Passing the Days: Day 22

I don't know why I thought back to the days when my brothers and I struggled with a Rubik's Cube.  I think we were each determined to be the first to solve the puzzle.  My youngest brother was patient enough to stick with it until he had success.  Maybe I thought of it because I recalled that it is a none-patch.  Maybe it was because of my brother's patience as that is the name of my block today.  I was needing another simple pattern for today as I knew I would not have time to do anything too involved.  This is another simple nine-patch block variation.

These simpler blocks are good to come back to every once in awhile as we fine-tune our piecing skills.  I chose the exact same fabrics for this one as I used in my previous nine-patch so I could show how fabric placement is such an important aspect of our quilts.  More on that a little later in this post.

One of things it is good to check when making a simple block is our seam allowance.  Because we have cut all of the squares to 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" I know that the center will measure 2" across.  If not, now is a good time to make adjustments to correct that.  It is all dependent on where our needle hits the fabric as we sew of course.  I either need to move my pieces one way or the other when I sew them, or change my needle position so it is closer or further away depending on what the result of my measurement is.  Even something like the thread we use can impact the accuracy of our seam allowance.  I have found what works for me with my specific presser foot, needle, and thread choice.  If I change any of those things I need to recheck that my seam allowance is still the desired 1/4".  Nothing is more frustrating than to get to the end of a detailed block and find that my seam allowance was off a bit, as I cannot get the correct finished size and it will never look as good as it should.

I am really not sure why this block is called Patience.  It does not require patience to make like so many others I have on my radar for this project might call for.

I put it next to my previous nine-patch block, which is the very traditional looking one on the left.

I played around with my EQ software to see how these blocks would look in a quilt.
First the Nine-patch.

Then the Patience block. A totally different look due to fabric placement.

Then a little bit of symmetry play with the patience block resulted in this.

And finally I combined the two blocks to get this design.

I just think it is fun to play with how many looks I can get from just one or two simple blocks.  

I hope you have fun with your own version of today's block.  You can get a pdf copy of the block HERE. 
I have also included a link for a video of the mask pattern I am making.  I started with the one our local hospital had requested, but they have since said they will take whatever we make, which led me to look for something easier.  My husband used the new mask on his grocery shopping trip today and said it worked great and was very comfortable.  We toss the used one's into a large ziploc bag until they get washed in hot soapy water.   The new pattern is so much easier and quicker to make.  I even started using the fabric ties that fat quarter bundles come in for the ties-they are amazingly comfortable for this purpose so I am glad I have kept all of those in one of my drawers. Below is an example of the bundle tie I am talking about.  

Wherever you are, whatever today finds you doing, I do hope you are finding some joy in your day.

​Happy Quilting!