Pallet cleanser - part Two - and Check Mark quilt layout

This is a continuation of a previous post about doing a pallet cleanser in my studio.

I sewed the top together and basted it with basting spray and then safety pins.  While this was ready to go, I started making another one with more of my green scraps and fabrics that were too small to keep in my stash.  I made 26 more blocks measuring 9-1/4" square.  In the first quilt, I made 9" blocks, which worked, but this time I decided to make them a little more generous.  I still had a pile of green fabrics after I had made 26.  Am I the only one that has a pile of fabrics LARGER than when I started.  It seems like scraps make babies behind my back!

Well, I decided that rather than just add solid fabric to make the half-square triangle blocks, I would make strip sets with black and white striped fabric and solid black.

I cut the strip sets into 9-1/4" bocks and marked the center diagonal line.

These were sewn face to face with the green scrap blocks and pressed towards the black side.  I started placing them on the design wall and a "check mark" layout appeared.  So, I went with it and here is the second pallet cleanser quilt done with a pile of green scraps.  I've also included the pattern instructions in case one of you decides to tackle this fun little quilt.

I hope you like it!  And here are the pattern instructions:

CHECK MARK

48” W x 64” H

This pattern is an easy way to use up scraps and still have a dynamic designed quilt.  It utilizes scraps in one colorway and a very dark solid with a striped fabric inset.

Materials & Cutting Directions

Color (Green)

Tons of scraps in one colorway from light to dark, solids and prints.  Scraps should be at least 1-1/2” wide and can be up to 3” wide.  I used a bucket of scraps that were color sorted, so I picked from that pile.  I also had a huge stash of green fabrics and some were too small to save for a quilt project, so those were pulled and cut into strips of varying widths.  Just start with a big pile. 

Black

Cut 2-7/8” width strips WOF.  You need 3 strips for each strips set, and each strip set will yield 4 each 9-1/4” blocks.  For this size quilt, you need to make 23 blocks, or 6 strip sets.  So, 18 strips need to be cut.

Black and White Stripe

Cut 1-1/2” width strips WOF.  You need 2 strips for each strip set, and each strip set will yield 4 each

9-1/4” blocks.  For this size quilt, you need to make 23 blocks, or 6 strips sets.  So, 12 strips need to be cut. 

Sewing Directions

Start with your smallest scraps and start sewing them together.  Keep adding longer and longer strips to make 9-1/4” square blocks.  As you sew and trim, you’ll keep making small scraps again, so sew them together and keep going until you have 25 blocks.  You should make them slightly oversized and trim them to 9-1/4” square.

Sew the 3 black strips to the 2 black and white strips, starting and stopping with black on the outside edges.  Press towards the black.  Cut the strip sets into 4 blocks that are 9-1/4” square.  Hint:  you need to sew a scant ¼” seam on these strip sets.

Place one of the scrap blocks face to face with the black and white blocks and mark the center line.  Sew a scant ¼” on either side of the marked line and cut on the marked line.  Press the blocks towards the black and white side and give it a good press (there’s lots of seams).  You need 46 finished blocks.

Trim the blocks to 8-1/2” square.

Layout and Sewing

Lay out the blocks on your design wall to achieve the “check mark” layout.  You can change where the check marks are on your quilt, so play with it!  There will be 6 columns that are 8 rows long.  Sew the columns, press in alternating directions, and then sew the rows.  Give it a good press.

Make sure to stay stich the outside edges to preserve the seams.

And here's an alternate layout: