Simple Chemistry Quilt

I LOVE discovering fun science and math fabrics...and texty fabrics and so when I discovered this Chemistry novelty line by Becky Marie Designs for Riley Blake I knew I needed to make them into a quilt.  We went for a black and gold motif since those are our school colors and my husband could use it on the wall in his classroom.  Thanks to Riley Blake Fabrics for sending me the fabrics and to Fairfield World for providing batting and compensating me for this project.  All ideas, opinions, and enthusiasm are 100% my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

And my kids' enthusiasm all their own too!

They say the family that does chemistry together...stays together...

This quilt is simple and easy to make on your own, since it uses strip piecing in simple blocks.

Here's what you'll need:

• 3/8 yard each of Periodic Table in Grey, Periodic Table in White, Equations in Grey, and Equations in White.
• 1/4 yard Equations in Black
• 1/3 yard Additional Equations in White for middle border
• 1 yard Periodic Table in Black for outer border and binding
• 1 2/3 yard Periodic Table in White or other favorite fabric for backing.
• 1 package Nature-Fil™ Bamboo Blend Batting 60″ X 60″
• Heat'n Bond Lite and solids for accents (optional)
• Basting Spray (optional)

Directions:

Cut 5 width-of-fabric 2" wide strips from your White Equations fabric and set aside for your middle border.

From each of your white and grey fabrics, cut 3 - width of fabric 4 1/2" strips.  (This will give you a total of 12 strips.)

Pair up a periodic table strip with the opposite color equations strip.  You'll have triples of each set.  Make sure to alternate which is on top and which is on bottom.

Sew strips together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Cut into 8 1/2 inch blocks.

Lay out your blocks in an alternating manner turned every which way.  I love slightly random looking quilts.

Cut your border strips.  Cut 5 width-of-fabric 1 1/2" strips of black equations fabric.  Use your reserved 5 - 2" width of fabric strips of white equations you cut earlier.  Cut 5 - 3" width of fabric strips of black periodic table fabric.  Sew the borders from thinnest to thickest.

Add an accent applique if desired using Heat'n Bond Lite and following manufacturer's instructions.

I quilted using Nature-Fil™ Bamboo Blend Batting 60″ X 60″ and 505 Basting Spray to hold my layers together.  I usually use straight line quilting on my quilts, but this time I decided to branch out and do free motion quilting to spell out the names of elements in cursive.  (Don't look to close!  It was my first time doing this kind of free-motion quilting.)

Finish up your quilt by binding.  I use a double thickness binding method.  Cut 5 - 3" width of fabric strips for your binding.  Sew them end to end.  Iron your long strip in half the long way.  Stitch on  your binding with your choice of mitered or square corners.

And if you end up with any extra fabric, you might want to think about making some of these Geek Valentine Ideas:

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