Another month, another strip scrap quilt! I really enjoyed the process on this one too - the X blocks are quite fun to make and they have a strong visual impact. I'm itching to try another version with some of my favorite fabrics. Bea is sad this is going to the Linus Connection tomorrow so I guess I'll have an excuse to make another "copy."
As I was making this I realized why I was so drawn to the pattern. Pretty much the same, no? Except the old quilt was hand pieced with crazy construction on the center of those x's and inset triangles.
I pretty much used the method described in Strips & Strings by Evelyn Sloppy (her "Bunny Love" quilt) but obviously didn't use color coordinated strips and didn't mix in appliqued bunnies. I made a few changes to the method, desribed below. I also found this link for more of the same quilts - though this site uses a different construction method and recommends foundation piecing.
Here's how I made it:
1. Sew together a bunch of strips to make a unit that is at least 9.5 inches wide and 18 inches long. (I increased the dimensions a bit from her recommendations.) Press.
2. Cut that unit into four identical strips (yes, only 2 are pictured here) that are 4 inches wide. Also, for each block you will need four 4.5 inch squares of background fabric cut in half diagonally to make 8 triangles. (I think it would help if these were just a smidge bigger - see cutting, below)
3. Sew the triangles to either side of the center strip, lining them both up in the middle. Press them open and use a square see-through ruler to trim the entire piece to a 6.5 inch square as shown. (The block with triangles added was supposed to be oversize but I found that the background squares were just the right size or a tiny bit smaller most of the time. I'm not very good at that SCANT 1/4" seam thing I guess so that made the difference. Anyway, you'll figure it out -- either sew that scant seam or cut the triangles a hair bigger -- or stretch that fabric when you piece :-))
4. When you sew four of those together you'll have a block. Obviously there is a bit of seam matching going on here if you want things to match up nice - so you do need to pin at the intersections.
I did different X variations on the quilt as you can see -- turning all the center strips the same direction, alternating 2 one direction, 2 the other, and even mixing strips from different scrap units. I think I like the 2nd option the best myself but with this sorta quilt, it is all about the playing.
The black really shows off the fabrics you used. Your quilt looks great.
Posted by: Sarah Jayne | July 20, 2007 at 01:05 PM
That looks fantastic! I really like how the black sets off the scraps. For some reason I had Scrap-X confused with your tutorial for the fruit stripe quilt. The optical illusion of quilting never ceases to amaze me. Did you quilt the top or tie it?
Posted by: Jennifer | July 20, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Oooo! This is gorgeous! I love the way the black sets off the colors. Very pretty! Oh! And thanks for the tute! I want to try it in a doll quilt size.
Posted by: Lauri | July 20, 2007 at 01:19 PM
It's so gorgeous- and thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: samantha | July 20, 2007 at 01:45 PM
That is a really striking quilt! The black is perfect for the background - it makes the other fabrics sparkle. I just don't think you can beat a scrap quilt for vibrancy.
Posted by: Vicki W | July 20, 2007 at 02:50 PM
I love this! Thanks for your tips!
Posted by: Sarah | July 20, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Fun, fun quilt, Amy! I love it. And thanks for the explaination because it always is hard for me to get my head around piecing.
Posted by: laeroport | July 20, 2007 at 02:55 PM
That is gorgeous. I have never been interested in quilting...but that makes me want to try it.
Posted by: M | July 20, 2007 at 03:13 PM
This is lovely!!! Thanks so much for the tutorial, I've added it to my "quilts to try" folder lol. I have some black Kona that needs using up anyway lol. Beautiful work!
Posted by: Mika | July 20, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Wow - that is fabulous. The black really makes it all "POP".
Posted by: Siew | July 20, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Oh Amy! This is a BEAUTIFUL quilt! I love it. I like that you've used a black back ground. Oh and the kitty is cute too!
Posted by: Julie | July 20, 2007 at 04:37 PM
Looking at this quilt just makes me happy!
Posted by: Mirre | July 20, 2007 at 06:13 PM
Lovely! And I love the black as accent. It really brings out those colors.
Posted by: Anina | July 20, 2007 at 06:56 PM
I adore your tutorials--I just finished a patchwork quilt for mt best friend's first baby and could not have done it without your excellent and easy to follow directions. This one is fantastic as well :) Thank you!
Posted by: Heather | July 20, 2007 at 07:14 PM
Wow! I love this scrap quilt. I have so many scaps that need to be put to good use. I really think the solid fabric, pulls the scraps together. Pluse I think all quilts could use a little black fabric.
Posted by: Rachel | July 20, 2007 at 08:23 PM
that's gorgeous. I kep threatening to finally make a quilt. Yours is very inspiring.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | July 20, 2007 at 09:15 PM
Thanks for this inspiration and perfect timing as I need to put together a baby scrap quilt.
Posted by: Melissa H | July 20, 2007 at 10:51 PM
...........OOOOOOOOOOOH YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH......... great work...beautiful!!!!!
Posted by: kristin | July 20, 2007 at 11:02 PM
I'm in awe... and where do you find the time? You're just churning these babies out! It's beautiful. :)
Posted by: Becky | July 20, 2007 at 11:40 PM
I love it! Now I know what to do with my grannie's old aprons!
Posted by: Doris | July 21, 2007 at 02:04 AM
Gorgeous quilt! Love the effect of the patterns against the dark block of colour. I wanna make one!
Posted by: Jade | July 21, 2007 at 05:02 AM
absolutely beautiful! i am so inspired to make one myself.
Posted by: jeanetta | July 21, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Your quilts are always amazing! It's gorgeous!
Posted by: soo | July 21, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Bravo! That's a fabulous quilt! I love scrappy. Evelyn Sloppy's book is the best isn't it?
Posted by: Anita | July 21, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Sweet! How did you do the quilting?
Posted by: Kristin | July 21, 2007 at 10:08 AM