It's a donation quilt going to an agency that assists victims of sexual violence, mostly teen girls (think trafficking, stepfather issues, etc.). We learned a couple years ago that their teen clients gravitate to quilts that have black in them. This quilt has a variety of black and charcoal prints, but also a lot of color in the low volume background fabrics. Whenever I can include Plus motifs I think it gives the quilt a subtle hopeful and positive vibe.
For what is essentially a black and white quilt, Positively Scrappy is amazingly colorful. I love how this quilt turned out, so much so that I wish I could have kept it. But I intended from the start for it to be a donation quilt and I used club-supplied batting and backing. It's already on its way to offering comfort to someone.
The block is super easy to make and is a great scrap buster. It would work as well with Pluses of any color, or a rainbow of colors in the whole quilt.
Here are the instructions for one 8" block.
From assorted low volume prints, the more variety the better:
- Cut 4, 3-1/2" squares
- Cut 4, 1-1/2" by 2-1/2" pieces
From a dark color:
- Cut one 2-1/2" by 6-1/2" piece
- Cut 2, 2-1/2" squares
Note: if you use a directional print, be mindful of how you want the pieces to go in the finished plus.
Sew a small low volume rectangle to one side of each dark square and to each end of the long dark piece. Press toward the dark.
Lay out the pieces and sew the top and bottom rows; press outward toward the light squares.
Sew the rows together; press toward the center.
By pressing this way, you can turn the blocks 90 degrees and the seams will nest when you sew the columns together.
To make the blocks for the ends of the alternate columns, cut two pieces 3-1/2" by 4-1/2" and one piece 2-1/2" by 4-1/2" from low volume prints. Sew them together with the narrower piece in the center. Don't press until you sew them to the ends of the columns and you know which way you need the seams to go.
I made my version 7 blocks wide by 9 blocks long for a 56" by 72" quilt, a good size for a teen. 60 Plus blocks and six end blocks.
I will definitely make another version of Positively Scrappy. This ended up being a fun and cheerful quilt.
Link up: Alycia Quilts 3/13, My Quilt Infatuation 3/19
You're right - there is a lot of color in the quilt, although it's soft and subtle. Very pretty, and going to a great cause.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt does have a beautiful shimmer of subtle color that is really pleasing. I hope it provides comfort to its recipient.
ReplyDeleteLove this - I am going to "copy" yours and also send it to an organization that fights human trafficking here in our state
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leslie - I'm glad you like my version and that you can use the pattern for a worthy cause. Jan
DeleteA great finish and it’s nice of you to give the tutorial. I can see this quilt looking cool in the reverse color way, too.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful quilt for a teen in need. The trace of colors with the black works really well. Not a "low volume" approach that's typical.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt and know exactly what fabric is going to be repurposed. Thanks for the details and inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love the how the intention formed the approach and positive pattern choice for this quilt! How sad but understandable (particularly with all we have learned about trafficing in the past year) that their young worlds "are painted black". Beautiful and thoughtful execution of a design for a very good cause! Yes, make another for yourself, even if it's just a mug rug mini version.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. I like the color contrast!!
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