This week I have been playing with a traditional quilt pattern called “crackers”. My first variation is a bright scrappy block, which I think will make a great boys quilt.
The cracker pattern is a simple quilt block made up of patchwork bars with triangles at their ends. I used a paper piecing pattern, but there is some great tutorials on how to piece this block online including at Moda Bake Shop and at Cut to Pieces.
While putting the “cheese” blocks together (this yellow = cheese in my brain for some reason) I had the urge to use the block a little differently. My next approach was again scrappy but not based on colour combinations. The second variation was based on a collection of multicoloured floral fabrics sitting in my stash for ages. I used a some of my collection in the quilt in my blog header and I have been itching to use more. So I made these blocks.
I was not sure at first if this idea would work at all. Tuesday afternoon I tentatively grabbed a fabric, cut it and made a block. Block after block I kept wondering if it would come together. I often make quilt blocks to test out ideas – I do not sketch or play in Photoshop, which would probably be the sensible way to go. It was a relief to finally lay out some of the blocks Tuesday evening and see this.
I think this is going to be a fun quilt when it is finished. I am now looking forward to pulling some more fabrics out of my stash and seeing where it all goes. Wish me luck.
WOMBAT QUILTS 
Yep, yep! I do think this will be a really terrific quilt. It’s a fabulous block with lots of possibilities and I can see that you are making use of some of them. One of my friends used this block for a friendship quilt and had all her friends sign their names in the middle of the block. She had it framed (!) and hanging in her front hallway. I loved it, so it was fun to see you taking it in another direction.
I also love the blue/yellow combination, as well.
What a great idea to use the middle for signatures. I may borrow that one. Thanks.
Oooh, these blocks are all so lovely!
Cheese and crackers great name! I love all you do with two colors but its so cool to see you work with lots of colors too!
I like that block…and I think your quilt will be lovely when it’s finished too.
The blue and yellow will make such a cute boy quilt! I like the scrappy one a lot!
Love the look of these blocks together!
Love the cheese and crackers! And the scrappy blocks are going to look awesome when finished!
I haven’t seen this block before. It looks pretty neat. I like your floral version more. Also thank you for your lovely comment on my blog. You are no-reply so I’m just leaving the thank you here 🙂
Blast Blogger and WordPress not talking to each other. I do not mean to be a no reply blogger I promise. It is just the technology is not compatible… yet.
I liked the blocks then kept reading and am super inspired with the black & white prints! I have a bunch of b&w that has been waiting for a project. Thanks for the inspiration! Gotta go sew…
I am in complete agreement here – love how that second variation is turning out! Kudos for taking a chance and running with it! It will be a gorgeous quilt and I look forward to seeing how it develops.
I really love that this quilt has such a scrappy look. It’s going to be fantastic.
I read today about Quilts for Boston, where bloggers/quilters can send quilt blocks to the Boston chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild to support families affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. I had just read your blog a few seconds beforehand, and wouldn’t you know it, the color scheme for the Boston blocks is the same as your Cheese & Crackers quilt! Thanks so much for the inspiration in using multiple blues and yellows in a single block – I can’t wait to make a few of my own. Check it out if you have any extra fabric: http://bostonmqg.blogspot.com/2013/04/quilts-for-boston.html
I have started pulling fabric to make blocks. I am brimming with ideas and hope to get a few blocks done this weekend. It is such a wonderful idea, and it was fortuitous that I had already started with the blue and yellow. Thanks for sharing the link.
I am loving this block with the vibrant colors and low volume background. Love, love love.
It’s a wonderful block and a great use of low volume. I am going to earmark this as a possibility for my low-volume stash.
I am a month late, but this is the post that WordPress in its infinite wisdom thinks I would like. 🙂 I love the chain effect of the scrappy blocks. Thanks for visiting my blog.
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