This delightful quilt is quick and easy to make and the perfect size to use for an afternoon nap on a lazy summer afternoon or even as a spread when you next head out for a picnic. Designed by Allison Nicoll of Wattanobbi, NSW, Summer Breeze is also the perfect showcase for some very favourite summery prints.
Finished size: 133cm x 159cm (52½in x 62½in)
Download the PDF with full instructions and diagrams here.
Materials
30cm (⅜yd) strawberry print fabric (four-patch blocks)
30cm (⅜yd) cream spot print fabric (four-patch blocks)
90cm (1yd) turquoise floral print fabric (alternate blocks)
50cm (⅝yd) green leaf print fabric (alternate blocks)
25cm (⅜yd) yellow fabric (Border 1)
1.5m (1⅝yd) large-scale floral print fabric (Border 2 and binding)
3.1m (3½yd) backing fabric
Batting at least cm x cm (53in x 61in)
Rotary cutter, ruler and mat
General sewing supplies
Cut the fabric
From each of the strawberry print and cream spot print fabrics, cut:
• four strips, 2½in x width of fabric (four-patch blocks)
From the turquoise floral print fabric, cut:
• seven strips, 4½in x width of fabric and cross cut 60 squares, 4½in (alternate blocks)
From the green leaf print fabric, cut:
• four strips, 4½in x width of fabric and cross cut30 squares, 4½in (alternate blocks)
From the yellow fabric, cut:
• five strips, 1½in x width of fabric (Border 1)
From the large-scale floral print fabric, cut:
• six strips, 6½in (Border 2)
• six strips, 2½in (binding)
Make Block A
1. Sew each of the 2½in strips of strawberry print fabric to a 2½in strip of cream spot print fabric, along their long edges. Press.
2. Cross cut these strip sets into segments 2½in wide. See diagram 1. You will need 60 segments in total.
3. Sew two segments together to make a four-patch block, matching the centre seam. See diagram 2.
4. Lay out two four-patch blocks and two 4½in squares of turquoise floral print fabric in two rows. Check that your four-patch blocks are orientated the same way as those in the diagram. Join the units in each row together, then join the rows together, matching the centre seam, to complete Block A. It should measure 8½in square from raw edge to raw edge. See diagram.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to make a total of 15 Block A
Make Block B
1. Lay out two 4½in squares of turquoise floral print fabric and two 4½in squares of green leaf print fabric in two rows of two squares each, referring to the diagram.
2. Sew the squares in each row together, then sew the rows together, matching the centre seam, to complete Block B. It should measure 8½in square from raw edge to raw edge. See diagram.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make a total of 15 Block B.
Assemble the quilt
1. Referring to the photograph of the quilt as a guide, lay out the blocks you’ve made in five rows of five blocks each. Rows 1, 3 and 5 should begin with a Block A and end with a Block B. Rows 2, 4 and 6 should begin with a Block B and end with a Block A. Check that you have orientated all your blocks in the same way as Allison to achieve a similar graphic effect.
2. Sew the blocks in each row together, then sew the rows together, carefully matching seams.
3. Join the five 1½in strips of yellow fabric together, end to end, to make one long strip.
4. Measure your quilt vertically through the centre. Cut two strips this length from the long strip. Sew these strips to the left and right edges of the quilt.
5. Measure your quilt horizontally through the centre. Cut two strips this long from the remainder of the long strip. Sew these strips to the top and bottom edges of the quilt. Press.
6. Join the six 6½in strips of large-scale floral print fabric together, end to end, to make one long strip. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to add them to your quilt as Border 2.
Finish the quilt
1. Cut the length of backing fabric in half, remove the selvedges, and join the two pieces to make a backing for the quilt. Press.
2. Smooth out the backing fabric on a large table or the floor with right side down and secure it with masking tape. Lay the batting on top, ensuring it is smooth and free from wrinkles. After pressing the quilt top, lay it on top of the batting and baste or pin the three layers together.
3. Quilt as desired. Allison quilted Summer Breeze by machine. She began by stitching in the ditch, then worked a large meander in Border 2.
4. Trim the excess batting and backing fabric ¼in outside the raw edge of the border.
5. Sew the 2½in strips cut for the binding end to end to make one long strip. Fold the long strip in half, wrong sides together and long edges matching. Press. With raw edges together, stitch the binding strip to the edge of the quilt using a ¼in seam, mitring the corners as you go.
7. Turn the binding over and stitch by hand to the back of the quilt. Label and date your quilt.
For more patterns by Allison Nicoll, visit her blog at
