So one more quilt finished and listed on Etsy and Dawanda. SOLD !!

I hope you can see the little red bird that is hidden in the center block.

I am happy with the design: this is also a project that can be done in a “wonky” style. Instead of cutting all the fabrics exactly, you can cut and sew together improvisationally. Just think first about the block size and the finished quilt size, get out your scraps or chosen fabrics and go for it. Cut, piece and trim the blocks to your desired size, sew together, prepare backing, batting and baste. Quilt as desired and bind the quilt to finish.

And now to my new project: I have a stash of red/orange batik fabrics that I bought some time ago, always thinking what to do with them.  Actually my very first big quilt was a sampler with batiks in blue/turquoise/yellow and I made it for my parents :

Whilst working on the Red Bird Quilt I found an interesting pattern on Quilters Newsletter. It is 9 patch block wonky variation of a classical London Stairs Block.

Instead of making each 9 patch block in various color combinations, I decided to “rock around the clock”  and use one solid for the entire quilt and a different color for each “circle”. Before starting with the quilt I got on my computer and drawn the design. With 20x nine patch blocks, each of them 9″ square when finished, making the quilt size 36″ x 45″. I found a matching solid fabric in ebony, got out the batiks, cut 3,5″ wide strips and started piecing. Referring to my quilt assembly diagram I arranged the first 6 rows with units on my design wall and sewn them together. After taking a close look on the finished part I decided to add-on each side 2 more units.

In the end this quilt has not only 20x nine patch blocks but also 18 blocks of 2 units x 3 rows and 4 units x 2 rows for the corners. The quilt size is now 48″ x 57″ and has altogether 304 units. each 3,5″ square. On the picture you can see the unit and block distribution.

Once more : it is important to cut and piece exactly. Square up your finished units to 3,5″ and the 9 patch blocks to 9,5″. Check your seams if the they are larger or smaller, redo if necessary. Otherwise the blocks may not join properly and your top is out of scale.

More on progress next time, please feel free to leave a comment, Barbora