Stitches and Sew Forth: April Mystery Quilt

We are really pleased with the way this quilt turned out. Hope you love it too.

Please read through the pattern instructions before cutting. The measurements in the pattern are based on an accurate ¼ inch seam allowance. You may want to measure as you complete each step so you can adjust if needed. Have fun!

1. To create the center medallion square cut 2) 10 inch white squares and 1) 10 inch square of the blue, pink, green and yellow polka dots. Cut each of these squares in half diagonally.

Set the white triangles and one of each of the polka dot triangles aside to create the large center pinwheel. Fold the remaining polka dot triangles in half matching the corners precisely. Place the petal template on the corner and trim along the curve cutting both layers of fabric.

Repeat to create two petals from each of the polka dot triangles.

Lay the remaining triangles in pinwheel fashion alternating the white with the colored polka dots. Appliqué the petals to the center angles to create the blossom. (Use your favorite appliqué method. We used a little Elmer’s washable school glue to hold in place and sewed about 1/8 inch away from the edge of the curve to secure.) Sew the triangles together to form the large center pinwheel. The center medallion should measure 18½ x 18½ inches when sewn together.

2. Add the yellow gingham border.

3. Add the white border.

4. (Saw tooth) From the white fabric cut 4) 8 inch squares and 4) 3 ½ inch squares. From the green polka dot cut 4) 8 inch squares. Place an 8 inch white square with an 8 inch green polka dot square with the right sides together. Draw two diagonal lines on the back of the white 8 inch square. Sew ¼ inch on each side of the drawn line. Cut apart on the lines and exactly half way (4 inches) through the squares vertically and horizontally. (See diagram.) Square the resulting half square triangles to 3 ½ inches. (We love the Quilt in a Day triangle square up ruler for this.) Press toward the green fabric. Repeat with the remaining 8 inch squares to create a total of 32) half square triangles.

(The fabrics in the photo are from a different quilt - don't look to hard to try and match them to fabrics from your kit.)

Sew the half square triangles into rows of eight as shown in the photo below. Pay particular attention to the direction of the angles.

Create four rows of saw tooth squares. Sew one row to two sides of the quilt. Sew a 3 ½ inch white square to both ends of the remaining two rows. Sew a row to the top and bottom of the quilt.

5. Add the next white border.

6. Cut 6) 3 ½ inch squares from each of the prints except the green stripe. You will need a total of 48 squares. (Note: the yellow chevron print is used in an upcoming border. To save piecing, cut 4) 2 inch strips from the width of the chevron fabric before cutting the 3½ inch squares.) Sew the squares together randomly to create two rows with 11 squares and two rows with 13 squares. Sew the smaller rows to each side of the quilt. Sew the remaining rows to the top and bottom of the quilt.

7. Add the next white border. (We were able to cut the 42 ½ inch strips from the width of the fabric. Trim the selvages carefully.)

8. Add the yellow border.

9. (Create the pinwheels) From the white fabric cut 32) 3 inch squares, 14) 1 ½ x 4 ½ inch strips and 4) 3 ¼ x 4 ½ inch rectangles. Each pinwheel requires 2) 3 inch print squares. Cut 16 sets of 3 inch squares from the print fabrics. (We used all but the green prints.) Draw a diagonal line on the back of all of the 3 inch white squares. Place a white square with a print square with the right sides facing and the outside edges aligned. Sew ¼ inch on each side of the line.

Cut apart on the line. Repeat using a matching print. Square the half square triangles to 2 ½ inches. Press toward the print. Assemble the half square triangles to create a pinwheel block.

Repeat the process to create a total of 16 pinwheel blocks.

Create two pinwheel rows. Each row will contain 8 pinwheels. Sew the 1 ½ inch white strips between the pinwheels. Sew the 3 ¼ x 4 ½ inch rectangles to both ends of each row. Your pinwheel section should measure 45 ½ inches in length.