I Spy quilt question
 

I'd like to make a couple of I Spy quilts for a couple kids I know but have a couple of questions. I've seen some really cute ideas here and am inspired. But I have a couple of questions.

Are the blocks used more than once? and if so, how many times should I use the same block in the quilt? or does it matter? I was thinking that if I used it a couple of times it could be a secondary game of concentration, looking for the matching block(s).

I'd like to make the quilts maybe the size of a twin or slightly smaller and I think I will make my blocks 4 1/2 or maybe 5". One child is 3 and the other 2 1/2.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

There are so many fun ways to make I-spy that it is really up to the maker! Some quilters like to use an abundance of prints and some like to use fewer prints but more repeats. They can be used for memory and matching games. If the print is a subject matter that a child likes (aka dinosaurs), they wouldn't mind having extra of those to find.

Every square of my I Spy is different. I think it just adds to the search for the grandkids.

The ones I made had all pairs for matching, plus one block that was singular to find, another that was flannel to find, another which was upside down to find. In the border fabric I embroidered motifs from my embroidery machine in pairs to match, and I embroidered directions (on what was there to find) onto the backing. I also just cut squares surrounded by sashing strips instead of hexagons (too much work!).

There are so many different ways of making this quilt. I would try to get as many as you can so you only may repeat it once or twice.

I just finished an I-Spy with matching squares of each fabric. (no pics :() Made for my 3 year-old grandson, and he loves it! I used fabrics he would like: Hulk, cars, dinosaurs, boats, balls, "Mater", fishing scenes, etc. Then used scraps to make the back. He has lots to find! :)

I bet your quilt was beautiful with all the embroidery. Hadn't thougt about doing that.hmmmm

so true, I was just wondering if I had the patience to collec t ALL those different prints. lol

I am sure he is very happy and loves his quilt. :-)

Thanks, I think I am leaning this way. I'm not sure how many different motifs I can find.

You can buy I spy cam squares on Ebay. I bought 100, some of the fabrics too thin, but most were good quality. I made bean bags to match some of the squares to add another game to play. Caught them playing this version of the game. One kid lay under the blanket while the other two threw the bean bags at him. They were all laughing like crazy.

Heres some squares. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...sPageName=GSTL

[ATTACH=CONFIG]528925[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH=CONFIG]528926[/ATTACH]

This is my first "I Spy" quilt. Some of the squares are from the same yardage, but a different picture. **Like two different bugs, etc. It's fun to collect the fabrics too. Please share a picture of your quilt once it's done. :)

Having more than one of any motif will help kids learn to count and focus. I like this idea.
peace

I have seen them with repeats and also without. It is your call, and of course how many different fabrics you have! I have seen some great collections of precuts on eBay for ispy quilts---I think you get what you pay for---the nicer ones that have been properly fussy cut are a little pricier.

HillCountryGal...love it!

I use the Accuquilt Go die (in my Fiskars Fuse) to cut hexagons/triangles. I can cut all the triangles in about 2 hours.

I usually make the quilt about 60" x 60", which is 12 hex's across, and 12 down. And then JoAnn's has a nice batting that fits that size which I always buy on sale.

I make every hex different. I collect fabrics all the time, cut them into 5" squares, and then trade any leftovers on-line. They have a nice swap here often enough. I also buy pre-cut sets on e-bay. You can get some pretty nice sets if you watch.

Thank you Nanax4... after I finished it, I wished I'd done it in snowballs and not squares. Oh well, next time.

Here is what I call my 'cheater I Spy' The original I spy was a hexagon with triangles around it. Kinda fussy to piece...And too many fabrics for my little mind to handle. I make mine with a square and two snowball corners. When I trim off the triangles underneath, I make HST out of them and then sew them together for a flying goose. Those are used in my border. Match game! I think I have used this 4 or 5 times. I make mine with 6 inch blocks, but the size is your choice. Here is a picture:

I echo what others have said: at least 2 repeats of blocks.

I just completed an I-spy, I-match quilt and had a match for each piece. I also included plain colors of all of the primary colors for learning colors, also.

Thanks for the suggestions and link. I didn't realize they had this available. :-)

How fun! Beautiful quilts. I am getting excited about getting started. I have to finish up my one block wonder and a wall hanging that are in the works yet. I've been kinda putting aside some of my fabrics that I am seeing good for this as I straighten up some. It's amazing what you see what you have when you are looking for something specific.

I like to make them with pairs for that age . You could also make another match game on the back if you're feeling ambitious!

Beautiful! Love your tip and like that you reused the cut piece in your border. I am a little gun shy of hexagons after doing a one block wonder-which I am almost finished with.