How to Make a Particle Wave Block
Ever since I saw Ashley’s two by four quilt block tutorial it’s been stuck in my mind. I loved the 2x4 idea, but wanted a smaller, shorter, wider block and an opportunity to use my collected pile of 2” strip scraps, since I always have an excess of those (more on that later).
Ashley’s tutorial uses fat quarters and 3” strips to make big beautiful blocks, and someday I will make one her way. :-) But for today this is a 2” scrap strip version of her tutorial, posted with her permission.
The quilt that I am making using these blocks has an offset setting and to me looks like a pixelated image of the sea, so the quilt and my version of the block are called Particle Wave.
Read on for the details on how to make a Particle Wave block!
Project Table of Contents
Step 1: Gather Fabric & Supplies
To make one Particle Wave quilt block, you will need:
A matched set light strips 2” wide and approximately 9-10” long
A matched set of dark strips 2” wide and approximately 9-10” long
Normal patchwork supplies such as thread, sewing machine, iron, pressing surface, etc..
For the value of the strips, you can pair light with dark, light with medium or medium with dark. As long as there’s some value difference between the strips it will work just fine. And if you’re making a whole quilt a variety is the way to go.
Step 2: Sew Strips into Pair Sets
Sew each of the light strips to each of the dark strips. Press the seam to the darker fabric. If you are doing many blocks, you can do this step for all the strips at once, just make sure to keep your pair sets together!
Step 3: Sew Pair Sets Together
Sew the two matching pair sets together, forming one strip set. Press seams toward the darker fabric.
Step 4: Cut Into 4" Segments
Cut your strip set into 4” segments. Discard the leftovers. Or, you can trim them up, save them, and use them for another project.
Step 5: Flip and Sew Segments
Flip one of the segments over as shown, and sew them together. Press the seam to one side. Either one, it doesn’t matter because you can flip the blocks to nest seams once you start putting the quilt top together.
Congratulations!!
Ta da!
You have now made yourself one Particle Wave block. Hooray! Let me know if you try it. And also They’re kind of addictive! You have been warned. :-)
