Love to Pieces

Inspired by: Christmas Glow from designer Kelli Marshall of Simply Mackbeth Design Co.

Quilt tester: Sarah Huechteman

Finished size: 28-1/2" square

Finished blocks: Square-in-a-Square — 6" square; Plus  Sign— 8" square

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

• 1/8 yard red polka dot (units, plus sign block)
• 1/4 yard each solid white, red grid print, and pink floral (units, plus sign block, Square-in-a-Square blocks)
• 1/2 yard coral print (units)
• 1/3 yard each red floral and red stripe (Square-in-a-Square blocks, binding)
• 1 yard backing fabric
• 36"-square batting

Cut pieces in the following order.

From red polka dot, cut:

• 1—2-1/2 ×8-1/2" rectangle
• 2—2-1/2 ×3-1/2" rectangles
• 4—1-1/2 ×4-1/2" rectangles
• 4—1-1/2 ×3-1/2" rectangles

From solid white, cut:

• 2—3-1/2 ×16" strips
• 8—3-1/2" squares

From red grid print, cut:

• 1—2-1/2 ×28" strip
• 1—2-1/2 ×16" strip
• 2—1-1/2 ×28" strips
• 4—1-1/2 ×8-1/2" rectangles

From coral print, cut:

• 4—3-1/2 ×28" strips

From red floral, cut:

• 16—4" squares

From pink floral, cut:

• 4—6-1/2" squares

From red stripe, cut:

• 3—2-1/2 ×42" binding strips

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.

1. Referring to Diagram 1, sew together a red polka dot 1-1/2 × 3-1/2" rectangle and a solid white 3-1/2" square. Add a red polka dot 1-1/2 ×4-1/2" rectangle to left-hand edge to make a corner unit. The unit should be 4-1/2" square including seam allowances. Repeat to make four corner units total.

2. Referring to Diagram 2, sew together a red grid print 1-1/2 ×28" strip and a coral print 3-1/2×28" strip to make Strip Set A. Repeat to make a second A strip set. Cut strip sets into eight 6-1/2"-wide A units total.

3. Referring to Diagram 3, sew together solid white 3-1/2×16" strips and red grid print 2-1/2×16" strip to make Strip Set B. Cut strip sets into four 3-1/2"-wide B units total.

4. Referring to Diagram 4, sew together remaining coral print 3-1/2× 28" strips and red grid print 2-1/2×28" strip to make Strip Set C. Cut strip sets into four 6-1/2"-wide C units total.

5. Referring to Diagram 5, sew together a red grid print 1-1/2×8-1/2" rectangle and a B unit to make a side unit. The unit should be 4-1/2×8-1/2" including seam allowances. Repeat to make four side units total.

6. Use a pencil to mark a diagonal line on wrong side of each red floral 4" square. (To prevent fabric from stretching as you draw lines, place 220-grit sandpaper under each square.)

7. Align two marked red floral squares with opposite corners of a pink floral 6-1/2" square (Diagram 6; note direction of marked lines). Sew on marked lines. Trim seam allowances to 1/4". Press open attached triangles. Add marked red floral squares to remaining corners to make a Square-in-a-Square block. The block should be 6-1/2" square including seam allowances. Repeat to make four Square-in-a-Square blocks total.

8. Referring to Diagram 7, lay out remaining solid white 3-1/2" squares, red polka dot 2-1/2×3-1/2" rectangles, and red polka dot 2-1/2×8-1/2" rectangle in three rows. Sew together pieces in rows. Join rows to make a plus sign block. The block should be 8-1/2" square including seam allowances.

1. Referring to Table Topper Assembly Diagram, lay out corner units, A units, side units, blocks, and C units in five rows.

2. Sew together pieces in rows. Press seams open. Join rows to make table topper top. Press seams open to finish table topper top.

1. Layer table topper top, batting, and backing; baste.

2. Quilt as desired. Quilt tester Sarah Huechteman machine-quilted lines diagonally every 2" across the table topper top to create a grid design.

3. Bind with red stripe binding strips.