I started this baby quilt pattern months ago, but am just finishing the quilt now. I wanted to make something that was easy enough for a beginner, but still modern and creative. Only two fabrics are used for the top of the quilt, and a third print for the back. You'll want to pick high contrast fabrics for your two colors for the quilt top. The fun thing about making this quilt is that you can place the blocks as I did or get creative with how you layout each square. The free quilt pattern is below. I have not tested the pattern, so please let me know if you find anything goofy.
Archipelago Quilt
Finished size
42"x45"
This is larger than a crib size, but smaller than a throw. I like my baby quilt patterns to be this size, so that the blanket is large enough to throw on the floor when they're babies, but small enough for them to drag when they start toddling around.
Supplies
- Color A (squares): 1 yard
- Color B (background): 1.5 yard
- 46" x 48" Batting
- Backing fabric: 1 1/4th yards
- Thread and other common quilting notions
Cutting
- Color A
- Cut two 4.5" strip
- Cut one down to nine 4.5" squares
- Cut one 4.5" square from the other
- Cut the remainder into a 2.5" strip and a 1.5" strip
- Cut fifteen 2.5" blocks and twenty 1.5" blocks
- Cut six 3.5" strip
- Cut one down to twelve 3.5" squares
- Cut one down to eight 3.5" squares and five 2.5" squares
- Set aside the other four for borders
- Cut one 2.5" strip and cut it down to sixteen 2.5" squares
- Cut two 4.5" strip
- Color B
- Cut seven 4.5" strips and then cut them down to the following
- 40 - 4.5" x 1"
- 40 - 4.5" x 1.5"
- 40 - 4.5" x 2"
- 20 - 4.5" x 4.5'
- Cut five 1.5" strips and then cut them down to the following
- 40 - 1.5" x 2"
- 40 - 1.5" x 2.5"
- Cut one 3.5" strip and cut it down to the following
- 40 - 3.5" x 1"
- Cut one 6.5" strip and cut it approximately 14" from the selvage
- Cut seven 4.5" strips and then cut them down to the following
Piecing
Blocks
All the blocks are assembled the same. Using the pieces listed for each block type, do the following until all blocks are complete. Use a .25" seam allowance.
- Sew the shorter blocks to the center square
- Press the seams toward the outside
- Sew the long side on each side
- Press toward the outside
Block A - 10 total
These are the 4.5" Color A squares. Done!
Block B - 20 total
- Center square - 3.5" square
- Short sides - 3.5" x 1"
- Long sides - 4.5" x 1"
Block C - 20 total
- Center square - 2.5" square
- Short sides - 2.5" x 1.5"
- Long sides - 4.5" x 1.5"
Block D - 20 total
- Center square - 1.5" square
- Short sides - 2" x 1.5"
- Long sides - 4.5" x 2"
Block E - 20 total
These are the 4.5" Color B squares.
Center Piecing
Sew the blocks together in the following order, press the seams, then sew the rows together from top to bottom.
- D | C | B | A | B | C | D | E | E
- E | D | C | B | A | B | C | D | E
- E | E | D | C | B | A | B | C | D
- E | D | C | B | A | B | C | D | E
- D | C | B | A | B | C | D | E | E
- E | D | C | B | A | B | C | D | E
- E | E | D | C | B | A | B | C | D
- E | D | C | B | A | B | C | D | E
- D | C | B | A | B | C | D | E | E
- E | D | C | B | A | B | C | D | E
I played with some alternative layouts, if you're interested in trying something else.
Borders
Sew shorter borders on the sides. Press the seams.
Sew the other borders on. Press the seams.
Backing Fabric
I like to piece the backing fabric, both because it looks awesome and it saves you fabric for quilts that are just a little too wide for 42" backing fabric.
Strip insert
- Sew the remaining seven (four color A, three color B) 2.5" squares into a strip, alternating Color A and B. Press the seams.
- Sew the 2.5" x 14.5" Color B strips on each side. Press the seams.
- Sew the two 6.5" wide strips to each end of this piece.
Finish backing
- About 14" in, cut the backing fabric the long way
- Sew each piece on either side of the insert
- Press seams
Back, quilt and bind your new quilt
I stippled in the white and did a design in each block. Be creative
edit: 2/13/12 - corrected cutting amounts