Paintbox Quilt Along: How to Make Classic Blocks

This post explains how to make the Classic-style Paintbox blocks.  The tutorial for Scrappy Blocks is here.  I know that a lot of you have questions about using different combinations of fabric, and I will address those in a separate post.  Here is the introductory post about the quilt-along, and here is the Supplies list. 

This pair of Classic blocks was made using a 10" square of print fabric and a 2 1/2" x width of fabric strip of solid fabric.  Each block is 6" x 6" (finished size).  The Paintbox Quilt uses 40 such pairs of blocks (80 blocks total). 

 

A "true" Paintbox Quilt will have monochromatic blocks in a variety of colors -- ideally 40 different colors and prints.  If this is the look you're going for, you'll want to pair your solid strips with prints in coordinating colors, like the fabric shown above.  Notice how the slight contrast in value (the lightness of darkness of the colors) adds visual interest to the blocks.

Of course, this block style and quilt pattern will work equally well without the paintbox color scheme, so don't hesitate to quilt along using entirely different kinds of fabrics!

 

Begin by trimming the selvedge from your solid fabric strip.  From one end, cut a square, 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and a rectangle, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Cut the rest of the strip into two thinner strips, each 1 1/4" wide. 

Note: Measure from the points of the pinked edges.

 

Now, lay your 10" square on your cutting mat. 

Note: If you're using a directional print, orient the square horizontally, so the "top" of the print is on the left or right side (it doesn't matter which) rather than at the top.  Cutting the square from this position will allow you to orient directional prints so they appear to radiate out from the center, as with the ovals in my sample blocks.

Cut each square as follows, starting on the left side:

1.  Cut a 2 1/2" strip.  From this strip, cut one square, 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and one rectangle, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".

2.  Cut a 1 3/4" strip.  From this strip, cut two pieces 5" long.

3.  Cut a 1 3/4" strip.  From this strip, cut two pieces 4" long.

4.  Cut a 1 3/4" strip.  From this strip, cut one piece 6 1/2" long and one piece 2 1/2" long.

5. Cut a 1 3/4" strip.  From this strip, cut one piece 6 1/2" long and one piece 2 1/2" long.

Set aside the 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangles of both the solid and print fabrics.  These will be used to make the larger Swatch Card blocks on the quilt back.

Note: The cutting directions for the 10" square will result in directional prints being "sideways" on these little swatches.  I don't think this will be a big deal for most prints (like the one shown above) but, if you have a print that you think will look funny, you may want to cut a differently-oriented swatch from extra fabric to set aside for your quilt back.

Let's start sewing!  As always, I'm using a 1/4" seam allowance and all seams are pressed open.

Start with the 2 1/2" square of your solid fabric, the 2 1/2" print strips, and the 5" print strips.  Sew a 2 1/2" print strip to the top and bottom of the solid square.

Note: If your solid fabric has pinked edges, the points of those pinked edges should line up with the cut edges of your print fabric. 

Sew a 5" strip to the left and right sides of the block.

From one of your 1 1/4" wide solid strips, cut two pieces 5" long and two pieces 6 1/2" long.  Sew a 5" solid strip to the top and bottom of the block.  Sew a 6 1/2" strip to either side of the block. 

Square up your edges, if necessary, and you're done with the first block!

Note: If you're using precut strips with a pinked edge, I recommend sewing the pinked edges into your seam allowances (as shown above) so they don't end up on the outside of your block.  When it comes time to add the sashing and finish the quilt top, I think you'll find it easier to accurately piece the finished blocks if they don't have pinked edges.

To make the second block, start with the 2 1/2" print square.  From the remaining 1 1/4" solid strips, cut two pieces 2 1/2" long and two pieces 4" long.  You'll also use the remaining 4" and 6 1/2" print strips.

Using the same construction method from the first block, sew the 2 1/2" solid strips to the top and bottom of the 2 1/2" print square.  Sew a 4" solid strip to either side.  Sew a 4" print strip to the top and bottom, and finish by sewing a 6 1/2" strip to either side of the block.

And that's it.  Your second block is done!

Show off your finished blocks in the Flickr Group.

Comments

[Amber]

ordered my Kona roll today - this will be so fun!

[Gina Swanson]

Hi Elizabeth, Congrats on leaving your corporate job. I am joining this quilt along but may get behind as I just ordered a rollup. Should be so much fun.

[Nicole]

I am a beginning quilter (working on my first one right now!) and don't know much. I am wondering about your reasoning for pinking the edges - so they don't unravel? It seems like a great idea to keep the blocks accurate.

I am loving the looks of this and will follow along online and hopefully jump in and start too!

[Elizabeth]

The edges werent pinked by me. The Kona Roll-Ups that many of us are using are sold with pinked edges. (This is common among precut
fabrics like Charm Squares and Modas Jelly Rolls.) The idea is that the precut fabric wont unravel while it's on display in stores.

I wouldn't suggest pinking the edges of your other quilt fabric though. I find that its easier to work with with straight edges.

[Carole]

Jumping in a little late, can I use two rollups(one solids one print)?

[Elizabeth]

You could definitely use print roll-ups too, but the pieces you need to make the print blocks are wider, so you would need two identical print rolls ups and one solid roll-up. (You would use two print strips and one solid strip to make each set of blocks.)

My sense is that, if youre looking to use precuts for the prints too, you may be better off getting a Layer Cake.

[Laurie]

do you need to back tack your stitches? (Beginner)Looking forward to cutting my teeth!

[Alison Dafoe]

When did this quilt along start? Was it on the 9th when his post is dated? I would love to start along with this one now, but I might be a bit late. Is there a new post weekly with instructions? This would be my first quilt along.

[Elizabeth]

Alison,
There are links to the other quilt-along posts at the top of this post. You can also click on the Paintbox Quilt Along button in the sidebar to be taken to all related posts.

[Brooke]

Yeah... just got my Kona Roll in the mail and am so excited to add this to my list of 2010 quilts.

[Marjorie]

I love this fabric! Do you know the designer?