Sunday, November 08, 2009

Latticed Strippy Quilt (60 x 80)


I was going sorting through a pile of pin basted quilt tops, and I ran across this strippy quilt. Because of the construction, it needed only minimal quilting, and so I decided to get it done.

This strippy is made from blocks I foundation pieced on 6" squares of leftover flannel. Because I use a lot of flannel sheets as quilt batting, I end up with odds and ends that can be used for foundations. Once I have enough of these blocks for a quilt, the batting is already there and I only need to add the backing.

The trick is to make the finished blocks bigger than the flannel foundations. When you're piecing, extend the strips beyond the foundations and then trim the finished blocks a half inch bigger than the foundations--these finished at 6.5". That way you can seam them without all that bulk, or in this case, join them with lattice strips.


Here's a picture of the quilt from the back. You can see the cotton extends beyond the flannel foundations, which was from an old sheet.

When you use the lattice construction--which I learned from another blogger whose name I unfortunately don't remember--You cut lattice strips (say 2.5 or 3", but you choose) and iron them in half lengthwise. Then you place four blocks side-by- side, with right sides up in a 4-patch arrangement.


You can see from the photo above, that you align the raw edges of your lattice strip with the raw edges of two blocks, and then sew with a 1/4" seam. Then you iron the lattice strip down and top stitch the folded edge to the other edge of the 4-patch formation, abutting but not overlapping the blocks. Then you repeat the process, joining the 4-patch blocks in the cross-wise direction.

Gee I hope that made sense.

Once you have a bunch of these 4-patch blocks, you join them together in the same way with longer strips.


I had this big piece of pastoral farm print for the back, courtesy of my mother. It's funny, because when Alex was little, I made him a vest from this exact fabric. I quilted the quilt in rows, just to secure the back to the front and middle. All the strips were already attached to the batting. The finished quilt is very warm and snuggly.

I've made other quilts from blocks pieced on foundation flannel before. You can also piece them conventionally, and because the block tops are bigger than the block foundations, when you sew them together, you avoid sewing through too many bulky layers.

I also make a few more of my diamond strippy blocks. I really like how these are coming along.

11 comments:

Silverthimble said...

I love your diamond string blocks! I am currently working on quilting my version of the diamond string--foundation pieced onto dryer sheets. Great way to re-cycle.

Vicki W said...

That's a new way to put those blocks together. Well, new for me! It's very clever. I love your diagonal blocks. I'm really taken with the diagonal strings.

Magpie Sue said...

I think I understand that lattice method... but I don't think I'll be brave enough to try it until I can see someone actually doing it. ;- )
I like the idea of piecing onto a sheet. I especially like the concept of trimming the piecing bigger than the foundation. So simple, so effective, and yet I hadn't thought of it myself! That solves the problem of potentially bulky seams beautifully.

Kay said...

That's a slick technique. It's sort of like some of the quilt as you go techniques, but you don't need to worry about the back. The diamonds look good too.

Debra Dixon said...

I might have to put that technique on my list of "To Try"; sounds useful.

The Diamond Quilt is looking super!

Judy S. said...

Those are two lovely quilts, Barbara. I especially like the lattice effect; the black lattice really makes the colors pop. Neat technique!

Rian said...

Interesting technique.

I love the diamond strippy!

dee said...

I put the used dryer sheets to good use for applique as well as this way. Great minds think alike. LOVE the spider web the most.

allie aller said...

Yes, it made perfect sense, Barbara. Thanks for showing us how this is done!

quiltmom anna said...

I love both quilts, Barbara,
They are so cheery and a great way to use up scraps. I keep thinking I might make one- there never seems to be enough time to make all the quilts that I would like to be doing- nor enough energy.
I particularly like the diamond string pattern.
Thanks for sharing.
Warmest regards,
Anna

beth said...

love your string quilts!! they're lovely!!

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