BLENDER QUILT TILTED SQUARES

LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Fabrics are from Blender range in 12 colours - amethyst, aqua green, black, bubblegum, ink blue, natural, navy, pineapple, ruby red, silver, tangerine, turquoise
• 20cm each of 12 Star blender fabrics
• 30cm each of 12 Spot blender fabrics (includes binding)
• 40cm each of 12 Plain blender fabrics
• 1.4m x 250cm wide Backing fabric of choice
• 1.4m Sew Easy double-sided fusible, cotton/bamboo batting
• Matching Gutermann 100% cotton thread
• 4 1/2 in square ruler
• 6 1/2 in square ruler
• Fiskars 14 in rotating cutting mat
• Rotary cutter, mat & quilters rulers
• Quilting pins, tape measure
• Scissors, seam ripper
• Hand needle
• Sewing machine with 1/4 in foot & walking foot

INSTRUCTIONS

CUTTING

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

• From each of 12 star bender fabrics cut 1 x 2 1/2" strip (12 strips in total) crosscut each strip into 6 x 2 1/2" squares for a total of 72 x 2 1/2" squares, 6 squares in each colour.
• From each of 12 spot bender fabrics cut 3 x 2 1/2" strips (36 strips in total) crosscut strips into 12 x 2 1/2 squares in each colour (144 x 2 1/2" squares in total), and 12, 2 1/2" x 6 1/2 strips in each colour (144 strips in total).
• From each of 12 plain bender fabrics cut 5 x 2 1/2" strips (60 strips in total) crosscut strips into 12, 2 1/2" x 4 1/2 strips in each colour (144 strips in total), and 12, 2 1/2 x 8 1/2" strips in each colour (144 strips in total).
• Cut 6 x 2 1/2" strips from remaining spot blender fabric for binding.

BLOCKS

1. Take a 2 1/2 star square and 2 x 2 1/2 spot squares of the same colour. Sew one spot square to each side of the star fabric. Press seams towards spot squares (Image 1).
2. Sew one 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" spot strip, same colour as squares in step 1 to remaining sides of the star square. Press seams towards strips. (Image 2).
3. Place step 2 in the centre of the Fiskars rotating mat, position 4 1/2" square ruler on an angle on top. Hold the ruler in place and cut out the square rotating the mat as you go. This creates a 4 1/2" square (Image 3).
4. Sew one 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" plain blender strip, to the sides with the seams of the block from step 3. Press seams towards strips. Sew same colour 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" plain blender strip to remaining sides. Press seams towards strips. (Image 4).
5. Place step 4 in the centre of the Fiskars rotating mat, position 6 1/2" square ruler on an angle on top. Hold the ruler in place and cut out the square rotating the mat as you go. This creates a 6 1/2" square (Image 5). Repeat steps 1-4 to make a total of 72 x 6 1/2" squares. To create interest - mix and match fabric colours and change the angle of the 4 1/2" and 6 1/2" rulers.

QUILT TOP

6. Arrange the blocks into 9 rows with 8 blocks in each row.

Tip - to make sewing blocks and row together alternate the turn the blocks so that a side with seams will be sewn to a side without (refer to insert).

7. Fuse batting between quilt top and backing or layer the backing, batting and quilt top and baste together. Quilt as desired.
8. Join the 6 x 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.