One of my favorite types of quiltmaking project is finding a use for leftover and orphan quilt blocks. Early this year, I decided to take several lonesome quilt blocks and spare patchwork units and make them into charity quilts for the kitties and doggies at our two local animal clinics.
Orphan blocks
The orphan blocks included: 1) test blocks using a hexagon ruler; 2) three kaleidoscope stack-and-whack blocks;
 |
| Hexagon orphan blocks. |
3) a friend’s discarded class project from a foundation paper piecing class, and half-square triangles from discontinued fabric samples;
 |
| A paper pieced medallion and half square triangles. |
and 4) two demo tic-tac-toe blocks illustrating a slice-and-insert patchwork technique.
 |
| Slice and insert blocks from a demonstration. |
Quilt top assembly
To accompany the orphan blocks, I pulled several coordinating fabrics. Here is an example of a fabric pull for the slice and insert blocks.
 |
| Coordinating fabrics for orphan quilt blocks. |
I decided to cut the blocks into pieces in order to spread the floral print across the quilt top. Then I began to lay out the top for piecing.
 |
| Laying out the quilt top. |
Working with spare parts—especially the hexagon-shaped blocks—is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. The first step for the hexagon blocks was to add corner pieces and turn them into rectangle units.
 |
| Adding triangle pieces to the corners of the hexagon blocks. |
This made them easier to incorporate them with other fabric pieces and sew the patchwork together.
 |
| Trimmed blocks ready for the quilt top. |
Here are the two quilt tops using the hexagon blocks. They are a mix of cotton prints and batik fabrics. Whether a printed cotton or a batik… if the color and value are right, I will use it.
 |
| Quilt top made with stack-and-whack orphan blocks. |
 |
| Quilt block using orphan hexagon blocks. |
The square medallion unit made a good center for a large star block. It was paired with the half square triangle units.
 |
| Quilt top made with a class practice block and HST units. |
Finished quilts
The puzzle pieces have been put together. The tops were pin basted and free-motion quilted.
 |
| Finished quilt with hexagon blocks. |
I have a stash of scrappy bindings that I make and with leftover 2.5” strips and trimmings. The bindings for my charity quilts are attached all by machine.
 |
| Finished quilt using hexagon blocks. |
 |
| The orphans class project served as the center of the star quilt. |
I had some ombre fabrics that made interesting bindings. The bindings seem to glow.
 |
| Orphan quilt blocks cut and then reassembled into a quilt. |
The “glowing” binding can be more easily seen from the back.
 |
| View from the back: free-motion quilting and binding. |
I’m happy that these orphan blocks have found a purpose and are no longer languishing in a box! The patchwork and quilt top assembly was quick and easy because of the finished blocks. These quilts will go to two local animal clinics. The clinic staff—and of course the animals—are always happy to have new quilts to snuggle.
