Test Block Doll Quilt
A little while ago, Sherry from Powered by Quilting asked me if I wanted to test a pattern for her. Of course I did! She sent me the pattern and I got to work. Her pattern is called Twisted Ladder, and you can read about it and buy the pattern here.
Don’t let the intricate-looking design of this pattern fool you. It is a design that can be easily done by a beginner. The block is delightfully fun to make!
Here’s my test block. I used some left over charm pack squares of Kona Pink Flamingo, Kona Snow, a blue fabric that has been in my stash long enough for me not to remember the designer or line. Because the pattern is pre-cut friendly, you can make a block in no time flat. Sherry also gives some quick piecing tips that are so helpful too.
The block finishes at 16-1/2 inches, so a large quilt would go together quickly.
This pattern is great because
- even if you are a beginner who struggles with half square triangles, there is enough movement in this quilt that those little quirks won’t be seen when the entire top is sewn together
- Sherry has made constructing the block so simple, and using the pre-cuts makes it go so fast
- so many color ways could be used with this pattern. It would be a fun scrappy quilt, interesting with ombre fabric, bold using a saturated fabric line like Alison Glass, or pretty just with three colors like I did. So many possibilities.
I’d encourage you to hop over to Sherry’s site and buy a pattern. If you do, I’d love to see what you make!
From Test Block to Doll Quilt
What to do with a pink and blue test block when I don’t use those colors? Make another doll quilt for A Doll Like Me!
I added a border to the quilt block using some 4-patch blocks in the corner and Kona Snow strips. I quilted it with an Aurifil variegated thread #4647. It didn’t quite match the quilt colors, but I thought it might work out okay. The pink was a bit too bold. I’m not happy with it, but it will do. My backing isn’t a perfect match either, but close enough.
Here’s the full view of the quilt, fresh out of the wash, a little rumply.
Binding Corner Tip
A few of you commented about my binding corners in another post, so I thought I’d show you the little trick I use. I can’t claim this trick, it’s from the Missouri Star binding tutorial.
When I’m stitching the binding on the quilt, as I approach the corner, I keep an eye on the 1/4 inch mark on my sewing foot. I didn’t even know I had one of those until a little bit ago while watching another tutorial! You can see the mark on my AcuFeed foot where I’m pointing with my stiletto.
Once that mark is even with the edge of my quilt, I stop with my needle down. My machine has a pivot foot button, so when I stop, my sewing foot automatically goes up so I can pivot.
I turn my quilt so that my sewing foot is going to stitch toward the corner of my quilt. I tried to get a picture of it as clearly as I could. Stitch to the corner of the quilt.
That little stitch helps when angling the binding up to turn the corner. When you fold it up, the stitching helps create the angle.
One other thing I do each time my binding is sewn on is to press the binding away from the quilt. This really helps turn the binding to the other side and helps make those corners crisp.
What is your favorite way to use test pattern blocks, or orphan blocks? I’d love to hear about it!
Linking up today with Quilt Fabrication and Sew Fresh Quilts.
Wendy
20 Comments
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy,
What a sweet doll quilt for A Doll Like Me! I love this block as well – I’ve had a Jacob’s Ladder quilt on my list for a while and this is a fun new twist on it. I’ll check out the link you’ve shared! Thanks! ~smile~ Roseanne
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Roseanne! Do check out the pattern. Sherry makes it so simple!
Sherry @ PoweredByQuilting
thanks Wendy for sharing my quilt!!! I love that you made it into a cute doll quilt! <3
piecefulwendy
You’re welcome, Sherry!
Karen
I need to check and see if the new quarter inch foot that I have has that mark, never looked!
piecefulwendy
I don’t know if all of them do, but mine do. I have a Janome.
Vicki in MN
That is a great use for your test block. I learned that 1/4″ mark on the foot from Lorna at Sew Fresh a couple years ago. It is a big help isn’t it!!
piecefulwendy
Yes! Thanks, Vicki!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Such a great way to use a test block! I love what you did. Looks perfect to me!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Nancy!
Barbara
Your block turned out cute. I like the little doll quilt. I do my bindings that way too. I forget where I saw that, but started doing them that way afterward. It helps a lot.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Barbara!
Bernie
What a great use for the orphan block. I do like large blocks like that – makes a quilt come together quick for someone like me who loses interest after lots of tiny piecing! I also use that tip for binding corners. When I turn/pivot tho I was making a right angle turn. I like how you turn more on a slant. I bet that is even better. I am going to adjust my process a bit and check that out. Thanks for sharing Wendy.
piecefulwendy
You’re welcome, Bernie!
Kathleen McCormick
Such a great little block and a great use for it. I have a few orphan blocks and now am inspired to use and send to this group – thank you. Great job on your binding tips – it is not always easy to get those corners perfect but that is spot on for how to do it!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Kathleen!
Susan
Making this test block into a doll quilt is perfect!
Louise Hornor
That’s a cool block design! Pink and baby blue aren’t “my” colors either, but they make a very sweet doll quilt. Great way to use that block. My test blocks usually end up in my scrap orphanage where they marinate for a while. In fact, I pulled out some old ones just today to put together into a Hands2Help top 🙂
Sparkle On with Abbie
Wendy, your little doll quilt is perfect, the bunnies agree 😉
Sherry is an amazing designer.
Next binding I do I will try your tip, I totally understood understood it from your description & photos. 🙂
piecefulwendy
Thank you! Glad you understood my little tip!