Questions about I Spy quilts
 

Hi I want to make an I Spy quilt . So far I have about 35 square blocks that are four and a half inches. Should I make bigger blocks? How big did you make your blocks? Where and how long did it take to find all the different fabrics? Any tips to finding the fabrics? I would appreciate any tips and please post pictures!

Hi-I collected novelty print fabrics for years with the intention of using them for I Spy quilts. I ended up making two nearly identical quilts for two siblings. I didn't make the hexagons, though. Too much work! I did simple squares, all the same size (3 or 4"--can't remember), with black sashing. I also put one piece of flannel into each quilt for the child to find (different fabric for each quilt), and several embroidery motifs in the top and bottom borders for the kids to match up, and one block deliberately upside down for them to find (also different in each quilt, of course.) You can have lots of fun with these! Enjoy! Sorry, didn't take pics. They are still slept under every night. My reward.:)

I organized a group and we all purchased 1/2 yard of 3 different fabrics. We cut them up into squares and then we divided the squares. The fabric had to have clear pictures of objects. It was a great way to gather all those different fabrics and we had a good time sewing them all together. We decided it was okay to repeat the blocks at least once so we could play matching on the blanket too.

I got my fabrics from an I Spy swap on this board a couple of years ago. I think they were about 5"...yours don't need to be larger than 4 and a half inches. You can use sashing or a pattern like Attic Windows to enlarge the size of your quilt if you think it's necessary.

I think most of the fabrics in our swap came from Joann's...I recognized them from the store :).

Good luck. I'm sure your quilt will make some special little someone very happy.

4 1/2" is a good size. You can make them larger by bordering them with strips- maybe 1/2 done with one color, and 1/2 done with another, then alternating them. I have been collecting fabrics, cutting them to 4 1/2" and 6 1/2" squares. Very easy to make a top. Anything special you're looking for? I'm sure folks would share or swap with you. There are swaps on several internet sites, or post in the appropriate section here. Have Fun!

Yosamitesa and I host swaps - hers are 6.5 sqs and mine are 10.5 sqs.. We both will be having an I spy swap in the few months (may & July) if anyone is interested...

My March swap will be Orange...
Yosamitesas will be Pastels..

When I started the thread asking the same question ... one poster mentioned she went with different sizes and shapes but all the came multiple.

Why? because some fabrics the print runs long and narrow, some are wide. Some are big prints, some small.

Eg. ... finished sizes .... 3x3", 3x6", 6x6", etc.

That way, you've got some variation in your blocks, yet they all come together easy enough when piecing.
They could be randomly placed ... or strategically placed according to sizes.

I have been collecting both the blocks for an I Spy and saving various quilt ideas. Soon I might even make several. I would love to participate in your swap. I hope you will let me know.

I'm just starting to collect I Spy fabrics. 5" blocks seems like a good size.