Entropy Quilt – Pattern Testing

entropy quilt, solids quilt series

Over Christmas break, I had the pleasure of pattern testing for the Entropy Quilt by Squats_and_runningstitches.  Summer created a wonderful pattern for confident beginners.  I wanted to test this out because it used half square triangles.  This is one of my go-to designs for quilts, so it was nice to have something different with the Entropy Quilt pattern.

Selecting the fabric took me a bit.  I wanted to use what was in my stash, but couldn’t pull together the right bundle for the fat quarter version I was doing.  Then I remembered all the scraps I still had from my mural quilt.  My latest series of quilts was born.  A solid series using the leftovers from the mural quilt.  How can I get the most out of that and using my stash.

Fabric Selection

In my stash were some solids that could round out the colors.

entropy quilt, fabric selection in blue, green, and gray

What I realize now, is that more contrast would have been helpful.  Rather than gray, playing more in the green and crossing over to teal.  That would have required more fabric and would have gotten me off track from my goal.  USE WHAT I HAVE.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the final product based on my selection.  Once I started piecing I recognized the need for more contrast.

 

The Quilt Top

Summer’s instructions are easy to read and well organized.  She put some time into how you cut fabric and make blocks.  Piecing took no time.  Trimming is the worst part about half-square triangles but also critical.  Otherwise everything is wonky and incredibly frustrating during piecing.  ALWAYS TRIM YOUR HSTS!  I put on a Netflix show and knocked it out.

Within an afternoon I had the top created.  After pressing the seams I ran outside and put it on the fence.  I thought it was cold then, right now it’s 14 degrees in Indianapolis and feels like 9 degrees.

 

The Finished Quilt

The Fat Quarter Version of the quilt is a little bigger than a yard of fabric.  There wasn’t any wide backs in my stash, but I did have a blue and some leftovers from a T-shirt quilt from 2019.  Once basted I pondered the quilting for a couple of days.  This would look amazing with straight lines, but I wanted to add some softness to it.

So, I decided to free motion quilt it.  With a podcast turned on and headphones in, I was able to quilt this in under an hour.  There were plenty of quilting issues that arose.  Mostly being out of practice since there were not many quilts made at my house in 2020.  After washing it, most of the issues are hidden.

For binding fabric I picked a blue, gray, and white print that was gifted to me as part of IMQG holiday party gift a couple of years ago.  I used a 2″ binding by machine.

I know exactly who this quilt is going to.  However, with COVID rates rising in Indiana, we haven’t seen them.  I really should just mail it at this point.  Who doesn’t love a surprise in the mail?

After Thoughts

My next version will be a bigger, scrappier version.  Others have posted their version under the hashtag #entropyquilt and it had me thinking of additional options.  Buy the pattern, support a small business.

This could be a fun block to make to swap with friends for an even scrappier one.  I’m looking at you Rachael, Holly, Amy, and Katie.  Anyone down?

Look for more solids quilts coming from me.  I’m loving this color palette and have some scraps to use up.