brick pattern quilt and preping for chicks

Spring has kept me super busy.  We live on five acres and have tons of weeding, mowing, cleaning and gardening to do.  And we have been reading all we can and preparing for our chicks.  They shipped from here today are will be arriving very soon - we are so excited!  

Now on to some sewing and quilting.  In the last post I said I'd share some quick instructions on how to make a random brick pattern quilt like the one I pieced for Abigail.  This is a great beginner pattern because none of the seams have to match. 

 

First, Cut fabric, selvage to selvage, into 6 inch strips.  (The strips can be wider if you'd like  - just make sure they are all the same width)

 

Second, Cut strips into random sized rectangles.  I just lay the strips horizontally on my cutting mat, randomly position my ruler across the strip at any length between 5 to 14 inches and cut using a rotary cutter - no measuring.

 

Third, randomly sew rectangles together end to end into super long strips.  I place all my rectangles in a bowl, randomly pick up two rectangles and sew them together - I only throw them back in if they are the same fabric.

 

Fourth, cut pieced strip into desired lengths and sew these strips side by side to create the quilt top.  For instance, if you want a 5 X 4 foot quilt top, cut strips into eight 5 foot lengths and sew them together side to side. (you will need 8 strips because eight 6 inch strips make about 4 feet)

I'll illustrate this final step in my next post as I only had enough time to piece half my rectangles into one super-long strip.  We spent the rest of the time reading about chicks, watching you tube videos on raising chicks, shopping at Tractor Supply and Southern States and preparing a brooder.  Fun Stuff!

Happy Wednesday to you!

 

Comments

[dani]

Oh, this is soooo much easier than my (now previous) method. I love basic strip/block quilts. This will come in handy.

Good luck with the chicks!

[Jodi]

You take every quilt project and make it so manageable. I tend to get very intimidated, but you really give me confidence to forge ahead and try. Plus, your fabric choices are wonderful -- you must have quite the stash. And I just love stashes!

Have fun with those chicks!

[Rose]

Thanks so much for your tutorial! I want to do some sewing once school lets out and this will be a great resource. Also, love the idea of chickens. My husband has a friend who sells us fresh eggs and there's nothing like them! So good.

[Meg Evans]

Again with the fabric envy! And yet another quilt idea to try... in that elusive spare time. I'm so jealous of your getting chickens. I wish we had enough property for chickens. My sister-in-law got some chickens last summer, and she's having so much fun with them.

[SpiderWomanKnits]

so excited for you guys! i just got my post up about 'Brooding 101' ;)

look at that pepper! how exciting! i think i am finally trusting spring/summer enough here to just get started.

and i love that quilt! i've always been drawn to that fabric. it's so playful but classic at the same time.

[Denise]

love how your son is helping you out here with this post. This method does seem rather easy.

yeah for your new chicks! so much fun for the kids.

[kristyn]

I'm with Jodi. After reading your quilting posts, I always think "I could do that!" Thanks for breaking what looks like a large task down into little bite sized pieces!

[Tayla B]

hehe. I love the pictures. I keep telling myself I will complete a quilt, and I keep collecting fabric for it but I've never started. I think I'm just afraid of such a large project. But this looks simple enough... hmmm...
And I'm excited for you about the chickens! We want to get some this year but I'm not sure if that will happen. So, I will be living the experience through you, I guess. lol.

[Alexis]

Thanks for the instructions and congrats on the chicks! I've always wanted some, but my 1/100 of an acre and two dogs won't let me have any.

[Stephanie]

You always have such great tips for quilting, so much quicker then what I probably would've done.

[Plain and Joyful Living]

Hi Larissa,
How wonderful that you are awaiting the arrivl of chicks!! oh, I am sure you will enjoy it so much as we do.

Thank you for the great quilt tutorial. I just love this idea as it would be a great way for me to use up scraps from all the clothing that gets passed on to our family that we can't use.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your kind words.
Warm wishes, Tonya

[Ruth]

How exciting to be getting your chicks!! I wanted some but we are not allowed where I live. I was so sad to hear it.:(

Ruth

[wishes, true and kind]

LOL -- that quilt looks like a lot of fun to make!

[gardenmama]

Your fabric is gorgeous! I love how vintage it looks. You have inspired me with your 'fabric in a bowl' approach, I get very perfectionist when I quilt but I *love* the look of the way you are describing! I have only done patchwork, this sizing is beautiful. Can you share more on why you create a continuous strip to cut up rather than a bunch of strips?
Thank you! It looks beautiful!

[angelina]

love the quilt snake!

[leslie]

i think about you and your lovely sewing everyday! every single time i look at my pile of fabric! :)

[Heather]

Wow, what a cool method! I will be making a few of these in the future for the boys, and for a gew little girls who have recently requested doll blankets. As always, thank you for sharing :)

[Nancy]

missing you, and wondering how the chicks are doing! hope you are having a great summer, despite the heat!

[cheap jewelry]

A string of has different region colorific bracelet for you into the mysterious temperament

[jordansshoesonline.cheap jordans]

Ortiz has struggled in recent years in April. He had 20 hits in 22 games in that month in 2009, eight in 16 games in 2010 and 23 in 25 games in 2011.