Paintbox Quilt Along: How to Make Scrappy Blocks

This post explains how to make the Scrappy-style Paintbox blocks.  The tutorial for the Classic 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 Scrappy blocks was made using a single 2 1/2" x width of fabric strip of solid fabric and coordinating print fabric scraps.  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 an assortment of coordinating prints.  If this is the look you're going for, you'll want to pair your solid strips with groups of coordinating scraps, like the fabric shown above.  The print scraps you'll need for these blocks range in size from 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" to 1 3/4" x 6 1/2". 

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!  Because the necessary pieces are so small, this can be a fantastic scrap busting quilt project!

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.

Set aside the 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" solid rectangle, and a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangle cut from a print fabric scrap.  These will be used to make the larger Swatch Card blocks on the quilt back.

Note: As you proceed with piecing the blocks, square up each side of the block before adding the next piece.

Start the first block with the 2 1/2" solid square in the center.  You'll also need four print fabric scraps, cut to the following sizes:

• 1 3/4" x 2 1/2"
• 1 3/4" x 3 3/4"
• 1 3/4" x 3 3/4"
• 1 3/4" x 5"

Note: I fussy-cut the elephant print scrap that I used in these blocks.  Fussy cutting is when you cut a print fabric in a way that results in the "picture" on the print being centered or otherwise situated "just so" in a block.  The 2 1/2" center squares on these scrappy blocks would be another great place to use fussy-cut fabric!

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

Begin by sewing the 2 1/2" print fabric strip to the top 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 one of the 3 3/4" print strips to the right side of the block.

 

Then, sew the other 3 3/4" strip to the bottom of the block.

Sew the 5" strip to the left side of the block.

From your 1 1/4" solid fabric strips, cut pieces in the following lengths: 5", 6", 6", and 6 1/2"

Sew the 5" solid strip to the top of the block.  Sew one 6" solid strip to the right, and then the other 6" solid strip to the bottom of the block.  Finish the block by sewing the 6 1/2" solid strip to the left side.

 

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.

 

For the second block, start with a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square of print fabric in the center.  From your 1 1/4" solid fabric strips, cut pieces in the following lengths: 2 1/2", 3 1/4", 3 1/4", and 4".

Sew the 2 1/2" solid strip to the top of the print square.  Sew one of the 3 1/4" solid strips to the right, and the other to the bottom.  Sew the 4" solid strip to the left side.

To finish the block, you'll need four print fabric scraps, cut to the following sizes:

• 1 3/4" x 4"
• 1 3/4" x 5 1/2"
• 1 3/4" x 5 1/2"
• 1 3/4" x 6 1/2"

Follow the same basic construction method to sew the 4" print strip to the top, one of the 5 1/2" print strips to the right, the other 5 1/2" print strip to the bottom and the 6 1/2" print strip to the left side to finish the block.

And that's it!

Show off your finished blocks in the Flickr Group.

Comments

[Tigers4trace.blogspot.com]

you have some seriously cute scraps. :)

These are great blocks...thanks for the inspiration! (just waiting on my roll-ups to show up)

[karen]

What do you use for an iron to get your seams to press open so well?

[Nichole]

I love those pink elephants!

[Sylvie Hanes]

You have the gift of knowing how to write and instruct which makes it easy for all level of quilters to partake in your projects. I really appreciate the photos.

This is my first time at quilting, albeit not at sewing. My daughter (Flickr name Mizuhana) took part in last year's Mod sampler quilt project and I was impressed with her finished quilt. We decided to maximize our fabrics and work on the same color scheme for our paintbox holiday quilt.

I am also starting a paintbox quilt for my office day bed, so this will be a double project for me. I uploaded some pictures to the Flickr group.

Thanks for all your work and insight - I am looking forward to the process and of course, the end products.

[Terri]

Can you tell me the name of the pink elephant fabric? I love them!

As usual, fantastic tutorial. Thanks

[Minna Levenkron]

I think I'm going to start with the Scrappy Blocks. I love the way they look. Do you have a schedule of colors for future weeks so those of us who just jointed can be right with you and then make up the ones we missed out on at the end?
Minna (Charlotte and Butterball)