Well, I've been busy this week with pattern testing and bindings...but I did want to share the instructions for this fun table topper with you. I didn't take enough pictures while I was making the
Verna topper, so I made another using my
Martinique squares. I actually constructed the topper a little bit differently the second time, so I'll provide directions for both methods. The
Verna topper was actually constructed by making four blocks and then sewing them together, while the
Martinique topper was put together in rows, making one large block. The borders are exactly the same for both quilts, and the finished measurements for both quilts are identical. The four block method is a little bit more time-consuming...and requires a little more precision in lining up points; however, I like the look of the four block topper a little better.
What you need:
For both quilts you'll need one pack of 40-2 1/2" squares from a
Moda Bake Shop Sampler Box, and 1/2 yard of background fabric. Cut 2-2 1/2" by width of fabric strips of background fabric for borders.
For the four block method you'll also need: 8-2 3/4" squares of background fabric cut in half once diagonally for corner pieces, 8-4 7/8" squares of background fabric cut in half twice diagonally for side triangles, and 16- 2 1/2" squares of background fabric for alternating squares.
For the row/single block method you'll also need: 2-2 3/4" squares of background fabric cut in half once diagonally for corner pieces, 5-4 7/8" squares of background fabric cut in half twice diagonally for side triangles, and 25-2 1/2" squares of background fabric for alternating squares.
Cut your side and corner pieces as directed.
For the four-block method you will choose 9 print fabrics for each block and lay out alternating with background squares. Repeat four times so that you have four blocks put together in pleasing color combinations. You will have 4 print fabrics left over...save these for the border corner posts.
Go ahead and lay out the side triangles and corner triangles (corner triangles not pictured here). Don't worry that the triangles seem a little large...you can trim them later.
If you are using the row/single block method...lay out the whole quilt at this time using 36 colored squares and all of the background squares and triangles. You will have four colored squares left over...save these for the border corner posts.
Now the construction is the same...start sewing pieces together in rows using a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Don't sew any of the corner triangles yet (there will be 16 corner triangles to add for the four block quilt and 4 corner triangles for the other one). Press all seams towards the sampler box squares.
Next you'll sew the individual rows together. Each block in the four block quilt will have 5 rows. The single block quilt will have 11 rows to sew together. For the single block quilt I sewed six rows together; I then sewed the other five rows together before sewing the two halves together into one piece. After adding each row, press to one side.
For the four block quilt: after each block has all five rows sewn together, sew the corners onto each block. Each block now needs to be trimmed. Line up the 1/4" line of your ruler with the outer point of each colored square and trim. Repeat for all four sides of all four blocks. You will then sew the top two blocks together and the bottom two blocks together--sorry, no picture for this (press seams open now--this will help the triangles to lay flat). Then sew the four blocks together again pressing seams open.
For the row/single block quilt: After all 11 rows are sewn together, add the four corner blocks. At this time you will use a 24" ruler to trim all four sides. Line the 1/4" line of the ruler up with the point of each colored square and trim as described above. Be sure to leave 1/4" of fabric around all edges so that the points of your colored squares won't disappear when you add your borders.
Now measure your topper through the center (in each direction) to find the measurement to cut your border strips. This measurement should be close to 18". Lay out your border strips and the remaining four colored squares. Sew the left and right border strips to your quilt, pressing towards the borders. Then, sew the squares to the left and right sides of the remaining two border strips. Again, press towards the border fabric. Then, sew the top and bottom border fabric strips to the top and bottom of your quilt. Press towards borders, and you're done!
Now you're ready to layer, quilt, and bind...unless you want to add an additonal outer border (I'm going to wait for yardage to come out in both of these lines so I can add a border and binding from the line).
Your finished topper should measure about 22 by 22. I hope these directions were okay...if you have any questions at all, please feel free to e-mail me! I have a couple of other designs in mind for some of my other
Moda Sampler Box squares...I'll share them with you as well! Have a great day!
I thought it would be fun to make some Dresdens with some of my Christmas stash fabrics. At first I was going to make the Dresden Plate Table Runner by Kim over at the Moda Bake Shop. So, I used 3 3/4" dresdens with a three-inch center just as her pattern calls for. But then I saw this really cute Christmas pillow by Allison over at Cluck. Cluck. Sew. I can't decide which to make now...probably both...but if I use these dresdens for pillows I may not have time to get the runner finished before Christmas. Oh well...there's always next Christmas, right?
Another quilt is bound and washed...this one I was really nervous to wash.
I've never washed a quilt with applique' before...most of the applique'd quilts I make are wallhangings, and I've just never washed one. But I knew I wanted to use this quilt and was just a bit nervous as to what the applique'd blocks would do in the wash...I was pleasantly surprised!
I love the look of the applique'd blocks after they've been washed!
And, I finished a goal this weekend for Kelly's Charming Girls' Quilt Club!
My Cobblestones quilt top is finished. I really enjoyed making this little quilt...a lot of pieces, but so fun! And I loved using four different background fabrics for a scrappy look!
This picnic was made by Edith of the
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