How To Sew Different Size Quilt Blocks Together

I dear the new modern patchwork quilt designs with improvisational piecing and simple, make clean lines. And I'm not alone: these graphic, contemporary quilts with off-kilter blocks and wide expanses of solid colors appeal to a wide range of quilt artists.

Jacquie's 'Body of water Glass' quilt uses log motel patchwork blocks and console construction. From Quilting Modern .

But while the wait of these quilts is simple (and stunning), the improvisational piecing can intimidate some quilters—from those who've never pieced before to experienced patchwork quilting piecers who accept long relied on tried-and-true mathematical formats.

In their new book Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts, authors Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen encourage readers to embrace the rules of traditional quilting and so they can curve them with more confidence.

The authors also encourage would-be improvisational quilters to ask "what if?", encompass happy accidents, and prepare to fail—it'south the only way to abound.

Just if the thought of improvisational piecing makes y'all feel similar you're walking the loftier wire without a net, Jacquie and Katie have you lot covered. They recommend establishing parameters for your improvisational patchwork blocks. Parameters provide liberty within construction, they say.

Here is an excerpt of some of their tips:

Use Magic Numbers. Perhaps you want to use different-sized blocks in your quilt, but y'all're not ready to move to anything-goes cake sizes, or no blocks at all. Endeavor this system of using block sizes that will fit together automatically for flexibility in design.

modern patchwork quilt piecing — The Magic Number method of piecing.

For example, the combination of 3″ (vii.5 cm), 6″ (15 cm), and 12″ (30.5 cm) finished sizes is an example of what we telephone call magic numbers. Blocks with sides in those three sizes, even rectangular blocks, volition fit together without alteration and allow for many possible arrangements (fig. 1). Apply block sizes that fit together without alteration.

Choose a Block Size Visually. Record a block'southward area on your design wall and piece of work within the taped perimeter. Sometimes it'southward easier to visualize a design in a confined expanse.

Work Outside of the Block Structure. Quilts don't take to have blocks of the same size or even take blocks at all. Record out the estimated finished size of the quilt y'all want to make and work within that area.

Paneling. Blocks of different sizes are fun to make, simply putting them together may present a dilemma. What we phone call paneling is one solution. With paneling, blocks look randomly placed when sewn together, just have an underlying structure. The first step in paneling is to tape out a construction on the design wall and and so place the blocks into the taped panels. The size of the panels tin can be adjusted to accommodate the blocks equally long every bit the panels ultimately course squares and rectangles that tin be sewn together easily.

Begin by placing blocks forth the panel edges, then move the blocks until you are satisfied. In fig. 2, nosotros grouped 7 blocks of varying sizes into panels, then assembled the panels to make the larger patchwork piece.

After you've placed the blocks, look to encounter where y'all demand to add background cloth to create sections that can be sewn together. Assemble the blocks into squares and rectangles that fit together like a puzzle. The tape acts as a boundary for measuring and calculating background additions. Be enlightened of loss from seam allowances; multi-block layouts will shrink significantly as y'all sew together them together. Construct the panel a chip larger than necessary and trim information technology to the finished size plus ¼" (vi mm) seam assart all around. If your slice is as well modest, add together to it; as well large, trim to size.

There are so many patchwork projects and quilt patterns in Quilting Modern that I want to try. Quilters of all skill levels will find something to suit them, and Jacquie and Katie are there to guide y'all at every step.