Wonky Cross Quilt

Hello! Have you made a Wonky Cross quilt? Have you made anything wonky? Another name for it is 'liberated'. I think of it as being improv as well, because you're making random/improv slashes through your fabric, instead following a pattern or instruction for cutting a specific measured shape. I've seen wonky stars, houses, log cabin, 4-patch, etc. they look fun and whimsical to me!

I thought I would like the randomness of the Wonky Cross block, I guess I'm a traditionalist at heart as I discovered I like having the structure of a traditional quilt block. However, I do love the way the quilt came out and I'm not saying I won't make another wonky/liberated block. Most of my blocks are a little wonky anyway, but that's another story.

I used a layer cake, and made a random slash through the 10 square. Easy right? It is easy but I tend to overthink things like; is the angle ok.

The next step is to sew a coordinating strip to the random slash. The strips were cut in various width's from 1.25 inches to 2.75 inches. I did try a 1 inch and 3 inch strip and thought the 1 inch strip was too narrow and the 3 inch strip too wide for my liking.

Next is another random slash in the other direction in order to make your cross shape. Again very easy and more overthinking for me; did I make the cut too high in the block; how's the angle.

The next step is to sew the coordinating strip and you have a beautiful wonky cross block. I waited to trim the blocks until they were all completed.

A couple of my blocks were really wonky and needed to be fixed. This would happen when sewing the block together for the second strip, you see (below) how they don't line up.

What worked best for me is, I would insert a pin 1/4 inch...

and flip it over to make sure it was lined up...

take it to the machine and sew. I had more success of it matching up when I did it that way.

And here's the beautiful end result. I love the way it turned out! This was a prayer quilt for a young lady so you may notice the #5 pearl cotton threads used for tying when a silent prayer is said. Read more about it as a prayer quilt on Sewing to Serve or click the Sewing to Serve tab.

Maybe I should make more to get used to the liberated feeling! I would like to hear about your wonky/liberated block experience. If you've blogged about it share the link in my comments section.

Thanks for stopping by!
Gina