Patchwork Auditions #4: Economy Block

The Patchwork Auditions blocks are so much fun to play with.  Today I show you the fourth block in the series.  The series looks at some classic blocks and exposes alternate colorings.  My goal is to simply think about other ways to color a quilt block I have looked at hundreds of times.  So far I've been making 3 of each block - 1 traditional coloring and 2 alternates.  It's amazing how different they look! Eventually, I'll put them together into a scrappy quilt.  Find all the details here.

Join me on this laid back adventure if you like!  Below you'll find a cutting list for the basic blocks in 12" and 16" finished blocks, but not a tutorial.  Use the coloring sheet to generate your own ideas.  I hope that you'll audition other color arrangements and play as I am. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economy (Traditional)
This Economy block is surely a classic.  It uses the diamond-in-the-square block twice and is a great way to fussy frame some cute motifs.  This block gained some popularity in the past 2 years with this tutorial and the #economyblockalong quilt-along on Instagram.  There are SO many cute versions of this block!  Pictured below is the most common way to make it.  

Economy Block Coloring Sheet  Download the PDF here.

Block Structure

This block is constructed with (2) diamond-in-the-square units, one inside the other.  Traditionally, 3 different fabrics, A, B, and C make up the block.

Cutting List.  I have listed cuts for both 12" and 16" blocks. 

For 12" blocks.

• Cut (1) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square.  (A)
• Cut (1) 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" square. (B)
• Cut the square on both diagonals to yield 4 triangles.
• Cut (2) 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" squares. (C)
• Cut the square along one diagonal to yield 2 triangles.  4 triangles needed total.

The (B) and (C) cuts are oversized to allow for squaring up as you go.  Go here for a tutorial on this block.

For 16" blocks.

• Cut (1) 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" square.  (A)
• Cut (1) 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" square. (B)
• Cut the square on both diagonals to yield 4 triangles.
• Cut (2) 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" squares. (C)
• Cut the square along one diagonal to yield 2 triangles.  4 triangles needed total.

The (B) and (C) cuts are oversized to allow for squaring up as you go.  Go here for a tutorial on this block.

Alternate Coloring Options

There are a few ways to recolor this block that are outside the traditional coloring.    In this exercise, I simply am recoloring the block without changing it's basic construction.  These are just a few of the options I found.  These options can yield very different looks.

A	B	C
D	E	F
G	H	I

My Sample Blocks

traditional Economy(12" block)

letter G in the table above (16" block)

letter D in the table above (16" block)

Feel free to share any past or present Economy blocks you've made with us to show how you colored it using #patchworkauditions #economyblockalong.  Enjoy!

Lacuna Sampler Quilt Pattern

Let me introduce to you the Lacuna Sampler Quilt Pattern.  I'm very proud to show off this quilt. I've been working on it for its big debut at Quilt Market this weekend with the introduction of the new fabric line Pie Making Day by Brenda Ratliff for RJR Fabrics.  

This quilt design came together so easily.  There was just something about these fresh cheery colors that played so well as the "wheels" in the Cheyenne block.  It was one of those "Ah-ha" moments where I was like "That's IT!!!" and I couldn't wait to begin work on the quilt.  I wanted to create an easy sampler inside the wheels.

The Lacuna Sampler Quilt Pattern uses six different blocks as the middle of the wheel.  It's a great place to try some new skills.  They are basics - the pinwheel, hourglass, star, diamond-in-the-square, cross, framed square.  Great classics for everyone to learn!

The sampler wheel blocks surround a gorgeous giant interpretation of the same wheel block.  Only this time, the center block is a rainbow of patchwork goodness.

So what does Lacuna mean?  Personally, I think Lacuna is a sexy word for something so simple.

Lacuna NOUN

noun: lacuna · plural noun: lacunae · plural noun: lacunas

an unfilled space or interval; a gap:

Lacuna (pl. lacunas or lacunae) may refer to:

• Lacuna (manuscripts), a missing section of text
• Lacuna (music), an extended silence in a piece of music
• Lacuna (linguistics), a lexical gap in a language

(from Oxford Dictionaries and Wikipedia)

In the case of the Lacuna Sampler Quilt here, I've named this quilt Lacuna because of the white space in the exact center of the quilt.  There is so much color and activity going on in the rest of the quilt - but it's in the exact center that there is a dead spot.  A gap.  An unfilled space.

I had my long arm quilter quilt a replica of a flower from the main Pie Making Day print in the quilt's rest space for the eye.

The pattern has an advanced beginner skill level.  It's a pattern that comes together quickly, as first, you make the sampler centers, then piece them into wheels.  The fun part is picking out what colors you want in which blocks.  This would be a great quilt to make scrappy as well.

 

Lacuna Sampler Quilt Fabric Requirements. 

Finished Block Size: 14" x 14" | Finished Quilt Size: 63" x 63"

Assorted Colorful Prints         24 Fat Quarters (18" x 22")

White Solid Background        2 1/2  yards

Backing                                  4 yards

Binding                                  1/2 yard

Batting                                   71" x 71"

**Fat Quarter and Scrap Friendly**



The Lacuna Sampler Quilt Pattern is now available in my shop!  It will be on sale all this week for just $8 PDF / $10 Print.  After it's debut week, the pattern will bump up to $10 PDF / $12 Print at it's regular price. 

The printed pattern is a full color 12-page booklet, professionally printed with color diagrams throughout the instructions.

Enjoy!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!  {annemarie@genxquilters.com}

**Fabric for the sample is Pie Making Day by Brenda Ratliff for RJR Fabrics.  In stores July 2015.**

Patchwork Auditions #3: Ohio Star

The Patchwork Auditions blocks keep getting better and better.  Today I show you the third block in the series.  The series looks at some classic blocks and exposes alternate colorings.  My goal is to simply think about other ways to color a quilt block I have looked at hundreds of times.  So far I've been making 3 of each block - 1 traditional coloring and 2 alternates.  It's amazing how different they look! Eventually, I'll put them together into a scrappy quilt.  Find all the details here.

Join me on this laid back adventure if you like!  Below you'll find a cutting list for the basic blocks in 12" and 16" finished blocks, but not a tutorial.  Use the coloring sheet to generate your own ideas.  I hope that you'll audition other color arrangements and play as I am. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ohio Star (Traditional)
Ok folks, not only is the Ohio Star a great classic.  But.... I'm from Ohio, so you know I had to include it.  Everyone loves a star shaped quilt block, and the Ohio Star adds a fun element into the star shape by setting in 4 Hourglass blocks (tutorial here).  I've actually used this block in one of my BOMs.  It's an elegant  twist on a nine-patch block and looks great no matter how you color it.  Just wait til you see the alternate colorings - you won't believe it's the same block.  Pictured below is the most common way to make it.  Although sometimes this block is shown with 2 colors in the star also.

Ohio Star Coloring Sheet  Download the PDF here.

Block Structure

This block is constructed with (4) hourglass blocks using quarter square triangles (QSTs).  The QSTs are in a cross position, although the center is just a square.

Cutting List.  I have listed cuts for both 12" and 16" blocks. 

Hourglass Tutorial Here.  OR Video Tutorial here.

For 12" blocks.

• Cut (5) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares.  (A)
• Cut (4) 6" x 6" squares for Hourglasses. (B)
• Cut each square on both diagonals to yield 4 triangles.
• Each 6" square may be a different color depending on how you want to color the block.

Make (4) Hourglass blocks.  Square them up to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished.

For 16" blocks.

• Cut (5) 5 7/8" x 5 7/8" squares.  (A) 
• Cut (4) 7" x 7" squares for Hourglasses. (B)
• Cut each square on both diagonals to yield 4 triangles.
• Each 7" square may be a different color depending on how you want to color the block.
Make (4) Hourglass blocks.  Square them up to 5 7/8" x 5 7/8" unfinished.  
(These blocks may be a bit larger than 16 1/2" unfinished due to the math. Trim up if needed.)  

Alternate Coloring Options

There are many ways to recolor this block.  We can either emphasize the star or disguise it.  Give both options a try and see what you think.  In this exercise, I simply am recoloring the block without changing it's basic construction.  These are just a few of the options I found.  

A	B	C
D	E	F
G	H	I

My Sample Blocks

traditional Ohio Star (12" block)

letter G in the table above (16" block)

letter C in the table above (16" block)

This block has so many ways it can take shape!  I love the illusion of the double friendship star that the above "C" block makes.  Share any past or present Ohio Star blocks you've made with us to show how you colored it using #patchworkauditions #ohiostar.  Enjoy!