Modifying Denyse’s patterns for Block Swap

First of all, Rebecca has been busy! They look great, wouldn’t ya say?

[Editor’s note: you can now see the blockswap update images over in the flickr gallery]

If you’re like me and waiting for the mail man to bring your fabric, then you’re probably brainstorming block design ideas. There are some of us who are ready to just take the plunge and do our own thing (like Rebecca up there). Others of us are beginners and need a pattern to follow to help us out. The Quilters Cache has a gazillion free block designs. The 10 inch block designs are what you need. (they will be 10 1/2 inches from raw edge to raw edge. 10 inches + 1/2 for seam allowances) They are all very traditional, but the size is right, and if you use the right fabric they’ll work for the block swap.

But, what if you want something a little more modern and funky–like some Drunk Love squares from Denyse Schmidt’s book? Well, all you need to do is adjust the percentage at which you enlarge the patterns from the back of the book and you’re in business! I put my math skills to the test (with a little refresher from my computer/math genius husband) and did some figuring. So…

If you want to make blocks from Hop, Skip, & a Jump (p.117), enlarge it by 311%, then just leave off piece H and maybe even piece G too.

If you want to make blocks from Any Way you Slice It (p.125), enlarge them by 400%.

If you want to make blocks from What a Bunch of Squares (p.129), enlarge them by 240%.

If you want to make blocks from Pie in the Sky (p.145), enlarge by 144% for small circle, 150% for medium, or 159% for a large cirlce.

If you want to make blocks from Drunk Love 2-tone (p.151), enlarge it by 311%.

You could also use some of the other projects to make squares from.

If you want to make blocks from Eye will Revive Pillow (p.35), enlarge by 263% and sew two side by side to make a block.

If you want to make blocks from Cares in the Air Juggling Blocks (p.43), enlarge by 244% and sew 4 together to make a block. Or enlarge it by 467% to make a single block.

If you want to make blocks from the Shimmy Shake and Bake Apron (p.69), enlarge by 467%.

Now I’ve made it easy for you! I hope this helps. Good luck girls :)

2 thoughts on “Modifying Denyse’s patterns for Block Swap”

  1. I am sure Hancocks of Paducah is swamped with orders for the chosen solid colours! :) I searched locally just so I could start right away, but though the local stores had some Kona cotton solids, they had none of the colours we want. So, I just had to order online. I can’t wait for my fabric to arrive. I found some lovely prints that I think will go well with the colours, but I can’t be sure till I get the solids. I don’t have Denyse Schmidt’s book but have found lots of traditional blocks I could make. I guess a large part of the fun is in the planning and anticipation. :)

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