Jennalyn

A few months ago, my aunt gave me a bag of cotton fabric scraps from projects she'd been working on. Much to my surprise, the colors were right up my alley! Lots of purples, greens, pinks, blues... a bright and pretty bunch. The scraps were a variety of sizes, most between a quarter and half a yard. They've been sitting around until I could get to them. This past weekend, I spent maybe eight or nine hours just cutting away! (My back was screaming by the end.) And there's still a lot more left.

I ended up with scraps of varying sizes, but I was shooting for a bunch of 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" rectangles so that I could make some brick quilts.

Besides a standard brick/subway tile pattern, does anyone know of any other patterns that use a lot of this particular size?

Chicca

Oh my those are pretty fabrics! Off the top of my head, I can not think of any patterns....sorry. I do know what you are talking about with the pain, I have been doing the very same thing with three totes filled with fabric and scraps that a retired quilter recently gave to me. I will be working on them for quite awhile.

HillCountryGal

Well... I keep trying to post a picture of a baby quilt I made apparently I'm not computer savy enough!
Think the pattern was called rail-fence.

You could also treat the blocks like a jellyroll pack. Maybe shorten a few strips every now and then. Whatever you decide, let us know what you ended up with.

#1piecemaker

those look like some bright, pretty fabrics. I'm sure you will come upon just the right pattern. Have you considered a braid? I think those dementions would probably work for one of those. And they are soooo pretty.

Jennalyn

Oh, a modified rail fence would probably be perfect for these blocks! If sewn together in pairs, they would end up as an 8-1/2" block... and I definitely have enough greens and purples to make that work. That's exactly the sort of inspiration I needed! Thank you!

I'll be playing with layouts and whatnot during my lunch break. I'll try to snap a few phone pictures to show some potentials.

You guys are so wonderful.

ontheriver

Go to Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville and look at the pattern bricks and stepping stones (I think it is the name, but you will find it) It uses bricks and 4patchs. I just finished one and I really like the way it looks. You can adjust the pattern to whatever size bricks you have.

GailG

oops, didn't mean to copy the picture again. Just this morning, I was watching a tute on FIVE MINUTE BLOCKS. I think that is the size blocks she used. I want to try that one.It's like the ten minute block but the result is awesome. I think it was Suzanne McNeal.

Jennalyn

A quick mock-up of a scrappy rail fence I can make with these rectangles (minus the very bottom row that wouldn't fit on the wall). It's going to be zingy and perfect for one of my cousins! We're both big purple 'n green fans. I hadn't expected to have enough squares to coordinate the lines, but there were juuuust enough of a couple fabrics to make the coordinated lines!

fatquarters

Ooh , put jennalyns rails on point and get a zig zag, very cool

Tartan

Someone posted a a"S" quilt pattern by Kaffe Fauset (sp) that would work well with your rectangles. You could also add a focal square to them for a Warm Wishes quilt. Bento Box or Square in a Square would look nice too.