Simple Squares Baby Quilt

Inspired by: Ocean Breeze from designer Stephanie Luiere

Quilt tester: Diane Tomlinson

Finished quilt: 54-1/2" square

Finished block: 21" square

Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width.

• 10" square (more if you plan to fussy-cut as was done here) novelty print (blocks)
• 4—10" squares assorted red prints (blocks)
• 4—9×21" pieces (fat eighths) assorted blue prints (blocks)
• 4—9×21" pieces (fat eighths) assorted yellow, green, light blue, and gold prints (blocks)
• 1/2 yard solid white (blocks)
• 3/8 yard red paisley (blocks)
• 9×21" piece (fat eighth) blue paisley (blocks)
• 9×21" piece (fat eighth) white print (blocks)
• 9×21" piece (fat eighth) blue denim print (blocks)
• 1-1/2 yard solid gray (borders, binding)
• 1/4 yard red chicken wire print (borders)
• 63"-square batting
• 3-1/2 yard backing fabric

Cut pieces in the following order.

From novelty print (No. 1), cut:

• 4—3-1/2" squares

From each assorted red print (No. 2), cut:

• 4—3-1/2" squares

From each assorted blue print (No. 3), cut:

• 8—3-1/2" squares

From each assorted yellow, green, light blue, and gold print (No. 4), cut:

• 12—3-1/2" squares

From solid white (No. 5), cut:

• 36—3-1/2" squares

From red paisley (No. 6), cut:

• 28—3-1/2" squares

From blue paisley (No. 7), cut:

• 12—3-1/2" squares

From white print (No. 8), cut:

• 12—3-1/2" squares

From blue denim print (No. 9), cut:

• 8—3-1/2" squares

From solid gray, cut:

• 6—2-1/2×42" binding strips
• 4—6-1/2×18-1/2" strips
• 4—6-1/2×15-1/2" strips
• 4—6-1/2×9-1/2" strips

From red chicken wire print, cut:

• 8—3-1/2×6-1/2" rectangles

Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Press seams in directions indicated by arrows on diagrams. If no direction is specified, press seam toward darker fabric.

Use a design wall to lay out 3-1/2" squares in rows for blocks.

1. Gather the following 3-1/2" squares: one novelty print, four matching red print, eight matching blue print, 12 matching yellow (or green/light blue/gold) print, nine solid white, seven red paisley, three blue paisley, three white print, and two blue denim print.

2. Referring to Block Assembly Diagram, lay out squares by number in seven rows. If your novelty print square is directional, refer to Quilt Assembly Diagram to orient it. Join squares in rows. Sew together rows to make a block. The block will be 21-1/2" square including seam allowances.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make four blocks total.

4. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram for block orientation, sew together blocks in pairs, pressing seams in opposite directions. Join pairs to complete quilt center; press seam in one direction. The quilt center should be 42-1/2" including seam allowances.

1. Sew together two solid gray 6-1/2×9-1/2" strips, one solid gray 6-1/2×18-1/2" strip, and two red chicken wire print 3-1/2×6-1/2" rectangles to make a short border strip (Quilt Assembly Diagram). Press seams toward red chicken wire print rectangles. The strip should be 6-1/2×42-1/2" including seam allowances. Repeat to make a second short border strip.

2. Sew together two solid gray 6-1/2×15-1/2" strips, one solid gray 6-1/2×18-1/2" strip, and two red chicken wire print 3-1/2×6-1/2" rectangles to make a long border strip (Quilt Assembly Diagram). Press seams toward red print rectangles. The strip should be 6-1/2×54-1/2" including seam allowances. Repeat to make a second long border strip.

3. Sew short border strips to opposite edges of quilt center. Add long border strips to remaining edges to complete quilt top. Press seams toward border.

1. Layer quilt top, batting, and backing; baste.

2. Quilt as desired. Kelly Ashton, Handi Quilter Studio Education Manager, freehand machine-quilted the blocks with chicken wire and orange peel motifs (Quilting Diagram). She machine-quilted a barn motif in the quilt center and parallel lines and Xs in the border.

3. Bind with solid gray binding strips.