Download this Free quilt pattern using 2.5″ fabric strips and whip up this beauty in no time at all! Precut strips are perfect for this project!
This quilt is called Latticework, which I designed for the Sapphire fabric collection by Timeless Treasures. It measures 65″ x 76″ with 10″ blocks. The size is perfect as a throw quilt and would make a beautiful gift. This collection features deep blues, softer ones, and blacks with metallic touches bringing out the florals, paisleys, and scrolls in every print. They are so beautiful! Sapphire is shipping NOW so if you are in the mood for blues, hurry up to get your hands on them.
I love the mix of prints and hues, and I added black and yellow on the sashing and cornerstones to brighten the design. The careful choice of ‘pop colors’ can turn an otherwise drab design into a fantastic one just like that! I chose yellow (gold) because of the gold trim on the motifs. Which other color do you think I could have used?
Alternating the orientation of the blocks on every other row adds movement and interest to the quilt, too. The secondary design created by the block corners lends flexibility to its look, as it complements a modern (think geometric shapes) and a more traditional or farm-style decor (the design elements of the prints).
The blocks work well for a beginner quilter as the strips are stitched into strip sets then cut to size. The triangles at the corners are added using the stitch-and-flip method – easy peasy. Some of the blocks only have one or two triangles at the corners so they can work on the borders.
This is a fun way to add negative space to a quilt design: replace color fabrics with white! I use this trick a lot to also create the illusion of a new or wider border.
The Sapphire collection comes in yardage, fat quarters, 10″ squares, and strips. With a great variety of values and print scales, you can achieve awesome results however you use them. I combined the fabrics in a way to create contrast and depth in each block so, whichever print you chose, try to follow the design as far as placement of the light, medium, and dark fabrics.
Tip for sewing strip sets
When sewing strips of fabrics to make a strip set, you may want to vary the direction of the stitching lines in order to prevent the warping of the strips. Also, press the seams in one direction to facilitate cutting. The pattern requires that you draw a 7-1/4″ square on the plastic for templates. Then, place this template on-point on the strip sets and cut around it.
Tip for cutting fabric using a plastic template
To be on the safe side, after positioning the template on the strip set, I place an acrylic ruler atop the template and use the rotary cutter to cut on all sides, moving the ruler as needed. This way, I protect my fingers, do not cut through the template, and the cut edges are perfect.
Of course, you can download this Free quilt pattern using 2.5″ fabric strips, go through your stash of precuts, and make it with a totally different colorway. Alternatively, turn the yardage of a favorite collection into strips and the final quilt will look just as pretty.
I would like to see this quilt made with solids – how do you think it would turn out? Latticework would then really look like a modern quilt. How about ombre fabrics! Once you download this free pattern, I think you will make many versions of it.
When I made my scrappy 9-patch quilt I also began with precut 2.5″ strips. It is an easier way to achieve the scrappy look and still know that it will be attractive instead of busy. If you are cutting your own strips from a stash of fabrics from many collections, be sure to audition the fabrics first to include a variety of print sizes and values.
Speaking of my quilts, I am running a sale on my Etsy store PiecedBrain: 15% off all quilts! So, if you need a gift yet have no time to make it, this sale is for you. Almost all the quilts listed have been featured in magazines. The quilt above was a very successful Block of the Month. I love it so much! But I also like the other 70+ quilts in my house… The sale includes free shipping in the US and ends on December 9. They were all designed using EQ8 by the Electric Quilting Company.
I hope you enjoyed today’s free pattern, courtesy of Timeless Treasures. I think I will spend the rest of the afternoon working on a secret project for a magazine. Toby has already chosen his activity for the next few hours. What will you be doing? Whatever it is, I hope it involves colors in any form!
