Pickle Dish Variation Quilt Part 2 - A Tutorial

Pickle Dish Variation Quilt 
measures 72 inches x 72 inches

Today a tutorial for the Pickle Dish Variation Quilt. This quilt is made from two patchwork blocks - a Quarter Star Block (pictured on the left) and the traditional Drunkard's Path Block (pictured on the right):

Quarter Star Block and Drunkard's Path Block

BLOCK 1: QUARTER STAR BLOCK

The Quarter Star Block is a four-patch block made from two squares and two triangle in a square blocks.  

Fabric Requirements:

1 printed fabric measuring 3.5" x 3.5"

1 background (light/low volume) fabric  measuring 3.5" x 3.5"

and fabric to piece the two triangle-in-a-square blocks.

To sew the triangle in a square units I have used a 3" Bloc Loc Triangle in a Square Ruler. The ruler is a 3 piece set and includes two over-sized fabric cutting templates (pictured on the right) and a double grooved trimming ruler to lock onto both seams of the pieced unit. You sew the unit with the over-sized fabric pieces, then use the trimming ruler to accurately size the block. This set of templates and rulers is so easy to use and a great time saver. The alternative is to use the exact size templates and piece accurately, or foundation paper piece the units. More on these two alternative methods later.

The next step is to piece the Quarter Star Block:

Arrange the four units as pictured and with a 1/4" seam allowance sew together into horizontal rows, pressing the seam allowance in the direction as indicated by the arrows.

Then nest seams and sew rows together.  Press this last seam in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The Quarter Star Block measures 6 1/2 inches x 6 1/2 inches (including seam allowances).

To make a quilt measuring 72 inches x 72 inches you will need to make 72 Quarter Star Blocks.

BLOCK 2: DRUNKARD'S PATH BLOCK

Next is the traditional Drunkard's Path Block. The curved seam will nest with the Quarter Star Block side seam and as such the radius of the inner circle needs to be 3 inches after piecing. 

I have used 4 inch Drunkard's Path templates (with a 3 inch radius circle) to cut my fabric pieces. The large background fabric was cut oversize at 7 inches x 7 inches. I then pieced the block - see also Sewing Drunkard's Path Blocks - the no pins method.  

To ensure that the Drunkard's Path block seams nest with the seams of the Quarter Star block press seam away from the circle as indicated by the arrows (above).

Trim the block. Place ruler on top of the block, match the 3 1/4" marks on the ruler with the seams of the curve (see arrows above) and trim the block to measure 6 1/2 inches x 6 1/2 inches. [The ruler pictured here is a left handed ruler - if using a right handed ruler turn your block so that the quarter circle is in the top right hand corner and match the seams at the 3 1/4" marks on the ruler].

To make a quilt measuring 72 inches x 72 inches you will need to make 72 Drunkard's Path Blocks.

A word about contrast and value:  the use of color/contrast  (value) in the Drunkard's Path blocks is an integral part in allowing the "pickle dish" pattern to emerge. For each Drunkard's Path block I have used two fabrics: a light fabric for the outer (the concave or "L" shaped piece) and a darker fabric for the quarter circle (convex) piece of the block. The value of one fabric relative to another is usually immediately obvious, and a fabric that is light in one block can be used as a dark in another block. Don't over think this part of the process. Work instinctively and try not to second guess your fabric choices. 

Once you have completed all 144 blocks arrange the blocks on a design wall or flat surface in pattern and in 12 rows of 12 blocks. Move blocks around until you are happy with the layout and color arrangement. Join blocks into rows. Press seams to one side, alternating the direction of pressed seams for each row. Then join rows into a quilt top.

To assist with successful completion of the blocks and to give you more piecing options I have drafted up templates for both blocks as well as a foundation paper piecing pattern for the triangle in a square unit, available to download (pdf file) from my Pattern Store here:

Pickle Dish Variation Quilt - Templates and 

Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern ~ $4.00

Please print ACTUAL SIZE.  Do not reduce or scale to fit.
Pattern also available from my Etsy Store (click here).

Included:

• Drunkard's Path Templates 
• Triangle in a Square Templates
• Triangle in a Square Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern
• Black and white outline of the Pickle Dish Variation Quilt so that you can experiment with colors and color placement.

Foundation paper piecing instructions are NOT included. Use the templates and foundation paper piecing pattern in conjunction with this  tutorial to make the Pickle Dish Variation Quilt.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask by leaving a comment, and I will explain/clarify as required.

Photos of the finished Pickle Dish Variation Quilt:
http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2015/06/pickle-dish-variation-quilt-part-3-finished-quilt.html.

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Pattern Store
Pattern also available from my Etsy Store
Sewing Drunkard's Path Blocks without Pins - A Tutorial
Pickle Dish Variation Quilt Part 1 - Work in Progress
Pickle Dish Variation Quilt Part 3 - The Finished Quilt
Bloc Loc Triangle in a Square Ruler purchased from Bloc Loc (USA or Australia)



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