I hope you all had a nice, long weekend, which we did here in the US. It was Martin Luther King Day on Monday, and I celebrated by having coffee with a friend, then spending the afternoon in my sewing room playing around. I am so happy to have something different on my small design wall! I was so tired of looking at the same blocks for months on end. It was Halloween 24/7 in my sewing room.
You recall my delight at finding some UFOs in the closet the other day. I stitched the navy log cabin blocks together to make a 16 1/2 inch square. Hmmm, do I want another small blue-and-white table topper? Maybe not. However, we are expecting delivery of a new tan leather sofa and chair in the next week or so…So, how about I make some seasonal pillows????
I was so delighted with the results of the navy and white log cabin blocks that I pulled out some Lella Boutique Valentine fabric (Love In Bloom) and tried to recreate a Moda BlockHeads 3-block pattern that I had in a binder.
This pattern was my inspiration, but obviously it would have been too small at 12″. I had to figure out the measurements for each quadrant to make a 16″ finished block. I knew the large squares had to be cut at 4 1/2″, but the corner squares had me puzzled. There must be some standard measurement for these things, but I had to play by trial and error to get an approximation of the Xs and Os. I think they aren’t quite right, as my Xs and O are kind of skinny. I am going to leave it as is, though. It’s ok. I had cut my corner squares 3″, and I think 2 1/2″ would have been better. The Xs are ok, but that O may have to be remade. Does anyone have a clue what size the corner squares should be for the 4 1/2″ squares for the O?
I knew I wanted one of the quadrants to be a heart, and that was easy. In the same binder, there was a pattern for an 8-inch finished heart that worked perfectly. These patterns are all still free and online in the Moda BlockHeads archives on their website.
I am excited to get my new living room furniture (our sofa is at least 20 years old). Leather is kind of slippery if you know what I mean, and I think this new sofa will benefit from some decorative pillows and maybe a small quilt or two. I love to decorate seasonally, so this neutral sofa will give me lots of opportunities to play with projects.
12 Responses
I think all the blocks look great!. Pillows are a fun way to decorate and get the job done ! XI probably would have looked at the 8 in square and doubled the measurements.
I am in half triangle hell right now and with blocks measuring at eighths and quarters.
I think of you while I am struggling. You would never say “good enough ” like I am doing.
Are you working with a Lisa Bongean project? She loves her teensie little blocks with 7/8″ measurements!
I t is Bees and Blooms table runner. Etsy order. I am sure with all the background, it could have ben made with normal block sizes. Making 2, not real happy with either one sewing wise, but it is very cute.
Draw your blocks on graph paper to the finished size. You will be able to clearly see how thick they are. Then add a 1/2” for seams. THIN IS IN after the holidays though— I didn’t even notice until you said something! Xox
I may experiment with that this morning. That skinny O bugs me!
To get measurements for the 16 inch block, take the measurements for the 8 inch block, subtract the 1/2 inch for seam allowance, double that number, then add the 1/2 inch seam allowance back in. For example, the C squares. 1 1/2 – 1/2 = 1
1 X 2 = 2 2 + 1/2 = 2 1/2
There was a cute pillows book put out a couple of years ago by the Figs lady and maybe Rosie. I do not have it, but it looked so inviting. The cover had many precious pillows.
I actually own that book. I need to pull it out.
Today is sure the day I am hearing from all the Carol(e)s!
I think pillows are a great way to use your orphan blocks! And the O? It looks good to me! Now I’m breaking your run on ‘Carol’ comments…but, it’s my sister’s name if that counts!
https://www.quiltingdaily.com/how-to-change-the-size-of-almost-any-patchwork-quilt-block/?srsltid=AfmBOor-IzrDWYDIa3wYAWCg4oa4hVtSUk0g6MfouNdELYh-CErI41Mu
(original cut size) — (seam allowance) x (amount to increase) + (seam allowance) = new cut size
I haven’t tried it, but it sounds like it could work. I would base the increase on the 4″ block cutting instructions.
All those blocks look great! The skinny O’s look fine to me….. however if it is going to bug you, NOW is the time to change it!
I follow this formula when I have to resize a block. (scroll down to the sawtooth star)
https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/pincushion-time/
Personally, from my experience, I would make a 12″ block with 2″ border for a 16″ pillow.
If you make a 16″ block for a 16″ pillow, half the block will disappear after stuffing
the pillow. You could pin the 16″ block over a pillow form and see how it looks like.