cindyb

So many of you have suggested the 'Warm Wishes' as the quick and easy go to pattern. While it does look simple, I am a little confused by the Band strips. I want to make these out of my scraps. Do I understand that the two outside strips should be cut at 2" and the inside strip should be cut at 3"? I am a picture person and this picture does not show those sizes. So, I'm assuming the two outside strips will be fairly small. Got the free pattern from Quiltmaker magazine on line.

Tartan

You can make the strips any size you want as long as when sewn together, they equal the size of the focus square.

Dingle

Yes, that's how it works. I asked the same question when I made my first one. Didn't seem right to me but it works out in the end.

alikigirl

I read the pattern as you said, 3 inch inner band, and 2 inch outer bands. Then they will total 6 inches (subtract 4 seam allowances at .25 is 1 inch). Therefore cut the strip pieced units at 6 inches to get squares.
As tartan said, these squares need to equal your focus fabric.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

I would sew my bands together and see how big they end up. You can always cut the focus fabric at an odd size to match if you have any seam allowance issues on the bands.

Gladys

Thanks so much to those who answered, I have had the same question.

irishrose

My focus blocks are are 7 1/2, my center strip is 3 1/2 and the side ones are 2 1/2. The size of the roses in the focus fabric block determined it's size and the others need to total the same. It's your quilt.

The Warm Wishes pattern cuts the red and black prints at 2", the gold print at 3" and the focus blocks at 6" as you already know.

tessagin

I just learn more and more from this board!

willferg

This is the way I always do it, too. I like the slightly bigger blocks.

meyert

I am just finishing a warm wishes quilt (my first one and I am very happy with it) I made the 3 strips the same width - and the focus square to match their total width. I had a pattern that I was working from. I am going to make anyother one of these and when I do I am going to think about the 1 strip being wider