Fancy That! Quilt Along - Step 1

Yay!  I'm so super excited that it's time to get started on the Fancy That! Quilt Along!  This week, we're going to start with getting our panel/focal fabric blocks ready.

This quilt is designed to use 3 different size blocks:  12, 8, and 4-inches.  That allows for panel blocks in many sizes.  The first step is to decide which category your panels fit best.  You can use up to (15) panels in the 12" size, (28) panels in the 8" size, and (68) panels in the 4" size.

Let's start with the 12" panels and work our way down:

12" Panel Blocks

When you are cutting out your panel blocks, it's important to keep in mind that we are adding borders to them to get them to size and how big those strips will be.  I try to keep it in half inch increments and not at the EXACT finished size, so in this case, try not to trim these to 12".   Anything up to 11-1/2" or go to 12-1/2" exactly, but don't do 12".  Trying to sew such a thin strip to the ends is doable, but difficult.  For example:

 

I'm using The Adventurers fabric designed by Cori Dantini for Blend Fabrics for my quilt (aren't they cute!) and as in most cases, the panels aren't square.  I trimmed my large squares to 10-1/2" wide  x 11-1/2" high.  Now here's the math that we are using for the sides of the 12" blocks:

13.5 - (cut block width) = x
x divided by 2 = y
cut (2) strips y x block height

In my case that is:

13.5 - 10.5 = 3
3 divided by 2 = 1.5
cut (2) strips 1-1/2" x 11-1/2"

And then we need the strips for the top and bottom:

13.5 - (cut block height) = x
x divided by 2 = y
cut (2) strips y x 12-1/2"

In my case that is:

13.5 - 11.5 = 2
2 divided by 2 = 1
cut (2) strips 1" x 12-1/2"

Doing the math is really the hardest part of the quilt. I've created a project planner for you that you can download here.  It's not nearly as hard as it seems but that should help if you're having trouble.  Here's where we stand:

Now, starting with the sides of your block, sew your strips to the panel using a 1/4" seam.  Then do the top and bottom.  You'll end up with a 12-1/2" square.

I've got a second version going in Valentine's Day themed fabrics too:

8" Panel Blocks

We will be doing the same thing with our medium size blocks.  Trim your blocks to size, anything from 5" to 8-1/2" in half inch increments, skipping 8" if you can.

Originally, I really wasn't paying attention and trimmed to 5" x 8" but caught myself quickly.  Cutting a 3/4" strip to attach to the top and bottom would be doable but no fun at all.  So I trimmed everything to 8-1/2" high by 5" wide.  Here's the math:

9.5 - (cut block width) = x
x divided by 2 = y
cut (2) strips y x block height

In my case that is:

9.5 - 5 = 4.5
4.5 divided by 2 = 2.25
cut (2) strips 2-1/4" x 8-1/2"

And then we need the strips for the top and bottom:

9.5 - (cut block height) = x
x divided by 2 = y
cut (2) strips y x 8-1/2"

In my case, I cut mine to the needed height, so no strip on top and bottom is needed.

8.5 - 8.5 = 0
0 divided by 2 = 0
no strips needed

Attach your strips to the sides then the tops and bottoms.

And my second set:

4" Panel Blocks

In my case, I had a perfect focal fabric to play in this spot, so I cut some blocks to 4-1/2" and called it good.

But you may have some small prints that would look cute in these small blocks.  So let's assume you have some cute 2-1/2" squares that will play nicely in the small blocks.  Here's your math:

5.5 - (cut block width) = x
x divided by 2 = y
cut (2) strips y x block height

In my case that is:

5.5 - 2.5 = 3
3 divided by 2 = 1.5
cut (2) strips 1-1/2" x 2-1/2"

And then we need the strips for the top and bottom:

5.5 - (cut block height) = x
x divided by 2 = y
cut (2) strips y x 4-1/2"

In my case that is:

5.5 - 2.5 = 3
3 divided by 2 = 1.5
cut (2) strips 1-1/2" x 4-1/2"

And that's it for the first week of our quilt along!  Just get your panel blocks made and bordered.  I know not everyone is good at math.  I promise this is the most complicated that it gets and I'm hoping the worksheet helps those of you that get confused.  If you have any questions at all, please let me know!  I'll be glad to help out!  Can't wait to see your panels.  Please use #FancyThatQAL on your pics so I can see!!

We're going to keep this quilt along laid back, so every two weeks.  I'll have your next step posted on 3/19!!!