Wednesday, April 06, 2022

My Rainbow Scrap Challenge block how to

 You may have noticed that for 2022 I chose a specific block and have been making whole quilts with that block. 

The block is based on my pattern called Zig Zag Rails. I taught zig zag rails to a million 5th graders ( okay maybe 100 - but it felt like a million) as they were participating in making Quilts of Valor.  We also taught it to the College Softball Team - they ROCKED this Block!!

Then Liz showed this block... and I loved it!

This block actually goes together a little faster....Which makes it perfect for my Lack of Patience!!



its a fairly versatile block
but these are mine so far.....

So the Block is 9 1/2 inches Unfinished... You know before it is put into the quilt.


I do it by using Strips - again - super impatient 

But you can also do bricks - make it even scrappier!






Alright - cut your fabrics to 3 1/2 inch wide.

I am doing mine scrappy - so I am not caring how long the strips are - but they have to be at least 6 1/2 inches long. 

Most of mine seem to be about 20 inches.

If you are not going to use strips - 
Cut your Bricks 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches

Stitch them together.

Once my strips are sent together - I press the seams - I haven't really paid attention to which direction... sorry...

Then if you are using strips - cut your set to 6 1/2 inchs


You should now have a unit that measures 6 1/2 x 9 1/2



6 1/2 x 9 1/2

then you will cut a 3 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch strip.

As you can see in my red ones - I used white,
In the Teal quilt - I actually used a darker Teal

and in the Yellow one - I used Black

In these pink ones - I am going to use a darker pink 
Stitch that 3 1/2 x 9 1/2 onto the side of your brick set.

Again - since I am doing scrappy - I am not caring which side it is on, as I will be able to play with the arrangement when all the blocks are made.... and this will give me variety.
TA DA!!!
Your finished blocks



Just to prove I did the math right
( more for me than you!!)

It is 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches square


I am pretty sure that none of the Quilts I have made so far have the same amount of blocks.
But - with a 9 1/2 block its pretty easy to do the math to figure out how many you want for the size quilt you want to make ;-)


Just because you all know me....
Plaid!!



There you go!! Have fun!!

13 comments:

Vicki in MN said...

I love them all, but your plaid one and the yellow one are so pretty!! Thanks for the info on them:)

sue s said...

This is my year to do some donation quilts and this pattern will be great. Thanks for all the examples!

Linda said...

Your quilts are all pretty, but oh I love the plaid! Thank you for the tutorial. I love the scrappiness.

grammajudyb said...

Thanks for the how-to! ! I think I could do this one! The consistent zig zag fabric could be a problem for me! I have so many scraps, not a lot of yardage! But maybe not if I think outside the box! Think! Think! Think! Like Pooh says!

Delighted Hands said...

what a perfect block-thanks for the tutorial! I think the scraps would work out for everyone!

Kathy E. said...

Such a great pattern to use up scraps or make a memory quilt using Grandpa's old shirts! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your pattern. I wanted another pattern to make some charity quilts. Thanks also for all that you share.

Anonymous said...

These quilts are lovely, Alycia!

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

Fabulous simple design for quick comfort quilt. Thanks for sharing the info and photo inspiration.

Kate said...

A very fun and easy scrappy block. Hopefully each one quilt you've finished has made a dent in your scrap bins (or at least allow you to close the lid again).

Preeti said...

Such a fun, easy and scrapbuster of a block. Perfect for teaching too. I will ask Mari to add this to her list of easy H2H patterns, if she hasn't already done son. Have a great weekend!

Kat said...

What a great block! I love the plaid quilt especially! Thank you for the tutorial.

Susan said...

Great for scrap use, and great for donations - or quick for a gift. Thanks!