Twin Quilt

Online Extra from our January 2004 Issue

Blueberry Patch Quilt - Online Extra - Twin size directions.

Twin-size Quilt has six rows of pieced bars (bars finish to 2 1/4"x6"); five 3"-wide sashing strips; 1 1/2"-wide inner borders; and 4 1/2"-wide outer borders.

Yardage & Cutting (Finished Size: 63"x99 3/4". Use 100% cotton quilting fabrics.)


1/4 yard each of 20 different blue prints (Choose an even mix of light, medium and dark fabrics--See the throw quilt "Source" (page 3)for buying the featured fabrics.)	Cut two 2 3/4"x42" strips from each blue fabric.
2 1/2 yards of white-on-white print	Cut five 3 1/2"x88 1/4" sashing strips
1/2 yard of dark blue print	Cut seven 2"-wide strips across the fabric width for the inner borders
2 3/4 yards of light blue print	Cut two 4 3/4"x63 1/2" outer border strips
6 yards of medium blue print	Cut in half crosswise (3 yards each). From one 3-yard piece cut two 12"x108" strips for the backing and four 2 1/2"x108" strips for the binding.

67"x102" piece of batting

Preparation

Preshrink the fabrics as for the quilted throw. When sewing, place the fabrics right sides together and stitch with a 1/4" seam, unless specified otherwise.

Piecing the Rows

Organize the 2 3/4"-wide blue fabric strips into three piles based on their relative color value--light, medium and dark. Then pick from the piles, make 13 sets of three strips including a light, medium and dark fabric. Pin each set together to keep them in order at the sewing machine. There will be one strip left over.

Sew the strip sets together in a light-medium-dark sequence and press the seams toward the darker fabrics. From each strip unit cut six segments, each 6 1/2" wide for a total of 78 segments (1). As you cut the segments, form six groups with one segment from each strip in each group.

Working with one group at a time, place the segments in the desired order, with a total of 13 segments (39 bars) in each row. Sew the segments together into rows and press the seam allowances all in one direction.

The six rows should measure 88 1/4" long. Measure the length of each strip without stretching, then adjust as needed by sewing slightly wider seam allowances in a couple locations so all the strips are the same length. If the differences are minor (1/8" or less) use the shortest strip for the length measurement and trim the sashing strips to match.

Assemble the Top

Beginning and ending with a patchwork row, alternate the patchwork rows and sashing strips; sew together along the lengthwise edges (See Quilt Piecing Diagram). Press all seams toward the sashing strips. Sew the 2"-wide, dark blue inner border strips together at the ends with diagonal seams; trim and press the seams open. Measure the quilt length through the center (2) and cut two strips this length. Sew to opposite long edges of the quilt top and press the seams toward the borders.

Measure the quilt width through the center, including the inner borders just added. Cut two strips this length from the remaining inner border strip. Sew to the upper and lower edges of the quilt top. Press the seams toward the borders.

Sew a light blue, 4 3/4"x88 1/4" outer border strip to the opposite long edges of the quilt top and press the seams toward the inner border. Sew the remaining light blue border strips to the quilt upper and lower edges and press the seams toward the inner border.

Layering & Quilting

Press the completed quilt top and trim all stray threads on the back. For the backing, sew the 12" widths to the opposite long edges of the remaining full-width medium-blue piece (3). Press the seams to one side. The resulting piece will be approximately 66"x108". Press the backing as needed to remove any wrinkles.
Constructing the quilt backing

Position the backing fabric right side down on a large smooth surface and tape the raw edges in place using short strips of 1"-wide masking tape. Make sure the backing is smooth and taut (but not stretched out of shape).

Center the batting over the backing and smooth out any wrinkles.
Center the quilt top face up over the batting. Secure the layers together with safety pins, spacing them about 6" apart.
Remove the masking tape and you're ready to start quilting.

Machine Quilting

Refer to the wallhanging instructions for preparing the machine and to Figure 6 for all steps. Beginning in the quilt center, machine stitch in the ditch along all vertical seamlines. Stitch in the ditch along each seam in the pieced rows. Using a zigzag serpentine stitch, stitch parallel rows in the borders and sashing strips (use the edge of the presser foot as a guide for spacing the rows).

Binding
Sew the medium blue binding strips together at the short ends. Trim and press the seams open. Refer to the wallhanging instructions for sewing the binding to the quilt, turning the corners and finishing.

Blueberry Patch