The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik and Aurifil.
I'm pleased to be hosting TGIFF with my latest Island Batik finish. This month's Island Batik Challenge was to create a quilt using a block that created a secondary pattern when the block is repeated. The first thing that came to mind for me was The Bee Hive Quilts block tutorials (from a bee I participated in in 2015). They were all specifically designed with secondary patterns in mind. In my year in the bee I made numerous different blocks and one that I found was quick to sew an had a strong visual impact was the Checker block.
I took this opportunity to use the solid black fabric from my recent Island Batik box. I paired it with a Paisley Dot print in blue, a couple Island Batik Foundations, and my new Island Batik neutral, Rice.
Here's my first Checker block.
I love the versatility of this block. Here are some possible settings. These each use 16 identical blocks and finish at 48" x 48".
And finally... my finished quilt top.
I opted for some simple gentle curve quilting with the walking foot and backed the quilt with the rest of the blues and greens from my Island Batik stash. You get a sneak peek of Petting Zoo in two of my backing fabrics. Next month I will be featuring a project with the entire Petting Zoo line.
Please share your Friday Finish in the linkup below and be sure to hop around to view what everyone else has been up to this week! Thanks for visiting!!
I've linked up to Needle and Thread Thursday.
I've also linked up to the Q3 Finish Along finishes linkup. See my whole Q3 list here.
Mel Beach
I enjoyed seeing all the layout possibilities for this versatile block! The colors just pop!! Looking forward to seeing what you create for your next IB challenge!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Mel! I love the contrast in these fabrics. :-)
Fred
Beautiful fabrics, great pattern, I love the different settings. Your quilt is very pretty!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Fred. I’m pleased with how it came out and how quickly it went together.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
What a great quilt! Love the variety of options! Thank you, Sarah, for doing the TGIFF this week!
sarah
Post authorThank you for visiting, Nancy. It’s fun to see what everyone has been working on.
Jayne
It is a fun quilt, I especially love the black that is included in the quilt! It's always a striking feature!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Jayne. I think the black made the quilt. ;-)
Laura Minnich
It took me a minute to understand that your quilt was not actually pinwheel blocks with sashing! I really love how the Checkers block can be used to create so many different primary and secondary patterns. And I love your finished quilt, too. :)
sarah
Post authorThank you, Laura. It’s like they are magic pinwheels. ;-)
Alycia Quiltygirl
fun quilt! Love all the layout possibilities
sarah
Post authorThank you, Alycia!
Bernie
This block design is great. It is crazy how many different patterns it creates depending on layout - some of them are rather calm (like the one you chose) and others look chaotic (the second layout?) Really interesting. Love the animal print on the backing fabric.
sarah
Post authorIndeed, Bernie. And I’ve thought of or seen even more possible settings since I posted. Also, it could have great variety by changing where the different values are in the block. The initial tutorial had two slightly different fabrics where my light neutral is which would give a little checkerboard effect where I have light rectangles. I love the animal prints, too. :-)
elvira
i love your final layout. it looks stunning!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Elvira. I don’t know where it’s headed, but I love it!
Celtic Thistle Stitches
What a versatile block and a lovely quilt!
sarah
Post authorIt was a very thoughtfully designed block. I’d love to make another quilt with a different look. Thanks for visiting!
Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting
Your quilt is so bright and fun! I love the pieced backing, too. It's nice to be able to use bigger pieces of some of the fabrics.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Bobbi. The back was a “use what you’ve got” moment and I really love the color blocking that I ended up with.
Cheryl Brickey
I really like this design and how you were able to show all of the fun secondary patterns that emerged from rotating the blocks.
sarah
Post authorThanks, Cheryl. I enjoyed playing with the blocks on the design wall.
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Wow...lots of great layouts with this block. Love the green/blue combo. Well done.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Anja. I had a great time with this palette. :-)
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
It was super helpful to see the original block and how it played to create the final quilt. I like the strong lines it creates to make a diamond in the center.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Yvonne. The diamonds are a nice tertiary pattern which I forgot to mention. ;-)