Hello, hello!
As I’ve mentioned, I have not made a quilt using an entire charm pack before. That led to a challenge this week (or past couple weeks..). I set out to share a new ruler with you and along the way, create a quilt using a charm pack. Below is the quilt that I came up with using Moda’s Little Miss Sunshine Charm Pack
I only find it fair to share a little tutorial on how this quilt came to be since you have stuck with me sharing block by block.
If you are like I was a couple weeks ago and have a shelf, closet, or room full of charm packs, layer cakes, jelly rolls, etc. it is time to put them to good use. Starting with a charm pack or two, dive in and let’s create a quilt.
For this quilt you will need a charm pack (I used 40 of the 42 squares) and a half yard of sashing/border fabric. You will also need backing and binding, but I always worry about that after the quilt takes shape.
If you look closely, there are five different blocks used in this quilt. Although I created as I went, there are a few things you might want to think through before starting. {I have noticed that many times charm packs do not have duplicate squares or they have a limited amount that are identical. Plan ahead and pick out similar fabrics, identical fabrics, or keep it scrappy.}
- If you want the pinwheels to have four matching colors, you will need 2 matching charms for each spoke of the pinwheel. To clarify, for one of my pinwheel blocks, I used 2 yellow charm squares and 2 green charm squares. For my other pinwheel I used 2 blue & white striped squares and then 1 pink hexagon square and 1 green hexagon square.
- If you want your “Three-Part Square Triangle” block to have 4 matching triangles as mine did you will need 2 squares for each. Again to clarify, I used 2 charm squares of navy stripe, 1 charm square of yellow and 1 charm square of light blue with circles. On the other block I used 2 charm squares of green stripe, 1 charm square of navy, and 1 charm square of pink flowers.
- Keep in mind this quilt uses Cindy Casciato’s The Magic Triangle Ruler. If I could recommend one ruler in my sewing room, this little thing would be THE thing.
- This quilt can be made without using the ruler, but you will need to make adjustments. It would be possible to follow along the pattern and adjust sashing dimensions to fit your finished block size.
Since I was experimenting as I made this quilt, the blocks are not all the same finished size. I like it. It adds to the scrappy feel. However, I do add block borders to bring them all to the same size prior to sewing sashing and putting the quilt together. Feel free to use your artistic freedom on how you want to piece your blocks together.
Alright, enough chit-chat, let’s make a quilt.
Block 1: Flying Geese Four patch (Make 1)
- Cut 4 2 1/2″ squares and 1 4 1/2″ square.
- Follow the steps using The Magic Triangle Ruler to make four flying geese blocks.
- Repeat once more with two different charm squares.
- You will end with eight complete flying geese.
- Sew these together to create your center block.
Block 2: Large Geese (Make 2)
- Using 2 5″ squares, use The Magic Triangle Ruler to make half square triangles. Each two 5″ squares will make two 4 1/2″ half square triangles.
- Repeat once more to have a total of four half square triangles.
- Arrange these as shown to make two large flying geese-like blocks.
Block 3:Half Square Triangle with a Square (Make 2)
- Cut 4 2 1/4″ squares, 4 2 1/4″ x 3 1/4″, and 2 4″ x 5″.
- Follow the steps using The Magic Triangle Ruler to make four flying geese blocks.
- Repeat once more with three different charm squares.
- When finished, you should have four squares of each charm set.
Block 4: Hour Glass Four Patch (Make 2)
- Using 2 different 5″ charm squares make half square triangles then continue on using your magic triangle ruler to make 2 hour glass (quarter square triangle) blocks.
- Repeat 3 more times to end with 8 blocks.
Block 5: Pinwheels (Make 2)
- Use 4 5″ charm squares to make half square triangles using the Magic Triangle Ruler
- Arrange in a pinwheel shape.
- Sew the block together and repeat once more.
Once all of your blocks are cut, sewn, and pressed you are ready to put borders on them.
Keep in mind; the blocks are different sizes at this time. My blocks measured as follows:
Flying Geese four patch – 6.5”
Large Geese – 8.5”
Half Square Triangle with a Square – 7.5”
Hour Glass Four Patch – 7.5”
Pinwheels – 8.5”
I cut 2” strips of my sashing material and sewed it onto the finished blocks that were smaller than others (any block less than 8.5 inches). Once the borders were sewn, I squared up and trimmed these blocks down to match the others. My finished blocks were all 8.5 inches at this point.
Now your blocks are done and you are ready to work on putting your quilt together.
Pick out 2 of your remaining charm squares and cut each into four 2.5” squares. You should have a total of eight 2.5” squares when finished. These will be your joints in the sashing. For reference, I used navy and pink.
Next, cut your sashing. You need 12 strips 2.5” x 8.5” then 4 strips 2.5”x 28.5”.
Congratulations! You have finished your quilt top.
Finished size: 32.5″ x 32.5″
See you at the machine,
•Care
Quilting With Care 
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