Split rectangles

 

In executing on my Flutterby Quilt Block, Jen Kingwell.  I'm so taken by the block that I ordered her book "Quilt Lovely".  Her blocks are made from templates.  Too fussy for me...and they are a weird size that are not on rulers...not convenient enough for me.  But as the block is a modified nine patch, you can pretty much size it how you will. So I have no problems executing.  Her book has several lovely quilts, and I am happy to support her work and was inspired by her use of color.

I confess...I'm making a 9" Finished block quadrant (4 = 18" square).  I think future renditions will be at a 6" block.  But I'm soldiering on, and I'm not feeling regretful.

In the "you have to kiss a lot of frogs" vein of my personal odyssey to find the optimum way to make this block (when you have 144 to make,  you want to optimize at every step), I created this video. I tried using the rulers that I had; I made templates to paper piece.  I said f-💣 it...I'm getting Deb's Ruler. 

Aside.  I have Deb's VBlock ruler.  Though not advertised to do so, you can absolutely use this ruler to make this block AND to trim it down.  The only difference is the seam line for the trim does not go from corner to corner.  However, there is enough of a line there that so long as you sew you seam correctly, you can be assured that you darn close.  The benefits of the Split Rects is that you can make larger blocks, it has an option line for some fancier cuts, and it has the seam line that follows the block from corner to corner.  For ~$21 on Amazon...it is worth getting.

My verdict.  If you are going to make this block

• Get Deb Tucker's Diamond Rects Ruler.  Slightly oversize; expertly trim down; and have blocks that will finish perfectly to the size that  you need.

• Consider using my demonstrated method of cutting the pieces from a rectangle. You can save much time by power cutting your rectangles v. futzing about with realigning your ruler on strips.
• You can stack and whack your fabrics and make many pairs effortlessly with NO sacrifice in accuracy.
• Consider using my demonstrated method for trimming
• Trim all of your blocks using the first trim down pass (if you are right handed, right side, top), then stack them with the same orientation in a pile for the second pass.
• Rotate the entire stack, then make your second cut.  This time, you are merely lining with the finished guides.
• Consider glue basting  your seams (so long as you don't plan to press open)
• You can process many pieces and set them down for some rapid-fire chain piecing.
• no worries for any shifting
• glue basting stabilizes the bias.
• Consider using reversible batiks to make it more foolproof as you train your eyes and brain to work with this block.
  

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Flutterby Block Quilt Block | Jen Kingwell or Serendipity Happens

 I ran across this lovely "Flutterby" quilt block in searching for quilt blocks with split rectangles. I learned that Jen Kingwell created a pattern using this block configuration, and it was featured in Quilt Lovely (her book).  I am a new quilter, so I do not have Jen's patterns nor her book (nor had I heard of her).  

Below are 4 blocks crafted and put together.  Such dynamic color play and movement. (EQ8!!!)

This block is an uneven 9 patch.  So multiples of 3 work well with this as you consider sizing your blocks.

Flutterby Quilt Block | Gang of 4

I was writing about my Economy Blocks which I paired with Triangle in Square Blocks (Peaky + Spike/Vblock), and I thought I would make some Split Rectangles.  My  Tri-Recs  tool is a 2 part tool.The "Tri" tool makes the center triangle in a Triangle in Square/Peaky+Spike/VBlock.

The "Recs" portion, which creates the flanking triangles, when paired together, when paired to its mirror creates a rectangle--a split rectangle or half rectangle.  I will settle on "Split Rectangle" or Split Rec for my preferred block name.

I wanted to make a quilt with Split Recs, as I think that it is an interesting block.  It is a deceptive block in that is is simple, but if you get your angles wrong or sizing wrong, it will not look so good when put together.  And that wide crotch seam where the two rectangles come together really will showcase imperfections in your technique.

While I have good tools for making the Triangle in Square Blocks (Peaky + Spike/Vblock), not so much for the split rectangle. UPDATE:  While writing this post, I went to my Deb Tucker "VBLOCK Ruler", and I found that using my rectangle method of cutting blocks for sub-cutting into angles, her tool works wonderfully, AND I can use it for trimming these blocks down to the perfect size.  Now, Deb has Split Recs tool (which I ordered before I had this "Ah Hah!" moment).  I see now that I don't need it, but I don't mind supporting her by having an extra ruler. I will do a comparison, but I already know that having dissected the $#%!$%#^ block (to include the mirroring and mirroring of mirroring on foundation paper piecing), that it will work.  And I have the headache to prove it, and the tears from wrong way blocks. (I should add that I have a Tri-Recs tool that does the VBlock, but it does not offer the trim down opportunities that the VBlock does.  Another duplication of tools, but having done so solidifies the learning/construction for me--and allows me to share the differences with others.

The block below was crafted for a 9" finished block.  4 of these blocks creates the Flutterby effect in the opening picture.  Below is 1/4 of that "Gang of 4".

• 
   
• A 4 patch block that takes of 2/3 of the block's finished size (6" F)
• It has 3 muted color blocks and 1 colorful block as noted.
• The 3 muted blocks provide a place for the eye to rest and provide a calm middle for the vibrancy of the movement caused by color changes and shapes of the split rect.
  
• You can change up the colorful outside block for delightful colorplay (and use up some colorful squares.
  
• A 1 patch of "Nexus" block that is 1/3 the size of the total finished block.  (3" F).
• The Nexus block remains static throughout and provides color harmony.  (I have a couple of blocks in my opening picture that show different colors than the dark gray.).  
• This block provides unity to the rectangles, and provides, along with the background colors in the 4 patch a place for the dynamism of the block to unfold without making you go all googly-eyes.
  
• Two mirrored Split Rectangles (One Top Left to Bottom Right (TLBR)) and the other Bottom Left to Top Right (BLTR) that are 1/3 in width and 2/3 in height of your finished block.(3" x 6" F)
  
• If you are working with these, coming up with a code for identifying the rectangle's properties is helpful. If you are spatially challenged as I am, such a simple block can pose all manner of knitted brows!  Accordingly, I use TLBR and BLTR..using the left as my anchor for reference to help me visualize.
• Here you can come up with a beautiful melange of colors.  
• Notice that they create a windmill blades in the intersection of 4 blocks.
  

The Scissortail Quilting Company has a wonderful post and download on this charming block.  I found it after I had done my own block detective work.  There are not too many references on the internet to this block, and if you visit the links mentioned above, you will see a lovely rendition. No need to duplicate excellent work done by others.  I hope that you'll pay a visit to her excellent post, and beautiful website.

I'll write more as my project/learnings unfold.

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