Rectangles and Squares Quilt

Inspired by Now and Later from designer Kathie Holland

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

• 12--9x22" pieces (fat eighths) or 1-1/4 yards total assorted prints in brown, aqua, gold, taupe, gray, and black (rectangle units)
• 5/8 yard solid gray (rectangle units)
• 1 yard black print (border, binding)
• 2-5/8 yards backing fabric
• 47x57" batting

Finished quilt: 38-1/2x48-1/2"

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 each assorted print, cut:

• 10--2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangles

From solid gray, cut:

• 120--2-1/2" squares

From black print, cut:

• 2--4-1/2x40-1/2" border strips
• 2--4-1/2x38-1/2" border strips
• 5--2-1/2x42" binding stripsAssemble Quilt Center

1. Referring to Rectangle Unit Diagram, sew together an assorted print 2-1/2x4-1/2" rectangle and a solid gray 2-1/2" square to make a rectangle unit. Press seam toward assorted print. The unit should be 6-1/2x2-1/2" including seam allowances.

2. Repeat Step 1 to make 120 rectangle units total. Sort rectangle units by print (to make assembling the quilt center easier).

3. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out rectangle units in 20 horizontal rows with a solid gray square starting the first row and an assorted print rectangle starting the next row; continue alternating positions of squares and rectangles with each row. You will use 100 of the 120 rectangle units. (Quilt tester Laura Boehnke saved the 20 remaining rectangle units for a band to use in the quilt backing.)

TIP: In each horizontal row of the original quilt, designer Kathie Holland made sure the change between two colors didn't happen at the same point in the row above or below. By making some rows of color short and some long, Kathie reinforced a rainbow effect that flows across the quilt center. Laura wasn't able to do this in every row of her smaller quilt center, but she used it as a guide to create a similar effect.

4. When pleased with your arrangement, sew together rectangle units in each row. Press seams toward assorted print rectangles. Join rows to make quilt center. Press seams in one direction. The quilt center should be 30-1/2x40-1/2" including seam allowances.

1. Sew black print 4-1/2x40-1/2" border strips to long edges of quilt center. Press seams toward border.

2. Add black print 4-1/2x38-1/2" border strips to remaining edges to complete quilt top. Press seams toward border.

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

2. Bind with black print binding strips.