If you have hung around my blog for any length of time, you know that the Quilts of Valor Foundation is an organization I feel strongly about. So after finishing this top in just a few days, I thought I would share this as a pattern of sorts. It hardly needs a pattern since it is so easy and the pieces are large. But I thought if I did the math and you all saw how quick and easy it is, perhaps you might make one too. Here is my completed top.
The quilt top finishes at 60″ x 82″ . You will need approximately 1 yard of red, 1 yard of blue, and two yards of white. You will also need 2 1/8 yards of border fabric. You will have enough border fabric leftover to use for your binding if you like. Otherwise you will also need 2/3 yard of binding fabric.
There are many ways of making half square triangle blocks. I used my studio cutter (die number 50033) and cut 24 red, 24 blue, and 48 white triangles. You will need to make 24 red/white HST blocks measuring 6 1/2″ and 24 blue/ white HST blocks measuring 6 1/2″ (6 ” finished). Feel free to make yours using any method that works for you. As long as they finish at the right size, you’re good!
Cut 48 3 1/2″ blue squares, 48 3 1/2″ red squares, and 96 3 1/2″ white squares (I used die number 50206). Use these to make 24 red/white 4-patch blocks and 24 blue/white 4-patches. These will measure 6 1/2″ and finish at 6″. You may choose to strip piece these but with my cutter, I find it is just as fast to piece them traditionally.
You will make 12 blocks like this:
And 12 blocks like this:
I chose to take two of each type of block and sew them into giant blocks like this:
If you do this, you will end up with 6 identical blocks to sew into three rows of two blocks each.
I cut my borders 6 1/2″ wide on the lengthwise grain.
While these blocks are large, they don’t look clunky. I love the high contrast and the chains of squares running diagonally across the top. I started cutting pieces for this Friday evening and had the top completed Sunday morning. During that time, I did sleep! I also worked and spent time with family. This could easily be completed in one full day.
I understand that I am no expert at writing patterns. Because I don’t use them myself, I have probably left out some important stuff! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I suppose I should add some sort of disclaimer here stating I am not responsible for any loss or damage caused by following my instructions!
It says in Romans 13:7 to give honor to whom honor is due. Making quilts for the members of our military that have pledged to give all is one way I can live this out.
Here is another motivating factor. I am a proud Blue Star Mom of this amazing Airman, shown here receiving Airman of the Year Award for the 56th Security Forces Squadron:
Isn’t she beautiful?
If you happen to make a quilt from these instructions, I would love it if you sent me a picture or a link to your finished top.
Linking up with Free Motion By The River for Linky Tuesday.
Linking up with Val’s Quilting Studio
