This traditional patchwork block is called Kansas Dugout and I am re-visiting the design, and re-jigging the fabric placement of Lila's Quilt which I made way back in 2007:
I am using templates and a rotary cutter to cut the fabrics and marking the 1/4 inch seam intersection points to show me where to start and stop sewing (I don't trace templates with pencil onto fabric first if I can avoid it). I start by sewing each of the four patches to the center square and then deal with the four Y-seams. Y seams or inset seams can seem intimidating, but for this particular block they are not difficult (no pins were used).
And I am using fabrics from my feedsack collection to piece the blocks. The challenge is to mix these prints from another era with current fabrics from stash. It is so interesting to see how readily modern fabrics integrate with prints from the 1940's and 1950's.
.
The solid center fabric is Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Slate.
More blocks are needed which will keep definitely keep me entertained over the next few days.
I really love this design! The feedsack fabric is perfect for this. It has such a vintage feel.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt, the colours are fab!
ReplyDeleteSo nice...I love it ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blocks; I love the slate gray - it really makes the other fabrics pop. Can't wait to see how this turns out.
ReplyDeleteThis is so gorgeous! I love the slate and the way the pattern changes so much when joined together!
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
ReplyDeleteI am finishing up a tutorial for this quilt design (or one very similar) called Road to Tennessee. No Y seams though...just snowballing 2 corners on each printed square. I love the old designs and I love that you are using them. There are so many beautiful blocks that I hope can be embraced by this generation of quilters and not get lost to history.
ReplyDeleteThat is really turning out great... and now I have to have them too LOL... Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThe design looks so different when you don't make all the "circles" with the same fabric. Your eye moves in a completely different way and it looks like a totally new pattern! Your fabric choices are great!
ReplyDeleteloving this design (especially the use of slate as the little squares) -- if only y seams weren't so intimidating! =)
ReplyDeleteLyanna
PS - love your blog!
so pretty.
ReplyDeleteRita, I love this, I really do. But it looks hard.... is there a tutorial?? And I love, love the fabrics - I have always adored your modern-take on vintage style fabrics and colors...
ReplyDeleteI just finished a quilt using that pattern but didn't know what it was called! I live in Kansas so it's kind of sweet knowing that's the pattern name :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, I didn't know you had a feedsack stash. I love the choice in slate, its slightly blue hue coordinates well with the various blues. Looking forward to your finished quilt...will this be a new pattern? Y seams are intimidating to me.
ReplyDeleteit's a beauty!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great pattern, and you always do such wonderful things with any design you tackle. It looks so nice to see the one square instead of four triangles coming together. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI have never sewn y-seams, so this is one I'd need to see to understand. But, it really is a lovely block style. The solid you chose really sets off those prints so well!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I love feedsacks but never thought to use them in a quilt.
ReplyDeleteVery clean colors...the slate offsets the whites in the prints very nicely :)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I really like the last design even though it means a little extra work with the Y seams. Really nice!
ReplyDeleteLove these little octagons - am working on some big brothers to these with my castle wall blocks. What fun! Great vintage look in your fabrics as you say the new fabrics mix in well!
ReplyDeleteSEW beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt made with the slate grey center makes for a wonderful color pattern. Great use of solid color as a focal point.
LOVE the Kona slate!
ReplyDeleterita! i love this! I just saw a pillow with a similar design printed on it and was thinking it would be so fun to make something similar. Thank you for referring to the block name since there's no way I'd be able to figure out a block like that. :)
ReplyDeletelove the slate squares - really makes the blocks pop - loving it :)
ReplyDelete