3 tatami mat, top completed

 
3 Tatami Mat
84 by 72 inches
top completed 2024
Block finishes 8 by 12 inches
63 blocks set 9 across and 7 down

The scrap rectangle in a unit-block/tatami shape is one of my favorite scrap shapes. When I cut down my scraps, this is one of my basic sizes, cut 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 to finish 1 by 2 inches. I have made at least 5 quilts using this shape. I'll try to gather photographs of them for a future post.

I love tatami mat layout guides and used the simple 3 mat layout for the basic units.

For one block:
Solid (I used Kona Ice Frappe): 4 pieces cut 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches
Print: 44 dark or bright scraps cut 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches

So, for the quilt:
252 solid rectangles
2772 print rectangles

Block construction is described HERE.  I made 16 units into a block, using my usual layout for 16-patch blocks.

Layout:
Make 63 blocks and sew into 9 block rows.
Make 7 rows.
Press alternating rows left or right
Sew together rows then press rows in one direction. I pressed down.
All seams nest.
Make sure you stay-stitch around the perimeter right away!

My 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch rectangles darks and brights bin is greatly diminished.

Starting bin contents

After!
Used much more of that bin than I anticipated. 

My design, use at your pleasure.

Backing is this great corn fabric by Create It. In honor of our corn harvest going on right now. I purchased this on the secondary market but I think it is sold by Walmart.