Squares Archives : Indiana Quilter 40

SIMPLY SQUARE FROLIC

I found this drawing on Pintrest and thought it would be an easy way to use up some more of the scraps. There were no measurements with the drawing so I could make up my own. I named the pattern “Simply Square Frolic” because it seemed to fit – at least in my mind.

I already had a box of 3″ squares cut out and so this is a way to use them. The 3″ scrap squares are sewn into rows of 6 squares (5 rows) with 1.25″ strips between the rows of squares would make a 16″ block. I decided to do mine in red, blue, and beige squares with solid white strips between the rows.

The blocks go together easily and it is really nice to find a use for more scraps. I have decided to make a total of 12 blocks (3 rows wide x 4 rows long) which will fit nicely on the wall in my dining room.

3 rows of 3" blocks sewn together without the white strips. — Three rows sewn together

Here are two completed blocks sewn together. It’s always great when the math works and the blocks fit!

Two completed blocks sewn together - SIMPLY SQUARE FROLIC

For now, this wall hanging top is set aside to complete another project. With all the seams, it will definitely be machine quilted.

I can see this pattern “Simply Square Frolic” working for other color combinations or even just total scrap.

Some other ideas for easy quilts that use squares:

https://indianaquilter40.com/french-country-life

https://indianaquilter40.com/amish-4-patch-doll-quilt/

PLEASE NOTE: ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

EASY ONE PATCH BABY QUILTS (or my “go to” pattern for quick, easy quilts)

Easy One Patch Baby Quilts (or my “go to” pattern for a simple, quick baby or lap quilts) is the One Patch. They can easily be made in any colors or themes desired. Simple beauty at its’ best.

How to

I use 8” blocks of whatever colored or themed cotton fabric is wanted for the quilt. For these two quilts, I did 4 squares by 5 squares for a total of 20 squares in each quilt. I then added a 6” border. A great thing about doing quilts this way is that they can be adjusted to bigger or smaller by using more or fewer blocks.

Two piles of blocks - 1 gray and 1 yellow. — 20 gray blocks, and 20 various yellow print blocks

The gray was yardage I had on hand, the yellow blocks were scraps, and the border print was purchased last week at Hobby Lobby. I was working at a comfortable speed (with the phone turned off) and the ironing, cutting, and sewing took me three hours to complete both tops. They will be machine quilted to complete.

The finished sizes are about 43″ x 49″.

Showing off the various yellow squares, or one patch blocks

The two baby quilts pictured here are for a couple at church who have been approved for fostering to adopt. They are not sure whether they will get boys, girls, or one of each so wanted the fabrics to be gender neutral and cheerful.

The really great thing about doing this simple pattern is that it can look so different based on colors, themes, or even some different border design.

Check out how different a One Patch Quilt can look:

https://indianaquilter40.blogspot.com/2011/11/one-patch-quilts.html

https://indianaquilter40.blogspot.com/2011/11/patchwork-quilt-pieced-for-new-baby-in.html

Try it

Have you tried this or something similar for a quick and easy gift? Please comment below or contact me at Indianaquilter40@gmail.com with photos or questions.

PLEASE NOTE:
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

LEMON DROPS AND BLUEBERRIES QUILT

Want to make a dent in your scrap bin? What about making a simple quilt in your favorite colors? This quilt, Lemon Drops and Blueberries, will do either or both. Plus it was fun and easy.

This quilt can easily be made with 3″ wide strips and strip pieced together if you have yardage or bigger scraps. However, I was working with small scraps and cut individual 3″ blocks.

Starting step for Lemon Drops and Blueberries Quilt

Using the same idea from Pintrest as I did for a previous quilt, Simply Squares (indianaquilter40.com/simple-squares-quilt) I cut out stacks of 3″ squares from the scrap bin. I narrowed my color choices to blues and yellows.

Blue and yellow 3" squares for the quilt blocks.

For this quilt, I made the blocks 6 squares long by 6 squares across. I use the foot on my machine for the seam line and it is a bit bigger than a quarter inch. My blocks turned out to be 15″ square.

Rows together to make blocks for the Lemon Drops and Blueberries quilt.

I decided to make the quilt five blocks across and six blocks long (30 blocks total), plus the sashing and posts. So I did not loose count, I pinned the finished blocks together in stacks of 10 blocks.

30 completed blocks for the Lemon Drops and Blueberries quilt.

Adding the posts and sashing to Lemon Drops and Blueberries Quilt

The blocks finished at 15″ square which is the length I cut the sashing. The sashing is 3″ wide.

By sewing sashing, block, sashing, block and repeating, I was able to sew the six rows of five blocks together quickly.

Then I sewed the post, sashing, post, sashing, etc. together until it was the length I wanted to match the block row.

Close up of blocks, posts, and sashings for this quilt.

Adding the borders to the Lemon Drops and Blueberries Quilt

The only fabric that is not scraps is the border on my quilt top. I cut it 4″ wide.

Border fabric for Lemon Drops and Blueberries quilt.

I sewed the top and bottom borders on, then ironed. After that I sewed the side borders on and ironed.

Close up of border fabric sewn on quilt.

The top is complete !! The size is 94″ x 110″.

Remember that this quilt can be adjusted several ways:

The square size can be made larger or smaller than the 3″ squares that I used if you desire. This will enable you to utilize the fabric you have.

Or the number of squares sewn into a block can be adjusted to more or less based on the needs for your own quilt. I used 6 blocks across and long (so 36 squares in each block).

Even the posts and sashings can be narrower or wider than the 3″ I used.

The border can be easily wider or narrower based on the size of quilt needed.

Other ideas for using simple squares and scraps to make a quilt:

https://indianaquilter40.blogspot.com/2009/10/leftovers.html

https://indianaquilter40.blogspot.com/2010/06/wonderful-fall-colors.html

https://indianaquilter40.blogspot.com/2011/12/1930s-one-patch.html

Happy Stitching and have a wonderful day.

PLEASE NOTE:
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE THE PROPERTY OF INDIANAQUILTER40 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.