Seriously..I think it needs stitches.: Vintage Swimsuit Quilt Block Tutorial for National Underwear Day

When I started this National Days scrap quilt project, my goals were to: use up small scraps, post the blocks on my blog for fun, look through the National Days calendar as I went along to find days that might spark creativity, and have a king size scrap quilt at the end. A bonus thing that happened is that I've found that the most bazaar things have a National Day. Like underwear! National Underwear Day? Well how could I pass that up? Definitely a design challenge! So here we are, an 8" underwear quilt block. lol Or I suppose you could turn it into a tiny vintage swimsuit if you use bright colorful scraps?

Here's how to make these tiny doll sized skivvies in quilt block form. With only TWO corner flips! I wasn't going to mock this one up into a quilt because.. meh.. underwear, but then I plugged in some colorful fabrics and now I'm thinking an underwear/vintage swimsuit scrap quilt isn't such a crazy idea. It's kind of cute! Scroll to the end to see it. :) Look how "granny panty" it looks in two shades of white, but how cute it looks in colors!

Here's how simply it goes together!

Fabric A - Background

(1) 1" sq. (~)

(3) 1 x 5"

(2) 2 1/4 x 8 1/2"

(1) 3 1/2 x 4"

Fabric B - Underwear

(2) 2 1/4" sq.

(1) 2 1/2 x 5"

Fabric C - Trim

(2) 1 x 2 1/2" (>>)

(2) 1 x 3 1/2" (>>>)

(2) 1 x 5"

--Match the symbols (*,+ etc.) in the cutting instructions with the symbols in the assembly diagram.

Double Upper Corners

1. Place a square at the left end or left upper corner of a rectangle or larger square, right sides together.
2. Stitch from right upper to left lower corner.
3. Clip, flip & press.
4. Place a square at the right end or right upper corner of a rectangle or larger square, right sides together.
5. Stitch from left upper corner to right lower corner.
6. Clip, flip & press.

--Using above method, (2) 2 1/4" sq. of Fabric B and 3 1/2 x 4" rect. of Fabric A-long edge at the top, make one unit.

--------------------

--Assemble as shown below using SCANT quarter inch seams.

You will have an 8 1/2" undies quilt block (8" finished in quilt), whether tighty whities or all the bright colors. Check this out.. This is still a pretty small quilt since these are 8" blocks. I don't hate it! And it's such an easy block! They look like cute little retro swimsuits!

Well that's a wrap for one of the crazier National Days! Yay, underwear! :) I hope you've maybe gotten as big a kick out of this nutty day as I have.

Follow me for more "Crazy Things I Never Thought I'd Make Into Quilt Blocks" ideas. haha! I'll be back soon with another block tutorial. I pity the block that has to live up to the underwear, though. :)

Have a great day, and see you soon!

Happy Stitching!

xoxo,

P.S. I love to see blocks and quilts that are made with any of my patterns. If you make any and post on social media, please come find me in any of the places listed below, and tag me so I can see! :) If you're on YouTube, check out the short musical video tutorials of some of these blocks. I'm hoping they might inspire kids, or anyone really, to learn to sew. :) Plus, they're just fun to do.

@kellifanninquilts on IG

#kellifanninquiltdesigns

#nationaldaysquiltblocks

FB page

Sew along FB group

YouTube

I'm keeping all of these blocks organized on the National Days quilt blocks page *HERE*, if you're looking for any of the other 90 or so blocks I've posted so far. If you know someone who loves Minecraft, Pokemon, and or Harry Potter, check out these free sew alongs, too! :) And if you're looking for any of my print patterns, or other fun quilty gifts, check out my Etsy shop here. Be back soon!

2 comments...:

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

You’re right, they’re very cute when bright and in a group!

December 15, 2021 at 11:54 AM

Patti said...

Sorry I don't comment more often but you email is always the first one I open. It is such fun. I LOVE the one! Underwear Day who would of thought!! Keep up the good work.

December 16, 2021 at 7:12 AM