Thursday, March 26, 2020

Home Alone

80" x 78"


I made this quilt from a photo of a vintage quilt that I have. I didn't have any instructions, so I decided to make it simple. I chose 3 sizes of blocks that would all be divisible by the same number so I could line up the rows of blocks and have all the rows the same length.

The first row has 8 blocks that are 10'' square.
The second row has 4 blocks that are 20" square.
The next 3 rows have 5 blocks each that are 16" square.

Each of the log cabin blocks is the exact same construction. The math for cutting varies to make the sizes different. But once you've sewn one block, all the others go together the exact same way!

Cutting Instructions

Cutting for the 10" blocks (make 8)
NOTE: these blocks have an extra round than shown in the layout.

Center square-
cut 8 squares 2 1/2'' x 2 1/2''

Light strips-
cut 8 strips 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  3 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  4 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  5 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  6 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  7 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  8 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  9 1/2"

Dark strips-
cut 8 strips 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  4 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  5 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  6 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  7 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  8 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  9 1/2"
cut 8 strips 1 1/2'' x  10 1/2"

Cutting for the 20" blocks (make 4)

Center square-
cut 4 squares 5 1/2'' x 5 1/2''

Light strips-
cut 4 strips 3" x 5 1/2"
cut 4 strips 3'' x  8"
cut 4 strips 3" x  10 1/2"
cut 4 strips 3" x  13"
cut 4 strips 3" x  15 1/2"
cut 4 strips 3" x  18"

Dark strips-
cut 4 strips 3'' x  8"
cut 4 strips 3" x  10 1/2"
cut 4 strips 3" x  13"
cut 4 strips 3" x  15 1/2"
cut 4 strips 3" x  18"
cut 4 strips 3" x  20 1/2"

Cutting for the 16" blocks (make 15) 

Center square-
cut 15 squares 4 1/2'' x 4 1/2''

Light strips-
cut 15 strips 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  6 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  8 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  10 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  12 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  14 1/2"

Dark strips-
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  6 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  8 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  10 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  12 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2'' x  14 1/2"
cut 15 strips 2 1/2" x 16 1/2"



Sewing Instructions

Sewing the Blocks

Sew the shortest light strip to the center square. Press toward the strip.
Rotate the unit to the right 90 degrees.
Sew the next light strip to the unit. Press toward the strip.
Rotate the unit to the right 90 degrees.
Sew the shortest dark strip to the center square. Press toward the strip.
Rotate the unit to the right 90 degrees.
Sew the next dark. strip to the unit. Press toward the strip.
Continue until all strips are added.
Take care to keep all of the strips on one side of the blocks and all the darks on the other.
The strip you are adding should be the exact length needed.
If not, check your seam allowances and adjust accordingly.
Always press toward the most recently added strip.
Trip blocks to the correct size if needed.

Assemble the Quilt

Arrange the blocks as shown in the diagram.
Sew the 10" blocks into a row.
Sew the 20" blocks into a row.
Sew the 16" blocks into 3 rows of 5 blocks each.
Sew the rows together.
Use your preferred method for pressing.
Layer, Baste, Quilt and Bind!

For a download version of the pattern, click HERE.

Edited 4/27 to include missing info and typo


I hope this helps you use up some scraps and strips! Please make one for yourself, or even better, make one to give away, like I plan to. Either way...

Enjoy every stitch!
Diane

13 comments:

  1. THANKS...this is perfect for a stay-at-home-cleaning-the-sewing-room-organizing-the-scraps quilt!

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  2. Thank you for this pattern. Can't wait to try it. I also enjoy visiting your blog and seeing all the quilts and ideas you provide. Thank you!

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  3. Thank you so much for this pattern! I have a lot of scraps and this will be perfect for a stash busting quilt.

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  4. I love this pattern! So different! Thank you so much.

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  5. Wow. Great quilt. It would be great to use up some of my 2.5 inch strips.

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  6. That is a lovely quilt. Thank you for the instructions.

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  7. A lovely scrappy quilt! I'm always on the lookout for ways to use up my precious scraps, next on the list

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  8. Thanks for the pattern Diane! My daughter would love a quilt like the one you made (colors). Hope you and yours are safe and healthy!

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  9. hi Diane ..first thanks for all your sharing...love all you do for us....I was searching for something not complicated to add to the bottom of a man's prayer quilt and in roaming your blog...found the disappearing 9 patch....which I have made several....but realized that making one block cut in 4 and sewed as a strip worked perfectly...I only needed to add a 3x7" strip on each side to fit before my border....totally out of the box... and thanks to you!...your inspiration to us is so inspiring!.....big hugs from NJ

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  10. I think this might be interesting done with the 20" blocks in the middle, then 16" blocks on either side and ending with the 10" blocks on the outside. It would be a little narrower, but it might work.
    Pat

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  11. Thank you for sharing! The different sized blocks will work great with scraps.

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  12. There is still an error in the Home Alone quilt. The 10 inch blocks as you made them in your quilt have 4 rounds, not 3 like the other blocks. As written, the log cabin blocks are 8 inches finished. I will just make 2 more blocks at 8 inches to finish the quilt.

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  13. This looks so interesting! Thanks for the pattern.

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