How to Make Paintbox Blocks

Here is a quick tutorial on how to make the blocks I used for this quilt.  My quilt used 64 blocks -- 32 sets of two.  Each block is 6.5" once sewn (7" before).  For each set of two, you'll need approximately 9" x 15" of a solid fabric and a coordinating print.  (I used Kona cotton for my solids.)  Besides standard rotary-cutting tools, no special tools are needed.  All seams are standard quarter inch.

Stack your fabrics on top of one another for cutting.  Start by cutting a 3" x 9" strip.  Then cut that strip into one 3" square, one 1.5" x 3" strip and one 2" x 3" strip.  From the remaining fabric, cut three 2" strips and three 1.5" strips.  Remember, you're cutting through both layers, so you should end up with one solid and one print piece for each cut.

Start with the pieces you cut from the 3" strip, pairing the smaller printed strips with the solid square and the smaller solid strips with the printed square.

Sew the strips to opposite sides of the squares as shown, pressing seams open.  At this point, it doesn't matter to which side you sew the narrow (1.5") strip and which side you sew the wide (2") strip.

Next, take one of the coordinating narrow 9" strips and one of the wide strips.  Trim each to slightly longer than the longest side of your block so far and sew one to each long side.  At this point, it still doesn't matter to which side you sew the narrow strip and white side you sew the wide strip.

Press seams open.  Next, take your ruler and rotary cutter and trim all four sides of your block so that the narrow strips measure 1" from the center block and the wide strips measure 1.5" from the center block.

Repeat the last few steps on your second block.

Now, you're going to add a second set of strips to your block, but this time it will be important to pay attention to which sides are being paired with narrow and wide strips.  Start the same way, by taking one narrow and one wide strip, trimming each to be slightly longer than your current block.

Now, sew a strip onto two opposite sides of your block, making sure that a) you're starting with the same sides you first sewed the 3" strips to (as in a log cabin or square-in-square block) and b) that the wide strip is sewn to the side that will put it next to a narrow strip and the narrow strip is sewn to the side that will put it next to a wide strip.  Repeat this process on the other two sides of the block, again making sure to match a narrow strip with a wide strip and a wide strip with a narrow strip.

Again, take your ruler and rotary cutter and trim all four sides of your block so that the narrow strips measure 1" wide and the wide strips measure 1.5" wide.

That's all there is to it!  Repeat the last few steps on your companion block to make a complete set.

If you'd like to show off your blocks, please join my Flickr pool.

Comments

[sara]

i love your website and i check it almost everyday. I am new to getting into the quilting thing and am just curious what batting loft you use and how you go about actually quilting your quilts....yours look great!

[Erin]

Yea! I'm so glad you posted this! I know I already told you, but I LOVE that quilt! :)

[Carrie]

Thank you so much for the tutorial!!! I have been so in love with this quilt since the first time you posted and am really excited about the prospect of making my own. I'm a beginning quilter, but this looks like something even I can handle.

[Celeste]

What a wonderful tutorial. Thanks for posting it. I can't wait to try it. Yours turned out fantastic!

[Barbara]

I really admired your paint box quilt
I have a few questions what size is the block finished and also what size the quilt when using 64 blocks?
I can see this in going to be the next quilt on my list.

[Rachel]

These are fabulous! I'll be linking to this.

[becky]

just thought i would pass it along:
http://www.oneprettything.com/ They put you on thier site of tutorials for the day!! yay for you!!

[Celeste]

I made a set of my own paintbox squares last night. What fun! Thanks for the tutorial. I will try and put them on my blog later.

[Aniza]

WOw! Thanks a million for the superb tutorial.

[Bethany]

I have been reading your blog for a few months. I think this was posted near the time I started reading. Anyway, my 3 year old daughter asked for a Cars (Pixar) quilt for her birthday (in March). I decided to go ahead and start on it as I have not actually completed a quilt since I was in high school. I decided to use this tutorial for the squares, and so far it looks great! (I do have one square where I attached the strips a bit wrong, but I haven't decided if it is worth taking out yet, as it is not too bad.) Thank you so much for the great tutorial and the inspiration.

[Meghan]

Gorgeous!!!!!!! I love this quilt soooooo much. OMG Awesome awesome- thanks for the tut! I will def be making this as soon as I can find my fabric!

[Jo]

Many thanks for the tutorial - it is a great pattern.

[Courtney]

Looks great! This might be a silly question but how do you get the white border around each block for the final quilt?

[Merle]

I am officially inspired. I have never quilted before and am a so-so sewer, but I am going to have to give this quilt a try. I absolutely love it. This looks like something I can do; all I have to do is follow your wonderful tutorial

[Emily]

This is the perfect pattern for that fabric I bought in Hawaii *cough* five years ago and wasn't sure how to use it!
Thanks!