I received a few requests for the pattern I developed for the Quilt Top for my daughter.

Squares and Stripe Quilt Top

Although Squares and Stripes is the obvious name for this quilt, it might be considered a Goldilocks Quilt.

The first attempt was the wrong color. The second the wrong size.  The third the pattern didn’t work.  But the final version – is just right!

In writing the pattern, I have used a combination of graphs  and verbiage to provide details and instruction.

I do not recommend cutting all the pieces before starting.  This quilt follows more of a sew, measure, then cut-to-the measurement method.  It minimizes frustration and maximizes results!

Unit A: 1 Graph Square = 1 inch

Notes: 

1. All seams are sewn RIGHT side together. 
2. Press seams open after sewing.

Fabrics for squares:

• 28 2.5″ colored squares
• 28 2.5″ white squares

Step 1:  Using 1/4″ seam allowances, sew 3 white squares and 2 colored squares into a strip, starting and ending with white squares to make Unit A.

Then make another Unit A.

Unit B: 1 Graph Square = 1 Unit

Step 2:  Using 1/4″ seam allowance, sew 12 colored and 11 white squares into a long strip, starting and ending with colored squares to make Unit B.  Then make another Unit B.

Piecing Diagram:  1 square on graph = 1″

Step 3:  Measure the length of the A Units and the B Units. (Helpful Hint:  Write the measurements down).

If you are among the exclusive club of Perfect 1/4 Inchers – your Unit A will be 10.5″ long and Unit B will be 46.5″ long.  If you are among the rest of us, they will not.

My A Units were 10.25″ long and B Units were 45.5″ long.

Step 4:  Cut a white rectangle for the center the same width as the length of your Unit A’s (somewhere near 10 – 11″) with a length 4″ shorter than the length of your Unit B’s (somewhere near 42 – 43″).  My center rectangle was 10.25″ * 41.5″.

Step 5:  Using 1/4″ seam allowance, sew the Unit A’s to the narrow ends of the center rectangle.  Sew the Unit B’s to the long ends -matching seams of corner squares.

Squares and Stripes

Squares are done! YAY!  Take a minute to enjoy your work! 

Step 6:  Add 4″ to the Unit A measurement found in Step 3.  It will be somewhere near 14″ (if you are a Perfect 1/4 Incher – it will be 14.5″).

Step 7:  Cut two white rectangles 7″ wide * that number (it should be about 14″).  These rectangles are marked “C” on the Piecing Diagram.  Using 1/4″ seam allowance, sew these “C Unit” white rectangles to the shorter edges of the squares.

Detail of stripe strip

Step 8:  Measure the long side of the quilt top.  If you are a Perfect 1/4 Incher it will be 59.5″.  Mine was 58″.

Step 9:  Cut two white rectangles 7″ wide * your measurement.  These are marked “D” on the Piecing Diagram.  Using 1/4″ seam allowances, sew the long white “D Long” rectangles to the long sides of the quilt top.

Corner detail of stripe strips (no mitering!)

Now for the stripes:

Step 10:  Cut numerous pieces of colored fabrics into 2.5″ * 9″ strips.  Sew strips together at 45 degree angles. Four stripe strips will be needed.  Two approximately 65″ long and two approximately 15″ long.

Step 11:  Take stripe strips to rotary cutting board and trim to 2″ wide.  I was surprised by how crooked my ever-so-careful 45 degree angle seams made the strips!  But trimming them to 2″ straightened them very easily!

Step 12:  Using 1/2″ seam allowance, sew shorter strips to short ends of quilt top.  Press seams open.  Using 1/2″ seam allowances, sew longer strips to long edges of quilt top.  Press seam open.

Stripes are complete!  Hint:  Since all the strips are out anyway, it may be a good idea to sew all the remaining strips together to form the quilt binding.

Pattern for Squares and Stripes

Adding final sashing:

Step 13:  Measure shorter ends of quilt top (should be about 17″) and cut two white rectangles that width * 10 inches wide.  Sew those rectangles to short ends of quilt top using 1/2″ seam allowances.

View of wrong side: seams pressed open

Step 14:  Measure longer edges of quilt top (should be about 82″).  Cut two white rectangles that measurement * 10″  Sew rectangles to long edges of quilt top using 1/2″ seam allowances.

The Quilt Top is complete!