This blanket was made with polyester fleece and sewn entirely with a feather stitch. It is made with 15-inch blocks and is reversible. It has 4-inch fabric self-fringe on each end.
If you have Electric Quilt 4 or 5, download the EQ prj file for the pattern (here).
If you don’t have Electric Quilt, download the pdf file for the pattern (here). You will need Acrobat Reader (free) to open this document.
(Note: when you print the pdf file do not check any of the resizing options in the print dialogue box or it may not print the correct size. It is a 15-inch block and should print on 6 pages. You can then tape the pages together.)
Size:
The blanket shown above is 77 X 101 inches (four blocks across and five blocks down). I wanted this to be large enough for two people to cuddle under.
Fabric:
- 2½ yards black
- 2½ yards pink
- 1 yard each of blue, green, and purple
Other:
- 2 large spools Polyester black thread
- Size 12 Ballpoint/Jersey needles
A narrow edge or joining presser foot – helpful but not necessary.
Important: Some notes about working with fleece. Fleece is a knit fabric. It is stretchest across the grain. When cutting your strips be sure to cut them long way with the grain. This way your long sewing edges will be less stretchy.
Cutting:
No seam allowances are needed.
Cut black squares 7½ inches. (Be sure to cut them going up the side of the selvage edge instead of across the bottom of the fabric. You want to maintain the length of the fabric for the sashing and borders.)
With the other colors, cut 3¾ inch strips. Cut as many as needed for how many blocks you are making. Then cut the 45 degree angles. The long edge of the strip will be 15 inches.
Except for the final border, all of the sashing and borders are 1½ inches wide.
The final border on the sides is cut 3 inches. The top and bottom is cut 7 inches wide. This allows 3 inches for the border, plus 4 inches for fringe.
Sewing:
Butt the edges of the fabric together and stitch them together with a feather stitch. On the 7570 I used stitch #17 on the default setting 6 mm wide and 2 mm long. Another stitch that will work well is the multi zig-zag.
Sew The Blocks First:
I added the green strip to the black first, pivot at the corner and added the pink strip. Continue sewing around the black square.
Once all 4 colors are added, sew the 45 degree angles. Sew from the black block out to the points.
Next add the 3½ inch black sashing between the blocks.
I added a 3½ x 15 inch long strip between the blocks in the row. Then I added the long strips between the rows.
Now it is ready to add the 1½-inch wide black border.
I added the sides first, then the top and bottom.
Now add the 1½-inch pink border.
Again, I added the sides first, then the top and bottom.
Add the final 3-inch borders to the sides.
Lastly, add the 7-inch borders to the top and bottom.
“No, you never get any fun out of the things you haven’t done.” – Ogden Nash
Piecing borders and sashing:
If you don’t have the length you need to cut the borders or sashing in one continuous strip, you can piece them. Butt the ends together and stitch them with the same stitch with matching thread. I have done this on my blanket and it looks fine.
Fringe:
I fold the ends of the blanket in half aligning the edge. With a chalk pencil, draw a line 4 inches from the bottom edge. Using a small ruler and your rotary cutter, cut up to the 4 inch line into ½-inch wide strips of fringe.
If you want your fringe to be curly, pull each fringe stretchg it out. Then let it go. It will curl. This will only work if you cut the border with the grain of fabric.
Laura Waterfield
Laura’s Sewing Studio
www.LaurasSewingStudio.com
Copyright 2002
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