Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Playing with four patches

As I mentioned the other day, I've started playing with some of the four-patches that I've been making for leader/enders for the last couple of years.


(And look!  If that worked, I've learned to make a collage!)  (Next step will be to learn to make a good collage!)

Four-patches are the ideal leader/ender for me - I just keep a box of 1.5" squares close to the machine and the little blocks pile up.  And up.  And up.
When I first started making them, I also started collecting ideas for what to do with them when I had 'enough' (whatever that means...)  The problem is, there are way too many gorgeous quilts made with four-patches.
What's a ditherer to do?

That's when I thought of "The Great Four-Patch Project."  I'm going to make ALL the four patch quilts.
In small versions, of course.  (Even I can see the pitfalls there)

So, I'm starting with this one:


Of course, there will be the traditional dithering over a border -


I like that one, so I'll try another purpley one.


Maybe a nice pinky-red?


Why not both?


I really like that one.
But I'll give brown a chance, just to see what happens if I tone it down a bit.


I'm not so good with the toning down, it seems.


That's better.  But I still like that red/purple combo from above.  Maybe with a blue binding?

Eventually I'm going to need some four-patches on point, so I've been framing some with triangles now and then.


Here's the latest one, posing with another of the  nine-patches that I'm making for the Burgoyne Surrounded sashing.


 Wait!  What's that?


Does anyone else hear the theme from Jaws?


I thought those monkeys had been entirely too quiet lately.  Apparently at least one followed me to my daughter's house.


Oh, dear.  We'll probably have to spray for them again...



Sharing with Linda and Julie at the Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE linkup.  Come see all the beautiful projects!

11 comments:

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Lovely to see a 'silly monkey' out&about playing again! Ah, I can see a series of 4patch quilts coming up next, a great way to use up all those leaders & enders. How long have you been making them for? Thanks for sharing with 'sew stitch snap SHARE'

Chantal said...

Me too! Me too! I love the pink-red with purple for border. Gorgeous! You're having a lot of fun with those 4-patches. Did you see the one at Sarah's place? So simple; so beautiful. Check it out.
http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.ca/2017/09/i-may-have-scrap-problem-progress.html
Enjoy some more Monkey business. ;^)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Such a simiple little block, but what charm.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sally Trude said...

You certainly bring a simple block to life. However, the same is true for your monkeys.

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

Great leader/ender blocks. I like the red inner border with the purple (or brown!); have you tried it with the blue?

Cathy said...

What size will these four patch quilts be? Is this a must watch mini-series?

You must not spray but let them breed. All those monkeys jumping on the bed are a glorious thing despite what the doctor said.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I have two four-patch quilts planned for 2018 -- I love them and how they become so much more than simple squares.

Nancy said...

I think I dither like you do. I'm so indecisive it sometimes a wonder anything gets done. Despite what you call dithering, I'm always impressed with how prolific you are.

QuiltGranma said...

I concur with each and every one who posted above! And I sure am a ditherer too! Is it ADD? One of the other blogs I read had us making little 4-patches as leaders n enders too, I've got 2 little quilts done with them, and a 3rd is on the back burner.... under a pile of stuff on my sewing table, oops that is our dining table here in the 5th wheel travel trainer! Dither all you want! I give permission! Oh, and my little 4 patches are each set differently from the other due to color, angle, etc. a chance to play with color.

Magpie Sue said...

Well, I'm glad to see you have a modicum of self control. ALL the four patch quilts indeed! Hmm, I wonder if the four patches could corral the monkeys?