Batiks By Design

Here are the directions for our new FREE quilt pattern called “It’s Hip 2B Square” that is designed to be used with Hoffman Bali Pops or other 2 1/2″ strips.  Thanks to Robin Chandler for the name suggestion.  I modified it a little to reflect a song that I like from Huey Lewis and the News.  Brings back memories!  I also changed the block layout so that it is no longer on point and you don’t have to worry about setting triangles and corners, some which would have had to be half blocks.  This quilt is VERY easy! 

1. Sew 5 Bali Pop Strips together using 1/4″ seam allowance.  The red strip should be only 1 1/2″ and should always be first in order to get the red square in the middle if this is what you want.  Unfortunately, when you do this, you can only use every other cut when you make the triangles, but the opposite cut can be used for another quilt without the red center.  It will give you a small red stripe between the strips and the background fabric.  You could do every other block of 4 the opposite way for a different design!  Press all seams in one direction.
2. Cut background material in 12″ strips by width of fabric.  Then cut strips into 12″ squares and the squares on the diagonal to make 2 triangles per square.
3. Cut the Bali Pop 4 colored strip on a 45 degree angle.  You can place 2 sets of strips together so that the seams nest together and cut at one time.  We used a Companion Angle Ruler or you can use a square ruler set on point with the top corner of the square aligned with the top of the strips.  You can also use The Easy Star and Geese Ruler that we sell on the Batiks by Design site.  You should now have a triangle that measures 12″ on the left and right sides and 17″ across the bottom.  Keep cutting by flipping the ruler to continue cutting triangles.
4. Sew one Bali Pop triangle and one background triangle and sew together across the 17″ side.  You have now formed a 12″ block (1/2 Bali Pop and 1/2 background)
5. Repeat steps above until you have enough blocks to make the quilt size that you want!  Remember that you need to make it an even number of blocks both across and down to keep the pattern.
6. Layout the quilt putting blocks until you like the combination.  Sew together in straight rows.  Sew rows together.
7. Inside border is 1 1/2″ by length and width of quilt top.
8. Outside borders are made by sewing 2 1/2″  strips of fabric together to make the needed size.
9. Send us your pictures!  We’ll post them in the blog for others to see!

I am working on a new pattern that I am going to offer for free on my blog . . . want to see what it looks like?  Take a look!  It uses 2 1/2 inch jelly rolls and should be fun and easy to make.

New pattern coming soon!

 

What do you think?  Comments?  What should I call it?  Comment with your suggestions!