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Home / magic numbers / Garden Plot Magic Numbers Quilt

Garden Plot Magic Numbers Quilt

March 1, 2016 By Katie

Theses squares just reminded me of garden plots.  This quilt’s four blocks were constructed using a method I call Magic Numbers.  There’s really nothing magic about them, Magic Numbers is a system of using block sizes that automatically fit together for flexibility in design without alteration. That’s right, all tidy;)

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot Magic Number quilt quarter

It’s a great method if you want to hone your skills at designing your own quilts, pattern free, but aren’t quite ready to free piece it or figure out the math. It’s great for bringing improvisational pieced blocks together or for adding texture into a background with added seams instead of just one big block of fabric.

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot magic number quilt corner

The quilting is my standard run-off straight lines, a quarter inch from each side of the seams.  I used painters tape as my guide for quilting the lines into the wide purple sashing.  I could have used Magic Number blocks instead of sashing if I needed more texture, but I think the blocks held their own.

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot Magic Number Quilt Close

I’m stilling piecing backs from stash.  This improvisational back falls in line with my creative quilt backs post on building out on the design wall.  Most of these fabrics are flannel, with a little hit of some quilting fabric and linen blend.

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot magic number quilt back

I branched out and played with an uplifting and happy thread color.  As I was filling the bobbin with the orange, I became suspect about whether I would like the effect it would have on the fairly neutral back.  In the finish the vibrant color added another level of texture to the back that a blended color wouldn’t have.  What a happy surprise:)

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot Quilt side

The color way is crazy good and bold.

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot Magic Number Quilt Binding

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Quilt Magic Number Quilt Binding edge

I generally don’t pick binding out until the quilting is done, but as I was putting this fabric back into the stash it came to mind it might work and that’s how it came to be.  There’s not a lick of it in the quilt itself.

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot Magic Number Quilt detail

This is a real simple quilt.  Anyone can quilt using this formula;)  Seriously the hardest thing would be picking the fabrics or you could forget about that and just go scrappy.  I’ve now made several quilts using the Magic Numbers method and each has a unique look.

SEW KATIE DID:Garden Plot Magic Number Quilt Full

Here’s some other examples of Magic Number quilts I’ve created.   You can see more about this scrappy one here.

SEW KATIE DID:Scrappy Sunshine Magic Number quilt block tutorial

  This one below is a great example of bringing the background fabric into the piecing to give the quilt’s blocks a floating deconstructed look.  More about this quilt here.

SEW KATIE DID:Smitten Kitten Magic Number Quilt Tutorial

I think it’s fun to play with how different each design can be.

Instead of offering this as a workshop I’m providing instruction for this method in Open Studios where we can merge some projects like box pouches and invisible zipper pillows.  Really any project can be adapted.  Simply respond if you’d like to schedule.

Happy week Peeps!

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Filed Under: magic numbers, Modern Quilts, Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. Pat S says

    March 2, 2016 at 7:42 am

    This looks like a lot of fun. I love that last photo with the ‘floating’ blocks.

    • sewkatiedid says

      March 2, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks, that one’s my favorite too;)

  2. Gerrie Rosenfield says

    March 2, 2016 at 11:42 am

    Love this! Any thoughts on using all blue fabrics? Sashing and/ or borders? Thank you!!

    • sewkatiedid says

      March 2, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      Anything goes Gerrie! I’d just back into some contrasting colors for the other magic;)

  3. mailergoat says

    March 7, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    I made a quilt with this technique, after falling in love with the last of the above photos, a year or two ago. I still love the technique! But for me, it was an exercise in 1/4 in. seam allowance discipline. A good learning experience, but definitely a challenge for me to keep the SA’s consistent so that the “magic” worked! I think the project was a good skill-building one, in that respect.

    • sewkatiedid says

      March 7, 2016 at 5:45 pm

      Thanks for sharing!

      On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 10:41 AM, SEW KATIE DID wrote:

      >

  4. stockresearch52 says

    April 1, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    Nice

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