Flagged Quilt Tutorial

Flagged Quilt, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

I'm really excited to share this fun modern quilt with you today! I couldn't wait more than a few days to cut into my Blogger's Choice Bundle from Fat Quarter Shop, and I knew I wanted to do something that would really show off the prints. I love using big blocks for quick quilts! And this one came together really fast! :)

If you like quick big block quilts, check out my Giant Vintage Star Quilt Tutorial!

Fat Quarter Shop Blogger's Choice Bundle, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

When I was picking fabrics for this bundle, I was immediately drawn to La Dee Da by Erin McMorris. She is one of my favorite designers, and I've been so excited for this collection.  So that was the starting point.  I knew I wanted to incorporate some basics from the line and found my color palette after looking around at what else would be available at the same time.  Lucky for me, Lillybelle by Bari J and Grand Hotel by Jenean Morrison had some similar colors.  From there, Art Gallery Elements were a no brainer! So here we have it! A palette of mustard, aqua, teal, and blue-gray.

Flagged Quilt, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

I was super tempted to use a simple patchwork design for this quilt, but wanted to try something different! I had seen a half-rectangle triangle quilt on Pinterest a few weeks back, and after seeing this Half-Rectangle Triangle tutorial on the Modern Quilt Guild Blog, I was sold! I paired my bundle with Kona White for the background, a vintage sheet for backing, and Art Gallery solids from my bundle for the binding.  I used my go-to free motion loopy quilting to finish it up.  I also used Pellon cotton batting for the first time, and it quilted up so nicely!

Flagged Quilt, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

This quilt could certainly be made with triangles, but sometimes it's nice to mix it up! I myself find triangles a bit fussy between cutting with templates and the sewing itself.  This method allows you to use simple rectangles to create a similar look.  Much more up my alley, but feel free to use a triangle template if you'd rather make it that way!

So, would you like to make one of your own?  I'm calling this a mini tutorial, because I will not be showing how to make the half-triangle rectangles since there is a perfectly good tutorial already! Plus this was my first time making them, hehe! Just make sure you use the measurements found here for your rectangles! Here we go!

Flagged Quilt, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Sewing Level: Intermediate


Materials:
- 12 print fat quarters
- 2 1/4 yards of background fabric
- 4 yards of backing fabric (or a full size sheet)
- 72"x80" piece of batting
- 1/2 yard of binding (or 3 fat quarters like mine!)
- Coordinating thread
- Marking pen

Finished size: 64"x72"

Cutting:
From each of 12 print fabrics:
- Cut (2) 9"x13" rectangles, for a total of 24 pieces.

From background fabric:
- Cut (8) 9"x WOF strips
- From each 9" strip, cut (3) 9"x13" pieces for a total of 24 pieces.

From binding fabric:
- Cut (7) 2.5" x WOF strips

(If using fat quarters for binding, cut (6) 18"x2.5" strips from each of 3 fat quarters)

Flagged Quilt, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

*Use a 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.*
 
1. Separate your print and background pieces into two piles, making sure you have one of each print in both piles.

2. Use one pile to create 24 half-rectangle triangles according to the first part of this tutorial on the Modern Quilt Guild Blog.  Square up blocks to 8.5"x12.5". Set aside.

3. Use the second pile to create 24 OPPOSITE half-rectangle triangles according to the second part of the tutorial. Square up blocks to 8.5"x12.5".

We create our half-triangle rectangles in two parts because each pair of print/background pieces creates two identical half-rectangle triangles.  In order to create our flag pieces, we need two that go in different directions!

Flagged Quilt, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

4. Lay out your blocks in six rows of eight.  Play around with the layout! I tried out a few different things before landing on this.  You might like the prints/colors mixed up, or you could create diamonds or other shapes if you so choose! I've provided a graphic above to show my arrangement.

5. Once you have your layout how you like it, mark your rows (I simply use paper scraps and safety pins) so they don't get out of order! Sew together blocks in each row. Press your finished rows in alternating directions.

6. Sew your rows together, pressing seams open or in the same direction.

7. Baste, quilt, bind, and enjoy! :)

Flagged Quilt, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

I hope you've had fun hearing about my quilt and this mini tutorial!

Flagged Quilt, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

A very Happy 4th of July to all of my US readers! This quilt would look quite cute done up in red, white, and blue, don't you think?


© 2015 Lauren Hunt for Lucky Spool Media.

Looking to experiment more with super sized blocks? Check out the Vast quilt from my book, Patchwork Essentials: The Half-Square Triangle.

Cheers!