These go great if you have kids coloring squares with fabric markers. You can intersperse the drawn ones. Good for classroom auction projects and chapter fundraisers for opportunity drawings.
Beginning quiltmakers will find this pattern the perfect project for a cold winter day. Using large squares and simple Nine-Patch blocks, the quilt top comes together in short order. Go to page 3 to download the pattern for colorful scrap flowers on the off-white blocks of the quilt. Or skip the appliques: You won’t need to purchase fusing-adhesive material or embroidery floss, and you can use fat quarters (18 x 22″ cuts) of plaid and print flannel for the blocks. To finish the project quickly, tie each block in the corners and center.
Materials
1/2 yard of solid off-white flannel for applique backgrounds
3/8 yard each of 10 assorted plaid and print flannels for blocks and appliques
3 yards of solid dark green flannel for backing and binding
1 yard of 17″-wide, lightweight fusing-adhesive material
Contrasting embroidery floss for blanket stitching
Off-white yarn, floss, or perle cotton No. 5 for tying
Large-eye needle
54 x 66″ of unbonded polyester quilt batting or wool batting
Finished quilt top: 48 x 60″
Finished blocks: 6″ square
Quantities specified for 44/45″-wide, 100-percent cotton flannels. All measurements include a 1/4″ seam allowance unless otherwise stated.
Cut the Fabric
The squares for this quilt are most easily and accurately cut with an acrylic ruler, rotary cutter, and mat. Begin by squaring up the fabric according to the instructions in Quilt Basics. Then, follow the extra instructions given in parentheses to help you rotary-cut. Here are some tips from Scrapish.com
If you prefer hand piecing, make two templates, a 6″ square and a 2″ square. Trace around each one and sew as directed in Quilt Basics.
To make the best use of your fabrics, cut the pieces in the order that follows. Reserve scraps for the applique pieces.
From solid off-white flannel, cut:
Ten 6-1/2″ background squares (Cut two 6-1/2×42″ strips. Cut six 6-1/2″ squares from one strip and four 6-1/2″ squares from the second one.)
From each of the 10 assorted plaid & print flannels, cut:
Six 6-1/2″ squares (Cut one 6-1/2 x 42″ strip. Cut it into six 6-1/2″ squares. From a fat quarter, cut two 6-1/2 x 22″ strips; cut each strip into three 6-1/2 squares.)
Nine 2-1/2″ squares (Cut one 2-1/2 x 42″ strip. Cut nine 2-1/2″ squares from it. From a fat quarter, cut two 2-1/2 x 22″ strips; cut eight squares from one and one square from the second strip.)
From solid dark green flannel, cut:
Six 2-1/2 x 42″ binding strips
Assemble the Nine-Patch Blocks
1. For one Nine-Patch block you’ll need four 2-1/2″ squares of one plaid or print flannel and five 2-1/2″ squares of a contrasting plaid or print flannel. (You may want to pair up all of the plaid and print 2-1/2″ squares before you sew any of them.)
Placement
2. Referring to Diagram 1 for placement, lay out the squares in three rows of three squares each. Sew together the squares in each row. Press the seam allowances toward the darker fabrics. Then join the rows. The pieced Nine-Patch block should measure 6-1/2″ square, including the seam allowances.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for a total of 10 Nine-Patch blocks.
Assemble the Applique Blocks (optional)
1. If desired, download the applique patterns (see page 3). Lay the fusing-adhesive material paper side up, over the downloadable Pattern A. With a pencil, trace the pattern 20 times, leaving 1/2″ between tracings. In the same manner, trace Pattern B 10 times, Pattern C 20 times, and Pattern D 30 times. Cut out the pieces roughly 1/4″ outside of the traced lines.
2. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, press the fusing-adhesive material pieces onto the back of the flannel scraps. Let the fabrics cool. Cut out the shapes on the drawn lines. Peel off the paper from the fabrics.
3. For one applique block, you’ll need two Pattern A pieces, one Pattern B piece, two Pattern C pieces, three Pattern D pieces, and one solid off-white 6-1/2″ background square.
4. Referring to Diagram 2 (on the downloaded pattern page) for placement, arrange the applique shapes on the background square.
5. Fuse the shapes in place with a hot, dry iron. Let the fabrics cool.
Blanket Stitch
6. Using two plies of contrasting embroidery floss or one strand of perle cotton, blanket-stitch the applique pieces in place.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for a total of 10 applique blocks.
Assemble the Quilt Top
Assemble Top
Referring to the photograph for placement, lay out the assorted plaid and print 6-1/2″ squares, Nine-Patch blocks, and applique (or solid off-white) blocks in 10 rows of eight blocks each. Sew together the rows. Press the seam allowances in each row in one direction, alternating the direction with each row. Then join the rows. Press the seam allowances in one direction.
Complete the Quilt
Layer the top, batting, and backing according to the instructions in Quilt Basics. Using off-white perle cotton, tie each block in the corners and in the center. Bind the quilt according to the instructions in Quilt Basics.