EUREKA Coccon

Valori Wells' Cocoon--had to do something with it quick--it is just too wonderful.  This colorway has enough contrast in the six pieces to work in EUREKA.  So we have a fast little quilt with a cute little kit.

Going to link this one to Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday.

Preview 50

Twelve Fat Quarters and Four Patches--two favorite things combined.  Add 1 yard of Contrast and you have an nice and easy throw quilt 54"x 72".

I used Joel Dewberry's Heirloom/Ruby.  It is wonderful in batiks, next on the to-do list.

Preview 49

When you really, really can't cut it.  As with those fabulous prints, like Laura Gunn's here for Michael Miller.  There is so little math involved, you don't waste any of your precious fabric.

Take 2 yards and only slice it once.  Insert a row of 6 simple blocks and you have a quilt top.  Additional yardage is 3/4 each of the Frame, Centers/Binding, and Background.  The Background can be light, so the blocks stand out in the row.  Or it can be a color to blend with the Theme fabric, or even the Theme itself, so the blocks float.

The quilt top finishes 54"x 69", and with only 6 blocks, it finishes fast. 

Preview 48

SEASHELL started as a way to float 5" Charm Squares in a background.  To accomplish that I thought setting the squares at the end of a 5"x 9 1/2" slice would do the trick.  I didn't want the same background with all of those seams, so I chose to make it with 2 different, but similar, background fabrics.  A strong contrast in the backgrounds would create a stripe effect, which, in the right combination of fabrics might work.

The cover model was made with Salt Air squares by Cosmo Cricket for Moda, with two creamy batiks for backgrounds.  The SEASHELL rose name was perfect for it.

Then I am thinking, that this pattern is really a Bricks and Blocks.  Usually that pattern is done in 2 1/2" or 3 1/2" wide Bricks, but why not our big 5"?  We love to show off our pretty, larger prints.  A little pack of 10 Fat Sixths--our Sheet Cakes (12"x 22")--will cut perfectly into 40  5"x10" pieces.  A single light background will work for the squares, though I used a Tonga Creamsicle pack.  A favorite quilt was born from Amy Butler's Lark...

Preview 47

A little quickie, made from 10 fat sixths (12"x 22"), or 20 10" squares (half of a layer cake).  It is one single simple block, intended to make a sweet little scramble of a collection of fabrics.    Add a border to make it bigger than the 36"x 45" here.  Or, add lattice, between all or some of the blocks.  Or, use the blocks to frame a panel. 

This would also be a great way to use of scraps and make lots of blocks, for quilts large and small.  Community Service quilts are calling and you have scraps to use up.

Preview 46

When you simply can't cut it up--this simple quilt might be the answer.  Even simpler yet--the yardage requirements:  3 1 yard pieces. 

Finishing 52"x 52",  it can be used as a tablecloth and would be slick to serge together.

LA FRANCE Twins

Take a Berenstain Bears Layer Cake or 4 Charm Packs.  Divide them into 2 equal groups--one boy, one girl.  If you have 10" Layer Cake Squares, cut them in 4ths, so you have 5" Squares.

Dorothy did just that.  And then with LA FRANCE, just kept going around with another full round of border, then squares.  The piecing actually needs 84 squares total.  If your Charm Packs had 42 squares each, you are set.  If cutting from Layer Cakes, you will need to come up with an additional 4 squares, from the border, binding or other scraps. 

The quilts finish 54" square and are quickly ready for giving.