How to Get a Layer Cake, Charm Squares and Jelly Roll Strips Out of a Fat Quarter

I am excited to share with you a little tip I learned. I recently bought a bundle of Aloha Girls Fat Quarters by Fig & Tree for Moda, which I shared in my last post. 

I am still searching for patterns, (and probably will be for a few weeks to come), to use these fabrics for a quilt I want to make for my cousin; a soon-to-be-second-grader, who lives in Chicago. 

This is a typical quandary I often have. Do I purchase pre-cut jelly rolls, layers cakes, charm packs, yardage or some other type of pre-cut? I don’t like to waste fabric, and I am very budget conscious. That said, I usually purchase fat quarter bundles or yardage, when I find that, “must have” fabric, but I haven’t found that “perfect pattern” for the fabric.

I searched the internet and found these diagrams that are helpful. The first one shows how to efficiently cut yardage into two fat quarters. A fat quarter is usually 18″ X 22″, so this is an inch shy of a true fat quarter.

This great diagram below, shows how to divide a fat quarter into 2 layer cake squares, (10″ X 10″), 4 charm squares, (5″ X 5″), and one jelly roll strip, (2.5″ X 20″ long).

Linking up with Late Night Quilter Tuesday Tips and Tutorials.

Enjoy this tip and the rest of the week!!  Happy Quilting.

A New Grown-up Quilt For My Cousin

One of my very special cousins lives in Chicago with her British husband, who makes me laugh in person, or when I read his fb posts. They have a son, Matthew who is in 4th grade, a daughter, Hannah, who is in 2nd grade, another son, Andrew, who just turned 1, and a large poodle, Dixie.

Of course all the children got baby quilts when they were born. Recently we were skyping. Matthew and Hannah spontaneously showed me their quilts, and told me how much they still love them. And they still sleep with them and put them on top of their blankets. Did I get that heartfelt warm and fuzzy feeling? Did I tear up? You bet I did. I never expected this, and I am so happy they are still enjoying them.

I decided that I would like to make each of them a single bed quilt that is age appropriate and larger. They can use the new quilt as they grow up, until they graduate high school,and bring to college if they want.

Today I am asking my readers for their opinion, and I am going to post the two options on The Late Night Quilters fb page too.

I’ve decided that I am going to use Aloha Girl, by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics for Hannah’s quilt. But I haven’t decided on a pattern yet.

For Matthew’s quilt I have two thoughts in mind. The first option is to use Heather Givens Succulents collection, with the Turning Twenty pattern.

Or I will use the Connect Four pattern from Country Girl Modern: 11 Modern-Traditional Quilts from the Junction, by Jo Kramer and Kelli Hanken.

I love the simplicity of this quilt. It has a timeless, versatile style. 

So, please comment in the comment box below. Tell me which of the two you would make, and why. Thank you for your thoughts.

On a another note, I still haven’t heard from Joycita, the winner of reader appreciation week, and she didn’t list her e-mail or link it to her photo box in the comments section of this blog. If I don’t hear from her by tomorrow, my husband will pick a random number, and I will announce another winner on this blog, and hopefully reach you by e-mail. Yummy chocolate is the prize.

Happy Quilting!!