The Simple Life Quilt

Last weekend, I was looking through my quilt patterns for a pattern that would be suitable for just three fabrics. I wanted to make a quilt that fit Judy's July Stash Challenge. I came across this pattern by Lissa Alexander called "The Simple Life Quilt". As it turns out this pattern is a 4 patch variation--referred to as a 4 by 4 by 4 patch by Lissa.

If you double click on the picture, the image should become larger and you should be able to read the writing. At the bottom of the pattern, there is a note that states, "Assemble quilt in a Trip Around the World design refer to photo for placement." All I have of this pattern is this single sheet. I do not have a photo to refer to as mentioned in the instructions. Since I am a visual person, I went to my quilt software, Quilt Pro, drafted the block and played with block placement variations.

This is my block.

This is the version of the block placement that I liked the best. I like this version better than the Trip Around the World placement. This is 16 4 by 4 by 4 blocks.

I added a 2 1/2" border to the outside of the quilt. After quilting, I am planning to put a "flap" of pink on the edge of the border, tucked under a green binding. This will bring the pink and green colours back into the quilt on the outside edge, framing the quilt.

A top of sixteen blocks with a narrow 2" border finishes at 36 1/2" square--perfect for a table topper.

This quilt takes 5 - 1 1/2" wide strips of fabrics C and D (pink and green) and 5 - 2 1/2" wide strips of fabric for the B squares and 4 - 4 1/2" wide strips of fabric for the A squares. The border takes 4 - 2 1/2" wide strips of the print used for the A and B blocks.

I have an idea for a three fabric version that I hope to have time to work on in the near future.