For the longest time, I’ve been wanting to do a color block quilt, I love how the abstract modern look feels so different from a typical block based quilt.
My favorite aspect about a color blocked quilt is that the design really speaks to a very different group of people in the world who may not necessarily be as interested in the quilting world as some of us.
Classic blocks are classic blocks for a reason. They are tried and true, and make great heirloom quilts especially to anyone who understands the amount of work that goes into making them. These types of quilts typically speak to a home decor in the rustic, or farmhouse setting, but what if the mom-to-be you intend to gift it to is very definitively a modern kinda girl?
For a baby blanket, you’ll need a modern kinda pattern.
So for the April 2021 addition for the pattern vault, I give you the very abstract modern Blocked quilt pattern.
This one’s paper pieced
This is likely the largest paper pieced pattern I’ve personally ever used.
I really wanted to get some abstract angles in the design, but was struggling with how to make it reproducible in pattern form as everything I was coming up with was very improvisational.
Once I landed on paper piecing, everything started to simplify significantly.
You don’t have to worry about trying to cut odd angles, or pieces that are larger than your cutting mat. (All things I was struggling with trying to figure it out how to do)
You just cover the templates with a paper piecing technique and trim all the excess down to size later! Way simpler than what I was originally trying to do…
While this is a large paper pieced pattern, there is only one seam in each paper pieced segment so if you’ve never done a paper pieced pattern before this is a great place to start. If you’re looking for a brush up on how to paper piece, I have a great tutorial for you from earlier this year below.
Related:
How to Paper Piece for Flawless Blocks
Navigating the Pattern
As I mentioned before, this quilt is paper pieced, but there is a catch to it.
The paper pieced templates are larger than one sheet of paper each and there’s “some assembly required” before the quilting can begin.
I’ve added instructions into the pattern for how to accomplish this, however I also found a great tutorial by Miss Make that you can check out here that does a great job demonstrating how to set it up.
Color Schemes for Inspiration
This quilt can look very different depending on which colors you decide to choose. To get your creative juices flowing I’ve come up with a couple fun ways to consider what colors to choose.
1. Curated fabric collections
2. One bold pattern and coordinating solids
3. Total scrappiness with a little white to break it up!
I liked this quilt so much that I think I might ACTUALLY make a holiday themed quilt from it. Woh.
I’m not usually into themed quilts, character quilts, holidays quilts, etc. but I’ve been eyeing a curated fabric collection from Fat Quarter Shop that is wool fabric and the collection is solids, but in Halloween themed colors.
I’ve been waiting for the perfect reason to use them and I think this Blocked quilt pattern is just what I’ve been looking for.
This is just what I’ve got going on in my head for my next Blocked quilt, but now, on to yours!
When you finish it, be sure to post it to instagram and tag me so I can see! @quiltingwemple
Click here for the Blocked quilt pattern PDF download.
Blocked-Pattern-PDF