It’s been almost a week since the Spinning Icosahedron Mini Quilt Pattern was released! I have sold a good amount, and with that I have also received a bunch of questions and requests.

I have decided to do a few blog posts that will answer the most common questions I have received so far. This first post I will show a couple ways to change the layout around and share the exact fabrics I used in the above sample!

Layout:

The first option is a table runner! Each of the blocks in the PDF pattern are 8″ square finished. There are nine total, so you could very easily customize the length of the table runner, by just adding or subtracting a block or three. In the above example I chose the first four rotations and laid them out to make an 8″x32″ table runner, which would be perfect for my sideboard or the couch table I’m currently building.

There is no extra pieces with this option!

The Icosahedron blocks are very modern, which makes them perfect for quilts with a lot of negative space. Above I have shown two options. Though there are actually MANY!

The one on the left only uses Rotation #001 through #006. However you could add more blocks to equal a longer quilt with more negative space. I just liked the way this one looked. Once you have all six blocks pieced in a row, you would attached a background piece measuring 6.5″x48.5″ to the left side, and a piece measuring 22.5″x48.5″ to the right.

The quilt on the right is pieced somewhat similar, except I did Rotation #001 through #008. The first four blocks would be pieced together, left to right and then do the same for the last four. Once you have them together, attach the first row to the top, or long edge, of a 32.5″x26.5″ piece of background fabric. Then attach the second row to the bottom.

Both of these options are endless! Just change the size of the blocks around the Icosahedrons and you have a completely different size or shape.

It has also been suggested that these could be turned into 16″ pillows by using four blocks each pillow. Another person suggested a set of trivets or placemats. The options really are endless. If you have an idea, please share it! I’ll even make a mock-up of what it would look like.

Colors:

Today I’m just going to share the exact colors used in the sample quilt above. However I do plan on sharing other options using different brands solids. I’m just waiting on some color cards to come in.

For the sample I used Kona Cotton by Robert Kaufman. I’ve listed them in a way that matches the pattern instructions andI’ve also included the number Robert Kaufman has assigned each color. Don’t worry, it’s not some weird code:

• AA & Binding = Navy/1243
• BB = Celestial/233
• CC & JJ = Cyan/151
• DD & LL = Teal Blue/1373
• EE & MM = Peacock/1282
• FF = Coal/1080
• GG, KK & TT = Bahama Blue/1011
• NN = Caribbean/1064
• OO = Turquoise/1376
• PP & SS = Lagoon/139
• QQ = Aqua/1005
• RR = Charcoal/1071
• Background = Shadow/457

A Fat Eighth of all the pieced colors except Navy should do the job. Then about 3/4 a yard of the background fabric, a half yard of Navy for binding and 3/4 yard of whatever you choose for the backing fabric (I used more Kona Shadow).

What color combinations would you like to see when I do the next blog post? Is there a brand you’d rather me try out?

Paper Version of this Pattern:

My original plan was to wait and see how well the pattern sold before I even thought about a paper pattern. However I already have some shops and others asking about it. So I researched pricing and sizing. I’ve even picked out a printer and have the file set up and ready to go. Most shops say they would prefer a 12″ block, since they are looking at this as an art quilt. I am also loving the idea of a 12″ block! What are your thoughts? I love hearing all sides.

Ok, That is all for today! I’ll be back later in the week with the first batch of color options, along with some other goodies. If you are thinking about trying out the pattern and you read through this entire blog post, then as a “Thank You!” here is a 20% off coupon that can be used in my Etsy Shop (there is patterns and necklace preorders there!) Coupon Code: SpinningQuilts ! The coupon will expire midnight April 28th, so act fast!

First though. let’s look at two of the amazing quilt tops my testers sent me photos of! Maybe it will get you in the mood to try the pattern out?!

This first top was pieced by Leah Corbin / @leahrene on InstaGram. She was beyond helpful when it came to the little mix ups with the pattern and such. She did a beautiful job piecing these nine blocks together and I am in love with her use of patterned fabric! You’ll probably be seeing more of Leah’s work here, because I’m totally asking her to test more pieces down the road.

This next quilt top is by the lovely Holly Hughes of the blog Holly Gets Quilty / @hollygetsquilty on InstaGram. She tested the pattern for me while also making it as a quilt for the Alison Glass Mini Quilt Swap! How brilliant is that? Kill two birds with one stone! So that means that she used only Alison Glass fabric as the sides and then Essex Linen as the background. Im in love with it. She will be sharing photos of the quilted up version soon, so once she does, I’ll share it here too! (I really really cant wait to see it)

I have also received a handful of finished block photos and some in progress shots. I think they all need their own blog post though, so keep your eyes peeled for those. I’ve seen the photos, its worth the wait.

Now back to the super technical, less sappy, pattern stuff…

I am calling this pattern the Spinning Icosahedron Mini Quilt. It’s name comes from the fact that it is an Icosahedron (20 sided Polyhedron) that is spinning and toppling, so you can see 18 sides of it. You can see this “spinning and toppling” by picking one triangle and following it through the 9 blocks until it disappears.

Like most of my patterns, this is a foundation paper piecing pattern that is broken up into many pieces. I have made a system to help keep all the sides and colors in order, plus I included a coloring page as a helpful guide. I have tried to make it as easy as possible to assemble.

Now onto the question I get from everyone…

“What size is it?”

Well, It is 24″ square when finished if you use the pattern as is. I know that is small, and you can’t really cover yourself with it, but it’s a great mini quilt/doll quilt/pillow. Plus, you can use the blocks individually OR change the lineup a bit and maybe only use three as a long pillow? Maybe use 5 or 6 as a table runner? Or maybe have a strip going down a quilt that is all 9 and then the rest is solid? I bet there are many ways these nine blocks can be used!

I have plans to release an 18″ block version, that would create a 54″ square quilt within the next month or so. It’s finished, I’m just waiting until I can stitch up a sample (its a 54 page pattern, with lots of taping, it’s been rough finding time to work on it with everything else going on these days). In the meantime, there is a work around. If your printer allows you to enlarge documents and then tile them over multiple pages, then you can technically make the blocks 16″ finished with a quilt 48″ square (or bigger by adding a border). If you are super lucky and have an awesome printer than you can probably go even larger.

Is there any interest in pre-printed paper patterns to help with this size thing? I’ve researched it a bit, and would love to go that direction eventually.

Ok, whew, I believe that’s it when it comes to all the technical stuff. If you buy the pattern and want to share photos, OR you are just curious what everyone else is making, then you should check out the hashtag #artschooldropoutpatterns and/or #spinningicosahedronquilt on InstaGram. You can also add any project photos to the Art School Dropout Pattern Flickr group: www.flickr.com/groups/miniasd/ .

I am super excited to get this pattern out there into the world, but I am also really excited to share the next pattern in the works. It’s not another spinning object, though I am thinking of doing an entire series!!

Happy sewing everyone!! I am going to go crash now…