Tips for Making Quilts with Different Sized Blocks

In a perfect world all your quilt blocks for your quilt would be the same size.  All the blocks you received from swaps, or work together on with friends would fit perfectly with no need to fidget and fudge to make them work.  But everyone’s 1/4″ seam is different.  As a result the same block can come out to be a different size. Today I’ll share ways to deal with different sized blocks.  By the end you may even wish your blocks were different sizes.  Just so you could play with creative ways of putting them together.

Unintentional Differing Sizes

When your blocks were supposed to be the same size but aren’t try adding a small border around them.  You can do this on just two sides or all the way around.  You may even want to try my no waste wonky border.  I used this method with my Yarn Bomb Trees. Once the borders are added to your quilt.  You can simply square up all the blocks to the same size.  Problem fixed.Modern Improv Quilt

Orphans and Charity Blocks

Or you can try a more flexible method.  Simply gather your varied blocks and random sized fabric strips and strings.  Implementing improvisational piecing and a tape measure to give you a general idea on size.  Begin by adding strips to blocks in a rail fence or log cabin fashion to get them to fit with your other blocks.  You can do this block by block or combine blocks into sections that then come together in your quilt.  In essence turning your blocks into a kind of puzzle.  If I’m truthful, this is my favorite kind of puzzle.  This tutorial is helpful with this method.  I use this method when making my Plan B quilts.

Playing with Scale

Another method is to play with scale.  With this method you use blocks that are multiples of each other.  For example you would use 3″, 6″ and 12″ blocks. This is a fun way to use the same block while creating interest and an element of surprise. Like I did in my Bear Scraps quilt.  I also use it when creating my sampler quilts.

Don’t let different sized blocks keep you from creating.  Embrace the opportunity to play and puzzle out a unique and beautiful quilt.  If you would like help with playful scrappy quilting be sure to join my next FREE workshop.  Where I share fun and creative ways to use your scraps, find joy and create beautiful scrap quilts.  Be sure to save your spot.

 

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