Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Drunkard's Path Quilt Along- Fabric requirements


Let's talk fabric, people! Here is the nitty-gritty about fabric selection for the Accuquilt Go! Baby leg of the quilt along. Once again, if you are using the template method, go hop on over to see Kate for the info there!

The design plays and important part in your fabric selection. Do you want to go all prints like in Megan's Bohemian twins quilt?

The Drunken Bohemian is finished!

Drunkard's Path is striking using 2 alternate solids like in this quilt by Chez B:

Drunkard's Path

Or pair some prints and solids like Kate's?

drunkard's path quilt top

Also, you can just do some DP blocks amongst other blocks, like in this uber-modern looking quilt top by Dan from Piece and Press:
Ripple quilt top

This is also a great opportunity to use up some scraps like in this gorgeous quilt by Zilla Cook:

DRUNKARD'S PATH VARIATION - Handmade by Zilla Cook - quilted by DLQ

So, plenty of possibilities! Feel free to revisit my inspiration mosaic to help stimulate the brain!


Here is some basic math about this block.

Each single block will be 3.5 inches finished in your quilt. So, you can really do any size you want, using that at your starting point. Fabric requirements will of course vary based on size. I am going to make suggestions for a lap quilt and a baby quilt.

The beauty of the Go! Baby? Perfect for use with a layer cake! One layer cake "slice" cranked through your Go! Baby will get you pieces for 4 blocks with minimal waste. I have some handy-dandy tricks on how to do this that I will show you once it is cutting time. Easy as pie...or layer cake, I guess ;) Now, 4 blocks from the one layer cake slice sewn together will give you a 7 inch finished block. So, using simple math, you can multiply the number of blocks to get the quilt size you would like.

One layer cake will yield 42- 7 inch blocks. So, a layer cake will give you a generous baby quilt of 42 inches by 49 inches (6 blocks across by 7 rows) if you use all the slices. A more typical baby size would be 35 inches by 42 inches (5 blocks across by 6 rows), which utilizes 30 of the 42 slices.

Two layer cakes, or a layer cake paired with 42- 10 inch squares of solid, will generate a cozy lap quilt of 63 inches square (9x9 blocks with 3 blocks left over).

While layer cakes add to the simplicity factor by being pre-cut, you certainly can use fabric from your stash as well! This would then just be cut into 10 inch squares prior to cutting. Scraps would also be great! There really is a lot of freedom here.


Fabric requirements for lap quilt (63" by 63"):

Using pre-cuts:
-2 layer cakes (two printed cakes OR one print and one solid cake) OR 1 layer cake and 3.25 yards of solid

For a quilt top using only 2 fabrics you will need:
-3.25 yards of each fabric

For a quilt top using an equal mix of solid and prints:
-3.25 yards of solid fabric
- 11-10 inch cuts by WOF of a variety of prints of your choosing OR scraps to generate 168 "outie" pieces and 168 " innie" pieces

For a quilt top using prints only:
- 22- 10 inch cuts by WOF of a variety of prints of your choosing OR scraps to generate 336 "outie" pieces and 336 " innie" pieces (wowza!)

In addition, for all lap quilts you will need:
-1/2 yard fabric for binding
- 4 yards fabric for backing


Fabric requirements for baby quilt (35" by 42" OR 42" by 49"):

Using pre-cuts:
-1 layer cake OR 1/2 layer cake and 1.5 yards of solid

For a quilt top using only 2 fabrics you will need:
- 1.5 yards of each fabric for the quilt top

For a quilt top using an equal mix of solid and prints:
-1.5 yards of solid fabric
- 6-10 inch cuts by WOF of a variety of prints of your choosing OR scraps to generate 84 "outie" pieces and 84 " innie" pieces

For a quilt top using prints only:
- 11- 10 inch cuts by WOF of a variety of prints of your choosing OR scraps to generate 168 "outie" pieces and 168 " innie" pieces

In addition, for all baby quilts you will need:
-1/2 yard fabric for binding
- 1.5 yards fabric for backing for 35" x 42" baby quilt, or 3 yards of backing if you are making the larger 42" x 49" baby quilt


What fabrics will I be using? I will be slicing and dicing my Bonnie and Camille Ruby layer cake (minus a few slices used in my Moda Bakeshop framed purse tutorial) and pairing that with equal parts of solid white to make a snugly lap quilt all for ME! I la-la-LOVE this line, and can't wait to dive in! I am also contemplating cutting up some Bliss and making a baby quilt...perhaps as a Christmas donation to the local Children's Hospital :) I have what (I think) will be a funky design idea...stay tuned!



I can't wait to see what fabrics you choose! Be sure to show off your choices in the Drunkard's Path quilt along Flickr group!

8 comments:

randi--i have to say said...

i have always loved the solid drunkard's path quilts! so striking! will be buying that die for my accu-cutter at some point.

best wishes with your quilt-along!

Caroline said...

I am very tempted to play along on this quilt-along. I love the different options that the DP offers.

Dan R said...

Oh fun! Thanks for the uber shout-out!

Katie B said...

Hmm...decisions, decisions! I have a Chrysalis layer cake I might use... I need to think about this!

bethanndodd said...

what a bummer...i ordered the larger DP die. will have to play around with the fabric measurements. still looking forward to the quilt~a~long though. thanks for hosting!
smiles~beth

Shay said...

I love Megan's quilt...it's gorgeous. I made one similar last year and it's one of my favourite quilts of all time.

Have fun playing!~

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Oh yes. I have one drunkards path, that is almost finished. Maybe I can get that one done soon, so I can do another. I love the way the one is set up right after the red and white one.

printed pens said...

Gorgeous work you done. I made one similar last year and it's one of my favorite quilts of all time. In your blog post my favorite is third one, looks so attractive with different colours.