Batik Strips and Squares

Inspired by Linked Together from designer Monique Dillard of Open Gate

Quiltmaker: Laura Boehnke

• 9--2-1/2x42" strips or 5/8 yard total assorted blue batiks (blocks)
• 11--2-1/2x42" strips or 3/4 yard total assorted burgundy-and-green batiks (blocks and outer border)
• 5--2-1/2x42" strips or 1/2 yard total assorted mottled tan (blocks and inner border)
• 2--2-1/2x42" strips or 1/4 yard total mottled red (blocks)
• 1--2-1/2x42" strip or 1/8 yard total gold batik (blocks)
• 1/3 yard teal batik (binding)
• 1-1/8 yard backing fabric
• 35" square batting

Finished quilt: 31" 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.

Cut pieces in the following order.

From assorted blue batiks, cut 4 matching sets of:

• 4--2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles
• 4--2-1/2" squares

From scraps of assorted blue batiks, cut 5 matching sets of:

• 8--2-1/2" squares

From assorted burgundy-and-green batiks, cut 5 matching sets of:

• 4--2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles
• 4--2-1/2" squares

From scraps of assorted burgundy-and-green batiks, cut:

• 32--2-1/2" squares (4 sets of 8 matching squares)
• Enough 2-1/2"-wide strips in lengths ranging from 8–12" to total 125" for outer border

From mottled tan, cut:

• 2--1-3/4x27" inner border strips
• 2--1-3/4x24-1/2" inner border strips
• 36--2-1/2" squares

From mottled red, cut:

• 10--2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles

From gold batik, cut:

• 8--2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles

From teal batik, cut:

• 4--2-1/2x42" binding strips

1. For one A block, gather eight matching blue batik 2-1/2" squares, four mottled tan 2-1/2" squares, two mottled red 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles, and a set of matching burgundy-and-green batik pieces (four 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles and four 2-1/2" squares).

2. Use a pencil to mark a diagonal line on wrong sides of blue batik and mottled tan 21/2" squares.

3. Align a marked blue batik square with one end of a mottled red 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangle (Diagram 1; note direction of marked line). Sew on marked line; trim seam allowance to 1/4". Press open attached triangle, pressing seam away from blue batik.

4. Align a second marked blue batik square with opposite end of Step 3 rectangle (Diagram 1). Stitch, trim, and press as before to make a Flying Geese unit. The unit should be 4-1/2x2-1/2" including seam allowances.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to make a second Flying Geese unit.

6. Align a marked blue batik square with left-hand end of a burgundy-and-green batik 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangle (Diagram 2; note direction of marked line). Stitch, trim, and press as in Step 3.

7. Align a marked mottled tan square with right-hand end of Step 6 rectangle (Diagram 2; again note direction of marked line). Stitch, trim, and press as before to make a diagonal unit. The diagonal unit should be 4-1/2x2-1/2" including seam allowances.

8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to make four diagonal units total.

9. Referring to Diagram 3, sew together a Flying Geese unit, a diagonal unit, and two burgundy-and-green batik 2-1/2" squares in two rows. Press seams toward burgundy-and-green batik squares. Join rows; press seam toward row with diagonal unit. Add a diagonal unit to left-hand edge of joined rows to make a block segment (Diagram 4). Press seam away from diagonal unit. The block segment should be 8-1/2x4-1/2" including seam allowances. Repeat to make a second block segment.

10. Referring to Diagram 5, join block segments to make Block A. Press seam open. The block should be 8-1/2" square including seam allowances.

11. Repeat steps 1–10 to make five A blocks total.

12. For one B block, gather eight matching burgundy-and-green batik 2-1/2" squares, two gold batik 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles, four matching mottled tan 2-1/2" squares, and a set of matching blue batik pieces (four 2-1/2x4-1/2" and four 2-1/2" squares).

13. Substituting burgundy-and-green batik 2-1/2" squares and gold batik 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles for blue batik 2-1/2" squares and mottled red 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles, repeat steps 2–5 to make two Flying Geese units (Diagram 6).

14. Substituting burgundy-and-green 2-1/2" squares and blue batik 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles for blue batik 2-1/2" squares and burgundy-and-green batik 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles, repeat steps 6–8 to make four diagonal units total (Diagram 7).

15. Substituting blue batik 2-1/2" squares for burgundy-and-green batik 2-1/2" squares, repeat Step 9 to make two block segments (Diagrams 8 and 9).

16. Referring to Diagram 10, join block segments to make a B block. Press seam open. The block should be 8-1/2" square including seam allowances.

17. Repeat steps 12–16 to make four B blocks total.

1. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out blocks in three rows, alternating blocks A and B. Sew together blocks in each row. Press seams in one direction, alternating direction with each row.

2. Join rows to make quilt center. Press seams in one direction. The quilt center should be 24-1/2" square including seam allowances.

1. Sew short mottled tan inner border strips to opposite edges of quilt center. Add long mottled tan inner border strips to remaining edges. Press all seams toward border.

2. Piece assorted-length burgundy-and-green batik 2-1/2"-wide strips to make:

• 2--2-1/2x31" outer border strips
• 2--2-1/2x27" outer border strips

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

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

2. Bind with teal batik binding strips.