Insignia Quilt Tutorial + Giveaway!

If you're anything like me and like easy, quicky quilts once in a while then this is the pattern for you. Its sharp angles and modern flair are perfect for any gender alike. I've been on the chevron kick like a lot of you have and I am on a never ending quest to figure out new and funky ways to make them.

When Laurie Wisburn for Robert Kaufman not only sent me a fat quarter pack of her newest line Olive the Ostrich, but one for me to give one of you lucky followers too, I knew this was the pattern I wanted to use!

I've had the Tri Tool by Darlene Zimmerman for a few years now and have never used it. The poor little ruler was staring back at me while I was cutting for another project and it immediately came to me; I should make a quilt that looks like insignias!

This quilt comes together so smoothly with the Tri Tool, but don't worry, if you don't have one you can make a 60degree Triangle! And best part is, this quilt is fat quarter friendly!

 

I wanted the main focus to be on Laurie's new Olive line, which is due out in November 2012, but I also wanted the eye to be drawn to her adorable Olive's that are so desperately in love.

I chose three extra Kona solids + Kona white, I thought would accentuate Olive, and three extra prints.

Materials:
-15 fat quarters (9 prints, 2 focus fabrics (Olive in two different colors), 3 solids + 1 white solid)
- Tri Tool by Darlene Zimmerman or 60 degree triangle template
- Basic sewing/quilting supplies

-Seam allowance 1/4"
-Finished top size:  42"x 50"

 Cutting:

From 9 prints and 3 solids
     -Cut [4] 6.5"x7.5" (or 6.5"x 8" if you want a little wiggle room) rectangles from each.
     -Choose your favorite print or solid and cut one more triangle the same dimension.
     -You should have a total of 49 rectangles.

From 2 Focus fabrics
     -Cut [4] 4.5" squares from the first fabric and [3] 4.5" squares from the second fabric.

From white FQ
     -Cut [14] 1.5"x 4.5" strips.
     -Cut [14] 1.5"x 6.5" strips.
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Grab your [49] 6.5"x7.5" rectangles and your Tri Tool. I used the full size of the Tri Tool, which is 6.5" tall, when cutting my pieces.

I center the Triangle in the middle of the rectangle and cut (for less cutting, I cut multiples at once).

Use the Recs Tool to make sure the two side triangles are the right size. After both cuts are made, you should have three pieces that look like this:

 (Repeat with all of the rectangles)
Set aside, you'll come back to these in a minute.

 Take your two focus fabrics and white strips:

Begin piecing the strips to the focus fabrics, two shortest strips on the top and bottom, them longer strips on the sides:

Once all are pieced, set aside.

Grab your Triangle pieces again and start thinking about your lay out (I like to use my design wall for this).

Choose [7] triangles for the first row and [7] coordinating side triangles (on the top block you have the option of using the same fabric as the bottom triangle for the side pieces or choosing random side pieces, like I did). You'll want the side triangles to match the center triangle above so it begins creating the "insignia."

Grab one of your focus blocks and decide where in the row you would like it.

Once your layout is how you like it, begin sewing the individual blocks together as such:

**Notice that the side triangle does not have a point on the end, but rather a straight edge, this leaves room for the seam allowance. I slide the side triangle down until the end points are touching both sides of the center triangle, it will be approximately 1/4."

Then sew:

Iron seams open:

Repeat on the other side:

Sew and iron seams open again:

Square block to a 6.5" square.

Repeat on all other blocks, creating your "insignia" pattern.

Once all blocks are pieced for the first row, sew the blocks together. You should have [7] triangles and [1] focus print per row.

Continue the previous steps for the remaining [7] rows. Sew the rows together and voila! You'll have a fun and funky quilt top!

(If you have any questions please leave me a comment or shoot me an email and I'll get back to you asap!)

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So! Here's for the good stuff, how to enter to get your hands on a FQ pack of Laurie Wisburn's new Olive the Ostrich line, not due out until November 2012! I'll give you three chances ;-)

1.) Simply leave me a comment.
2.) Become a follower or if you're already a follower, like Bluprint Textiles on Facebook... or if you're super awesome and already do both, let me know. And leave another comment
3.) Spread the word about the giveaway, Blog, Tweet @BluprintTextile, Facebook, Pinterest, or whatever you can think of, and leave me another, another comment...attach the link if you'd like so I can check you out too!

Also be sure to check out Laurie Wisburn's Blog, it's fabulous and there are a few other chances for you to win there too!

Since I'm moving in the next week, you have a chance to enter until Labor Day Monday (September 3, 2012)! Good luck! & happy sewing!


**A big thanks to Laurie Wisburn and Robert Kaufman for sponsoring this giveaway!