One of my goals for the year, is to quilt my way through as much of my fabric pile, and scrap bins as possible. In the pursuit of that, I’ve been on the lookout for great patterns that use 2.5" strips. I bumped into this awesome scrappy block, called the Potato Chip Block, which uses 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.
I decided to experiment with some of my bright rainbow strips, alternated with black scraps. So I sliced and diced, then got to playing. As soon as I made a first sample block, I realized that the Universe intended this quilt for @Abbeeroad.
This block is very simple, and can be done in a number of color variations; starting light at center to dark at the outer round, a different color per block, alternating bands of light and dark, etc. The most basic version involves 3 rounds of rectangles, and alternating either the colors or value of the rounds. If you make 2 different versions, you can alternate the orientation, to create a dynamic flow. You can also pick the size of your blocks, by adding rounds. Or even make a giant single block, like a giant Granny Square in crochet.
In each block you have a center pair, a middle round, and an outer round. There are 12 rectangles of color in the inner & outer rounds, and 6 rectangles in the middle round. In order to get an even color distribution and yet a chaotic, scrappy feel, I laid out my rainbow scraps in a rainbow of 12 shades, with two of each shade close together. For the color-heavy blocks, I took one rectangle from each row, and for the black-heavy blocks I took 1 from every other row, always picking different a different fabric, and jumping around in the rows.
While the block is simple, it can get tedious if made one by one. Instead I decided to work on all of them at once, starting with all the centers, then all of the middle rounds, etc. I also assembly-lined them, by laying out my blocks, they stacking all the pieces and working from the pile.
As soon as I realized this quilt was for Abbie, I knew it had to have a black & white stripe binding. It just had to happen. My Joann’s was out of it, so I ordered online. They required a minimum of 2 yards to ship, which was more than I needed, but I LOVE how it came out so much, that I have no regrets. I now want to bind everything with the stripes!
I managed to make 20 blocks, for a 4x5 layout, that came to 48" x 60", and was able to use up the scrap quilt backing from my Rose Garden quilt. I even had enough rectangles left over to make 2 larger blocks, as coordinating pillows. With 5 rounds of rectangles you can make a 20" block.
I absolutely love how this one came out, and I’m so glad it arrived at its new home! I’m clearly going to have to make another one of this pattern when my strip bin gets full again. Wonder what color combo I’ll do next… And here it is in its new home!
Brava!