, it just produces smaller, baby scraps! The scarf looks great, too. I neglected to mention that in my response from yesterday. It looks like it’s a fairly easy project and would make a great gift. Hope the sale at Burkholders works out for you. Happy 2024!!!

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  2. I admire your industry Anne…and you managed to take the boys out for a big walk! Have you had physio for that foot? I know my pickleball person had some challenges with the fact that pickleball sessions went on for hours, so it was easy to overdo, given how much fun he was having!

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    1. I have a friend who is a physical therapist who has been helping me with my foot. it’s much better than it was! I’m feeling like I’m making progress.

      it is very easy to overdo it in pickleball. I’m usually good with two hours, but over that and I really feel it later.

      Anne

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  3. Love this design, and your set of scraps is stunning. I’m a fan of a “constant” in a scrappy quilt — in this case the black and white triangles. Your design choice here turns what might have been a mish-mash into a lovely design. FWIW, in my never-humble opinion, making it symmetrical is the way to go. I find asymmetrical layouts of a block-to-block quilt too jarring to have around. But I’m sure your choice will be fabulous.

    I’m gearing up to make the Wensleydale quilt in scrappy bright-ish batiks. I’m thinking this design will make a great “after quilt” as Karen Brown calls it.

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    1. I think the black and white triangles allow the colorful center strips to be the star! And I agree that a constant in a scrappy quilt is nice. Something that calms it down and gives it order. That doesn’t mean boring! These black and white fabrics are certainly NOT boring!

      I was thinking the other day that I need to start making some decisions on my next Wensleydale quilt. pretty sure it will be made out of Aboriginal fabrics but I think I need to wait until I get more bright prints. My stash is looking a little drab.

      Anne

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  4. Size depends on whether you’re keeping this one. Seems like a happy blend with the one already on the bed. If you’re keeping it then i go square so i can rotate easily and not always pull the quilt up from the same edge.
    Are you cutting the triangle before you sew? If so are there issues with bias edges? The only way I truely cut down on the scrap pile was the quilt you made with the scrappy square bordered in spot fabric. I made 2 of those and just about depleted my scraps. Almost!

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    1. I have no idea what I’m going to do with this quilt! And I can’t keep them all. I just don’t have a lot of interest in making big quilts. Throw size is usually what I’m interested in. I was looking at this tonight and I think it will be 7 blocks x 9 blocks. Unless I change my mind!

      Anne

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  7. I investigated Burkholders and bought a piece of Kaffe that I didn’t have! I’m glad they’re bringing back some of the oldies, especially Lichen. Love this new quilt you ‘re working on especially the combo of fabrics. You give me so much inspiration! Can’t wait to get back home and sit at my Bernina. It’s now been about a month. Keep those ideas coming!

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  8. The colors in your blocks are so beautiful, and they pop even more with black and white!
    Look forward for all the instructions!

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  9. Oh, that’s like a very colourful version of my Scrappy Sandwiches tutorial which I made way back in 2014. It has always been a great way to use up scraps. I look forward to seeing your version finished

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    1. Another comment referred to a tutorial from 2012. I think there are lots of versions of this out there. It’s interesting how many different ways you can make the same essential block and how different the quilt looks!

      Anne

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  10. Hi Anne I love reading your emails and am so inspired by your projects. I have been searching for aboriginal fabric here in the UK to no avail. Would it be possible to know what company manufactures it or who the designer is? Maybe with this info I might have more luck. Kind regards Bronya

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