Monday, November 8, 2010

It's A Hoot Triple-Squared Quilt Tutorial!!!



As promised, here is my version of the "Triple Squared Quilt" tutorial I originally planned for the Moda Bake Shop. If you need to catch up on the story behind the tutorial, read this post. I just want to say that Moda has been very kind and gracious throughout this little debacle, but regrets they won't be able to re-post it. Thank you all so much for your supportive words, I'm really happy so many of you still wanted the tute, so here it is! And of course we all know there are dozens of different variations on this design floating around out there, my little version is just engineered to help you get the most variety of print and color combinations out of ten inch squares of fabric.

If you want to whip one up out of your favorite layer cake, here is what you'll need:



  • One or two It's a Hoot layer cakes, depending on whether you'd like to make a baby-sized or large throw quilt. You could easily convert this to a jelly roll, fat quarters or yardage also and make any size quilt you like.



  • 3/4 yard It's a Hoot print 32377 45 Fudge Turquoise for the binding




  • 4 yards It's a Hoot print 32371 15 Sky for the backing



  • a Design Wall (I  highly recommend this, even if it is just a piece of batting tacked to your wall - that's what I use! I will make designing your quilt so much more easy and enjoyable.)                                           







  • First, open up your layer cake(s) and pet all the yummy new fabrics:) Next divide them into three piles, trying for a good diversity of prints and colors in each stack. Then, combine two of the stacks into one pile. You will have one stack with 14 (28) prints and the other with 28 (56) prints.


    You will begin by rotary cutting the larger stack as follows:
    • 1 strip 6.5 by 2.5 inches
    • 4 strips 4.5 by 2.5
    • 4 squares 2.5 by 2.5




    Make yourself a little cutting map of this diagram for easy reference. The cross-hatch sections indicate portions unused in the pattern - set those aside.

    With the smaller pile, cut the following pieces:
    • 2 strips 6.5 by 2.5
    • 3 strips 4.5 by 2.5
    • 3 squares 2.5 by 2.5

    Here is the cutting diagram for that pile.

    Phew! All done?

    Now you can separate all the pieces by size.

    You will start building your blocks by pulling two squares of different colors and prints and sewing these right side together. Finger press your seams to the left.



    Next, chose a 4.5 inch long strip matching the square on the left and sew it, right sides together, to the top of the squares. Finger press this seam towards the new strip.


    Chose another contrasting 4.5 inch strip and sew it to the left of your new square, finger pressing again to the left.



    And finally add the matching 6.5 inch strip to the top and finger press again toward the new strip. Now, press your finished quarter block and start making a pile.


    After I've completed a dozen or two, I like to start placing them in a pleasing way on the design wall, arranging four mini - blocks to make one larger window-paned square, or bento box. Try and be as diverse as possible with your combinations. 


    When you get near the end of your strips and squares, you will have some left over. I added these in with my cutting scraps and made myself a new mug rug and patchworked the front of a new tote! You could also use them in piecing a backing, if you wish.

    Now you'll want to sew you quadrants together, and press your seams open to minimize bulk in the center where all the seams meet.

    Here is what your finished block will look like!


    Now sew these beauties up in rows, 4 by 4 blocks for the baby size,


    or 5 by 6 for the throw quilt!

    Baste, quilt and bind! Enjoy your cozy new quilt!

    This will yield one generous baby quilt, approximately 48 by 48.

    Or, if you used two layer cakes, one 56 by 68 throw quilt!




    I hope you all enjoyed my little tutorial - it's my first so go easy on me! But please let me know if there are any changes you find that need to be made:)




    35 comments:

    1. Love this quilt pattern and the fabric is beautiful!

      ReplyDelete
    2. I love it!! I've already ordered my layer cake!

      ReplyDelete
    3. Great name! Glad you were able to post it here! It's such a cute quilt! :)

      ReplyDelete
    4. Beautiful! Another one to add to my to do list :)

      ReplyDelete
    5. A lovely tutorial for a gorgeous quilt!!

      ReplyDelete
    6. Nice tutorial and a lovely quilt! Congrats! I want to make one!!

      ReplyDelete
    7. Wow, it's beautiful...great tutorial!

      ReplyDelete
    8. No matter what the name, it is a great tutorial. Off to cut my Fandango layer cake.

      ReplyDelete
    9. Ooh, I've been waiting for this. Fantastic first tutorial! And your quilt is gorgeous, especially that first one in the sun light.

      ReplyDelete
    10. Awesome tutorial Megan! Looks like my "must make" pile of patterns just got a little larger ... :)

      ReplyDelete
    11. the tutorial was great. thank you so much for sharing this. it looks so beautiful

      ReplyDelete
    12. Great tutorial! I like this method of making the block than making a square-in-square and cutting it in quarters. Thanks for posting it!

      ReplyDelete
    13. What a great quilt and tutorial - thanks for posting it!

      ReplyDelete
    14. This comment has been removed by the author.

      ReplyDelete
    15. Very clearly explained. A beautiful quilt. I just might give this a try. Joanne

      ReplyDelete
    16. It looks really easy...I think I'm going to have to try this one out! Great job! :)

      ReplyDelete
    17. Great tutorial. I will print this out for future use. Thanks!! I love your quilt - so bright and cheery.

      ReplyDelete
    18. I'm gonna share a link to this if that's okay with you. It's a great tutorial for cutting up a layer cake! I'm glad you got to share it on your blog.
      I saw in the other post that you photographed it at the Herbfarm--I pass by there at least weekly. It looks like a beautiful place, but I've never been inside the grounds.

      ReplyDelete
    19. it's GREAT!!!!! Absolutely love it!!!! What a shame about the whole bake shop thing :(

      ReplyDelete
    20. Love the fabric, love the quilt and great job with tutorial number one.

      ReplyDelete
    21. Great tutorial and beautiful quilt! Thank you!

      ReplyDelete
    22. Hi Megan
      Stunning quilt!
      We have looked everywhere for an email address for you without success. We wanted to ask if we could use your Momo photos on our blog site. We will of course name you as the author and can also add a link on our blog.
      If you can let us know that would be great. Our email is
      info at seamstar dot co dot uk
      We know your work will inspire our UK followers!
      Kind regards
      Courtney

      ReplyDelete
    23. beautiful blocks Megan - I'm so pleased you persevered and posted the tutorial!

      I've had a little go and they come together beautifully ... I just posted about your tutorial ... thank you so much for your brilliant ideas!

      ReplyDelete
    24. Great name and I am glad you are posting it on your blog it is a great little quilt. Well done!

      ReplyDelete
    25. This quilt is absolutely adorable!

      ReplyDelete
    26. thanks for the tutorial - such a gorgeous quilt and an addition to my "to do" list.

      best wishes
      Christine xo

      ReplyDelete
    27. I think this rocks. I have ordered a lot of this fabric and wasn't sure which project to choose.... now I'm going to use your tutorial to make my own. Thank you so much! You are awesome Megan.

      ReplyDelete
    28. I've finally got around to starting my triple squared quilt :)

      ReplyDelete
    29. Great tut! Easy to follow. Great use of Cake Layers. Defiantly on my "to do" list. One thing I would say is usually the strip width is listed first, then the length of the piece as on your GREAT cutting diagrams. Thanks for those as I'm a visual learner.

      ReplyDelete
    30. Found this pattern and thought it was adorable. Ordered 1 layer cake, plus enough yardage for backing and binding. Assembly is quick and easy (lots of chain piecing). Finish up complete squares and only have enough for 13 blocks total. According to directions, I should have enough for 16 blocks for a baby size. But I only have enough for 13 blocks. I followed your directions for sorting and cutting. I'm not amused. Have to order another layer cake and the completion of the quilt is delayed.

      ReplyDelete