Scrappy Trips Challenge 2024 - Part 3 - layout

I am sure at this point of the Scrap Quilt Challenge that you are excited to put these blocks together. Many of us have already experimented with the block layout and arrangement.

I want to give you 4 possible layouts and a couple of different quilt size options plus a Bonus! The images shown in these posts were created with EQ8. I use EQ8 a lot to play with quilt layouts.

Part A

Layouts

Let's look at layouts first. You'll notice that each of the images I'm using to demonstrate have a GOLD fabric as the constant to enhance the diagonal line of each block.

Scrappy Trips - this layout requires an even number of blocks to create the Trip Around The World Effect. This sample has an even number of blocks horizontally, but an un-even number vertically. The bottom looks unfinished. Personally, I'd add another row to the bottom of the quilt to make it more visually even.

Scrappy Bargello - this quilt has been arranged with vertical rows alternating the diagonal direction. There is no worry about having an even number of blocks vertically or horizontally.

Scrappy Zig Zag - This quilt has the diagonal lines in the opposite direction of the Scrappy Bargello. It's interesting how simply rotating the blocks will result in a very different looking quilt.

Scrappy Diagonal - this quilt is very simple as all blocks are arranged in the same orientation.

Now let's look at quilt sizes

All of the above images are made with 20 blocks. The blocks measure 12" x 12" finished. The quilt is 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks high. This will make a 48" x 60" lap size quilt. The following gives you information on making more or less blocks.

BABY	LAP	TWIN	QUEEN
36" X 36"	48" x 60"	60" x 84"	84" x 84"
3 X 3 = 9 blocks	4 x 5 = 20 blocks	5 x 7 = 35 blocks	7 x 7 = 49 blocks

Remember, these measurements are before adding the border. The next installment deals with some border ideas, with scrappy options of course.

Sewing Blocks Together

Once you have decided on a layout and the number of blocks you need, its time to start sewing them together. Here's where spinning the seam allowances comes in handy. The following images shows how the seams will nest as you sew the blocks into rows and the rows together.

When you press this way, no matter the layout, the seams will always nest! It creates a very nice and flat quilt.

Once you've decided on a Quilt size and layout, arrange the blocks and sew them together into rows. Press according to the "spinning method" above. Join the rows into the quilt top. I'll often layout my blocks on the floor or a design wall, step back and use my phone to take a picture of the quilt layout. I can easily see if things are in the right space. I'll also squint. That helps to visually remove some colour and help me to see lights/darks and movement of the constant fabric lines.

Part B: did you make some of the alternating blocks I showed you in Part B? Take a quick look at the position of the dark blue constant in these 2 block samples. Now if you make half your blocks as Block A and half as Block B, you'll get a different effect in the diamond layout. It doesn't seem to work in any of the other block layouts.