December 31, 2013

Disappearing 4-Patch Tutorial - Attack Your Scraps

I'm not gonna lie, I've been in a funk for quite some time now, months really. You would think that spending so much time with family over all the holidays would've helped pull me out of it. I have been so very blessed to spend a lot of time with family lately!!

Truth be told, I was simply on a medication to help manage nerve pain and it turned me into a Zombie. I'm thinking I'll just have an advantage when the Zombie Apocalypse comes. Hahaha....

Today was the very first time I've woken up at 5am and gotten out of bed (for something other than just to pee) since about August. When you have 5 kids that's usually one of the only times you have to sew: when the little people sleep.

I wanted to play with something simply, but that would also have an awesome end product. I think I hit the nail on the head!

This is simply a version of a disappearing 4-patch:


Being lazy, uhh I mean being productive to use leftover 5 inch charm squares, I ended up with an 8 inch block.

I love how it turned out!

Want to make some?? It's super super easy, I mean 5 am easy.

Start with a 4 patch, or two if you're going for super scrappy:


Using your ruler, cut 1 inch from the center 4 times. After I cut the first time, I just turned my mat (or ruler) and cut the next one, etc. It was very very helpful to have a small mat to cut on & rotate. Like so:




Swap around the parts however you like. For example:

Before swap:


After swap:


I picked up the triangle parts in the middle of the sides and swapped those between the 2 blocks. Then I grabbed the center piece, turned it 180 degrees, and swapped it between blocks also. (I love love how they turned out.)

Then sew and press and ta-da!

See, SUPER easy!! And, you can start with any size squares for the 4 patch, you'll just end up with a different size finished block. Can we say pre-cut AND scrap friendly! Oh Yea!

One of the reasons I find scrappy quilts so cool is the juxtaposition of modern prints next to vintage-y florals and such, like that green log print next to the brown floral. I just love it!

Edited to add:  I would LOVE to see any blocks/projects you create with this tutorial! Feel free to join & share in my Flickr group: Your Lyanna Jean Designs.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...