Scrappy Rectangles

Quilt designer: Allison Jane Smith of Plaids and Prints

From: Quilts and More, Spring 2006

• 14 -- 18x22" pieces (fat quarters) assorted pink, ivory, and tan prints (blocks)
• 14 -- 18x22" pieces (fat quarters) assorted green, red, dark pink, and dark tan prints (blocks)
• 5/8 yard cream print (inner border)
• 3-1/4 yards total assorted velvets, twills, and plaids (outer border)
• 7/8 yard red print (binding)
• 8-1/8 yards backing fabric
• 97" square batting

Finished quilt: 91-1/2'' square

Finished block: 8'' square

Quantities are for 44/45" wide, 100% cotton fabrics. Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together, unless otherwise stated.

To make the best use of your fabrics, cut the pieces in the order that follows.

From each assorted pink, ivory, tan, green, red, dark pink, and dark tan fat quarter, cut:

• 3 -- 5-1/2x8-1/2" rectangles (you'll have a total of 3 leftover rectangles)
• 6 -- 2x8-1/2" rectangles (you'll have a total of 6 leftover rectangles)

From cream print, cut:

• 8 -- 2x42" strips for inner border

From assorted velvets, twills, and plaids, cut:

• 8 -- 8-1/2x15-1/2" rectangles
• 14 -- 8-1/2" squares
• 8 -- 6-1/2x8-1/2" rectangles
• 4 -- 4-1/2x8-1/2" rectangles
• 12 -- 3-1/2x8-1/2" rectangles

From red print, cut:

• 10 -- 2-1/2x42" binding strips

1. Aligning long edges, sew two matching green, red, dark pink, or dark tan print 2x8-1/2" rectangles to a pink, ivory, or tan print 5-1/2x8-1/2" rectangle to make block A (Diagram 1). Press seams toward small rectangles. Block A should be 8-1/2" square including seam allowances. Repeat to make 41 total of block A.

2. Aligning long edges, sew two matching pink, ivory, or tan print 2x8-1/2" rectangles to a green, red, dark pink, or dark tan 5-1/2x8-1/2" rectangle to make block B (Diagram 2). Press seams toward large rectangle. Block B should be 8-1/2" square including seam allowances. Repeat to make 40 total of block B.

1. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out blocks in nine rows, alternating blocks A and B.

2. Sew together blocks in each row. Press seams toward A blocks.

3. Join rows to make quilt center. Press seams in one direction. The quilt center should be 72-1/2" square including seam allowances.

1. Cut and piece cream print 2x42" strips to make:

• 2 -- 2x751/2" inner border strips
• 2 -- 2x721/2" inner border strips

2. Sew short inner border strips to opposite edges of quilt center. Add long inner border strips to remaining edges of quilt center. Press all seams toward quilt center. The quilt center now should be 75-1/2" square including seam allowances.

3. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram for placement, lay out velvet, twill, and plaid squares and rectangles in four outer border strips.

4. Sew together pieces in each outer border strip. Press seams toward darker fabrics.

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

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

2. Quilt as desired. Allison machine-quilted a floral spiral in the center of each block (Diagram 3) and leaves in the outer border.

3. Bind with red print binding strips.