Hello! Hello! I am so glad you are sticking with me through this improv block of the month! Do you realize that this month marks our halfway place? Only a few months to go and you’ll have a fun improv quilt to put together!
This month we’re going to make Greek Key blocks. It’s an easy block– a variation of Courthouse Steps, which is a type of Log Cabin block. This block started when I was improv quilting and found myself quilted into a corner, literally. I had made small squared circles, like a spiral but square. For the heck of it, I guess. Anyway, to get out of the spiral, I had lots of choices but I liked the square spiral, so I decided to go out the way I’d gone in. Of course, I could have sewn on top of the lines, but I’m not very good at that. Instead, I gave my needle a little space and wormed my way out. And a block was born! What do we do with mistakes? Make more! Once I’d made of few of these mistakes, I realized they create a Greek key design. What a happy accident!
Now, I could not just leave it alone. I decided to figure out how to SEW a Greek key block. Yes, I know, there are patterns out there. But I tend to be my own innovator ( or recreator of the wheel). Besides, I like to improv and improve. So, here is my improv Greek key. I’m using strips in two colors in the diagram. Let’s get started so you can post photos on our Facebook group page! We want to see your work!
Decisions to make: How many blocks you will need for your quilt depends on the size of your blocks and the space you have for them. A row quilt will require a specific number, so once you decide on a size, you can quickly figure out how many you’ll need. Do you want all of the blocks in the same two colors or will you switch it up. If you’re adding new fabric to the mix, how will you achieve this and still have some cohesion in your quilt? One thing I realized while making this block is that the width of the strips affects the size of the block. I was a bit shocked to discover the difference that 1/4″ makes. But if you add (or subtract) just 1/4″ on one whole strip, the whole block is increased (or decreased) by a full two inches. Therefore, think about what will happen before you change the widths.
Rotary cutting from yardage/fat quarters: You can quickly rotary cut strips for your blocks, especially if you’re shooting for the same size pieces. If you’re using scrap strips, wait until the strip is sewn in to cut it to length.
Cutting from pre-cuts: Pre-cut strips are perfect for this block, but you can cut into layer cakes and such for strips.
Chain piecing: Make one or two blocks to get the feel of it, if necessary. Then chain piece the rest of the blocks. Caution: watch the orientation of your pieces. One mistake can change the block. If you want every block to look the same, stack your pieces and strips exactly as you want them. Then as you sew, carefully check to make sure each one is correct.
Pressing: Press as you go toward the darker color or toward the side with no seams.
Recutting: There’s very little recutting! Though you can trim or square up the final piece.
Finishing: Though it looks difficult at first, this is an easy block of sewing straight lines in a particular sequence. So there’s little finishing up once you’ve cleaned your workspace.
I’ll go ahead and walk you through the sewing sequence, because you can deconstruct this block two ways. Firstly, choose a color in the photo below–let’s say blue–and follow it from the center, where you begin sewing, to the outside-most piece. Note that the blue circles around the yellow, but it does not disrupt the yellow or vice versa.
Secondly, you can use the sequence of numbers (in the second picture above) to see that you sew one color strip and then directly across from it, the second color strip. In this example, every blue patch is an odd number, every yellow an even number, because you sew in a specific pattern: blue, yellow, blue, yellow, blue, yellow, and blue, yellow. Since there are only two colors and eight pieces, it’s a fast block that you can easily strip piece and have a slew of blocks in no time. Make them as big or as small as you want, or mix it up and make different sizes. It’s your quilt, after all.
With its mathematical precision, how is this improv? There are many opportunities to have fun. You can change the fabrics (just two contrasting colors).You can try wonky strips. Play with the width of your strips to see how it affects the overall block. Lastly, you can have fun zipping the blocks through without worrying about the orientation.
blocks 1 and 2 turned upside down
A note on that last suggestion: You can certainly end up with blocks that do not match as in the example above where I turned the first two pieces upside down. Surprisingly, you can end up with a different block entirely as in the photo below. All I did was sew strips 5 and 6 on the wrong sides. It’s amazing how easy that was!
blocks 3 and 4 turned upside down
Click on any button below for information on previous blocks:
