Tropical Twist

Inspired by Crack the Code from designer Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios

Quilt tester: Laura Boehnke

• 1 yard total assorted green batiks (blocks)
• 1⁄2 yard total assorted medium batiks in purple, red, green, and orange (blocks)
• 1 yard total assorted orange and pink batiks (blocks)
• 3--1⁄4-yard pieces assorted dark batiks (blocks)
• 3--1⁄4-yard pieces assorted light batiks (blocks)
• 1⁄8 yard red batik (sashing squares)
• 1-1⁄8 yards blue batik (sashing strips, binding)
• 2-1⁄2 yards backing fabric
• 45x62" batting

Finished quilt: 36-1⁄2x53-1⁄2"

Finished blocks: 15" 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 green batiks, cut three matching sets of:

• 1--2-1⁄2x11" strip
• 1--3-1⁄2" square

From scraps of assorted green batiks, cut:

• 12--3-1⁄2x11" strips

From assorted medium batiks, cut:

• 24--1-1⁄2x11" strips

From assorted orange and pink batiks, cut three matching sets of:

• 1--2-1⁄2x11" strip
• 1--3-1⁄2" square

From scraps of assorted orange and pink batiks, cut:

• 12--3-1⁄2×11" strips

From each assorted dark batik, cut:

• 2--1-1⁄2x11" strips
• 2--2-1⁄2x7-1⁄2" rectangles
• 8--1-1⁄2x4-1⁄2" rectangles
• 2--2-1⁄2x3-1⁄2" rectangles

From each assorted light batik, cut:

• 2--1-1⁄2x11" strips
• 2--2-1⁄2x7-1⁄2" rectangles
• 8--1-1⁄2x4-1⁄2" rectangles
• 2--2-1⁄2x3-1⁄2" rectangles

From red batik, cut:

• 12--2-1⁄2" sashing squares

From blue batik, cut:

• 17--2-1⁄2x15-1⁄2" sashing strips
• 5--2-1⁄2x42" binding strips

1. Sew together a green batik 3-1⁄2x11" strip and an assorted medium batik 1-1⁄2x11" strip to make a green strip set (Diagram 1). Press seam toward assorted batik strip. Repeat to make 12 green strip sets total. Cut each green strip set into seven 1-1⁄2"-wide green segments for 84 segments total.

2. Referring to Diagram 2, sew together seven green segments to make a green side unit. Press seams in one direction. The unit should be 7-1⁄2x4-1⁄2" including seam allowances. Repeat to make 12 green side units total.

3. Using assorted orange and pink batik 3-1⁄2x11" strips and assorted medium batik 1-1⁄2x11" strips, repeat Step 1 to make 12 orange and pink strip sets. Cut each orange and pink strip set into seven 1-1⁄2"-wide orange and pink segments for 84 segments total.

4. Using orange and pink segments, repeat Step 2 to make 12 orange and pink side units (Diagram 3).

1. For one green block, gather a set of matching green batik pieces (one 2-1⁄2x11" strip and one 3-1⁄2" square), a set of matching dark batik pieces (two 1-1⁄2x11" strips, two 2-1⁄2x7-1⁄2" rectangles, eight 1-1⁄2x4-1⁄2" rectangles, and two 2-1⁄2x3-1⁄2" rectangles), and four green side units.

2. Join a green batik 2-1⁄2x11" strip and two dark batik 1-1⁄2x11" strips to make a strip set (Diagram 4). Press seams toward dark batik strips. Cut strip set into four 2-1⁄2"-wide segments.

3. Sew dark batik 1-1⁄2x4-1⁄2" rectangles to long edges of a 2-1⁄2"-wide segment to make a dark corner unit (Diagram 5). Press seams toward rectangles. The unit should be 4-1⁄2" square including seam allowances. Repeat to make four dark corner units total.

4. Sew dark batik 2-1⁄2x3-1⁄2" rectangles to opposite edges of green print 3-1⁄2" square (Diagram 6). Join dark batik 2-1⁄2x7-1⁄2" rectangles to remaining edges to make a dark block center. Press all seams toward rectangles. The block center should be 7-1⁄2" square including seam allowances.

5. Referring to Diagram 7, lay out dark corner units, dark block center, and four green side units in three rows. Sew together pieces in each row. Press seams away from side units. Join rows to make a green block. Press seams toward center row. The block should be 15-1⁄2" square including seam allowances.

6. Repeat steps 1–5 to make three green blocks total.

7. For one orange and pink block, gather a set of matching orange and pink batik pieces (one 2-1⁄2x11" strip and one 3-1⁄2" square), a set of matching light batik pieces (two 1-1⁄2x11" strips, two 2-1⁄2x7-1⁄2" rectangles, eight 1-1⁄2x4-1⁄2" rectangles, and two 2-1⁄2x3-1⁄2" rectangles), and four orange and pink side units. Reversing placement of light and dark prints and using orange and pink batiks instead of green batiks, repeat steps 2–5 to make an orange and pink block (Diagram 8). Repeat to make three orange-and-pink blocks total.

1. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out blocks, red batik sashing squares, and blue batik sashing strips in seven rows, alternating green and orange and pink blocks.

2. Sew together pieces in each row. Press seams toward sashing strips. Join rows to complete quilt top. Press seams toward sashing rows.

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

2. Bind with blue batik binding strips.