FRESH PICKINGS
Put the ‘fresh’ into ‘al fresco’ with this scrap happy picnic quilt and matching tote in a riot of ditsy prints and summer shades
Put the ‘fresh’ into ‘al fresco’ with this scrap happy picnic quilt and matching tote in a riot of ditsy prints and summer shades
NOTES
■ Seam allowances are ¼in throughout,
unless otherwise noted.
■ Press seams open throughout, unless
otherwise instructed.
■ RST = right sides together.
■ WOF = width of fabric.
■ Press fabrics well before cutting.
■ Fabric supplied by Ruby Star Society
(rubystarsociety.com).
■ Quilt and bag quilted by Lisa Yates
(lavenderfieldsco.com).
FABRICS USED
All fabrics are from the Food Group collection by the Ruby Star Society.
CUTTING OUT
1
From each of the print fabrics cut: ■ Sixteen (16) 4½in squares.
2
From two each of background prints cut: ■ Sixty four (64) 1½in squares.
3
From each of the remaining seven (7) background prints cut:
■ One hundred and twenty eight (128) 1½in squares.
4
From the binding fabric cut: ■ Seven (7) 2½in x WOF.
PIECING THE BLOCKS
5
On the wrong side of all 1½in squares, use a fabric marker or pencil to mark a diagonal line from one corner to the other.
6
Take four matching 1½in squares and pin in the corners of a 4½in square. Make sure the marked lines go across each
TRY USING A LAMINATED COTTON BACKING FABRIC TO MAKE THIS WATERPROOF!
corner. Sew along the line of each small square. Trim ¼in from the sewn lines, and press the corners open (Fig 1).
7
Repeat step 6 to make a total of four units using the same fabrics. Arrange the units in a four-patch. Sew them together in pairs, then sew the pairs together, matching seams to complete one block (Fig 2).
8
Repeat steps 5–7 to make four blocks using the same fabrics. Repeat to make a total of sixty four blocks, using the same print and background fabrics in each set of four blocks.
ASSEMBLING THE QUILT TOP
9
Arrange the blocks in eight rows of eight blocks. Sew the blocks together in rows. Sew the rows together, carefully matching seams to complete the quilt top.
QUILTING AND FINISHING
10
Cut the backing fabric in half across the width. Remove the selvedges and sew the two pieces together using ½in seam. Press the seams open.
11
Press the quilt top and backing well. Make a quilt sandwich by placing the backing fabric right side down, the batting on top, then place the quilt top centrally and right side up. Baste the three layers together using your preferred method. 12
Quilt as desired. Wendy had her quilt longarm quilted by Lisa Yates of Lavender Fields Co, who used the 60s Mod Butterfly pantograph. Trim off the excess batting and backing fabrics and square up the quilt.
13
Sew the binding strips together end-to-end using diagonal seams.
Press the seams open and trim the dog ears. Fold in half lengthways, wrong sides together, and press.
14
Sew the binding to the right side of the quilt, creating a neat mitre at each corner. Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and hand stitch in place around the edge to finish.