BEGINNINGS QUILT

Instructions:

CUTTING

All strips are cut across the width of fabric unless otherwise stated.

• From Fabric A cut 2 x 3 1/2" strips, crosscut strip into 12 x 3 1/2" squares, cut 1 x 3 7/8" strip, crosscut into 4 x 3 7/8" squares then cut each square once on the diagonal to make 8 half-square triangles.
• From Fabric B cut 2 x 3 1/2" strips, crosscut strip into 12 x 3 1/2" squares, cut 1 x 3 1/2" strip, crosscut into 8 x 3 7/8" squares then cut each square once on the diagonal to make 16 half-square triangles.
• From each of Fabrics C, D, E, F, G & H cut - 1 x 3 1/2" strip, crosscut each strip into 8 x 3 1/2" squares, 1 x 3 7/8" strip, crosscut into 4 x 3 7/8" squares then cut each square once on the diagonal to make 8 half-square triangles.
• From Natural Unseeded Homespun cut 4 x 3 7/8" strips, crosscut into 36 x 3 7/8" squares then cut each square once on the diagonal to make 72 half-square triangles.
• From Natural Unseeded Homespun cut 6 x 1 1/2" strips, crosscut into 18 lengths 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" and 9 lengths 1 1/2" x 13 1/2".
• From Natural Unseeded Homespun cut 10 x 2 1/2" strips, crosscut into 9 lengths 2 1/2" x 13 1/2", sew remaining strips together end to end to make one long strip then cut 4 x 43 1/2" lengths and 2 x 47 1/2" lengths.
• From Fabric F cut 6 x 2 1/2" strips for binding.

BLOCKS

Note - each block is made using 2 Beginning fabrics and natural unseeded homespun and consists of 4 corner units joined with 1 1/2" sashings.

The nine blocks are made in the following combinations - A+B x2, B+A, C+D, D+C, E+F, F+E, G+H, H+G.

1. For an A+B block - 4 Fabric A squares, 4 Fabric B squares, 8 Fabric B half-square triangles and 8 natural unseeded half-square triangles. Layout the pieces as above.
2. To make each corner unit sew together the half-square triangles and press seams away from homespun. Layout the 3 1/2" squares and the half-square triangle units as in each corner unit.
3. Working on one corner at a time sew blocks together in pairs, pressing seams in one direction alternating the direction in each row. Sew the rows together matching seams. Press seams in one direction. Repeat for all corner units.
4. Sew a 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" sashing strip to the right-hand side of units 1 and 3, press seam towards sashing. Sew unit 2 to sashing on unit 1 and unit 4 to sashing on unit 3, press seam towards sashing.
5. Sew a 1 1/2" x 13 1/2" sashing strip to the bottom edge of unit 1-2, press seam towards sashing. Sew top edge of unit 3-4 to bottom edge of sashing, press seam towards sashing. This completes one block.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 to make another A+B block then one each of B+A, C+D, D+C, E+F, F+E, G+H, H+G to complete the 9 blocks.

QUILT TOP

7. Layout the blocks in 3 rows of 3 blocks in each row as desired.
8. For Row 1 sew a 2 1/2" x 13 1/2" sashing strip to the right-hand side of blocks 1 and 2, press seam towards sashing. Sew block 2 to sashing on block 1 then sew block 3 to sashing on block 2, press seam towards sashing. Repeat to sew blocks 4, 5 and 6 together for Row 2, then blocks 7, 8 and 9 for Row 3.
9. Sew a 2 1/2" x 43 1/2" sashing strip to the bottom edge of Row 1, press seam towards sashing. Sew a 2 1/2" x 43 1/2" sashing strip to the bottom edge of Row 2, press seam towards sashing. Sew top edge of Row 2 to sashing on Row 1, press seam towards sashing. Sew top edge of Row 3 to sashing on Row 2, press seam towards sashing.
10. For the outer border measure length of sides and cut 2 x 4 1/2" wide strips of navy Jacobean down the length of Fabric I. Sew border strip to each side of the quilt and press seams towards border. Measure length across top and bottom and cut 2 x 4 1/2" wide strips of blue floral down the length of Fabric I. Sew border strip to top and bottom edges of the quilt, press seams towards border.
11. Layer the backing, batting and quilt top and baste together. Quilt as desired.
12. Join the 6 x 2 1/2" binding strips on the bias to make one long strip. Press in half lengthwise and bind mitering corners. Attach a label or sign and date your quilt.