The Charming 4-Patch - On Overdrive!

The Charming 4-Patch - Fast, Fun, and Fabulous tutorial and it's companion Youtube video are rocking the quilting world - ready to take it to the next level to make multiple 4-patches?

I promised this is for the over-achievers out there - those that really want to go full throttle with this technique - but anyone can do this!

Sew charms together

Just as in the Charming 4-patch tutorial, sew those charms into a strip. Sew as many into a strip as you're comfortable with, but sew an even number of charms. Another hint to make this all happen!

For my demo, I'm working with 8 charms,

and cutting 2.5" from the left.

Cut units for step 1

With a longer strip, the top layer is folded back out of the way, so that cutting can continue on the bottom layer. 

The 2.5" piece just cut is folded over and ready for the next cut.

Continue folding and cutting on that layer until all pieces are cut. Here there are 8 units from all that step 1 cutting.

Sewing for step 2

Once again, these units are turned and sewn together to make a tube.

And the cutting begins 2.5" from the left

As before, fold the top layer out of the way, and work on the bottom layer, folding and cutting. 

What not to do

Now, in the above picture, it looks tempting to just measure over 4.5" to make the next cut. But don't do this, because if the seam is a bit fat, the error is going to carry through to the end of the strip. And that means the units will end up different sizes, and their center seam will be off.

Just treat the folding and cutting as part of the process. Better to measure 2.5" off of the folded over seam, eliminating cutting errors to the other units.

Charming 4-Patch - On Overdrive Video

This tutorial wouldn't be complete without a Youtube video, Charming 4-patch on overdrive, showing the process step-by-step.

Final Charming 4-patches

And here they are, all 8 4.5" 4-patch blocks, ready to go!

Make a checkerboard or make them scrappy - go wild!

Most of all, have fun!

Lickety-Split One

Last week, I showed you Lickety-Split Two, and today it's about her twin sister, Lickety-Split One.

This one is just as pretty, with the same floral prints as Lickety-Split Two but with deep red charms from yardage instead of cream.

Notice that this one doesn't have any sashing. I was really loving the overall deep red theme going, and didn't feel that sashing was necessary.

But just like her sister, she has a border that's 3 1/4" wide, matching the squares in the blocks.

Overall, she measures 38" x 38", a bit smaller than Lickety-Split Two.

No issues here with a large enough backing fabric - it's all one piece.

Doesn't that quilting just look lovely?? That's another favorite pantograph, Bluster, with Glide Purple Rose thread too.

So, let's see the sisters side by side.

Lickety-Split One

Lickety-Split Two

I'd say these two are fraternal twins, wouldn't you? Turned out to be a pretty good experiment, splitting the floral charms and combining one with cream and one with deep red. Love seeing the effect of different values, making for two similar but different quilts.

And that wraps up the Lickety-Split quilts from the Charm School book (affiliate link). Not sure what I'll work on next - I'll let you know Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Quilting!

October 2017 Book of the Month

Last month it was all about quilting. This month, I'm going back to basics with Charm School (affiliate link)

Charm School

Found this book, by Vanessa Goertzen, while browsing the New section of my local library. Perfect! I'll use up more of those charm squares!

I've got my eye on these beauties in the book:





now that's a lot to choose from!

Here's the current level of charms in the bin -

 let's see if I can put a dent in that.

How about you? Need to use up those charm packs you've been saving? Then let's get to it - I'd love for you to take the challenge and to post your creations to Midweek Makers. We love to see what you make!

Happy Quilting!