Fandangle Scrappy Squares

• • 188 Comments

I'm so pleased to be participating in the blog hop for Fandangle, Christa Watson's newest fabric line for Benartex. Fandangle is full of bright prints in fun, modern patterns. I was drawn to the cool color way of her designs.

After last month's Island Batik version of my Planned Improv: Scrappy Squares, I am excited to show a new variation on my technique. In my Planned Improv projects I have a general set of rules for creating the piece, and additional rules can give a twist to the design or provide continuity among different sections. Some of the rules I ended up following on this project include: the largest square is 12" finished, same general shape for each row, seven square along the top edge of each row (12" square in the middle), and rows off-centered from each other. I find that making a few adjustments to the design as I work can help add to the cohesive look of the overall piece.

My quilt top finished at about 41" x 54" So many of these fabrics are great blenders that would be a lovely addition to any stash.

GIVEAWAY (US addresses only)

For your chance to win a fat quarter bundle with a selection of 8 Fandangle fabrics, enter with Rafflecopter below by leaving a comment on my blog. Get a second entry by being a newsletter subscriber. Not a newsletter subscriber yet? Subscribe here, click to confirm your subscription in the email that comes to you. At the end of the giveaway I will email the randomly selected winner and they will have 48 hours to reply with their (US) shipping address or I will select a new winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for visiting! Now you can view the finish.

Be sure to check out the other stops on the hop!

Tuesday
Heather from Quilta-chusetts; IG: @quiltachusetts
Sarah from Sarah Goer Quilts; IG: @sarahmgoer
Nancy from Masterpiece Quilting; IG: @masterpiecequilting

Wednesday
Sue from Sue O'Very Designs; IG: @sueoverydesigns
Sylvia from Flying Parrot Quilts; IG: @flyingparrotquilts

Thursday
Annie from By Annie; IG: @PatternsByAnnie
Brenda from Spool and Bobbin Quilting

Friday
Tina: @sashikostyle
Paige from Quilted Blooms; IG: @quiltedblooms

For more Fandangle fun:
Click here to see the entire Fandangle collection.
Click here to visit Christa's website. Find her on IG here.
Click here to read the interview with Christa.

Related posts:

Starstruck Pillow A Brilliant Cut Mini Quilt Blogger Bundle Event and Giveaway at Needle and Foot Wonder Full Blog Hop: All About Angles Style

188 thoughts on “Fandangle Scrappy Squares”

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Maybe you'll get to take one of my Planned Improv workshops someday! It would be so fun to have you in class. Thank you, Paige!

      Reply ↓

  5. Rosalind Gutierrez

    Lovely cool colors in your modern take on Christa's new fabric line. Love the grey background to feature the designs.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Rosalind. I really loved playing with the fabrics. I think they would also be set off really nicely by a navy solid.

      Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Cynthia. I have a giant size scrappy square project cut out. I look forward to getting that one together. I picked some of my favorite purple fabrics for really big squares. :-)

      Reply ↓

  15. Carla Hundley

    Fabulous design on your
    quilt. I love that middle
    center fabric on the
    second row. I would
    like to use this to make
    some bags.
    Carla from Utah

    Reply ↓

  16. Debra Miller

    Love your quilt and color selection as blues are always my favorite color choice. My first thought on your "Scrappy Squares" design was outstretched kimono sleeves for a quilt hug!

    Reply ↓

  17. Diane Beavers

    Paper cuts and Triangle Trinkets are my favorites. Usually i gravitate to the warm prints, this time I'm loving the turquoise blues and greens as well.
    Thank you for sharing your quilt.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      The Triangle Trinkets is such a fun print with great movement. Thank you for visiting, Diane.

      Reply ↓

  20. Rochelle

    I find your quilt to be intriguing. It is amazing how changing the fabric can change the pattern. All of Christa's prints are gorgeous but I like the large scale one that looks like jacks. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Part of the advantage of working in a series is seeing the variations. The large scale print is a fun one! Thank you for visiting, Rochelle.

      Reply ↓

  23. Sharon Aurora

    I like your method of designing this quilt. The design really brings out the variety of fabric. I love cool colors. The gray background is perfect for this.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Sharon. It's great when a line has a variety of values. The light grey worked so nicely to contrast the medium/dark prints.

      Reply ↓

  29. Janet T

    I like the two large blue prints used in the second and last rows of your quilt. One looks like fireworks, and the other kind of like opened paper fans. Great designs in her collection!

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      That large one in the bottom row is Triangle Trinkets. It's fabulous! Thanks for visiting, Janet.

      Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Well, thank you Shirley... though Christa and Benartex did all the work on making these look great together. :-) It's a great line.

      Reply ↓

  34. Nicole Sender

    My favorite print of Fandangle is TRIANGLE TRINKETS TEAL Item #: 0769280B SKU: 7692-80. Love your scrappy square quilt top!

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      That's a great one. I have a WIP that I may try to sneak some of that one into. ;-) Thanks for visiting, Nicole.

      Reply ↓

  35. usairdoll

    Great pattern to show off beautiful fabrics. I’m loving the center fabric of the middle row.

    Super giveaway! Fingers crossed!

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      That one is Baubles and Bits in Teal. It's a great funky print and the red version is rad, too! Thanks for visiting!

      Reply ↓

  37. Mel Beach

    All the fun prints and patterns from Christa's newest collection just shine in your planned improv design. I really like this newest layout variation too...very fun!! Happy quilting ahead!

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Lee. I could own a whole bolt of that grey! There's also a dark grey version of Confetti Crosshatch.

      Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Patti. I wish my wardrobe was this colorful! Christa has some skirts from her Sparkling Squares prints. They are delightful!

      Reply ↓

  43. Linda S

    I really like your quilt top, I can't wait to see how you quilt it. Triangle trinkets in teal is my favorite print, though I also love all of the confetti crosshatch prints.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Great choices! The Confetti Crosshatch prints would be so versatile in any quilt! Thanks for visiting, Linda.

      Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Judy. The Baubles and Bits prints really remind me of ornaments. Someone else said she'd like to make bags with that print, which I think would be delightful.

      Reply ↓

  47. Rita S

    I would make a picnic quilt to leave in my car. The one I have now has fabrics from clothes that I and my mom wore.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      You picnic quilt sounds like a lovely memory quilt. I agree that these prints would make a delightful, happy picnic quilt. Thanks for visiting, Rita.

      Reply ↓

  51. Sarah J

    I love the Triangle Trinkets in teal! But the Confetti prints are beautiful too, and would be so nice to have in my stash since I always lack blenders. I love hearing how you use Planned Improv-- so interesting!

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Sarah. I am a blender gal. Years and years ago I realized I had stashed a BUNCH of fat quarters in wild multicolor prints... and none of them played nicely together. A couple years back I really took a look at what kinds of fabrics I was using most and most easily and curated my stash. The majority of what I purchase to stash are blender fabrics. Then a feature fabric or two always have a variety of possible "friends" to join them. ;-)

      Reply ↓

  52. Nancy Myers

    I like the colors you used. Thank you for explaining a little of how you design a quilt. Most times we never know why someone's pattern is designed as it is.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      I enjoy sharing my process (sometimes along the way, sometimes in the "finish" post). Thanks for visiting, Nancy.

      Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Baubles and Bits is a great larger scale print. Someone else pointed out that it would be fun on bags, which I have to agree! Thanks for visiting, Jenny.

      Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Oh, I'd love to hear more about how you'd build your cabins. My mind went immediately to cabins that were half cool and half warm prints when I read your comment. Thanks for visiting, Cecilia.

      Reply ↓

  55. Joyce Carter

    I really love this fabric collection. I would use it in a scrappy quilt.
    Your quilt is a great design to show off these fabrics. Great job!

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Joyce. They are great prints that would play nice with a variety of fabrics. :-)

      Reply ↓

  56. Kathleen McCormick

    This is a great way to adjust e original pattern. It kind of looks like a line of clothing or sheets on a clothesline. I just think it’s great the way it works out.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Thank you, Kathleen. The wonderful part about doing design work from a technique versus a pattern is the ease of moving into variations. I love that a couple of you have seen that clothesline image. Fun!

      Reply ↓

  59. Greetings from foggy Cape Breton! I don’t have a favorite print because I love it all! The bundle showcases my favorite color combinations.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Waving from across the continent! I'm glad you enjoyed checking out Fandangle. Thanks for visiting, Kaholly.

      Reply ↓

  61. Cindy Shelley

    I love your quilt design. It is hard to pick a favorite piece of this line, there are so many favorite/ great fabrics. From the circles/baubles to the triangles/confetti. I would love them all equally without picking favorites!!!!

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      I agree that there are so many great prints and blenders. Though Sparkling Squares in Teal is my favorite. It will be my backing (and binding, I think) for this quilt. Thanks for visiting, Cindy.

      Reply ↓

  64. Lori Smanski

    oh i love your quilt. it is so fun and pretty. i would love to make a quilt like yours with the cool color way. I would love to make a quilt for my great niece with the warm color ways.

    Reply ↓

  66. Karen A

    Love your pattern with these fabrics. It almost looks like clothes hanging on a line. My favorite print is the one with the darker background that looks like fireworks.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      I love that you liken that print to fireworks. That one is called Baubles and Bits. There's a red version, too. Thanks for visiting, Karen.

      Reply ↓

  69. Kathy E.

    I would use the Fandangle bundle to make a set of summer placemats for dining on our new deck this summer! The colors and prints are perfect for summer fun!

    Reply ↓

  71. EllenB

    Your quilt looks like a fun, quick quilt to make for a little one or to take on a picnic. The cool colors are so pretty and soothing, great for a hot summer day!

    Reply ↓

  72. MaryAnne Sgriccia

    Placemats, I think...I have a Fiesta brand tablecloth and those blues would look fabulous against it.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      Great idea! The other thing about placemats is that they are a quick project. :-) Thanks for visiting, MaryAnne.

      Reply ↓

  74. Samantha Linehan

    I would love to use the Fandangle fabrics in a baby quilt for my friend who is having a little boy.????

    Reply ↓

  76. Beth T.

    When I first saw your quilt, I thought it was a row of quilts, hanging, and thought each of them was quite pretty. :) I've been sick, and my fevered brain has given me an interesting POV on things. I should grab a sketch pad before I return to my usual, rigid way of seeing the world.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      I hope you're feeling better soon. I'm glad you enjoyed my quilt. Thanks for visiting, Beth.

      Reply ↓

  81. sharon

    i can't seem to get the hand of improv=== my attempts just look like my stash had a bellyache and lost it's lunch

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      My biggest recommendation for scrappy improv is to pare down to a limited color palette. Sometimes scraps from one project are a good way to start, since they already go together. Thanks for visiting, Sharon.

      Reply ↓

  84. Rosemary

    I love batik fabrics, no matter what you do with them, they seem to look fabulous! I have used batiks in most of my recent quilts.

    Reply ↓

  88. Thunder

    I am usually all about the greens, and the brighter the better, and there are some great greens here. But... I am totally in love with baubles and bits in red❗❗ reminds me of fireworks????
    Just had our 43rd anniversary on 4th of July????????????????

    Reply ↓

  90. Mary D

    I love the cool colorway that you have put together. All I could think is that my niece would love these colors. There is so much movement in the patterns of the Fandangle prints.

    Reply ↓

  92. Susan Shaw

    I think I like the teal starbursts. I like your planned improv quilt. It is awesome and sure showcases the fabrics. Great job! Thanks for participating.

    Reply ↓

  93. Susan Shaw

    I had to subscribe before I could post a comment and now I'm forgotten the name of the fabric. I'll call it the teal snowflake or starburst. I hope that descriptive enough. I think it's gorgeous. As a matter of fact, it's unusual and there is not a fabric that I absolutely dislike in the bundle. I like the fact that there are warm and cool colors in the collection - that should mean that there's something for everyone. Of course, I know you can't please everyone but this should come close. I like your planned improv quilt. I like that description - "planned improv." I think many people think improv is totally by the seat of the pants when actually there is lots of planning involved. Thanks for participating and sharing your quilt.

    Reply ↓

    1. sarah

       Post author

      I think you might mean Baubles and Bits. I agree that all of the prints are so lovely. And as for "Planned Improv" when I describe what I teach I like to say "I like improv, but I also like rules." Planned Improv is an improv technique that works for me. I know there are other quilters who have less of a plan than I do and create wonderful quilts. It's so nice that there is so much variety in quilting that we can all find what speaks best to us. Thank you for your comments, Susan.

      Reply ↓

  94. Amber Schnaider

    I love all the different places you chose to take pictures. It's up. It's down. It's inside. It's outside. Works for all different spaces!

    Reply ↓

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