A TRIP AROUND THE NORWEGIAN FOREST QUILT

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Note: All strips are cut across the width of fabric (WOF) from selvedge to selvedge edge unless otherwise noted. Label cut pieces with letter identifier for easier assembly.

WOF: Width of Fabric

Technique: Pieced

Designed by: Mary Jane Carey

Cutting

Fabric A, cut:

(3) 2 1/2" x WOF, subcut (48) 2 1/2" squares

Fabric B, cut:

(3) 2 1/2" x WOF, subcut (40) 2 1/2" squares

Fabric C, cut:

(3) 2" x WOF, sew together end to end with diagonal seams and cut (2) 2" x 42 1/2"

(3) 2" x WOF, sew together end to end with diagonal seams and cut (2) 2" x 45 1/2"

(6) 2 1/2" x WOF strips for the binding

Fabric D, cut:

(3) 2 1/2" x WOF, subcut (36) 2 1/2" squares

Fabric E, cut:

(6) 4 1/2" x WOF, sew together end to end with diagonal seams and cut (4) 4 1/2" x 57"

(5) 2 1/2" x WOF, subcut (72) 2 1/2" squares

Fabric F, cut:

(7) 2 1/2" x WOF, subcut (100) 2 1/2" squares

Fabric G, cut:

(3) 2 1/2" x WOF, subcut (36) 2 1/2" squares

Fabric H, cut:

(3) 2 1/2" x WOF, subcut (37) 2 1/2" squares

Fabric I, cut:

(5) 2 1/2" x WOF, subcut (72) 2 1/2" squares

Sewing

Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance with right sides together (RST) unless otherwise indicated. Press seams towards the darker fabric, unless otherwise indicated.

1. Sew together (21) assorted 2 1/2" squares to make Row One (Fig. 1) pressing seams to the right.
2. Repeat Step 1 and refer to Figure 1 for fabric identification and placement to make Row Two through Row Twenty-One. Press odd rows right and even rows left.
3. Sew together the (21) pieced Rows, lengthwise, and nesting seams in numerical order from top to bottom, to make the 42 1/2" x 42 1/2" Quilt Centre (Fig. 1).

Quilt Top Assembly

Follow the Quilt Layout (Page 6) while assembling the quilt top.

1. Sew (1) 2" x 42 1/2" Fabric C strip to each side of the Quilt Centre. Sew (1) 2" x 45 1/2" Fabric C strip to the top and bottom of the Quilt Centre.
2. Centre (1) 4 1/2" x 57" Fabric E strip on (1) side of the Quilt Centre and pin in place. Start sewing the strip 1/4" from the top edge of the block and stop 1/4" from the bottom edge. DO NOT TRIM THE EXCESS. Repeat with the opposite side.
3. Repeat Step 5 to sew (1) 4 1/2" x 57" Fabric E strip to the top and bottom of the Quilt Centre, making sure to stop and start 1/4" away from each end of the block. To miter each corner, fold the Centre Block on a diagonal, wrong side together. This should line up the strips from adjacent sides (Fig. 2).
4. Starting at the sewn seam (represented by the arrow in Figure 2), draw a 45-degree line to the edge of the fabric. Sew on the drawn line. Trim the excess fabric leaving a 1/4" seam. Repeat this step with the remaining corners to complete the quilt top which should measure 53 1/2" x 53 1/2".

Layering, Quilting and Finishing

1. Layer the backing (wrong side up), batting, and quilt top (right side up). Baste the layers together and quilt as desired. Trim excess batting and backing even with the top of the quilt.

Binding

1. Sew together (6) 2 1/2" x WOF Fabric C binding strips end to end with diagonal seams. Press the seams open. Press the binding strip in half wrong sides together.
2. Leaving an 8" tail of binding and beginning along an edge of the quilt top, match raw edges of the binding to the raw edges of the quilt top. Sew the binding to the outside edge around all four sides and miter corners. Stop sewing approximately 12" from where you started and backstitch.
3. Lay both loose ends of binding flat along the quilt edge. Where these two loose ends meet, fold them back onto themselves and press to form a crease. Using this crease as your stitching line, sew the two open ends of the binding together, right sides matching. Trim seam to 1/4" and press seam open. Finish sewing the binding to the quilt top.
4. Turn the binding over the raw edge to the back of the quilt and hand or machine stitch in place.