This is a favourite layout for a 9 patch, why, its got the graphic grid of crosses going on.
This quilt is an original 1940s quilt that has been restored by the studio for a customer. But before it goes to its new home, I have drawn it up so if you want to have a crack at one with all your scrap, here are some notes.
This vintage quilt is approx 85" x 106"
What you need to cut from your stock pile of scraps:
720 - 3" x 3" (finished 2.5") squares of as many different prints, stripes and spots for the 9 patches. Think bright.
20 - 3" x 3" squares in a red star or spot for the centres of the 9 patch units.
80 - 3" x 8" Sashings for the 9 patch units in a printed stripes.
12 - 5.5" x 5.5"(finished 5") squares in a yellow floral for the cornerstones in the main sashing.
31 - 5.5" x 18" main sashing bars in blue.
Binding in red and white 1/8th" stripe.
What makes this quilt so wonderful and wacko is the use of as many different prints you can lay your hands on. The colour scheme is bright and with a real emphasis on primary colours. Also, I like the use of the red for each centre unit and the mix of printed stripes for the sashing units. The yellow and the blue just balance it out really well. Hand quilted in the traditional Baptists Fan pattern that was really common in the 1940s, with an unbleached cotton backing and un-unstablized cotton wadding.
How I would go about putting this together...I would start by making my 80 x 9 patch units. Then sash up 4 blocks to make the 20 x 9 patch large blocks. Then assemble them with the bigger sashing. You can follow this diagram for the layout.
Don't worry too much about how the blocks go together colour/print wise. This is a true scrap quilt so if you find you are having trouble being random, stick all your squares in a bag or bowl by your machine and do a lucky dip. It's the randomness that makes this work. If you have cut a good mix of brights and primaries it will work in the end, trust the scraps and it will come together. Enjoy.
