Free Project: Modern Basic Quilt

The following is an excerpt from Charm School—18 Quilts from 5" Squares by Vanessa Goertzen.

One of the things I love about simple quilts is the opportunity to let beautiful fabric do all the talking. Of course, it doesn’t get any simpler than a basic block quilt—and this one uses graphic prints and solids from April Rhodes’s Arizona collection to make a bold statement. Add to that some stunning custom quilting and you have a masterpiece.

Modern Basic

finished block: 131/2˝ × 131/2˝ • finished quilt: 81˝ × 81˝

pieced by Vanessa Goertzen, quilted by Natalia Bonner

Materials

3 charm packs or 9 fat quarters or scraps 

7⁄8 yard of mint fabric 

4 yards of white fabric 

7 1/2 yards of backing fabric 

3/4 yard of binding fabric 

89˝ × 89˝ batting

Cutting

For the blocks 

3 charm packs 

• No subcutting is needed. Organize the charm squares by print (there will be multiples of 3). Sort them into 18 sets of 3 for Group A. Sort the remaining charm squares into 18 sets of 2 for Group B. 

9 fat quarters 

From each fat quarter: 

• Cut 3 strips 5˝ × 22˝; subcut the strips into 10 squares 5˝ × 5˝. Sort the 10 squares into 2 sets of 3 (Group A) and 2 sets of 2 (Group B) for 18 sets total.

Scraps 

• Cut or gather 18 sets of 3 squares 5˝ × 5˝ of the same (or a similar) print for Group A. Cut or gather 18 sets of 2 squares 5˝ × 5˝ of the same (or a similar) print for Group B.

Mint fabric 

• Cut 5 strips 5˝ × WOF. Subcut into 5˝ × 5˝ squares, 8 per strip, until you have 36.

White fabric 

• Cut 5 strips 91/2˝ × WOF. Subcut into 91/2˝ × 91/2˝ squares, 4 per strip, until you have 18. 

• Cut 5 strips 5˝ × WOF. Subcut into 5˝ × 91/2˝ rectangles, 4 per strip, until you have 18. 

• Cut 12 strips 5˝ × WOF. Subcut into 5˝ × 5˝ squares, 8 per strip, until you have 90. 

Binding fabric 

• Cut 9 strips 21/2˝ × WOF.

Construction

Seam allowances are 1/4˝ unless otherwise noted. Arrows indicate pressing direction. Sew fabrics with right sides together.

Make the blocks

Nine-Patches 

1. To make 1 block, gather the following: 

1 set of 3 from Group A 

1 set of 2 from Group B 

4 white squares 5˝ × 5˝ 

2. Arrange the 5˝ × 5˝ squares from Group A, Group B, and the white fabric as shown. Sew the blocks into rows and press. Sew the rows together and press. Make 18. Fig. A

Fig. A

Accent Blocks 

1. To make 1 block, gather the following: 2 mint squares 5˝ × 5˝ 1 white square 5˝ × 5˝ 1 white rectangle 5˝ × 91/2˝ 1 white square 91/2˝ × 91/2˝ 

2. Sew 1 mint square 5˝ × 5˝ to 1 white square 5˝ × 5˝. Fig. B 

Fig. B

3. Attach the unit from Step 2 to the right side of the white 91/2˝ × 91/2˝ square. Fig. C 

Fig. C

4. Sew the remaining mint square 5˝ × 5˝ to the white rectangle 5˝ × 91/2˝ and add it to the top of the pieced unit from Step 3. Make 18. Fig. D

Fig. D: Accent Block. Make 18.

Put it together

1. Arrange the Nine-Patches and Accent blocks into 6 rows of 6 blocks, as shown. 

2. Sew the blocks into rows and press. 

3. Sew together the rows and press.

Quilt assembly

Finish

Baste, quilt, and bind using your preferred method.

...

Want more charming projects from 5" x 5" precut squares? Shop Charm School—18 Quilts from 5" Squares