Have you ever used the answer key of a sudoku puzzle for creating a quilt?
(This is not the answer key that I used for the baby quilt, but it really doesn’t matter which one you use.)
Each number in the key represents a different fabric. With 9 fabrics you can create a “random” lay-out where each fabric only appears once in each column and once in each row. It is a huge time saver when deciding on what fabric needs to go where.
Only downside is that sometimes with a limited color palette you have colors that cluster. I have learned to accept that as part of the quick turn over that baby quilts can require.
I quilted the simple patchwork top with a swirl pattern I learned in an Angela Walters class I was fortunate enough to attend in September in France.
The swirls meandered in a horizontal row and between each swirl-row I added a different pattern.
I really felt rusty doing the FMQ, but the results are not too bad.
Between the swirl rows I put different ribbon-like patterns.
In the corner of the quilt I wrote the little boy’s name and the year of his birth.
The letters are a bit scibbly on purpose. I didn’t want a clean and super tidy look.
The binding turned out perfect. I attached the double found binding (2,5″ strip) to the back of the quilt using the default stitch on my Janome 8900. I used the widest walking foot that came with the machine, with the needle all the way to the right. This turns out to be a smidge over 1/4″ from the side of that wide foot. After folding the binding to the front, I repostitioned the needle to its central position and stitched the binding down. The side of the foot neatly lined up with the edge of the quilt. I am really happy with this look.
The quilt turned all wrinkly after washing.
The marks I made (for writing the name) with the water soluable pen dissapeared too.
All done!
I have a similar quilt all cut out in pink, creme, and some orangy browns waiting to be pieced. Hope to get to this one soon.
Hugs
Esther
ipatchandquilt 
I have never seen this idea, neat! I will have to try this! Thank you for putting this in my brains rolodex!
You are welcome! It is a fun and quick way to get the scrappy and random effect we all want!
Hugs
Esther
Perfect randomness!
Both the colors and the wavy pattern you selected made me think:
OCEAN BREEZE! The edging of your quilt looks very crisp. Another beautiful creation. Congratulations.
Yes it looks like the ocean. The colors were selected because the baby’s parents used these in the baby’s room. I sneakily asked the new-to-be-grandma what it looked like.
Hugs
Esther
Using Sudoku is a brilliant idea…it’s organized randomness! This quilt is so calming and the quilting is just perfect!
Exactly! We don’t need to think about what fabric goes where, you just follow the numbers.
Esther, you have me wanting to try this for my postage stamp quilt when I start it. What fun! So glad you shared your idea.
Lynda, I would love to see it! Could you send me a picture when you are done?
Bye bye
Esther
I love the quilted texture, it seems to complement the colour choice very well. Mas is a lucky boy 🙂
Me too! Love it to bits. Lately I have discovered that for baby quilts, I really like simple piecing and than do some fancy stitching on top.
Hugs
Esther
Lovely – thanks for all the tips too!
Thank you very much June for your kind comment. I hope you will find the tips easy to use.
Bye bye
Esther
It’s beautiful! I like the Sudoku idea for scraps, which I use all the time. I will try that, thanks! Your alternate quilting designs are another great idea. I’m even going to try your binding plan and see if I like that, because I really hate binding. A lot! Thanks for a post of great inspiration!
Hello!!!
I think the sudoku trick would work on any scraps, especially if you use a broader color palette than I have. Less likely to have clusters of one color that way.
I have had to experiment with the binding and the needle position. I finally found this new way that I like best, but it may be different on your machine as the feet are of different width maybe.
Hugs
Esther
So now I have a reason to just go to the back of the sudoku book and not even try to solve the puzzles! I love how this turned out, especially your tidy binding.
That is the best reason to get a sudoku book, right? For quilting, ha ha!
The binding even impressed me too! I will like this every single time from now on.
Hugs
Esther
I’ve thought about doing a sudoku quilt for years, just never got-round-to-it. Your quilting is amazing.
Thank you for your compliment.
Have a nice evening and happy sudoku-quilting!
Esther
SUPER! All around very nice indeed.
Thank you very much for that lovely comment!
Bye bye
Esther
He is beautiful. I like the collors and the quilting.And the name 🙂
Thank you very much Jenny!
Have a great day,
Esther
Esther it’s beautiful! The simple patchwork is lifted to higher ground by your magnificent quilting. And it doesn’t even look that unattainable!! I’m going to excercise with pen and paper rightaway!
Thanks for inspiring me
Hi Betty, yes it not very difficult. The swirls in a row are a bit tricky as you need to alternate the curls: one from the top curled, one from the bottom curled… once you get the hang of it, it is easy… (I make mistakes on this design too when I am tired!) I was taught this design in a Angela Walters class. There may be videos on how to do it, or some drawings.
If you need andy tips, let me know!
Hugs
Esther
Gorgeous!!!
Thank you very much!
Esther
Love your quilting.
Thank you!
Esther
A lesson in how quilting can transform a simply pieced item – it’s lovely and the Sudoku idea has worked brilliantly.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment!
Hugs
Esther
Thank you so much for this awesome sudoku idea! If I ever make a quilt of squares, I’ll definitely use this method.
I also like how your quilt turned out with these different quilting patterns. It’s like you filled my head with tons of new ideas to try one day.
Sabrina
Thank you very much Sabrina for you lovely comment. Would love to see your quilt when you get to it!
Hugs
Esther