Posted on by agilejack

Agilejack’s Blue Swirly Quilt Tutorial

This tutorial is for making this 8.5 inch block that is repeated across the quilt top. This is my variation of a quilt block that’s been around for ages. The quilt design is mine. 

I made my quilt a throw size with 8 blocks by 10 blocks. A total of 80 blocks. The top measures approximately 64 x 80 inches. To make your quilt bigger, make more blocks, over and over and over.

Fabrics needed for 80 quilt blocks: 

Block centers: 1/2 yard cuts of 10 different color coordinated fabrics

Sashing strips (Roman Glass): 2 yards

Corner triangles (Sharks Teeth): 2 yards

Here’s a list of the blue fabrics I used. They are all Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics 

Center Strips

Philip Jacobs Glory in Cool – maybe out of print or hard to find

Philip Jacobs Curly Kale in blue

Philip Jacobs Caladiums in blue

Philip Jacobs Dorothy in blue

Philip Jacobs Lucy in blue

Philip Jacobs Feathers in Cool

Philip Jacobs Curly Baskets in Delft – Out of print. Could sub Philip’s spiral shells

Kaffe Fassett Paisley Jungle in blue – likely out of print and hard to find. Very expensive on Etsy

Sashing strips — Kaffe’s Roman Glass in blue

Corner Squares/triangles — Brandon Mably Sharks Teeth in Cobalt

Cutting Instructions

Cut eighty 4 X 12.5 inch center strips from the 10-1/2 yard cuts. Eight from each fabric 

Cut 160 Sashing strips: 1.5 inches by 10 inches

Cut 80 corner squares: 5.5 X 5.5 inches

Cutting corner squares into triangles: Critical to maintaining swirling effect where blocks meet. 

Stack up your 5.5 inch squares with the right side of the fabric facing up and with all the sharks teeth pointing up.

I stack up five or six and then cut these squares along the diagonal with the cutting line going from the lower left to the upper right. STACK AND CUT ALL 80 BLOCKS THE SAME WAY TO MAINTAIN SWIRLING EFFECT in the corners where four blocks meet.

Sashing strip cutting notes: 

I cut a 10 inch width of fabric strip and sub cut the 1.5 inch strips from that piece. 

Constructing the blocks

Center sashing strips on each side of the the block centers and sew. Press seam allowances toward the sashing strip. I make a lot of these units at one time.

Center sharks teeth triangles on each side of the center strips with sashing. Pin and sew being careful to not stretch the cut bias edge of the triangle. Press seam allowances toward the sharks teeth.  

Square up each block to 8.5 inches, being careful to maintain the diagonal center line of the block. 

Make many more blocks and lay them out on your design wall. Alternate orientation of the diagonal of each block to create the criss cross pattern. Sew it all together. 

Variations on this block:

I’m putting together fabrics for a red/orange version

Since color ways of sharks teeth are limited, try different fabric patterns for the corners that will give interesting swirly effects.

Maybe colored stripes….

Or black and white stripes…

You can see a quilt top made from a variation of this quilt block here.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

52 Replies to “Agilejack’s Blue Swirly Quilt Tutorial”

  4. Thank you for providing your instructions. I originally saw that being assembled in a totally different way. I’m sure my sharks teeth would have been facing every different direction. Brilliant idea, so simple yet striking.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Thank you for your generosity and inspiration, Anne.I have followed your blog posts for some time now and never cease to be amazed by your productivity and energy!And I love Bender and Ricco too! Take care and thank you. Wendy

    Sent from the all-new AOL app for iOS

    Like

    Reply

  6. Bon dia, veix que ets molt treballadora i els teus tutorials molt didactics.A mi m’agrada el quilt blau i el verd els altres son massa potens encara que les teles m’agradan mes pero juntes son agosaredes.recort al Bender i al Rico.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Realment em vas desafiar a esbrinar el teu idioma! Gràcies a Déu per Google Translate! A mi m’agraden les combinacions de teixits atrevides! No és per a tothom!!! Però m’encanta que la gent pugui agafar una idea i adaptar-la al seu gust! Gràcies per llegir!
      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  8. Thank you for the tutorial! Your quilts are beautiful.What are the fabrics used in the last photo example…the black/white stripe, pink/green jumble and what? Love the combination!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. the stripe is a fabric I’ve had in my stash. The pink is one of Brandon Mably’s jumble color ways. The center is a Brandon design called Brollies. it’s so good! I want it in more colors!

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  11. Its so early and already my mind is blown. Your quilt pattern is fabulous and your combinations are crazy and exciting. Thank you for the tutorial. I can’t wait to pull out my fabric and get busy. Thank you! Happy Leap Day!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. I absolutely love this quilt and your unique design! Thank you so much for sharing the pattern and instructions. I never cease to be amazed at your quilting and creative skills!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Thanks so much for the tutorial and alternate suggestions! This is going on my to do list. Also look forward to and enjoy your blog so much. Thanks! 

    n

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. You definitely have a winner, here, with your variation on the block. By adding the sharks teeth/striped element to the center, it completely changes the look of the quilt. And I just said what you and everyone else already figured out, but I add the description for emphasis because it is astounding to me how one fabric choice can change everything in a design. Thank you once again, for your generosity in posting the tutorial. I think I love the last “colorway” you suggested the very best simply because I love black and white graphic prints with Kaffe. Well done, indeed!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. so true that one fabric and how it’s used can make a world of difference. It sort of makes me look at fabrics differently! How can you cut it and position it for something really unexpected and wonderful!

      I’m excited to see what others come up with for this block.

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  18. If you sold this pattern (and you should — I’d edit the pattern for a free copy! And you have myriad testers available among your readers!) you’d sell twice as many copies with that first photo with your “assistant” standing by!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Bravo, Anne!! You should call this “Feeding Frenzy”!!! It is a gorgeous reworking of an unusual block, and as others have pointed out, what a difference one fabric choice can make.

    Thanks for posting the excellent tutorial. And the great, meme-worthy photo:

    Bender: “So gorgeous! And mom’s quilt isn’t bad either!“

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. great tutorial but I have trouble in the last squaring up so that inside corners match when blocks sewn together.  Any suggestions

    Like

    Reply

    1. I don’t fret over perfect matching of those pieces. Mine all come out pretty close without paying any special attention. If you’re careful about keeping the block centered as you square it up, they will be very close.

      I fold the block in half and finger press a fold in the center of the end of the center strip. Then I make sure the points of my square ruler are in line with those marks on both ends when I line it up to cut off the excess. That works well for me.

      this quilt is so busy that no one will ever notice that those pieces are a fraction of an inch off. At least that’s how I approach it. I don’t worry too much about it.

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  23. Yay, thank you Anne! I can’t wait to get started on your design, but I still need to gather a few more fabrics. I found some lovely OOPs that are coming from our friend Roma. I love your saturated red bundle; what a different look you’ll have compared to your beautiful breezy blue quilt. I think my brown Sharks Teeth, with rusts, golds, and greens will have a strong presence too. Once again you inspired me and many others. I’ll send you a pic when I’m finished, as I hope others will too. I’d love to see other quilters’ take on your design!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  25. Hi Anne, I only just learned your name from other contributions. 
    I can’t thank you enough for your almost daily messages, they are one of the first things I read each morning (I live in the UK). I absolutely love all that you create and can’t quite get my head around how much you do and how much fabric you not only have but is locally available to you – you are so lucky!
    I fully intend to make your first scrappy version of this quilt, lap size though :), I love the blue version, not so keen on the hot red and orange version but will stand corrected once it is finished, my favourite version would be the last, red, green with black and white, I would love to see this made up, clean and distinct, just gorgeous, would be great made with Christmas fabrics but I don’t see Kaffe going down that route just yet 🙂
    Thank you for all your very interesting blogs, you have a full and varied life. 
    One question if I may – how was your design wall created? To me it looks like you are able to roll it up or remove it from view somehow ?? I need one but don’t have space for one .
    Keep up the good work – you are a wonderful inspiration xx

    Like

    Reply

    1. I need to write a blog post just about my design wall because a lot of people ask me about it. This blog post has some pretty complete info about what it is and how it works.https://agilejack1.com/2023/04/25/down-with-the-old-up-with-the-new/

      It’s a nice item. I’ve seen some info online for making similar items. If you know someone who is handy they might be able to make something like this for you. I love it because it hangs over the closet door. I don’t have a wall that I can dedicate to a design wall.

      Thanks so much for your lovely comments and thanks for reading!!!

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  26. The blue quilt is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your pattern. It will be a great way to use up some of my Kaffe stash! ❤️

    Like

    Reply

  28. Your quilt is a stunner Anne, congratulations! And the tutorial is excellent. I have been collecting KFC fabrics to make a grey/lavender/black and white version of your quilt. Looking forward to seeing all the variations quilters come up with!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  29. Pingback: Brandon Leftover Quilt Tutorial… Sort Of – agilejack

Leave a comment