I am captivated by Laura Berringer's (designer of my beautiful Paisley Pallette that I'm using in the Modified Betwixt Pattern) Yellow Sky Quilt Pattern (free download).
I am reviewing the pattern to achieve two important objectives:
Objective 1: Determine the tools and techniques that I plan on using for the construction of the blocks.
Objective 2: Determine how I can use fat quarters for my Featured Fabric (FF).
(All of this to keep me from going willy-nilly into the project.)
Note that this is a free pattern; accordingly, nothing herein is being co-opted from something that any would have to pay for.
The pattern consists of 20 nine patch blocks finishing at 15" in a 4C x 5 R configuration. Abbreviations used below. FF = Feature Fabric; BF = Background Fabric
Let me take you through my thinking on this. (As I write this post, this is my "thinking out loud") which will help me plan.
Block 1: 1 Sawtooth Star measures 5.5 inches square comprised of
- (4) 1.75" squares (BF) in each corner
- (4) 1.25" x 2.5" flying geese units (FF Sky; BF Goose)
- 4 at a time method will be used. The pattern called for traditional way which creates waste of both time and fabric.
- 4 x method
- (1) 4" (BF) for the goose
- (4) 2.25 (FF) square for the sky
- (1) 3" middle square (BF)
- I'm considering making this (FF)
Block 2: 4 5.5" Square Split Rectangles comprised of
- (4) 3" x 5.5" (BF) rectangles
- (4) 3" x 5.5" (FF) rectangles (need 12 x 5.5 piece from fat quarter)
If I were sewing this from yardage, I would cut (1) 3 x 22" (5.5" x 4") strips and sew these together and then subcut with with my Stripology ruler. I'm going to evaluate my fat quarters to see if what I intend to use could accommodate (how straight is my fat quarter?) could do this from a fat quarter, but it would have to be no selvage and cut straight.
Block 3: (4) Diamond (Square) in Square 5.5" x 5.5" comprised of a center unit and 4 triangles. It is also known as an Economy Block when other triangles are added.
- Folded corners which this pattern uses. Attaches a 3"x3" square with a diagonal across it on a 5.5" square Sew on the diagonal. Cut 1/4" seam. Discard the rest. I find this wasteful, so this method earns a big "Nope" from me.
- Foundation Paper Pieced. I created a PDF for you here:
- Center square of 4" (FF) + (2) 3 3/8" (BF) HST's: I plan to use this method. I may cut a 3.5" strip and use my folded corner ruler to cut the units. That will give me a little extra to square up.. You can find at Quilter's Paradise a nice calculator for Square in Square. They have great tools and the website calculators should be on your speed dial!
I have Deb Tucker's Square Squared ruler which I may deploy for this. I've never used it. But for sure my backup plan will be the method above.
Now that I've studied the blocks, planned my construction method, I diagrammed my blocks on a 18 x 22 grid on Inkscape. We can think in terms of square inches.
A fat quarter measures 18 x 22 or 396 Square Inches.
I listed my units below and calculated the square inches. I plan to use a solid star for each of my sawtooth stars v. background. So I increased my FF units to include the center option
So I can comfortably get what I need EXCEPT that if any fat quarter is screwy, then I may be short. But realistically, I will probably only use 2 blocks per fat quarter. Below is my schematic. The orange is unused.
Given that this pattern is for 20 blocks, 10 different fat quarters would give a nice mix of blocks (2 of each). I could get by using 7 fat quarters as I can get 3 sets out of each block.
Much will depend on my getting 22" for my rectangles if I want to eek out 3 per.
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| Fat Quarter Dissection |
Conclusion: Now that I have all of this worked out, I can use this wonderful pattern in many different colorways. I do buy fat quarter bundles--but only when I can get them discounted at Hancocks.
In fact, they have the Yellow Sky Fat quarter Bundle on Sale of 21.99
They have the Yellow Sky Quilt Kit on sale for $80.(From 150)
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