Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Bright Hopes Quilt - Work in Progress and Tutorial

Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

This week I have been working with the leftover strips of fabric from my Herringbone Quilt. It is unusual for me to have left over fabric pieces from a quilt; I am more likely to have cut too few than too many patchwork pieces for a quilt (especially this many). And I really didn't want to see stack of pretty fabric strips disappear into the overflowing scrap bin, so these were set aside for a quilt I have been looking forward to making for a while ....

Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

The Bright Hopes Quilt Block is a traditional patchwork block and a perfect introduction to sewing a block/quilt with a partial-sewn seam. ONE part-sewn seam :: no tricky y-seams involved!

BRIGHT HOPES BLOCK TUTORIAL:

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS ~ block measures 5 inches x 5 inches (includes seam allowances.
For each Bright Hopes block you need one center square and four rectangles:
Bright Hopes Quilt Block Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
STEP 1 
Take a center square and align edge along the edge of the rectangle (right sides together). Using a 1/4" seam sew partial - seam as pictured (see yellow stitching in diagram below). Back stitch to secure the seam. Press seam allowance away from the center square.

Bright Hopes Quilt Block Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
STEP 2
Bright Hopes Quilt Block Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Click on any image for a larger view.

Continue by adding more rectangles along the center square in an anti-clockwise direction:
1. YELLOW SEAM - partial seam.
2.  RED SEAM - full seam.
3.  PURPLE SEAM - full seam.
4.  BLACK SEAM - full seam.
5.  WHITE SEAM - partial seam (see step 3 below).

Press all seams away from the center square.

STEP 3
Line up the long edge of the first sewn rectangle (dark blue) along the block and complete the seam (seam pictured below in white). Press seam away from the center square.

Bright Hopes Quilt Block Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

Finished Bright Hopes Quilt block measures 4 ½" x 4 ½" (does NOT include seam allowances).

Cutting instructions for alternative FINISHED block sizes:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3" FINISHED BLOCK: cut 1 ½ inch square - cut 1 ½" x 2 ½" rectangles.
6" FINISHED BLOCK: cut 2 ½ inch square - cut 2 ½" x 4 ½" rectangles.
7 ½" FINISHED BLOCK: cut 3 inch square - cut 3" x 5 ½" rectangles.
9" FINISHED BLOCK: cut 3 ½ inch square - cut 3 ½" x 6 ½" rectangles.
12" FINISHED BLOCK: cut 4 ½ inch square - cut 4 ½" x 8 ½" rectangles.

Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

For this quilt I have used may of my "low volume" fabrics; printed fabrics on a light/white background. Where do I purchase these fabrics? I have been collecting low volume fabrics for several years and many fabric collection now have one or two low volume prints - a design printed on a white/light background (not necessarily tone on tone). Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics regularly collates FQ bundles of Low Volume Fabrics (and Text Fabric Bundles), and check out the Low Volume fabric category at Stash Fabrics for more!

Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

QUILT DETAILS: 
Bright Hopes Low Volume Quilt 
Quilt top measures 52.5 inches x 63 inches.
154 Bright Hopes Blocks.
14 horizontal rows of 11 Bright Hopes blocks.
Each FINISHED block measures 4 ½ inches x 4 ½ inches.
180+ different fabrics were used to make this quilt top.
Fabrics Include:
Quilting Cotton, Liberty of London, and lots of novelty fabrics.

Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

For many of the Bright Hopes blocks I have used a colorful center square, which were an addition to my leftover fabric strips. I have been cutting and collecting 2" squares for most of the year, so these came in handy for this quilt. There's a lot to see! This quilt is scattered with I-Spy elements from flowers to fruits, fish, birds, cats, faces, mermaids, ballerinas, fish, text, and more.

Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

Thank you for stopping by and for scrolling through the many photos! If you have any question regarding the tutorial please feel free to email me or ask a question in the comments and I will reply/clarify there.

Rita
Bright Hopes Quilt and Tutorial | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

Follow RPQ on:
COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

17 comments:

  1. Your use of colors/fabrics always amazes me. BEAUTIFUL!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I remember learning this block several years ago and just feeling so clever. You've really done it justice in this quilt which is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is amazing that so many of your scraps had perfect placement in this quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your quilts always have a fresh crisp look to them. It is so uplifting.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am always amazed at your awesome quilts. You have amassed a wonderful variety of fabrics over the years. Fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rita, Thank you for explaining how you did your LOVELY quilt! -Jean

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love all your quilts, Rita, and have always wondered how to complete these blocks. Thank you for the tutorial! I have a new grandson coming and this might be the perfect quilt for him. I also appreciate the information you included to make different sized blocks. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love, love, love your instructions! Making a low volume quilt is on my 'list'. Yours looks superb!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cute, cute, cute! Especially the kitties!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice, Rita. So sweet and light.
    I was just sitting in the middle of my abundant heap of scraps yesterday afternoon (there is always a danger of avalanche) and pondering a project to get these fancy bits to work together. This just might be something worth consideration for a portion of them
    I really do love your project. Thank you so much for the helpful pattern idea.
    I hope you are enjoying a warmer day today. It is seriously getting colder here and I might have to bust out my winter coat.
    I cannot believe it is already the middle of November practically. Have a super fun rest of the week, Rita. Your ideas always make me happy

    ReplyDelete
  11. I had never seen a "low volume" fabric creation until your herringbone quilt. I LOVE the look! This one is lovely as well! Thank you for sharing and inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful, beautiful quilt and excellent instructions for the rest of us. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really loved the Herringbone quilt. For me to make one, I thought it was a bit too intimidating, but this one I could handle, and it has the same look. I love the way you make the explanations so easy to follow, and also your cutting instructions. Thank you!! I'm starting to amass my blocks today.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is wonderful ~ ever since I started collecting fabrics I have been cutting pieces for 3 different charm quilts. This will be fantastic for the 2.5 x. 5" pieces, just need to trim them down to 4.5" and use the yellows cut in half for 'flower' centers. Thank you so much for the springboard.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank You, Rita! I love it, I want to run upstairs right now and make these! LOVE your fabrics...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for the quilt stash-busting ideas. So many scraps and so little time.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! I really appreciate it.

Comments are published after review.

Feel free to ask questions and I will answer either here or by email, as is appropriate.