Monday, February 20, 2012

Does anyone have complete Bento Box quilt instructions for making a 6" square from 21/2" strips?

The basic process is very simple. Each block consists of five pieces, with the outer two the same color as the inner one. The center two pieces are in contrasting fabric. You'll make an equal number of light-dark-light and dark-light-dark blocks. Then you'll place them so they alternate light/dark blocks and turn to form the boxes.





For the LIGHT blocks:


2 1/2" square in light fabric


2 1/2" square in dark fabric


2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle in dark fabric


2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle in light fabric


2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle in light fabric





Sew the square together using a scant 1/4" seam. This should leave you with a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle. With the LIGHT square at the right, sew the 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" DARK rectangle to the top. Now you'll have a 4 1/2" square. Sew the 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" LIGHT rectangle to the left side, then sew the 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" LIGHT rectangle to the top. You will have a 6 1/2" square. Repeat to form as many light squares as you need.





For the DARK blocks:


2 1/2" square in dark fabric


2 1/2" square in light fabric


2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle in light fabric


2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle in dark fabric


2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle in dark fabric





Repeat the steps above, substituting light for dark and vice versa.





Each block requires 7" of one and 13 1/2" of the other. Since you're making equal numbers of both blocks, you can just cut all of the pieces from each strip. You can get enough pieces for four complete blocks from one light strip and one dark strip. Four blocks equals one 12" finished "box", so you can use that to calculate how many strips you need. Decide how big you want the quilt to be, then divide the width and height by 12". Round up (or down if you plan to add borders). That is the number of boxes across and down. Multiply your number across by your number down to determine how many total boxes. That is the number of 2 1/2" strips of light AND dark you need.





Good luck! It's a fun pattern.

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