Needlework Tuesday - Permission to Play or How I Whacked even more 4 Patches

Welcome to my regular weekly Needlework Tuesday post where I share whatever I have been stitching during the past week. I find this a great source of encouragement as I always want to have some sort of progress to share with you. Feel free to grab the cute little mouse and add him to your needlework post, then leave a comment with a link. I'll be sure to drop by and visit.

Every now and then I realize that I have been taking myself too seriously and that I need some play time.  Last week was one of those weeks, and what a better way to play than with fabric.  So how did it all start?  At the beginning of March, I posted the results from playing with a couple of variations of the Disappearing 4 patch block.  It was a lot of fun and results in a top for a lap quilt.  When I was visiting the website of designer Brenda Miller, she asked if any of her readers were working on a 'modern' quilt.  I answered, wondering if the disappearing 4 patch qualified.  Her response was to question whether I had cut them 'off centre'.  hmm, that got me thinking as all of the patterns I'd tried were cut symetrically.  I was sure that with a bit of planning I could come up with an interesting new variation.

 

I found two metres of a unique blue, it was printed in seven lengthwise strips each of a different shade of blue.  All squares I started with were cut 6 inches square.

 

 First, sew two 4 patches, using the same two fabrics.

Cutting off centre.  First I cut a two inch strip from the top of each block and then I cut a two in strip from the right of each block.  Next I cut two inches from the left centre of the block both on the left and bottom of the block.

 

For the disappearing part, I moved the segments in the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions.    When sewn together, I found it kind of boring.  Time to try it again.

Again, two four patches, this time using 4 different fabrics.  Carefully stack  the blocks on top of each other with a light block on top of a dark block.  I pinned at the seam allowances so they wouldn't shift when cutting.  I got carried away and forgot to take a photo of the next step .  I cut four diagonals: left, right, top and bottom, being careful not to cut too close to the centre.

 I shifted pieces in the same manner as above and re-sewed the block.  A few times I had to repress seams so they would match up. My goal was to preserve the original  four patch appearance, and I pinned to match those seams.

My third attmept.  Again, two blocks with four fabrics, this time I chose shades that were more distinct.

 

Stack the two blocks and pin the seams at the sides to stop shifting.  This time when cutting, I kept a 90 degree angle when cutting top and right, and a 90 degree angle when cutting the left and bottom.  The centre that is left is not  a perfect square.  I then re-shuffled the fabrics in the same manner as the earlier blocks. 

These two blocks are my favourite so far.  I have plans to try them again in different fabrics.

 One final attempt as the previous six blocks aren't enough for a quilt. 

New approach this time.  I layers the blocks right sided together with a light square on top of a dark square.  Sewed a quarter inch seam all around the out sidee of the block.

 

Mark two inches from each corner and cut across the middle of the block twice.  Unpick the bit of stitching and press open the block.

Interesting kite shapes.  I needed to square these up.

Squares, now I can work with them.

 

The four of them together formed an interesting unit.  Now I had the working pieces for a quilt.  Add a couple of intact 4 patch blocks.

Finished quilt top measures 44 x 60 inches.  This photo does no justice to how blue it is.  It practically vibrates.

That was fun play. I do think that I have worked disappearing 4 patches from my system for a while.

 

What do you do when you play with your stitching?

 

Rikki at Rikki's Teleidoscope is working on a lovely crochet scarf using the most gorgeous wool.

 

Marie at Daisy's Book Journal shares with us her finished afghan.  Great work Marie.