This is a great first quilt….. a super charity quilt….. a perfect baby or kids quilt…. and because you can have it COMPLETELY done in a day - even an emergency gift quilt.

The quilt is based on two fabrics. The feature fabric could be a medium or large scale print. This is a great opportunity to use those really interesting novelty fabrics that you can’t figure out what to do with! Since these are often directional – the instructions will be for a directional fabric. The second fabric should be something simple but complementary to frame the feature fabric.

This will work with almost any two fabrics - just make sure they contrast...

The directions are for a quilt that finishes 40” x  56” – lap or crib quilt size….. you can make it a little larger if you add borders… or make it twin bed size by doubling the ‘recipe’…..

Start with 1 ¼ yards of the feature fabric and 1 ¾ yards of the framing fabric. (The extra framing fabric is for the binding).

From the feature fabric:

·        Cut  two 8 ½” wide strips. From these cut 18 – 4 ½” x 8 ½” rectangles.

·        Cut five 4 ½” wide strips. From these cut 17 – 4 ½” x 8 ½” rectangles.

From the framing fabric:

·        Cut five 8 ½” wide strips. From these cut 70 – 2 ½” x 8 ½” rectangles. If you are using a stripe - you may want the stripes to run the opposite way - so start with  eighteen 2 1/2" strips and cut the 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" pieces from these.

Sew the framing strips to the sides of the “portrait” rectangles and to the top and bottom of the “landscape” rectangles. Press toward the framing fabric.

Sew the resulting squares together in rows – alternating the “portrait” and “landscape” squares (refer to the quilt illustration). Sew the rows together to finish the quilt.

Now layer it with the batting and backing and quilt…. Here are a few easy quilting ideas

Simply start at one edge and sew the block diagonals – when you hit an edge just pivot and go in another direction. If you hit a dead end – find another starting spot and start again until all the diagonals are quilted.

Pick a simple motif for the inside of the feature fabric – a diamond as shown – an elongated heart – or something that suits the fabric theme. Either machine or hand quilt. Quilt in the ditch around the feature fabric. Add a small suitable motif to the corners where the frames meet….. or add a little free motion quilting to the frame area –( a good way to practise!)