Playful Pastel Throw

When selecting assorted prints, choose pieces at least 12" square in order to have enough to cut triangles for the X blocks.

• 2 yards assorted blue prints (sashing, binding)
• 2-1/2 yards total assorted pink, green, blue, yellow, green, and red prints (blocks)
• 3-1/2 yards backing fabric
• 63" square batting

Finished quilt: 56-7/8" square

Finished blocks: X block, 14-1/8" square; Broken Dishes block, 3-1/2" square

Quantities are for 44/45"-wide, 100% cotton fabrics.

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

Cut pieces in the order that follows in each section.

From assorted blue prints, cut:

• 3--4x42" strips for sashing
• 6--2-1/2x42" binding strips
• 18--4x14-5/8" sashing rectangles

The following instructions make one X block. Repeat the cutting and assembly instructions to make nine X blocks total.

From one assorted print, cut:

• 1--11-7/8" square, cutting it diagonally twice in an X for
• 4 large triangles total
• 2--2-5/8" squares, cutting each in half diagonally for 4 small triangles total

From a second print, cut:

• 4--3x8" rectangles

From a third print, cut:

• 1--3" square

1. Referring to Diagram 1, sew together large triangles, rectangles, and square in three diagonal rows. Press seams toward rectangles. Join rows to make center unit. Press seams toward middle row.

2. Sew small triangles to corners of center unit (Diagram 2) to make an X block. Press seam toward center unit. The block should be 14-5/8" square including seam allowances.

From assorted print scraps, cut:

• 48--2-5/8" squares

1. Use a pencil to mark a diagonal line on wrong sides of 24 assorted print 2-5/8" squares.

2. Layer a marked square atop another assorted print 2-5/8" square (Diagram 3). Sew together with two seams, stitching 1/4" on each side of drawn line.

3. Cut pair apart on drawn line to make two triangle units (Diagram 3). Open triangle units and press seams toward darker print to make two triangle-squares. Each triangle-square should be 2-1/4" square including seam allowances.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make 48 triangle-squares total.

5. Referring to Diagram 4 for direction of seams, sew together four triangle-squares in pairs. Press seams in opposite directions. Join pairs to make a Broken Dishes block. Press seam to one side. The block should be 4" square including seam allowances. Repeat to make 12 identical Broken Dishes blocks total.

1. Cut and piece assorted blue print 4x42" strips to make:

• 2--4x49-7/8" sashing strips

2. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out Broken Dishes blocks, sashing rectangles, X blocks, and sashing strips in seven rows.

3. Sew together pieces in each row. Press seams toward sashing rectangles and sashing strips. Join rows to make quilt top. Press seams in one direction.

1. Layer quilt top, batting, and backing; baste. Quilt as desired.

2. Bind with assorted blue print binding strips.