Thursday, April 23, 2009

Nine Patch Testing

There was a lot of interest in a nine patch swap, so I'm trying to figure out the logistics and details.
I made three little blocks this morning, just grabbing fabrics from the scrap bin too see what I might get in a swap and how it would turn out.
The light is awful this morning so excuse the dullness.
This would involve using "mostly whites" and darks.
Nine Patch Swap test patches
It doesn't look like much with only three blocks, but I think it would be very pretty.
Step back a little from your screen and you'll get a better idea of the bigger picture.
Note that the center block is different from the other two.
Nine Patch Swap test patches
Another option would be to go totally scrappy, but then you won't be able to do strip piecing and we're going to need quite a few blocks to be able to make a quilt.
I played with some layouts in EQ5.


To make this an interactive project I put a poll in the sidebar. You should check up to 3 options.
Questions are:
1. Totally scrappy OR only two fabrics per block?
2. All blocks the same (as in the examples above) OR alternating positions of the lights and darks as in my sample blocks?
3. Mostly white OR solid white (which would involve everyone having to use exactly the same fabric for the white)?
If you have any other ideas or opinions, please leave a comment.
Thanks!

25 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 23, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    My vote would be two fabrics per block.



    Mostly white.

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  2. Three Birds InspiredApril 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM

    I voted in the poll and have a comment regarding the whites. Since it will end up looking like a scrap quilt anyway, I wouldn't think it would matter if the whites were all different. I am just not wild about using "lights". Am I making any sense? :)

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  3. TrishaApril 23, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    So excited about this! When I joined my guild they were just finishing a nine-patch exchange. I have wanted to do one ever since.

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  4. ErinApril 23, 2009 at 11:58 AM

    I like the last EQ version that you showed. My vote would be for whites - not a solid white fabric. I could do some serious stash busting with the white variations (warm and cool whites). I just finished a swap where we swapped cut out blocks, not finished nine-patches.

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  5. rachel griffithApril 23, 2009 at 12:11 PM

    i voted.
    i like the 2nd layout better, but that's just moi.

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  6. DallasApril 23, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    This sounds like such a great idea. I'm very excited about it.

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  7. Jackie RussellApril 23, 2009 at 12:27 PM

    I really like the scrappy one on point.

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  8. dutchcomfortApril 23, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    I voted.
    The cesond one is my favourite.

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  9. Anita in FloridaApril 23, 2009 at 1:12 PM

    I voted...like the 2nd pattern with 2 fabrics and mostly whites. I am excited about this swap...haven't participated in one before...in fact, many times I can't even post to some blogs... it just won't go thru...How many blocks do we swap?

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  10. jodieApril 23, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    Thanks so much for the poll - I just voted!

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  11. AnonymousApril 23, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    I would go for tone on tone myself. I played a little on Eq6, I posted a picture of what I was thinking.

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  12. Amy SpApril 23, 2009 at 2:30 PM

    Size wise, Are we thinking the individual squares are 3.5 in. cut, with unfinished blocks at 9.5 in., for 9 in. finished? I'm OK with there being a little color/design in the white squares. Also, I think only two fabrics per block looks nice in your pics.

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  13. AnnieofbluegablesApril 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM

    I voted. I am excited about this. It will be my first swap. I too am curious how many and what size. I love the first one, on point.
    ~a

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  14. UnknownApril 23, 2009 at 2:56 PM

    I voted and it looks like my votes are in line with others. I like the first layout the best. I just like the blocks on point.

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  15. TerriawApril 23, 2009 at 3:11 PM

    I like the two fabrics per block design. I'm flexible on the solid color, whether it's white or cream or something else. I really need to get EQ cuz it looks so handy!

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  16. Stephie (Narrative Self)April 23, 2009 at 3:21 PM

    Sorry...I don't understand. If it's just swapping the blocks then surely each person making up the quilt can decide whether to put them on-point or straight up? Have I missed something? I've not done a swap before so don't really know how they work!

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  17. Mary on Lake PulaskiApril 23, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    I voted and am still interested in participating.

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  18. Shabby Raggy RosesApril 23, 2009 at 4:05 PM

    I love the layout of the second pic, with the solid white blocks between each 9 patch block. I'd love to be part of this swap - sounds like fun! As I'm in Australia it may be hard for me to use the same white fabric as everyone else though...
    Best wishes,
    Jenelle

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  19. ThimbleannaApril 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Very interesting! I voted -- This looks like such a fun project!

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  20. MushyhedApril 23, 2009 at 7:05 PM

    I also voted and I like the second layout better. I'm excited about this project. I love nine patches!

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  21. DebbieApril 23, 2009 at 8:45 PM

    I voted. Sounds like fun! Thanks.

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  22. Amanda JeanApril 24, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    i like your sample layouts. :)

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  23. Kieny The DutchladyApril 26, 2009 at 12:52 AM

    I like the second lay-out. I have been using so many scraps lately that I'm eager to use only a few different fabrics in my next big project.

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  24. LianaApril 27, 2009 at 10:42 AM

    hmmm I voted before it closed, but my less than awake morning brain is thinking...were there sign-ups that I missed somewheres?

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  25. Amy FriendApril 28, 2009 at 7:13 AM

    I missed the voting but if it is not too late, I vote for 2 fabrics per block, one of which is white or mostly white.

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