This is a copy of an antique quilt made from scraps in the 1890’s. I first saw it in a book by Roberta Horton called SCRAP QUILTS:The Art of Making Do. This quilt is great for using up your scraps, and for beginners to learn many different skills that will be used in most any other quilt they may make. The photo shows my quilt in progress. The measurements below do not include a border (many antique quilts did not have borders, as the borders required large pieces of fabric).
Finished quilt size (without border):
67” X 55” (11 BLOCKS BY 9 BLOCKS=99 BLOCKS) Twin size (sort of, would be better with a 4-5 inch border all around)
55” X 43” (9 BLOCKS BY 7 BLOCKS) Lap quilt size
43” X 31” (7 BLOCKS BY 5 BLOCKS) Baby quilt
(I suppose you could make a table runner, but I think the secondary pattern would not appear because the runner would be narrow.)
Here is what you will learn:
• The need to sew an accurate seam
• Looking at fabrics for colour value
• How to trim blocks for proper sizing
• How to press seams
• How to make Half-Square Triangles that don’t stretch out of shape
• How to make a 16-patch block
• How to “nest” seams when making a block
• How to arrange and assemble quilt blocks
• How to figure what size border you want to add, if any
I will be conducting the workshop on January 28 and Feb 11th at our usual meeting times. This is what you will need to bring with you if you wish to take this workshop:
• Rotary cutter and cutting board, rulers, a soft-leaded pencil
• Large and small scissors, sharp pins
• Sewing machine, with lots of neutral colour thread (tan or gray) and extra needles
• From the group: 1-2 irons and small ironing boards if possible.
• Fabric – already cut: 2-inch strips in a variety of dark and light fabrics. You can cut some from medium value fabrics, but light and darks work best. The strips can be as short at 5 inches, but it is less work in the long run if they are 10-20 inches long. You will need equal numbers of light and dark strips. 4-inch squares in a variety of dark and light fabrics. You can cut some from medium value fabrics, but light and darks work best. We can swap strips and squares within the group, but please bring a few more than you think you will need, especially those of us who have a good sized stash! The number of squares you need is listed below.
Pre-cutting your strips and squares will really speed up the workshop and the time spent at guild will be used to best advantage. It is expected that between Jan. 14 and Jan. 28 participants will work on their blocks at home. Even though this is a beginner’s quilt, a lot of time is required to make the blocks!
Here are the requirements for different sized finished items:
• Twin size: 200 light 4” squares, 200 dark 4” squares, large variety of 2” strips, light and dark, and ½ yard fabric for binding*, 3 1/2 to 4 yards backing fabric
• Lap size: 130 light 4” squares, 130 dark 4” squares, large variety of 2” strips, light and dark, and ½ yard fabric for binding*, 3 yards backing fabric.
• Baby size: 75 light 4” squares, 130 dark 4” squares, large variety of 2” strips, light and dark, and ¼ yard fabric for binding*, 1 1/3 yards backing fabric.
• Cotton or polyester batting, as preferred
• Border fabric if you wish to add a border or two
• * If you wish, you can piece unlike fabrics together for the binding
Here is the tentative plan for Jan. 14:
1. Swap 2” strips.
2. Decide on the size quilt you want to make, and figure out the number of each kind of block you will need to make
3. Looking at value within the blocks
4. Learn how to make half-square triangles starting with 4” squares
5. Learn how to make 16-patch blocks using strip piecing method
Tentative plan for Jan 28:
1. Arranging your blocks – group comments and suggestions
2. Looking at value throughout the quilt
3. Sewing blocks together in rows
4. Sewing rows together
5. Making the binding
6. IF TIME ALLOWS we will talk about borders
Linda Kling has been doing the Block of the Month quilt from Quilted Threads now for a couple of years. This year I decided to check it out and see if I could do it as well. So I made arrangements , and so far I have 6 blocks done . There are separate blocks that are used in between these blocks but I need to order the fabric for them , as they are not part of the monthly blocks.
I've finished my latest manuscript with insights about the benefits of completion. As Leonard Cohen wrote: “ring the bells you still can ring / forget your perfect offering / everything has cracks / it’s how the light gets in.” Let the light in to your day with my latest words of encouragement. 
Ellen's 16-patch.
Wendy's pastel 16-patch
