Making four 16-patch blocks at a time

So here are the details.
I choose four of the ten inch square fabrics from the Layer Cake and carefully stack them: right side up, right side down, right side up, right side down.

Then I cut them into 2.5" slices.

I sew two sets of each of these pairs together,  and then I re-arrange the other strips so each fabric is matched with a different fabric than the first set.  See below how the two red strips are matched once with the two green and once with the two purple.  This will give me different final checkerboards instead of two that are the same.

I sew the matching pairs of strips into four Rail Fence blocks and press.

Next, slice the Rail Fence blocks into four 2.5" strips perpendicularly.  Flip every other one top to bottom.

Sew each set together and press again.

There they are;  four at once!  And each one is a different pairing of fabrics.

Sara

Gratitudes:

Fresh raspberries and blueberries for breakfast
A dry day, and the humidity not too bad either
Charlie baking cookies to send to our camper

Using up a "Layer Cake"

I received this Moda layer cake of 10" squares as a lottery gift from Margaret's Hope Chest.  Now I see that another of their friends, Amanda is leading an internet workshop on 36-Patch blocks.  They look really fun set right next to each other.

But I don't want to use that many pieces on my next project.. . . so I'm making 16-patch blocks from the layer cake.

It's pretty quick to make four at a time, so in 10 batches I will have used up all the fabric and have 40 blocks. That's enough to make a 48" x 48" center [6 blocks x 6 blocks] and have 4 left for cornerstones in the borders.

And not too much THINKING will be necessary.  A good thing in this high heat and humidity.

Sara

Gratitudes:

Oscillating fans
Ice cube maker
Airconditioned public library