Quatrefoil Block--Important Information!!!

I am making the Quatrefoil quilt that was in Jenny's tutorial. Since I am not a math guru, that stuff makes my head hurt (lol). I took someone's advice on the forum and used 5" squares instead of 4-1/2" and 2-3/4" strips instead of 2-1/2" strips. Don't do what I did!!! I wondered when I watched the video why Jenny didn't just use 5" blocks instead of having to cut her layer cake in 4-1/2" blocks. The reason is it won't work with this block. I don't know why but it doesn't.

Jenny didn't mention in her video that the dog ears or wings on the middle blocks on the sides need to match the white blocks of the 4 patch blocks. The first time I made the block I worked and worked trying to get those wings or dog ears to match the white in the 4 patch block. Couldn't do it--so, I re-measured each strip, and each block to be sure my measurements were an accurate 5" and 2-3/4". I made another block. Same problem.

I re-cut my blocks and strips for the next block using Jenny's 4-1/2" block size and 2-1/2" strips. Everything matched perfectly. Now someone knows why this won't work with the other size block but it is not me.

Just trying to save everyone some time. Please know I am not angry at the person that suggested this. Logically it should work, but for me it didn't.

By the way I am using a Moda Folklore layer cake which is just so stinkin' cute. This past week, I was able to run by a quilt shop that I love on the way to see my son and found the Folklore coordinates still in stock there so I was able to find the border and 4 patch block colors that I needed for this quilt. I am planning to make this quilt as large as possible so will let you know what size I end up with after I add the border

From my little home on the prairie

Jan

Thanks for posting - I'll be sure to do some test blocks if I make this one!

I used Jenny's measurements, it worked great.

Just use Jenny's measurements. The quilt is quick and easy and adorable. Works up super fast and is fun!
Attachment 108386

Jan,

Thanks for the heads up as this is my next project to do!!!!!!! (As of right now lol). I hate the thought having to waste that 1/2 inch of fabric not to mention cutting up a "pre-cut". Math makes my head hurt too and normally go to hubby with all things math, figuring out triangles etc. My initial thought when I read the "fix" on using the full 5 inch square was that if you are adding 1/2 inch to the 4 1/2 inch square wouldn't you add 1/2 inch to the strip as well? (Maybe over simplifying and may not be true, but my thought anyway)

My hope is to make a test block using a 5 inch square and a 3 inch strip. I would be curious if anyone else has tried this block using a 5 inch square rather than a 4 1/2 inch square, if it worked out okay and what strip size they used.

My plan is to try and make a test block this weekend. If I get it done, I will post back.

Somewhere I read on here that if you do 5 inch you need to use 3 inch squares on the corners to snowball them. I can't find it now but that is what I had written. But I think you still needed to do 2 3/4 strips for the four patches to make them come out to 5 unfinished unless you want to square them down. I haven't made a test block yet just had my notes. At this point I was just going to go with the original measurements for my layer cake so I would have strings in the same colorway for a string quilt

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Originally Posted by Iris Girl

Just use Jenny's measurements. The quilt is quick and easy and adorable. Works up super fast and is fun!
Attachment 108386

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That quilt is just so darn cute April!

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Originally Posted by Kim T

Jan,

Thanks for the heads up as this is my next project to do!!!!!!! (As of right now lol). I hate the thought having to waste that 1/2 inch of fabric not to mention cutting up a "pre-cut". Math makes my head hurt too and normally go to hubby with all things math, figuring out triangles etc. My initial thought when I read the "fix" on using the full 5 inch square was that if you are adding 1/2 inch to the 4 1/2 inch square wouldn't you add 1/2 inch to the strip as well? (Maybe over simplifying and may not be true, but my thought anyway)

My hope is to make a test block using a 5 inch square and a 3 inch strip. I would be curious if anyone else has tried this block using a 5 inch square rather than a 4 1/2 inch square, if it worked out okay and what strip size they used.

My plan is to try and make a test block this weekend. If I get it done, I will post back.

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The biggest problem is matching the dog ears (white fabric) sides of the block with the white in the 4 patch block. I have never pieced a block that was designed like this one. That is where the 2-3/4" problem showed up. I will try and post pictures when I finish my quilt top. The design works perfectly when using Jenny's measurements. I wonder why she didn't mention "do not try this with a charm pack or layer cake 5" square? I am almost certain she knew it wouldn't work with 5" squares or she would have done it that way.

I am enjoying piecing this block. It is a lot of fun. The layer cake I am using has some fabrics that are repeated twice. Since it takes 4 matching 4-1/2" blocks for the sides, I am wondering how this is all going to end up. I am using the fabrics that are not repeated as the centers to try and stretch the layer cake to make more blocks.

Jan

Being a scrapbooker, I hated wasting paper. I dislike wasting fabric even more.

I think I'll make a test block using cardstock and go from there. Then I can mark my measurements and quantities needed on my paper.

Thanks for posting this. This quilt is my next one....after I finishing my Disappearing Hourglass.

Is there a paper pattern. I don't like watching the video's over and over. Once is fine, then I would prefer to refer to a written pattern.

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Originally Posted by briggsey

Is there a paper pattern. I don't like watching the video's over and over. Once is fine, then I would prefer to refer to a written pattern.

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Not by Jenny, it will probaly come out in the Block mag.There are several tuts for it though.

CARIBOUSMOM ? Quatrefoil Block Tutorial

I am making this Quatrefoil quilt as we speak. I am in the process of putting the blocks together.
Since I am using a layer cake and jelly roll, I went with Jenny's measurements in the tutorial.
And I also have a Sizzix die that is 4.5" so it made cutting the layer cakes real easy and fast.
This is an easy quilt to put together.
The points are easy to match up, and there are no HST's. http://yoursmiles.org/ssmile/fun/s0266.gif