Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Four Patch Fun

I have been working on some 4 patches in a rainbow of colors.  My initial plan was to use them as a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project, but I found myself needing more pieces for leaders/enders so I grabbed any color I could find.


 Each block is made with two fabrics - a solid and a print.  When I started this project, I had no idea what I would do with them.  It was just an opportunity to use up scraps.  Now I find myself with hundreds of these and it is time to think of layout designs.






My first try at a layout was to randomly put them up on the wall.  I didn't like that at all.  In fact, I didn't even get a photo of it!


Then I played around with colorwashing the blocks.  Because I didn't have this plan when I first started, some of the blocks were very difficult to place.

Maybe another design would be better...

















Next up was a diagonal layout in a repeating rainbow order.  It was a lot of fun, but I knew I was going to run out of yellows and oranges.





I really wanted something that would use up the blocks I had made.  



I then considered turning the 4 patches into color blocks.  I was going to turn all the blocks so they were going diagonally when I just decided I didn't like this idea either so down they all came.

I am now left with an empty design wall and a big stack of blocks again.  I think I will step away for a bit and hope inspiration strikes again soon!

It is not like I don't have a number of other projects to work on!





Linking Up:



Green Fabric Sale

If your stash is in need of some greens, Connecting Threads is having a green fabric sale and you can save up to 60% off.  Perfect timing for the Rainbow Scrap March Challenge color.




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33 comments:

Libby in TN said...

Knowing you, it won't be long before inspiration strikes! Maybe in the shower, or on a long drive ...

Auntie Em said...

I think the colorwash idea is fantastic!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

you will come up with something and it will be fun to see what it is!

Shannon said...

I think the colorwash layout looks great!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I like them all! :) It can be both fun and frustrating to try to come up with the perfect layout - hope you find the one you want before too long!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I'm sure you'll find the right solution, but I am partial to the colorwash layout! :)

Jane said...

I like the colourwash idea. I'm almost finished a small 4 patch in turquoise and orange shades. Just 6 shades of each colour cut into 48 pieces ( 4 of each shade ) I arranged them from light to dark so they sort of fade into each other. I have bound two sides and just 2 to go x

chrisknits said...

I know it would be more work, but sash them with a neutral? Or offset them with a neutral block?

Susan said...

How about setting them off with a neutral? Or maybe adding shadows? I guess it depends on how big you want this to be - you'll get it figured out!

Marly said...

I love the colourwash design. Just mull it over and you're sure to have a brainwave.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Yep...love that color wash design. :)

Karen's Korner said...

There is another "masterpiece" lurking in those blocks. The idea will strike soon.

Jo said...

I think the colourwash is great but if you're not into it that won't happen. You'll make a choice and run with it.. good luck.

Katie said...

Oh that colorwash... But your quilt, your choice. I'll be watching to see what comes out of these!

Jenny said...

Sometimes you wonder why placing blocks on the wall can be so difficult - especially as you are trying to use up what you have. I like the diagonal setting best - but good luck with what you finally decide to go withh.

Sandy Panagos said...

I'm more of the mind to pull them from a bag and put them on the wall randomly. Sometimes that can work out to be really cool. You'll come up with something.

Marti said...

I like the colorwash of all on your wall. I bet you'll come up with even more ideas after you think about it awhile.

June D said...

What a fun 'problem' to have! Will be fun to see what you decide!

Anonymous said...

LOVED the colorwash photo. Whatever blocks don't 'fit' can be incorporated into the backing! Keep going, its going to be gorgeous, whatever form your quilt takes.... Deb E / Oregon mdenders@msn.com

Lynn said...

Oh wow, what inspiration. I think they all look great but I also have no doubt that whatever you come up with will be wonderful. The colours just sing.

Quiltdivajulie said...

What about a truly scrappy four patch quilt where the viewer doesn't really look for a repeating design because there are so many combinations to explore? The diagonal would be my choice of those you've shown, though.

Barb Neiwert said...

You could just put them all in a sack and pull two out, stitch together, pull another, stitch, and come up with a crazy quilt. No planning involved! Maybe that would go against your grain....

Sally Trude said...

Yeah...but the diagonal layout is so awesome, you now have to make that quilt. Either now or later!

Marsha Cooper said...

I started 4 patch blocks with the soscrappy challenge each month....then I changed to making string blocks.
Now my plan is to make some pin cushions with the 4 patches. We will be giving the pin cushions away to those who purchase opportunity quilt tickets from our guild.

Alice said...

Love the colorwash version, but I know that would mean making a lot more 4-patchs. It will come to you at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Chantal said...

Gosh! You sure have a lot of advice in this list of comments. I'm thinking of using the 16-patch block with a solid / neutral triangle to make a zig-zag path between the rows or columns. Or if you put the 4-patch on point and set them in a chevron style, maybe? Why am I telling what can be done? You'll come up with something, you can figure this one out. I have faith in you. ;^)

Julie said...

I don't think I'd have enough co-ordinating solids to that with my scraps. Have you seen this idea from REd Pepper Quilts:
http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2018/03/a-postage-stamp-scrap-buster-quilt.html

Thanks for linking to Sew Stitch Snap SHARE - looking forward to seeing what ever you do decide to do with those blocks.

Mystic Quilter said...

The diagonal layout is definitely my favourite!! Playtime on the design wall looks to be pretty good at your place.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

I like the second try! Beautiful blocks by the way, and they are great whatever layout will be chosen!

scraphappy said...

I'm guessing that something will come to you. Maybe some grey as a neutral to make it all come together?

Deb A said...

Just an idea.... I used 16 patch blocks to make my cubed quilt. It would need a neutral color though. I'm sure you will come up with something neat to put those wonderful blocks into.

Raewyn said...

With the spectrum of colours, I'm sure this will look great in whatever setting you choose. I always love to see what can be made from 'a few' scraps!!!

Lisa said...

I love your colourwash effect. I hope you have fun with this, whatever you decide to do.

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