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Friday, March 18, 2016

Easy Half-Square Blocks Quilt - Easy Pre-Cut Cuddle Cake and Layer Cake Pattern

This easy Half-Square Blocks quilt is a great choice for beginners and is the perfect choice if you're working with 10-in precut fabric squares.  The look of the quilt will be completely different depending on the fabrics you choose.  We love how it looks with the Seeing Spots Cuddle Cakes fabric pack from Shannon Fabrics.  This post is part of a Fairfield Master Makers challenge and I was provided with the cuddle fabrics by Shannon Fabrics.  Fairfield World provided me with product and compensated me for this post.  This post also contains affiliate links.

Time:
Start to finish can be done in a day.

Skill Level:
Beginner

Materials:
Supplies:
Instructions:

If you've never sewn with Cuddle Fabrics before, you may want to start by reviewing these Helpful Cuddle Sewing Tips from Shannon Fabrics.
Start by pairing up your Cuddle Cakes squares into contrasting pairs.  Not only do you want the color to contrast, but you also want the design on the fabrics to be different.  I tried to pair the large dots with a smaller print or solid.

Stack your pairs so they're lined up with RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, with the pile (direction of the fuzz) going the same way.  I had them all face toward me (down).

Draw a line down the center of the block.


Pin down the middle thoroughly BEFORE you move any of your pieces

Usually with Cuddle Fabrics we use a 1/2" seam allowance because it tends to slip so much, BUT since we're stitching through the middle of our square we're going to use a 1/4" seam allowance for JUST THIS STEP.

Do NOT sew down the line you drew.  Instead sew 1/4 inch on each side of your center line.

Then cut down your line and you will have two blocks, each with two half-square-rectangles.  (It's helpful to have a small hand-held vacuum on hand for immediately vacuuming up the fuzz.

These finished blocks are no longer square, so you'll need to use your quilting ruler, rotary cutter, and mat to trim them to 9 1/2" blocks.

Repeat for the rest of your blocks.

Once you've sewn and trimmed all your blocks, you're ready to lay them out.  Alternate the direction of the rectangles and lay them out in a 4 x 5 block pattern.  Make an effort for the blocks to "pet" the same direction (or same two directions) for a better finished result.  If you're planning to do an applique, you'll also want to make sure you have a corner of the quilt that will contrast with your main applique color.  In this case, I used the upper left corner for my applique because there is no kiwi-green in those blocks.  (So this picture is upside down from how I oriented my final quilt.)

From  here you're just sewing the blocks together.  Be sure to use LOTS OF PINS and a walking foot on your machine to minimize fabric slipping and help your corners meet properly.

Once you've got the top sewn together, you may want to add a fun applique to liven up the quilt.  You can find the free pattern for the Spotty the Turtle applique on the Fairfield World site here.

Finally you need to do the quilting.  I LOVE using basting spray for any quilt, but it's especially helpful for Cuddle quilts.  My favorite is 505 Brand Basting Spray but just about any brand will work.  Be sure to protect your area from overspray.

It works best if you lay your batting out with your quilt top on top.  Peel back half of the top, spray the batting and then smooth the quilt top back over it.  My favorite batting is Nature-Fil™ Bamboo Blend Batting  because I love the drape, but cotton or cotton/poly blend is also a nice choice.  Then repeat for the other half.  Trim batting.  Flip your quilt over and repeat to add your quilt backing.

One thing I love is how well Cuddle fabric shows your quilting lines.  You will hardly see the thread, but you'll see a pleasing little dip in the plush fabric everywhere you quilt.  I tend to stick to easy straight lines and chose to make a big X through each block as well as quilting around the turtle.  Free motion quilting or quilting "in-the-ditch" would also work great.  And don't be afraid to quilt your project on your home machine.  Cuddle fabric is very forgiving at hiding small mistakes.

For binding cut 2" strips of cuddle fabric.  See this post for excellent instructions to bind your quilt.



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2 comments:

  1. Fun Quilt! And my how your little guy has grown.
    Another quick, easy block to use is the double slice block. We are doing lap quilts for military vets and the double slice goes together lickity split. Have a great day!

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  2. This is just so cute!!! I love the turtle applique! One happy boy! Thanks for sharing this!

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