Travel Outdoor Quilts

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• FOR PIECED QUILT:
• 2 1/2 yds 54" Outdoor Fabric, Dark Color (Fabric A)
• 1 1/2 yds 54" Outdoor Fabric, Light Color (Fabric B)
• 54" x 66" Outdoor Fabric (for backing)
• 54" x 66" Batting


• FOR WHOLE CLOTH QUILT:
• 1 2/3 yds Outdoor Solid Colored Fabric
• 1 2/3 yds Outdoor Fabric Print
• 55" x 55" Low Loft Polyester Batting


• FOR HANDLES:
• 2pk 1 1/2"Rectangle Rings
• 2 yds 1 1/2"Belting, White
• 3/4" x 8" Velcro, White


• Rotary Cutter & Cutting Mat
• Ruler
• Safety Pins
• Iron And Ironing Board
• Basic Sewing Supplies

DIRECTIONS:

• FABRIC CUT LIST:
• Fabric A (dark)-
• (20) 12.5" x 4.5"
• (40) 4.5" x 4.5"
• (20) 5.5" x 5.5"
• (5) 3" x 50" strips - border
• (5) 2.5" x 50" - binding


• Fabric B (light) -
• (20) 12.5" x 4.5"
• (40) 4.5" x 4.5"
• (20) 5.5" x 5.5"

1. QUILT CONSTRUCTION:
• Cut all pieces listed above. Use the visual cut guide for reference.
• To create the triangular seamed squares, collect all of the 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" pieces in fabric A & B.
• Pair up each fabric A with fabric B with the right sides together (pin together if that's easier) and use a ruler to draw a straight line from corner to corner on the top of each square pairing.
• Sew 2 scant lines 1/4" along each side of the line.
• Cut along the 2 lines to separate the pieces - there will now be (2) squares. Press open the (2) squares and trim them down to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2". Repeat for all 20 pairs. When finished there will be a total of 40.
• There are 10 total blocks (look like pinwheels) that use the previously created (40) triangular squares. Reference the attached pattern to create these blocks using all of the 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares previously cut in both fabrics A & B. It is easiest to stitch them together in 3 rows and then stitch those 3 rows together to form the 9 patch block. Remember to stitch the right sides together, iron the seams down and trim/square-off the block when finished. Set aside.
• There are 10 total blocks that consist of 3 large strips. Grab all 12 1/2" x 4 1/2" pieces in both fabrics A & B. Use the pattern for reference and stitch together fabric B with (2) fabric A's on either side. Stitch the right sides together along the 12 1/2" sides to form these large squares. Press and trim/square-off the block when finished.
• Stitch together all 20 large blocks in the order seen on the attached pattern. It is easiest to stitch them together in 5 rows of 4 blocks each. Press seams. Then stitch the 5 rows together. Press seams again and use the ruler and rotary cutter to even off all the edges before attaching the border.
• Stitch two of the 3" border strips to both the shorter top and bottom edge of the quilt, putting right sides together. Press and trim short edges of the border to line up with the edge of the quilt.
• Stitch the remaining three 3" border strips to the longer side edges of the quilt, putting the right sides together. Press and trim. (the 3 strips for the longer edges will need to be sewn together to make them longer and then cut in half for each side).
• Sandwich the backing fabric, batting and quilt top together with the right sides of the quilt facing out. Make sure all fabrics are laid out evenly and perfectly flat.
• Use safety pins to pin all layers together.
• Quilt the layers together by stitching along the top of the seam lines (stitch in the ditch style).
• When done quilting, make sure to cut off any excess fabric hanging off the edge of the quilt and use the rotary cutter, board and ruler to square-off the sides and make it a perfect rectangle.
• Attach the binding strips together to form one long strip. This is done by stitching them together along the short edges. Do this by laying them in an L shape with the right sides together and stitching a diagonal line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner of the overlapping section. Press seams open. Repeat to attach each strip.
• Fold the binding strip in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together and press.
• To attach the binding to the quilt, line up the raw edges of the top of the quilt with the raw edges of the folded binding piece (right sides together). Leave approx. 5" of the binding undone at the start so that when finished stitching around the perimeter, some of the excess binding can be tucked into this opening. Do a final stitch over it.
• Fold the binding around to the back of the quilt and use needle and thread to do an invisible stitch around the perimeter. All raw edges will now be hidden and the quilt is finished.


2. WHOLE CLOTH QUILT:
• Cut solid fabric, print fabric and batting to 55" x 55". Place print fabric RSU. Layer with solid fabric WSU matching corners and centers of sides. Layer with batting, matching corners and centers. Sew 1/2" SA leaving one side open 6" to turn. Trim corners. TRSO through opening. Push out corners with chopstick or dowel. Fold in opening to match seam. Press. Topstitch 1/4" from edges. Sew quilt lines every 4" to 6" from border following print fabric pattern.


3. BLANKET WRAP AND HANDLE:
• Cut two 26" lengths of belting for straps. Fold one end 1/2" then fold again 1/2" and sew zig zag stitch to keep in place. Repeat.
• With stitching side up, sew on Velcro. Cut Velcro into two pieces at 4" in length. Place both sides of Velcro centered side to side onto the same side of the belting strap. Place one side of Velcro 1" in from the folded end, start other side of Velcro 2" from the end of the first. Sew around edges of Velcro with a zig zag stitch. Repeat.
• On the opposite end of the belting thread belting through a rectangle ring so the tail of belting is on the opposite side of belting from the Velcro side of belting. Fold belting 1/2" then again so ring is 3/4" from first fold. Zig zag stitch to secure folds.
• Handle: Cut one 13 1/2" L of belting. Cut one 2" x 5 1/2" piece of fabric. Fold short ends of fabric back 1/2". Press. Fold both long edges of fabric back 1/2". Press. Center 1" x 4 1/2" pressed fabric on belting. Zig zag stitch around all edges to secure. Fold under ends of belting 1/2" and zig zag stitch to secure.


4. ATTACH HANDLE TO WRAP STRAPS:
• Place wrap straps RSU (Velcro side up). With the handle RSU wrap one end of the handle around a wrap strap. Set the side edge of the handle belting next to the folded end of the wrap strap belting by the rectangle ring. Align the folded tail end of the handle belting with the inner edge of the wrap strap. Sew a zig zag stitch to secure the handle to both edges of the wrap strap. Attach the opposite end of the handle the same. Wrap straps will be parallel to one another.
• Fold blanket in half solid sides together. Fold in half again. Fold in half the opposite direction. Roll the blanket toward the folded end. Lay the wrap straps Velcro sides down. Position the rolled blanket centered on the wrap straps. Thread a wrap strap end through the rectangle and press the Velcro together to secure. Repeat.

JOANN HACKS:

• Outdoor fabric can be a bit harder to quilt with because of the thickness. To reduce warping, iron down all seams to one side (instead of splitting them apart).