Scrappy Quilt Block Tutorial || My Favorite Scrap Buster!

This is my favorite scrappy quilt block. It works well for scrap busting and using up your scrap fabrics.
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[@sherylkruse8060]

I get tired of rules and quilt police....sew and quilt as you can and what works for you....much less frustration and much happier sewing...happy quilting😊

[@SewtheDistance]

So true! I agree! Happy quilting to you, too! 🥰

[@patriciawalton5897]

Love that block and yes I had lots of scraps but a flood got our home in Florida so I lost all my sewing scraps so don’t complain about having a lot of scraps.

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh wow--so sorry you lost your scraps. 🥰

[@janiesoito4494]

Goodnight Irene was my first thought too. I love this block and look forward to making it. I love the back story. I wasn't quilting in 2000 and had no idea that there were charm swaps. 😍

[@SewtheDistance]

After a few people mentioned the Goodnight Irene block, I started looking at posts about it. I had no idea that this was a modern take on this oldie! I would have mentioned it had I known. The charm swaps were a lot of fun but also a lot of work! I would cut those little squares while my oldest was in kindergarten and my youngest was napping. I can still see my kids carrying bags of charm pack envelopes to the post office. They were great helpers! LOL!

[@marcamp5450]

I am so glad I subscribed looking for your videos all the time. Love your bubbly personality and the way you teach. Thank you. ❤

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh, thank you so much! 🥰 Glad you love my videos!

[@janeahrens572]

That is one of MY FAVORITE blocks!! It really emphasizes the most important thing about quilts and their appeal. Value does all the work, and hue gets all the credit

[@SewtheDistance]

YES! So well-said! I love it! Thank you so much! ❤️

[@pammeinzer8178]

Hey, it's a scrap quilt. Those are the best kinds. I love this.thanks

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! So happy you like it!

[@MimiSew-Sew]

Quilts made from leftover (scrappy) fabrics always look great! I refer to these quilts as bonus quilts. I make these blocks from continuously sewing "leaders and enders" while sewing another project. You are creating a "bonus quilt" here. Nice video!

[@SewtheDistance]

I thought I mentioned leaders and enders in this video but I think it ended up deleted in editing. These are perfect for leaders and enders! Thank you for mentioning it! bonus blocks for sure! ❤️❤️❤️

[@DS-ky9dl]

I really like that you do not go crazy matching fabrics...I think the most interesting quilts are the random ones.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! I agree, especially with this pattern. It can be hard to not match! I struggle with it, but I know the end result is worth it.

[@judygovotsos7916]

Something else learned. The red plastic strip. Thanks for showing us

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! I have a bunch. I forgot to mention they often come color wheels sold in quilt shops. They are a great tool!

[@abibritton8791]

Holy Moley!! Instant BlockLock ruler! Now I can hardly wait for Rule Breaking, and I am already so psyched to make this beautiful block. Thank you so much already, lol! 💚💙💜

[@SewtheDistance]

YAY! So happy you enjoyed this! ALL of the locking rulers are great! I just got the set of flying geese ones. OHHHHH, I am in love with them, too!

[@TheSewingChannel]

Kris...I love your idea of turning the fabric piece to the wrong side to "mute" it if needed....thank you for giving me the "ok" to do that LOL😂 Great tutorial once again!!! Keep the momentum up and moving forward!!! LOVE this channel🌸

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! YOU, my friend, are a great friend, an amazing KZbinr (pssst--check out her channel if you haven't done so already), and a phenomenal quilter/teacher!

[@TheSewingChannel]

@@SewtheDistance 💛❤️💜💙💚🧡

[@lesa6399]

Nested seams for the win! One of these days I’ll use my actual scraps for a quilt! Enjoyed your video! Thanks for sharing!

[@SewtheDistance]

YESSS! It just makes you feel good, doesn't it? ❤️

[@marilynbook4211]

I made 2 of them many many years ago. Recently I was using my scraps as leaders and enders and ended up with bunch of 4x4 blocks and wondered what to do with them. Thanks for the reminder, I will just add the borders with the half square triangles in the middle and I will be good to go.

[@SewtheDistance]

Perfect! I have tried the leader and ender method and never stick with it. I admire you for keeping at it! I alway forget to add a leader and an ender. 😀 This will be perfect! thank you for watching!

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

You could do this as a nine patch as well... 1 dark with 3 light fot corners, and 4 dark for the centre, 2 hsts and 2 dark for the middle points bits, as 4-patches as well? Might be even easier?

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

Wow this one has so many possibilities, I can see why it is a go-to. Have you seen web piecing yet? Chain piece the 2 left columns and leave joined. Open out and add the right column, fold seams as desired, then flip a row and aew across, repeat, with nothing out of place. You can do this with the 4 quadrants all at once, to speed things up, with accurate patches. You could also stack laid out units and sew a bunch wirh chain piecing , then cut every third thread to get back to individual units before sewing across. You can also web piece the four quadrants together.

[@lindathomas5207]

New to your channel but this qiult caught my eye and I have bags and bags big ones full of scraps I love scrap qiults I call them free qiult tops as they are from leftovers am sorting my fabrics now thank you again

[@SewtheDistance]

Welcome to may channel! So happy it has inspired you to make one of these. Free quilts! I love it!

[@BEVERLYRANDOLPH-lx4qu]

One of the earliest quilts I made was the 9-patch block that is one of your quadrants and it was called a “faux log cabin” or something like that. You set the blocks in a barn-raising pattern. I used 200 fabrics in it! And it was a king size so it was a lot of work. But 25 years later, my sister-in-law still has it on her bed. The only thing I repeated was a red center square in every 9-patch. And yes, I made a millennium quilt with 2000 pieces!!! We just dated ourselves, didn’t we! Thanks for this video. It’s a good reminder of a way to sew down that scrap pile.

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh, I love that! So glad this video brought back memories! We definitely date ourselves, that's for sure! I have to laugh when new quilters show me a pattern that is "NEW!" and I made the same pattern years ago. Everything old is new again, I guess!

[@TLStitches]

Fun pattern. American Patchwork & Quilting had a sew a long using this block. I was so happy that something actually made a dent in my precut scraps!

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh wow! I didn't realize that! This will definitely help with those scraps! Happy Quilting!

[@cathyphegley7414]

So cool! Looks wonderful and such a Picasso opportunity 🤣💕Cathy in Montana

[@SewtheDistance]

It really is! Thank you!

[@debbielee7117]

Goodnight, Irene! I love it! She’s lovely!

[@SewtheDistance]

I’ve never heard of this pattern called this, so I had to look it up! So many different names for this pattern. Nice to see the Goodnight, Irene version, albeit constructed a bit differently. Thanks for the information! ❤️

[@joydicksonquilts]

I agree with nested seams. Always go together well 🙌🏻

[@SewtheDistance]

Yes! They just make me feel happy! Although it is a pain when you put the quadrants together since you have to turn them, but I make it work! LOL!

[@bethkoch11]

I just re-watched this great video. After watching it for the first time, I was inspired and decided to temporarily put aside all my projects. I've spent the last couple of weeks organizing my two huge bins of scraps, preparing them into manageable sizes. This was really quite a job, as I never have bothered to do any organization - I just always threw scraps of any shape and size into the bins. We're talking years of scraps. After finishing this job, which I've been meaning to do for a long time, I now have hundreds of 2-1/2" and 5" squares, along with other sizes, all cut into usable pieces. It feels so good to have these scraps tamed into submission, and now I can start on this quilt! I've watched many videos on dealing with scraps, and yours was the one that really inspired me to get started.

[@SewtheDistance]

"Tamed in submission"--I love it! 😂 That is a huge undertaking! I am honored to be apart of your scrap quilt-making journey! This is a great block! There is another version of this called Goodnight Irene that I was made aware of after I posted this video. In that block, you add the points as sashing strips. Just an idea if the points not matching bothers you. There are so many great blocks out there! Happy sewing! ❤️

[@noreenpouliot3403]

I really enjoyed your video. This was my first with you, but, it won’t be my last.

[@SewtheDistance]

Awww! Thank you SO much! I really appreciate it! I hope I don't disappoint. ❤️

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Thank you. I have been seeing this design in magazines and books for some time. However, I had never thought to using it as a scrap buster. This is a wonderful idea. Time to start cutting. An "I spy" quilt is a wonderful fun making idea. Thank you again.

[@SewtheDistance]

Glad it was helpful! YES! This would be a perfect "I Spy." The video I am working on now works well as an I Spy, too! In fact, I am making a version of it to show in an "I Spy" theme! Can't wait to share that one. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!

[@yvethemetriccrafter688]

I loved watching this , especially as I saw some fabrics in there that I have .

[@SewtheDistance]

That's is so cool! Some of that fabric is very old! LOL!

[@fayeglin835]

What a great idea for leftovers, and you only have to think about light and darks. Love the secondary effect, thanks for sharing

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! It is a great block. An oldie but goodie!

[@lorrainemedina7363]

I love you and stating wonky ways happens thanks for the tips

[@SewtheDistance]

Awe! Thank you so much! You are so welcome!

[@deafsetter]

Thanks for the video and idea. I've been putting off sewing 4-patch, 9-patch etc together because I didn't know if I would need to alternate a light and dark, etc. This pattern is perfect. Not much thought and I can also use some leftover HST's made from other projects. I've printed a photo and hung above my sewing machine so I can work on this as leaders/enders while sewing other quilts.

[@SewtheDistance]

Great idea to print a photo as a guide!I usually just use a sketch but I love the idea of printing a photo. This will be perfect for your 4-pitch and 9-patch blocks. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

​@@SewtheDistance when learning, I colour photocopied my fat quarters, drew out a full sized block on another piece and cut the printed paper for seeing if the colours worked and where, so I didn't cut the fabric wrong. I stuck the paper in place and put the cut fabric on top, to keep track. Made things sure for me, first go around. I did a sampler quilt from a library book, doing a lot of blocks I liked. Told myself if the blocks were too hard, I'd not do that one again.

[@phyllisdippert2216]

Love this block. I am a lover of scrappy quilts. Have four boxes of 2 1/2" squares and strips! Woohoo!

[@SewtheDistance]

Perfect! They are fun to make! It is a bonus when you already have the pieces ready to go, isn't it?

[@deborahmeares1048]

I love this pattern I actually made an entire quilt out of those blocks right after I saw the video my nine-year-old granddaughter help me

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh! I love this!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@mzkappy]

I spotted this pattern somewhere the other day and really liked it. Just now while scanning scrappy quilts I stumbled on your video. I must say you are a very good teacher. I consider myself an intermediate quilter (piecing not the actual quilting) and your instructions are thorough and easy to understand. And I’ve just now decided to classify myself as intermediate because for the past 2 days I’ve been cutting my scrap stash into useable squares of various sizes. Lol! After quilting for 6 years I say it’s time 😆 This pattern will be perfect!

[@SewtheDistance]

YAY! I am so happy you love this block and my teaching style! I was a high school teacher for many years. ❤️ I love that you are making this block! Let me know if you have any questions! ❤️

[@sewbeitquilts]

What a great scrappy block Kris! I love that ruby tool you used... now at the end of the video I completely forget what you called it! lol. I have a few scrappy quilts planned and I may have to add this one to my list since it looks fairly easy and not stressful at all!

[@SewtheDistance]

Yay! So happy you liked it! It is called a Ruby Beholder. I used to use them before cell phone cameras. LOL! Thanks for watching!

[@glynisreynolds446]

Love a rule breaker 🤣🤣 especially when the quilt looks as good as yours 🥰 Thanks for posting 👏👏🇬🇧

[@SewtheDistance]

Rule Breakers get things done! LOL! I just know I am going to get heat from some quilters about this. 😂🤷‍♀️ Thank you for watching!

[@mareayagow7539]

Thank you for sharing this pattern! I was just given a box of scraps to make use of and was looking for patterns. I found this video about a week ago, and I almost have a finished top now. I looked up the goodnight Irene pattern, but yours is better. (I prefer the scrappy background.) This is now my favorite scrap pattern too. Your video is the only one I can find for this block.

[@SewtheDistance]

Wonderful! I am so happy you found this one! It is an oldie but a goodie! From what I can tell, the Goodnight Irene makes sashing strips for the points, which isn't a bad idea, especially if you want the points to line up. I find that because of the busyness of this block, it really don't matter if they line up or not. I don't think that is for everyone, though.Thanks for sharing and watching!

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

I made this block for the first time yesterday. Thank you for inspiring me to make this to use up my 2.5” squares.

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@swfirefly305]

Love this scrap project. Reminds me of the Goodnight Irene pattern. It would be fun to swap fabric!! Who is in?

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! I had to look up the Goodnight, Irene pattern! Very similar. I know this one has so many different names over the years. Those swaps were intense! I don’t know if I could do it again! Lol! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. ❤️❤️❤️

[@marycaratelli9785]

I love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing this. I can't wait to finish my first one !!!

[@SewtheDistance]

YAY! You are so welcome! Thank. you for watching and commenting! ❤

[@suzannemiller993]

Always looking for blocks to use up my 2.5" scraps! Thanks!

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! Happy Sewing! ❤️

[@sararempel7956]

I love this block! Thankyou so much! I'm currently working on a scrappy jacobs ladder quilt

[@SewtheDistance]

So happy you love it! Thank you for watching! Jacob's ladder is another great block. Perfect for scraps. I am sure it is beautiful!

[@earlinelaflamme5574]

Oh WOW was looking for this!!!! I have about 500 of these sqs all cut. did not want to make another Queen quilt out of these sqs. I wanted to make a crumb quilt or ? HooRay now have a place to start my new quilt. I made my quilts many years ago not knowing what I should do or not do. As I said I made the queen quilts for adult grandchildren. in among the squares I ran off family pics, with date and name on 2 1/2 sqs (on Comp) and placed them rambling through the quilts. The grown kids loved them.

[@MetroStitcher]

Another great tutorial! Thanks!

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@patriciahibbard7345]

love this!

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! ❤️

[@berthaemerson9060]

Looks fun.TY👍👍👍

[@SewtheDistance]

You're welcome! ❤️

[@irenew6202]

I love that block..thank you

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you for watching! It’s a great block.

[@conniestevens3387]

This will be my next quilt. I love it!

[@SewtheDistance]

Yay! These are so much fun to make. So happy you are making one!

[@florencewelshans6353]

Awesome Kris!! Love it!!

[@SewtheDistance]

My nagging yesterday finally paid off! LOL! I hope you know I was teasing! ❤️

[@simplyquiltingwithnancysanders]

I'm definitely going to try this. Thank you!

[@SewtheDistance]

Yay! Please do! So much fun!

[@lindy4462]

This block seemed scary... you made it fun!

[@SewtheDistance]

Yay! So glad this video helped take the scary out of it. ❤️

[@JoeinPA]

Fun pattern for scraps.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! It is an oldie but one that I love!

[@annolsen8276]

Wow. I love this block. I've not seen it all srappy before. I have a shoe box full of 2 1/2 inch scraps, so this was just added to my list to do. Thanks Kris, a very good explanation of how this goes together.

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! Yay! I am so happy this tutorial is helpful!

[@sueze3300]

Love this block and your attitude in making it!

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! It is so much fun to let the "rules" slack a little. LOL!

[@KelleysQuiltsandCruises]

I like your block idea. Totally agree that it is a great scrap buster.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! It is an oldie but goodie! ❤️❤️❤️

[@kathleenstorer691]

Love it! I have sooooooo many scraps!

[@SewtheDistance]

Wonderful! Can't wait to see it finished!

[@giselaa6111]

Very good advice thank you from Sweden 🇸🇪love scrap busting idea’s

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! Someday I will get to Sweden, I hope! ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheGuyWhoSews]

I'm making these as part of my scrappy diamond quilt. Great tutorial Kris

[@SewtheDistance]

Really? I have to catch up on your videos! It’s a great block!

[@cindybaker7543]

I really like this block. Going to have to try it with some of my scraps. Thanks Kris!

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh, I love this! I am so happy you are going to give it a try! It is a great block. By trimming it, it doesn't come together "perfect," but I promise visually you won't even notice! Enjoy!

[@bobnjuliejohnston8327]

great tips

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

I saw Pat Sloan do a 4-patch quilt ages ago, she keeps a double stack at her machine, does a dark and a light for leaders and enders. After finishing her project, for the day, she turns the 2-patches into 4-patches, with lights in opposite corners. She then makes 4 into a 16 patch and puts them aside, she grabs 4 and makes squares 32×32, and puts 4 of them together for a quick baby quilt. She can use any size of them as scrapy alternate quilt blocks, and put more together for whichever size she wants, as she gets 'em done. That seems lika a great system to me, and even the bonus bits can be fitted into bonus items. Mug rugs, place-mats, heat mats, bowl cosy, glasses cases, lanyards, multi-use bags in various sizes, pouches, machine and appliance covers, doll quilts and on up. It makes sense to me to do small bonus ptojects while working on something big, which will take more time, to keep the achievement rush going in the meantime. All the best.

[@SewtheDistance]

She's great, isn't she? Thank you for sharing this idea!

[@judyzeigler3980]

Very nice.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@BeccaShifflett]

LOVING this video!! I think 2.5" scraps are pretty universal and can be used in SO many ways!!! As for the seams, once my pieces get to 2.5" - then, I tend to press to the side. Anything smaller than that, I press open. :)

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much! I try opening my seams, but I get such satisfaction from them nesting. 😂 I am currently learning how to hand piece with some tiny pieces. So satisfying!

[@janicedeculus9683]

Love it helpful

[@SewtheDistance]

So glad! ❤️❤️❤️

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Kris, That is a neat quilt block! I have seen it before but I have never made one before. Great stash buster! Thanks for sharing!

[@SewtheDistance]

It is a lot of fun!! Give it a try! Thanks for watching! ❤️❤️❤️

[@MiMi-si5nk]

Thank you , enjoyed you and your block will make this tomorrow love it 🇨🇦

[@SewtheDistance]

Yay! So happy you love it and are going to make it! ❤️

[@MiMi-si5nk]

@@SewtheDistance I’m ironing my Christmas scraps, sewing my triangles together,cut my 2.5 squares n wala ready to start thanks for the reply. I

[@SewtheDistance]

Yay! Happy sewing! ❤️

[@margm4]

Hi kristi, I love that block. You’re so inspirational. On my bucket list! I believe there are rules that need to be broken💖 😍🇦🇺

[@SewtheDistance]

Yay! It is a great quilt block! Thank you so much! You made my day saying I am inspirational. Inspiring others is what it is all about. ❤️❤️❤️

[@melodychenoweth5907]

Thanks for sharing the pattern and how you squared up the block. I greatly appreciate, all the information.

[@SewtheDistance]

Glad it was helpful! It isn't perfectly finished, but it takes away the stress of squaring up bigger blocks. For me, it is the best way to have success with this particular block. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@doreensherk287]

❤ I like your square up to 6”. If points are a little off it really is not an issue because there is a lot going on in the quilt top. I have often used that back side of a fabric. It is a great block thanks for sharing your tips.

[@SewtheDistance]

So true! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! ❤️ Love that there are others out there who use both sides of the fabric.

[@rise2824]

I don't have any scraps, but when I do I want to make this block.❤❤

[@SewtheDistance]

Woohoo! Love it!

[@chrislittebrant5235]

Good Evening Kris, I have been wanting to make this block, I just love how it looks with the triangles on each side. Thank You For Sharing, 🥰 Chris

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching and commenting, as always. I love hearing from you! This block is a lot of fun!

[@lindajimmerson8542]

LOVE this block AND your tip to trim each quadrant to 6”😃

[@SewtheDistance]

Glad you like it! It is a fun one to make and a bit addictive. LOL!

[@yonwife5879]

Thank you so much for sharing. I’m a bit late to the party but so glad I’ve found your channel. I’m running off to my craft room right now to make this block. Wuhoo!

[@SewtheDistance]

You are so welcome! So happy you found me! This is a fun block to make! Enjoy!

[@eduardachi2571]

i like that a lot

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you!

[@simonecarvallhoartes2614]

Excelente tutorial👏👏👏🧵

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you so much!

[@joanbarker6581]

Love your square with 21/2 sq.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you! It is a great block--a favorite!

[@vivianburrus8085]

Had to laugh when your video popped up in my feed --- I was making these blocks at the time! American Patchwork & Quilting started a scrappy QAL back in September using a pattern by Christa Watson that had been in their magazine back in 2017. I'm thrilled to know this block actually goes all the back to the late ninties though! The QAL ended at the end of October but I've still have a bunch of blocks to make. This is a scrap buster for sure (I'm using mine and some from my MIL) and a good leader/ender project too!

[@SewtheDistance]

Everything old is new again, isn't it? LOL! This would be the perfect leader/ender project! I completely agree! Thank you for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️

[@dawndecesare2177]

I found your channel by accident and am so glad I did. I have been quilting since 2004 and I have a mountain of scraps. I love star quilts so this pattern is perfect!!!. So excited to start this project and how great is it that I can use these scrappy quilts to learn how to quilt on my home machine with the rulers I bought a few years ago. TFS

[@SewtheDistance]

I am so happy you found me, too! This is a great block for scraps! It doesn't always line up those points correctly, but honestly, no one will notice. Happy quilting!

[@quiltingforthesoul]

Thank you 🙏🏾 for sharing beautiful blocks. I want to do something with my scraps but don’t like to just put them together without it looking like a block. God bless you and your family have a blessed morning.

[@SewtheDistance]

So happy this helped! It's an oldie but goodie, for sure! God bless you, too! ❤️❤️❤️

[@suestutzle2779]

There are rules? haha. The quilting police had better not be around when we are sewing. haha I love that pattern. What a great idea. I will be looking at my scraps with more purpose from now on. Thanks for this one Kris. I really enjoyed it.

[@SewtheDistance]

Rules are made to be broken, right? LOL! Thank you so much!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Another great ruler for cutting strips on the full or 1/2" is the Stripology ruler. It's an MVP in my sewing room. I exclusively piece now with 80wt Decobob (cottonized poly) from Wonderfil. It has all the great properties of cotton thread but it has less bulk. It works terrifically in FPP as well. I have also found that with any 9 patch, a scant 1/4" is necessary. Even with the most careful crafting, "Wonk Happens" (should be a quilter's t shirt). One way to reduce bulk in the 9 patch (or 4 patch or any patch) is to spin the seams. That gives a flat join. I'm also NOT opposed to clipping to a seam if I have a recalcitrant seam join so it nests with a neighbor.

[@SewtheDistance]

I haven't broken down and purchased the Stripology ruler yet. I am sure I will at some point. They are big! I am not sure where I will store it. I look at them often. Maybe someday. Someone gave me a spool of Wonderfil but I haven't used it yet. I will give it a try! I love the idea of reduced bulk in the seams. Thank you for more great tips!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

@@SewtheDistance Wonderfil comes in many types/wts. Their website offers good guidance on needles to use. I found that I had to adjust my bobbin tension as well as top tension in every machine. Decobob is phenomenal. I use the light gray almost exclusively. Because it is so fine, it just doesn't show through. Now, my sales pitch on the Stripology: I would not quilt without it. It saves so much time it is worth it's weight in gold in terms of accuracy and time savings.

[@chicletlux]

Oh my goodness, I may have swapped with you! I didn’t end up making anything with the swapped squares, but I recently found some swapped squares in my stash and still think I may make something with them…23 years later 😂

[@SewtheDistance]

You may have! I wish I would have kept all the letters/signature square (remember those?). My original quilt top from that time was finished and I dropped it off at a family member's house to be long-arm quilted. She was just starting off her business and I told her I didn't have a timeline to get it back. I told her to do customer quilts first. Big mistake. I never saw the quilt top again. She claims I didn't give it to her. I think she either lost it or kept it. Or maybe I am mistaken. 🤷‍♀️ Anyway, I would love to have that quilt! Maybe I will see it again someday. Happy to hear this brought back those swap memories!

[@lindalundblad3592]

Pleased with the way mine turned out.

[@SewtheDistance]

Yay! I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing! 🥰

[@maryannbussey8102]

❤

[@SewtheDistance]

😍

[@elizabethgilmon1419]

I traded many times. Have made 2 of those 2000 quilts and have enough charms for one more

[@SewtheDistance]

I just commented on another post how I finished one of the millennium quilts and dropped it off to be quilted. It was never located again. The quilter either lost it or kept it. 🤷‍♀️ I would love to have that quilt! I think I had enough for several, too! LOL! It was fun swapping all those fabrics!

[@elizabethgilmon1419]

@@SewtheDistance how sad, 😘

[@lonnadevora2800]

Hi Kris! I had watched this several months ago and really love the alternating light and dark squares that develop. The Goodnight Irene block forms light X's, which aren't as appealing to me. I decided to make these blocks and, not remembering the exact name, searched for favorite scrap block and Sew the Distance. Do you know how many favorite scrap blocks you have? LOL! Anyway I found it and supposedly, it was a leader and ender project but I am challenging my self to make two of the 6" blocks a day, which is a full block every two days. I started in February and I am about 3/4 of my way to having a queen sized quilt. Thank you so much for the inspiration and tutorial. I could not find the block in any of my books , and I have several because I used to draft Block of the Month print outs for several fabric stores back in the day, but I think that Crossroads would be a more apt title than the Goodnight Irene.

[@SewtheDistance]

Oh wow! I am so happy you love this block! It has had so many different names over the years! We always called it the millennium block but I know there are other names before 2000 and after. So glad you found it! I do have a lot of favorites! Lol! I can’t pick just one! I’m like that with ice cream, too! 😂

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

After I watched your video the first time, I drew the block on to graph paper. Then I made another block beside the first one. I really liked the hidden pattern that was beginning to form between the two blocks in the light colored area. After I made two more blocks below the first two, I love the "X" or cross that appears. If I sash between the finished blocks, that hidden pattern will be lost. How are you going to set up your finished blocks? To sash or not sash? Will I have problems trying to put this together without using sash strips between the blocks?

[@SewtheDistance]

Hi! Sorry it took me a bit of time to respond. The week and weekend got away from me. It will be bulky if you don't open the seams (as in my video) and the points my be a bit off, but I usually don't use sashing when I make these. I love the secondary pattern as well and honestly don't mind the points not matching perfectly. I think it really has to do with your quilting personality. If that is going to bother you, definitely add sashing. It will "hide" the non-perfect points. If it doesn't bother you, just stitch them together without sashing and try your best to flatten those intersecting seams as best as you can. I hope this helps! Thank you for mentioning this!

[@patricialee725]

The quilt I'm talking about is call goodnight Irene. You are making the first block now. I need to know how to make the second block with Accuquilt dies. Thank you for your help.

[@SewtheDistance]

This pattern was out in 1999, long before Goodnight Irene. It is also constructed differently. Sorry, I don’t have another block that goes with this. Wish I could help. ❤️

[@donnaabotsway3552]

Do you have a video of a quilt top done in this block? I love it and want to try it out thanks

[@SewtheDistance]

No, I don't. Sorry. I do go over all of the instructions in this video, however. ❤️

[@leticia-rl7yj]

🥰

[@SewtheDistance]

❤️❤️❤️

[@cathlyndeutsch9209]

I really like the main block, but I would prefer the background lighter area to be the same fabric....less busy looking.

[@SewtheDistance]

Thank you for watching and commenting! ❤️

[@ms.m2054]

I never use a Ruby Revealer because I'm too cheap to buy one *L* Instead I squint at the fabric and it does the same thing. At least it does for me 😁

[@SewtheDistance]

That's a great tip! Thank you for sharing!

[@dawnwilloughby8251]

my guild swapped 2.5 x 4.5 rectangles 2000 each member. i have already made 2 quilts out of them working on the 3rd.

[@SewtheDistance]

What a wonderful fabric sway idea! Love it!

[@idawubben1933]

What size do you cut the squares for the half square triangles? Thank you.

[@SewtheDistance]

To make them two at a time, cut the squares at least a half an inch bigger the half-square triangle you want to make. I like to make them a bit bigger, however, and then trim them down like I did in the video. Hope this helps! ❤️

[@idawubben1933]

Thank you.

[@patricialee725]

Do you know how to make the block that goes with it and it is the X

[@SewtheDistance]

I am not sure what block you mean. This was one of the blocks we used for the millennium quilts back in 1999. I don’t think there was another block that goes with it, but maybe there was. Sorry. Wish I could help. ❤️

[@SchneppFlute]

Isn't it 16 dark 2.5 inch squares, not 18?

[@SewtheDistance]

Did I say 18? Eek. So sorry about that! Thank you for pointing this out.

[@laurarose6829]

Is there a name of this block? I’m trying to find a way to finish it and I need a pattern name to search

[@SewtheDistance]

We always called it the Millennium block. We made these starting in probably 1995 until after 2000, like I mention. What do you need help with? Hopefully I didn't miss any steps in this tutorial. ❤️

[@beanixdorf6977]

I don’t think you’re breaking the rules. Nesting is just another option, and is wonderful

[@SewtheDistance]

True! Thank you for this!

[@eileenclark2867]

Can you please tell me the name of this block? Have been making this and people are asking me what is the name of the block. Thanks

[@SewtheDistance]

Hmmm. Honestly, I have no idea. My guild from 23 years ago always called it the Millennium Block, but I think someone remade it recently and called it Goodnight Irene. Goodnight Irene is made a bit differently, however. Wish I could help. Maybe call it Scrappy Squares?

[@eileenclark2867]

Thank you so much for your response. Making these blocks has helped me very much to learn and fine tune techniques. Really enjoying this and the learning experience. Thank you for sharing!

[@SewtheDistance]

I am so happy to hear this! ❤️❤️❤️

[@cillw21]

If you want to be accurate, I suggest getting a sew straight guide or something similar. Totally worth it. No more squaring up the blocks. Even if your blocks are a little off it will look better than making them smaller. I mean losing that half inch is a lot. That is great for you but if anyone is like me that is way too much work. Not the quilt police here just making a suggestion. I use a lot of pins and I even sew over them when I need to use them. Not too often though. I use skinny pins. OH and sometimes I use staples to hold things together. There is no right way or wrong way with making quilts and never let anyone tell you different or you will be stuck with their stupid rules. The best of the best do their own thing when it comes to sewing. Yes it's great to know the sewing basics but let me tell you I have seen a lot of novice seamstresses do a better job than a so called professional. It just depends on the person. It's the same with any kind of art. There are artists and there are followers. I think the best piece of advice is don't be afraid to do your own thing. If it does not work then try something else for the same effect. I am pretty lazy so I go with the fastest way. Chain piecing and that sort of thing and I do not square up anything. I have sold a lot of quilts and "never" have had any complaints. Only great feedback. I am not the best. I did make a very good living making quilts. I am retired now and just make them for that heck of it.

[@SewtheDistance]

Great advice. Thank you. ❤️

[@maryhancock9681]

I was taught that pressing the seams open was rule breaking. Times change I guess.

[@SewtheDistance]

Who knows? LOL! That was how I learned, too, but lately there is a lot of talk about pressing seams open to reduce the built with machine quilting. I guess it depends on the finish you are planning. It does create a lot of bulk with all these seams coming together, but I usually press to the dark side. It doesn't seem to be popular right now, though. Maybe we are Old School Quilters OR--dare I say--CLASSICS! 😀

[@leticia-rl7yj]

Hi, does this pattern have a name? Thank you

[@SewtheDistance]

Not that I know of. We always called it the Millennial Block in the 1999. Some have commented that it is the Goodnight Irene pattern, but I hadn't heard of it until after I made this video. The Goodnight Irene pattern does construct it differently, but the points are put on as sashing strips, which is probably easier to line up. I wish I could help you more!