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