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.

paths and stiles, block construction

corn fabrics celebrating harvest!

Paths and Stiles
Block finishes 9 inches
I plan to set 9 by 10, so will make 90 blocks for a quilt to finish 81 by 90 inches

Cutting
Solids:
Four rectangles 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches
One 3 1/2 inch square
Four  triangles cut from 3 1/2 inch strip using the Easy Angle or Bonnie Hunter's essential tool

Prints:
Eight rectangles 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches
Four triangles cut from 3 1/2 inch strip using the Easy Angle or Bonnie Hunter's essential tool

Sew together triangles, pressing away from the solid triangle

Sew together rectangles; with two sets, press towards the center solid and with the other two sets, press away from the center solid

Layout block with the vertical stiles pressed away from center rectangle at the top and bottom and the horizontal stiles pressed towards the center rectangle at the sides
Sew into rows
Press triangle rows away from the triangles
Press center row away from the center square

Sew into block, press away from the center row

I will be rotating every other block when I put together the top so all seams will nest.

My directions for a traditional block. Use at your pleasure.