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Fun with stripes- Quilt Tutorial

November 24, 2009 60 Comments

Let’s have fun creating intricate blocks with stripes!

Do you hesitate to buy striped fabric because you don’t know what to use it for? Well,  buy some and I will show you a few easy ways to create lovely blocks with minimum effort.

stripes for quilt blocks

Lately, I have played a little more with such fabrics and I love them.

The fabric I used for this tutorial is a heavy cotton canvas from Ikea. It is great for sewing bags or pillow covers.

I always pre-wash these fabrics because they shrink. The washing must be done with much care in order to not distort the stripes. I don’t use steam for pressing. Quilt weight fabric – if used – should be pre-washed with the same care.

So, what can we do with these fabrics ? Let’s see…

Cut a square then cut it on both diagonals.

From two squares we can make two blocks like these ones:

Using 2 green squares and 2 red squares,

from half of the triangles, we can make these 2 blocks:

or these ones:

and using the other half ( see the placement of the white stripes on these triangles)

we can make one of these three blocks (hard to choose the favorite, right?).


Seminole patchwork

The next two methods apply to fabrics with stripes of the same width.

From a long strip cut rectangles; the width of a rectangle (Y) = the width of a strip(X) +0.5″ (for seam allowances) ; offset the rectangles and sew them together.

Place the ruler 0.25″ away from the intersection points and cut
Using more than two stripes

The method described above is called Seminole patchwork. Many variations could be created by changing the number of the strips/stripes, the angles of the cuts and the way the pieces are sewn together.

Making octagons

I used a triangle ruler ( Kaleidoscope ruler from Quilt in a Day) to cut the triangles.

Octagon from striped fabric

Cut two squares and cut them on the opposite diagonals. Set aside the inner triangles and piece them to make squares. Repeat with the outer triangles.

These quarter blocks can be arranged in this way:

I used this method for this quilt

Making fans

I used a 15-degree fan ruler (any degree ruler works).

If we don’t close the circle, we can make a beautiful tree skirt (cut out a larger circle from the center if needed). Quilt then bind around the edges.

My piece with center circle added.

But how about beautiful quilt weight fabric like this one ?

There are so many fabrics like this on the market –  some of them are beautiful batiks.

Make squares from quarter square triangles

Here is how to cut these quarter triangles using a rectangle ruler. May I say that I am a big fan of Creative Grids rulers ?

Align the 45-degree marking line of the ruler with the edge of the fabric and cut.

Rotate the ruler, align the other 45-degree marking with the edge of the fabric; keep the already cut edge of the triangle parallel with a marking line of the ruler.

Making hexagons

– using a 60-degree triangle ruler with three equal sides;

hexagons from striped fabric

– or using the rectangle ruler, in a similar manner used above.
This time, align the edge of the fabric with the 60-degree marking of the ruler.


Other uses of striped fabrics
Bags and more bags…

Pair this fabric with the main fabric of your bags – it is ALWAYS a good idea!

bag-patterns-1

As you see, it works even if your main fabric is a striped fabric, as well.

purse-tote-bag-patterns-5

It works with floral fabrics…

quilted-purse-1

…and even with gingham fabric.

I hope this tutorial is helpful. Imagine all the possibilities!

Happy sewing!

geta

If you love piecing quilts, check out
my collection of patchwork quilt patterns.

You you need new ideas for bags, check out my bag patterns.


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Filed Under: quilting tutorials Tagged With: stip pieced quilts tutorial

Comments

  1. Vicki W says

    November 24, 2009 at 9:31 pm

    It looks like you are having a grand time with the stripes!

    Reply
  2. Csilla says

    November 24, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Tutorial fantastic! Ce mult imi plac materialele in dungi… Idei fantastice!

    Reply
  3. maggi says

    November 24, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    Brilliant ideas, thank you.

    Reply
  4. omashee aka Barb says

    November 24, 2009 at 10:12 pm

    Wonderful tutorials Geta! Gets my mind working with new ideas. Thanks!
    Barb

    Reply
  5. jan says

    November 25, 2009 at 12:27 am

    Thank you Geta, some really useful ideas here. Thanks for sharing. Janet

    Reply
  6. Marilyn says

    November 25, 2009 at 12:28 am

    You are a genius! Thank you for the tutorial.

    Reply
  7. SewCalGal says

    November 25, 2009 at 1:38 am

    Delightful tutorial. Thanks for sharing. I will give your insights a try soon.

    SewCalGal
    http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Lynn says

    November 25, 2009 at 2:23 am

    What a lot of good ideas to use stripes!

    Reply
  9. Marina says

    November 25, 2009 at 4:38 am

    Geta, thank you so much for the great tutorial. I am not comfortable with stripes, will try your methods and I am sure it will come out great. Happy thanksgiving to you!

    Reply
  10. Aida Costa says

    November 25, 2009 at 5:04 am

    Geta – thank you, thank you, thank you!! (((hug))) Wonderful pictures and instructions! Your tutorials are fantastic 🙂

    Reply
  11. roolen says

    November 25, 2009 at 5:38 am

    Great tutorials, Geta! Thank you!

    Reply
  12. Tozz says

    November 25, 2009 at 6:13 am

    Thanks so much for broadening my mind….great tutorials and fantastic ideas 🙂 hugs
    Vicki…Oh I didnt win your last giveaway…I was so dissapointed 🙂 Maybe next time 🙂

    Reply
  13. Béa says

    November 25, 2009 at 6:22 am

    Thank you Geta for this tutorial, simple but very helpful and inspiring.

    Reply
  14. Kucki68 says

    November 25, 2009 at 7:58 am

    Great tutorial.

    Reply
  15. Miriam says

    November 25, 2009 at 9:01 am

    Thank you for the great tutorial!
    Very clever!!!

    Reply
  16. DIANA says

    November 25, 2009 at 10:16 am

    thank you so much for all your tutorials..you are so generous!!thanks,i have your blog on my list of favourites on my blog!!

    Reply
  17. Anne D says

    November 25, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    WOW so many great ideas. Thanks!

    Reply
  18. Mihaela says

    November 25, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Multumesc pentru tutorial! Te invidiez pentru rigle! Mainile tale dibace fac insa imbinarile atat de exacte!
    La cat mai multa inspiratie!

    Mihaela

    Reply
  19. ...tiktakro... says

    November 25, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    am I awake ?? or I dream ??? is this really true ??? I can't believe it!
    please don't call me, don't write me, I'm extremely busy putting in practice all those GREAT ideeas. :)))
    hugs? no way !isn't enough;). I must say a big THANK YOU. :))
    do you have more ? :)))I must find a way to lock myself in home this week-end…

    Reply
  20. Petit Debutant says

    November 25, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    wow, I will never look at stripes the same way! Thank you for sharing I'll have to try out a few things!

    Reply
  21. Mary L. says

    November 25, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    You are so creative! Wonderful tutorial!

    Reply
  22. Ela says

    November 25, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    Creativa ca intotdeauna! Si ne oferi atatea idei!Tutorial din care intelege oricine din orice colt de lume!

    Reply
  23. Sanda says

    November 25, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    oh my! what else can i say in front of this perfect show of …quilting genius!

    Reply
  24. Lisa B says

    November 25, 2009 at 4:40 pm

    Excellent ideas! I'm going to have to find some striped fabric soon so I can test some of them out.

    Reply
  25. EJ180 says

    November 25, 2009 at 5:34 pm

    Thanks Geta, what great tutorials you done for us. I have to say I couldn't do many of these without your tutorial.

    Reply
  26. quilts says

    November 25, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    I'm going to look for striped material today. I still haven't had time to try your shadow trapunto, but after this weekend I am itching to try it. Thanks for all your fun ideas!

    Reply
  27. iherba says

    November 25, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    Hola he llegado a tu blog a través del de Victoria (España)geniales tus tutoriales. Yo tengo hecho uno sobre como hacer un Cuenco/Bol, distinto al tuyo, es otra forma de hacerlo. Besos

    Reply
  28. puk says

    November 25, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    Hola yo también he llegado a tu blog a través de Victoria (España), es muy bueno tu blog!!!.
    He puesto un post con tu dirección del blog en el mio y he puesto la foto de tu trabajo.
    Espero no te moleste, en caso contrario me lo dices y lo borraré.
    un abrazo

    Reply
  29. Nancy says

    November 25, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    Geta,
    Thank you so much for this tutorial on using stripes. I appreciate your lesson. You have done the calculations, so we can cut our fabric without wasting any! I can not wait to get started.

    Reply
  30. Zlata says

    November 25, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    Thank you! Very useful and illustrative tutorial. Just as many new ideas emerged.

    Reply
  31. Vae says

    November 25, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    Great stripe shortcuts, Geta!

    Reply
  32. Miss Nancy says

    November 26, 2009 at 1:22 am

    Love this tutorial, great ideas. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  33. Yvonne says

    November 26, 2009 at 6:42 am

    so simple but simply effective Geta. I love what you do with fabric, and I will never look at a striped fabric the same way again!!

    Reply
  34. Carole says

    November 26, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    Geta-You are very talented and make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing your talents!

    Reply
  35. Reflections of life and art says

    November 26, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    What fun….now I won't shy away from stripes….I'll be looking at them in a whole different way…Thanks!

    Reply
  36. gayle says

    November 27, 2009 at 11:54 pm

    Great ideas, Geta! So much easier using striped fabric than piecing for stripes.
    Squares and triangles are such fun to play with.

    Reply
  37. moramargaritaster says

    November 28, 2009 at 10:17 am

    Thank for the great tutorial and show how fun is play with spuare and triangle.

    Reply
  38. Trast says

    November 29, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    Mil gracias Geta!
    fantastico tutorial!
    Haces unos trabajos muy bonitos.
    Saludo!

    Reply
  39. The Tiny Homestead says

    December 2, 2009 at 5:07 am

    all the pictures really help to visualize the possibilities. very inspiring!

    Reply
  40. What Comes Next? says

    December 2, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    what a fabulous tutorial! I never knew how many options there were from using stripes. I really have to go give this a try! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  41. Janet says

    December 2, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    This is the first I have seen of Trapunto! I LOVE IT and hope to do it some day. Your work is GORGEOUS and you look like you have so much fun!!! Wish you lived near me here in FL!!! Warm hugs.. Janet

    Reply
  42. Potpourri says

    December 2, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    What a fantastic tutorial for stripes. Thank you so much.

    Reply
  43. Rachel says

    December 3, 2009 at 3:41 am

    This is quite amazing! Thank you for sharing all these ideas.

    Reply
  44. Barbara Wiese says

    December 3, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    Geta, you are one very talented lady!!! Very creative! Thanks for the great tutorial! Barb W in MN

    Reply
  45. Anonymous says

    December 4, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    WOW, I love what you did with stripes!! You are one talented lady~ Thanks for sharing with us, I aim to try these!!!

    Reply
  46. Michelle says

    December 4, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    WOW! Those are AWESOME! I can't wait to find the time to try some of those patterns!

    Reply
  47. Helen says

    December 4, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    Wow your use of stripes is amazing. So many possibilities.

    Reply
  48. PegF says

    December 7, 2009 at 2:07 am

    This was wonderful! Thanks so much for the great tutorial and excellent ideas!

    Reply
  49. Natalia says

    January 7, 2010 at 8:42 am

    hola !!!
    me encantan tus ideas, son absolutamente divertidas !!!
    un beso !!
    buna!!!
    mi-au placut ideiile tale,sunt foarte distractive.
    pupici!!

    Reply
  50. Cherry Guidry says

    February 7, 2010 at 2:39 am

    Great Tutorial!!! Will try it soon! Thanks,

    Cherry

    Reply
  51. gabriela says

    January 8, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    In primul rand doresc sa va felicit pentru blog. Am gasit lucruri utile si practice pt. mine.
    As dori sa va intreb ce masina de cusut Pfaff folositi?
    O masina de quilting specializata?
    Eu doresc sa achizitionez o masina de cusut casnica si am o dilema daca sa cumpar o masina de quilting sau o masina obisnuita care are program de quilting si ca accesoriu se poate achizitiona separat un dual feet.
    D-voastra ce tip de masina recomandati?

    Reply
  52. susan says

    March 28, 2012 at 4:26 am

    wow! you are fabulous! i cant wait to try some of these
    thank you!

    Reply
  53. Carmen Maidment says

    August 9, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    A great tut!! Thank you. I love how you make stripes 'work' for you. Very impressed. Will be thinking of some of those designs for my own quilts. (I am VERY new to it all.) Thank you again!

    Reply
  54. Nete oliveira says

    June 30, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    maravilhosa demonstracåo! obrigada eu amei!!!

    Reply
  55. Kathy Morrison says

    June 23, 2014 at 2:20 am

    Thanks for the very interesting and informative tutorial. As a new quilter, I'm always looking for variety to save and try some day.
    Thanks again, Kathy.

    Reply
  56. Jane says

    June 23, 2014 at 9:42 am

    I love (and collect) striped fabric! Great tutorial!

    Reply
  57. Donna Hawley says

    April 17, 2019 at 1:17 am

    Thank you so very much for all your tutorials, you explain things in a way that is easy to understand. Now I can’t wait to try working with stripes.

    Reply
  58. Kara Benavides says

    April 17, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    You can take any fabric and make it look spectacular! Thank you for sharing. And I love your bags!

    Reply
  59. ELAINE RUTLEDGE says

    July 29, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    You always have such great ideas!

    Reply
  60. Seyda Borahan says

    May 18, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    Thank you for sharing this tutorial, it was very helpful. You have given so many creative ideas.

    Reply

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