So my dad has a bunch of rental properties and I do the finances. And it seems like we're constantly moving money (legally, and with a paper trail!) to different accounts to pay bills, then back when that account has money and the phrase "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul" (RPtPP) always comes to mind when I get the "deposit this money in this other account, pay this bill, then move the future money back..." emails.

I had heard of the RPtPP pattern and wanted to do a quilt as such. I googled around and found a few completely different patterns. It seems like the main factor is that you have mixed lights and darks.

For this first one, it's designed to be paper pieced, but I don't like PP. I was thinking it might work as a tube quilt if I do it was 4 strips - http://www.earlywomenmasters.net/qui...ter/index.html

Then there's this one, which is cool, but looks scary with the curving. They do make an Accuquilt Die though. http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RobPe...PaulBlock.html

So I dunno... I guess the first question is which is the "correct" pattern? I'd like to make the more traditional one. And do you have any suggestions on how to do the 2nd one easier? And has anyone used the Go die? If so, did it work??

I've always seen the 2nd one as that title.....

I've always seen it kinda half-circle-y as RPtPP.

The first one is VERY accurate as a tube quilt. I did one w/4x2.5" strips and it rocked.

http://www.brandysquiltpatterns.com/
this lady has rulers to help make these blocks.

i just made reversible circles, clipped a small opening near the edge, turned right side out. quilted each one and then sewed together, folding the edges of the circles over and stitching them down. lots of blue jean quilts are made this way. rather easy actually.
here is some info on how to make the circles
http://howtobejenna.wordpress.com/20...ge-peel-quilt/
also know as orange peel. some quilts and quilt blocks have many different names. can be confusing.
http://cindysantiquequilts.com/dynapage/IP492.htm

to make the 2nd one you could trace the pattern and fuse it to the square and the stitch around the edges of the half circle make the sq and half circle a bit bigger and trim it to the size block you require I would try one block just to see how it looks

Always intrigued by these questions I looked up the block in my "Quilter's Block Bible" (useful resource). It comes up with one very similar to nativetexan's and also describes it as "Dolly Madison's Workbox". I then found this site, which seemed to explain it pretty well, here's the link http://www.quiltsmart.com/Pages/mo_rob_pete.htm

It would be easy to make the Orange Peel/RPTPP by making double sided light/dark circles and cut a slit in them to turn them right side out and tuck a little batting in the slit before sewing the arcs down. There is a faux cathedral window method that is identical. I think there is even a tute on this board for it. Sew 2 circles 1 light/1 dark right sides together. Mark a square in the circle almost but not touching the edges. Make a slit on one side of the square and turn right side out through the slit. Tuck a piece of batting in the slit. Sew another circle only opposite color facing up to this circle on one of the square lines. Definitely need a visual but it is really simple. Look for the faux cathedral window tutorial on this board.