Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Double 4 Patch

    I began writing this post yesterday, got sidetracked with the weather, and completely forgot to finish it.   The weather front moved through and we got 3 1/2'' of rain, which we needed, just not all at once.  Tornadoes did drop down in the next county, and we got hooked on watching the news. 



  I worked up more blocks for the Double 4 Patch.    Now the chain effect is more obvious.  I will put together the parts that I have on the work tray and see how big it is.  Since I will use this as a donation quilt, a large throw will be fine.  It's about 40'' by 48'' now.










  So I moved on to sewing up some floral strips between joining the units for the D4P.   These blocks are done using the strip pieced method I detail on this page.   

  I made up 4 different sets using 16 different fabrics.  I had intended to use 25 fabrics, and play around with the value layout......but that won't happen.

   To be honest, this is not my favorite technique now.  I love the finished block, and how neat it looks.  But this week has been one of dealing with "brain fog" which just throws me for a loop.  Things that should be easy, make no sense.  Spacial thinking goes out the window. 
    Luckily, some things are so ingrained that it is like a muscle memory.  Example....pressing the seams  in the watercolor so that they will nest together.  I  use the method of alternating direction for pressing by pressing odd number rows toward the lightest strip, and the even number rows toward the darkest strip.  
   The result is I ended up with enough blocks for a small table runner or wall hanging.....I will get things pressed and onto the design wall to decide.    But I  am pretty sure, I won't be working this way again.  It is much easier on the brain using the  "no-thinking"  interfacing method. 
Happy stitching:)

11 comments:

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

don't you hate it when the bad storms come through and you know it is possible it will hit and you have to watch the tv for the updates so you are prepared - it makes me nervous - we only ended up with 3/4 inch of rain on Sunday morning and we needed more but like you not all at once - still in a burn ban area right now

Nicki said...

Weather seems to be wild everywhere these days. We got 3" rain a few days ago. Things were really dry around here & the ground just sucked it up. Your double 4 patch is coming along nicely. Even without "brain fog" I often find that techniques that I once thought were so easy are now difficult for me. Though I like being "older", some things just don't come naturally like they used to & it takes me a lot longer to do them. :)

Janet O. said...

I'm glad no tornadoes found you!!
Chain blocks are always a welcome sight to me. The D4P is a delight, as those chains pop out!
Your floral blocks are very pretty, but I agree--some methods take less brain power than others. You have to do what works best for you. Your results are always beautiful, no matter the method.:)

Quilting Babcia said...

We have just received some donations of precut squares to our quilt ministry, and I think I may just have to copy your double 4-patch idea. It will be perfect! I love the way the chain effect just pops as you add more blocks to the design. I think at some point we all have to concede that some processes are easier than others for our brain to remember, and I live with spatial dyslexia so it's an everyday occurrence around here. Whichever method you use, you will achieve beautiful results!

Mary said...

I was wondering if you were at risk with yesterday's weather. I am so glad the worst of it missed you. Your Double 4 Patch turned out beautifully.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Love the double four patch! Love the floral squares. When I lay out a block now, I iron the pieces to freezer paper so when I piece them they stay in order even if I get interrupted. The freezer paper blocks stack well and fit into big ziploc bags. I can't wait to make another floral squares quilt. I think I have enough squares. I tried the interfacing for a quilt. The texture of the interfacing makes my teeth grit on edge. Hate quilting through it.

Barbara said...

That turned out great!

Gene Black said...

I am glad you didn't have the worst of that weather. The blocks look great. And the double 4 patch is going to make a lovely donation quilt.

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

The double 4-patch is look8ng good! I hadn’t thought about the seam pressing—that would be hard to keep track of!

Dorothy Matheson said...

How interesting it is to me that you write about the double 4 patch as I am making one also. Something to have as mindless sewing in between all the items I have to get done on a deadline. Mine is using up some of the very old fabric that I have stashed. It also will be a donation quilt.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I'm liking the double 4 patch. I've seen the interfacing method, but, have never tried it myself. Used to, you could find the gridded interfacing, but, I haven't seen it for years.

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