Suitcase Challenge – Quilt #1: My Journey Begins: Suitcase in the Middle

So, I played around in EQ5 on Sunday and came up with a small quilt design which incorporates an 8” suitcase block in the center, and is bordered by different 4” blocks around the center. It will measure approximately 16” finished size.

The border is completed with four 4-patch variation blocks which remind me somewhat of Trip Around the World quilts, and Flying Dutchman (or Flying Geese Variation) blocks in each corner. You can choose to use a variety 4” blocks for the border if you want – I played around with choices before settling on one that was easier on the eye (and easier to piece!).


I’m not settled on the colors I have in the mock up – I was really trying to get an idea of the pattern as a whole.
I should also note that I will likely revise the look of the pattern a bit so you don't see as many lines in the mock up. The sizes will be the same though.

The obvious starting point is the suitcase block in the center. It has a mini quilt made from 24 triangle squares set into an Hourglass setting, which is what I’ll sew together first. The triangle squares measure 3/4" finished, with the Hourglass unit (4 triangle squares sewn together) measuring 1-1/2” finished. The mini quilt, when fully pieced, measures 4-1/2” x 3” finished.

For the triangle squares, use your favorite method for making them. I like Marsha McCloskey’s method of bias strip piecing and trimming, but here are a few online instructions as well:

Thimble Pleasures has a tutorial on three techniques:


http://www.thimblepleasures.com/weblog/?p=945

At about.com, using squares sewn on the diagonal:


http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpiecingtechniques/ss/halfsquaretria.htm

I’m still working on the block sewing details, but for now here are fabric cutting instructions, not including the triangle squares. You may want to wait to see how my block turns out first, if you want to make one of them. (Disclaimer: the cutting instructions haven’t been tested yet!!)

For brown pieces of the suitcase you will need one strip of brown fabric cut 1-1/2” width of fabric (40”). From the strip, subcut:


(2) 1-1/2” x 6-1/2” strips (suitcase top and bottom)
(2) 1-1/4” x 3-1/2” strips (suitcase sides)
(2) 3/4” x 1-1/2” strips (suitcase handle sides)
(1) 3/4" x 2-1/2” strip (suitcase handle top)

For the block background you will need one strip of fabric cut 1-1/2” width of fabric (40”). From the strip, subcut:


(2) 1-1/2” x 5-1/2” strips (sides)
(2) 1-1/2” x 8-1/2” strips (top and bottom)
(2) 1-1/2” x 3-1/2” strips (either side of the handle)

For the corners on the handle and the outside of the block, you will need additional:

(2) 3/4” squares of background fabric. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of each.
(4) 1-1/2” squares that match the quilt border fabric. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of each.

Here’s the drawing of the suitcase block up close. There are some lines appearing here that are not seam lines – they just make it easier to build the block in EQ5. I’ll post a colorized version in my next post but this will give you an idea of the piecing. If you click on the image you'll enlarge it to view it better.

Feel free to submit comments if you have questions! Would love to hear your thoughts on color choices.

Happy sewing ~