Monday, October 13, 2014

Plus Dash Tutorial Draft, Pattern Testers Wanted

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday and with Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Whoop Whoop Friday.

(Edited 10/17/2014: Top & bottom outer border assembly instructions edited to say to start and end with 2-1/2" B&W squares. Thanks to pattern tester Jo for calling out my error.)

A couple of weeks ago I showed several options of churn dash variations and asked which one you preferred for a tutorial. After a tie in the voting, I decided on this one, Plus Dash, because of the popularity right now of both Churn Dash and Plus designs.
Plus Dash, size shown 70" x 86" Twin
 


Over the weekend I made a test block, very easy:
Plus Dash Block
 
Here are the components laid out. The block finishes at 14 inches.
Above: components for center Plus unit.
Right: All components
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I've drafted a tutorial for this quilt (in several sizes) but beyond making the one block, I have not tested the instructions yet. I'm looking for someone to test the pattern for me and give me feedback. This block and this quilt should be quite easy to make. If you can make a half-square triangle, you can easily piece this quilt.

Fabric requirements are from EQ7. Measurements are from my layouts drawn in EQ7.
 

PLUS DASH TUTORIAL DRAFT

Optional sizes noted in yardage chart below:
 
 
BLOCKS:
For each block, cut the following:
-        White:
o   2 (two) 5” squares
o   4 (four) 2-1/2” by 6-1/2” strips
o   4 (four) 2-1/2” squares
-        Black & White Print:
o   1 (one) 2-1/2” by 6-1/2” strip
o   2 (two) 2-1/2” squares
-        Colored Print:
o   2 (two) 5” squares
o   4 (four) 2-1/2” by 6-1/2” strips
Block Assembly: All seams are ¼” unless otherwise noted.
-        Make HST Corners:
o   On the wrong side of each 5” white square, mark diagonal.
o   Pair print and white 5” squares right sides together.
o   Sew ¼” on each side of the marked diagonal.
o   Cut on the marked line.
o   Open HST and press seam open.
o   Trim to 4-1/2” square.
-        Make center plus:
o   Sew a white 2-1/2” square to each end of a B&W 2-1/2” square. Make two units.
o   Sew each unit to one side of a 2-1/2” x 6-1/2” strip of B&W print.
-        Make strip units:
o   Place white and print 2-1/2 x 6-1/2” strips right sides together and sew along the length. Make four units.
-        Assemble the units:
o   Lay out the units as shown in the photo above. Stitch rows together.
o   Press seams of all rows toward the strip unit (top and bottom rows, press toward center; middle row, press toward sides).  
o   Join top and bottom rows to middle, matching and aligning seams.
o   Press seams toward strip units (outward).
LAYOUT:
Arrange blocks on design wall, leaving 2-1/2” space for sashing between them.
-        Queen size: 6 blocks wide by 6 blocks high
-        Twin: 4 blocks by 5 blocks
-        Throw: 3 blocks by 4 blocks
-        Crip: 2 blocks by 3 blocks
-        Baby: 2 blocks by 2 blocks
SASHING:
Number of pieces needed:
-        Vertical Sashing:
 

-        Horizontal Sashing:



Sashing and Assembly:
-        Vertical sashing:
o   Join a B&W print square to each end of a 2-1/2” x 10-1/2" strip. 

o   Attach these units to the right sides of the blocks in all columns except the last column on the right.
o   Join sashed blocks together to form rows.
-        Horizontal sashing:
o   Starting at bottom of first row of blocks, lay out B&W print and white strips on design wall, starting with a 2-1/2” B&W square, 10-1/2” white strip, 6-1/2” B&W strip, etc. across, ending with a 2-1/2” B&W square. Number of units per row varies according to quilt size. End sashing layout above the last row of blocks.
o   Sew pieces into rows.   
o   Attach sashing rows to block rows to complete top center.

BORDERS:
Inner Border:

-        Cutting:


Top and bottom border assembly:

o   Lay out patches exactly like horizontal sashing rows, starting and ending with B&W squares. Join together into strip. Make two.
o   Attach strips to top and bottom of quilt center.
Side border assembly:
o   Lay out patches starting with 4-1/2” x 2-1/2” B&W pieces. Join into strips. Make two.
o   Attach strips to sides of quilt center.
 
Outer Border:
-        Cutting:
 
-        Top & bottom border assembly:
o   Lay out patches on design wall beginning with a 4-1/2”   Edited, should be 2-1/2" square  B&W print, then white 14-1/2” strip, then B&W square, etc. ending with a 4-1/2”   Edited, should be 2-1/2" square  B&W print.
o   Sew strips together.
o   Attach borders to top and bottom of quilt.
 
-        Sides:
o   Lay out patches starting with white a 2-1/2” square, then B&W square, then white 14-1/2” strip, etc., ending with a white square.
o   Sew strips together.
o   Attach borders to top and bottom of quilt.
(Sorry about the poor formatting - blogger is giving me trouble with alignment and spacing. )
 Here are images of the size options:
 
Queen 102 x 102"

Throw, 54 x 70"

Baby, 38 x 38"
(not shown: Crib size, 38 x 54", six blocks)


Please let me know if you're interested in testing the pattern. The smallest option is fine for testing.


Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times; check out all the inspiration on everyone's design walls over there.





 
 
 


9 comments:

  1. If I were not so completely busy with WiPs, I would love to test this pattern for you! If you don't get anyone to volunteer, I can probably sneak it in as a project in a month or two.

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  2. You have put a lot of work into this. I would love to make it another time, but have too much going on right now.

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  3. Cute quilt! Thanks for sharing all the work you put into it!

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  4. I would love to give it a go. I would do the crib size. I haven't been a tester before. Looks like a great pattern

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  5. Yes please! I would love to test this! I make Quilts for Kids, for kids in the hospital, and this would be a fun design for my next one.

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  6. Hi! I'd be willing to test this design. I like the layout. I also have some patterns written out that need to be refined, so I understand the need for testers. Plz let me know your deadline as I'm already committed through December. Good luck!

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  7. when do you need the test top to be finished? I'm currently testing one, but would love to do this one after that.

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  8. I have tested this pattern. It was so easy. Give it a go.
    Look here for my flimsy done.
    http://jobutterfield.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/fnsimy-test-pattern-quilt.html

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  9. Thank you for the gorgeous pattern!

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