Penny Patch (ish) Quilt

 

Before I begin talking about my latest quilt, I want to thank all of you who commented so thoughtfully on my last post!  To manage my online time, I have generally chosen to not interact extensively online, which means I often don't reply to comments.  Thus I gratefully receive each comment I get as a beautiful gift, knowing that it takes an effort to communicate.  I don't expect or require it in any way, but it's still much appreciated!  (and you should go read the comments from my last post, they are interesting and not necessarily the replies I expected!)

Now let's talk about this quilt!  I was feeling frustrated with some recent quilt block fails, and nothing was feeling 'right'.  I just wanted something fool proof and scrappy.  I thought of Stitched In Color's Penny Patch Quilt, as it's one I did long ago and always thought sometimes I'd make another.  I found her instructions and studied the quilts made with this pattern.  I always do this, mainly to analyze values.  As I often say, the colors are the fun part but the value placement is what makes the whole quilt design work, or not work. 

At first glance, I knew that I wanted to have all the blocks in the quilt of a similar value. The exception would be those little four patch squares that run in diagonal lines up and down.  They would be the opposite value.  So in this case I wanted a dark moody quilt (I was listening to Lord of the Rings:).  I decided all the main quilt body would be dark value and the little four patch squares would be light.

Now you are thinking "Yes Jolene, that's all fine but this quilt does not look like the Penny Patch quilt?"  Well, after making a couple blocks I realized that just this one block from the quilt pattern would make a lovely design on it's own.  

So I continued making blocks like this, and think it's a great simple pattern that is almost no fail.  You could try using the opposite values to what I did for a lighter quilt.  Or use the entire Penny Patch pattern in the values I used here.  (I plan to do this)

For a simple visual, I'm adding a photo below that shows the sizes you need to cut for this one block.  I always make my quilts by cutting enough fabric for a few blocks, maybe about 6.  I make these and put them up on the design wall to analyze my value and color selections.  Then I choose some more fabrics and cut another 6, and on and on.  This way I have control as I go along and don't waste fabric by cutting it all out and then realizing I don't like the way it's looking.  

Here's what you need for one block.  So simple, right?!  The magic happens when you start putting the blocks together!  It's addicting I tell you.  I'm curious if this is a traditional block that has a name?  Or maybe multiple names as many blocks have.  If you know of one, I'd love if you'd mention it in the comments and I could add it to this post.