Van Gogh Baskets

Bold radiant colors and a bit of fusible appliqué will make this quilt sparkle like a fresh spring day.

MATERIALS

• 1/2 yard each 6 golden-to-lemon yellow batiks* • 5/8 yard yellow batik* • 41/2 yards white solid • Backing to size • Batting to size • Thread • 4 yards 18"-wide fusible web • Basic sewing tools and supplies *Sunflower batiks from Hoffman of California used to make sample.

CUTTING

Prepare baskets for fusible appliqué as per pattern and referring to RawEdge Fusible Appliqué on page 32. Mark the design center as indicated on pattern. From yellow batik: • Cut 7 (21/4" by fabric width) binding strips. From white solid: • Cut 1 (781/2" by fabric width) strip. Subcut the strip into 2 each 71/2" x 781/2" D strips and 41/2" x 421/2" C strips and 5 (141/2") A squares. • Cut 5 (141/2" by fabric width) strips. Subcut strips into 9 (141/2") A squares (14 total) and 2 (71/2" x 141/2") B rectangles.

COMPLETING THE BLOCKS

1. Fold and crease each A square to mark the vertical and horizontal centers.

2. Remove paper backing from prepared basket shapes.

3. Center and fuse a prepared basket shape on each A square.

4. Referring to Figure 1 and using a narrow zigzag stitch and thread to match the basket fabrics, stitch around each fused basket to complete 14 Basket blocks. Refer to the Assembly Diagram as needed throughout.

1. Arrange and join four Basket blocks and add a B rectangle to each end to make the center row; press.

2. Arrange and join five Basket blocks to make a side row; press. Repeat to make a second side row.

3. Sew the side rows to opposite sides of the center row to complete the quilt center; press.

4. Sew C strips to the top and bottom, and D strips to opposite long sides of the pieced center to complete the quilt top.

5. Create a quilt sandwich referring to Quilting Basics on page 110.

6. Quilt as desired.

7. Bind edges referring to Quilting Basics on page 110 to finish.