Broken Dishes - A quilt along

Hi everyone,

I've been wanting to share a project with all of you.

Something that we can do together.

I got inspired by this vintage block, that dates back to the early 1800's.

It's the Broken Dishes block.

This block is a relatively simple 4 patch block.

It uses only 4 half square triangles to make the block.

I wanted to show that you don't need a ton of fancy software to design a pattern.

I use graph paper, a pencil, eraser, colouring pencils, and a calculator.

I also wanted to teach you how to adjust the block size depending on the size of quilt you want.

So, come share with me and I hope I can share a bit of my knowledge with you.

Broken Dishes QAL - Part 1

I always just design first,

 then think of the size of the quilt I want to make.

When you use graph paper,

you chose the scale of each square.

If you look at my quilt design below, 

you see that I used four squares to draw one half square triangle (hst) block.

I did this to make it easier to colour the hst's and to make my design bigger on the page.

The border measurements are kept simple.

The first plain border is half the size of one hst.

The second pieced border is the same size as the hst's.

The third plain border is half the size of one hst.

You may wonder why I have the third plain border?

Well, I like my pieced border to stand out.

Especially since I've put so much work into making it.
Here's an example of a border done the same way.

This also allows to make a statement with your binding, if that's what you want.

Each HST block can be made any size.

It can be 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches, 6 inches......
(Note: you always need to add 1/2 inch to each measurement for the seam allowance)

I've made up a table with all the measurements to make this quilt.

Quilt Size	Block Size in inches	# of Broken Dishes blocks	Size of HST’s in inches	# of HST’s needed	Size to cut squares for HST’s in inches	Cut Plain borders	# of Triangle in a Square blocks	Finished Quilt Size with borders
Twin size	12.5”	24	6.5”	116	6 7/8’	3.5”	4	72”x96”
Queen Size	12.5”	48	6.5”	240	6 7/8’	3.5”	4	96”x96”
Lap Size	8.5”	24	4.5”	116	4 7/8’	2.5”	4	48”x64”
Baby size	6.5”	24	3.5”	116	3 7/8’	2”	4	36”x48”

I've made up the three block sizes in different fabric collections.





I'm making these quilts with fabric from my stash.

The large block is 12.5 inches and made up of some reproduction fabrics.
I cut these HST's with my GO! Cutter and 6.5 inch HST die.

The second block is 8.5 inches and made from Bar Harbor Charm squares.
I have two charm packs of this fabric.
Sew, these are made with the squares method.

  Here is a great tutorial for this method.

I was going to make a tutorial, but this one is very good.
So why do it again.
If you have any questions about this, just let me know.

The third block is 6.5 inches and made up of some Kaffe Fassett scraps and  Kona White.
I used my GO! 3.5 inch die to cut these hst's.
This size is compatible with the GO! baby or GO! Cutter.

Sew if you want to join in and make this quilt with me,
just pick a size.....any size...and start cutting.


I will post a simple tutorial tomorrow on how to make up a block.
After that, I will come back every Tuesday and share my progress with you.
I might even have a linky thing, so that you can share your progress too.
This is a great stash busting project.
That's what I'm doing.

Here's a small button to add to your blog, if you decide to join.




Hugs