I was recently gifted some fat quarters from Lewis and Irene and although there was no obligation to make anything with them, I was instantly inspired to sew them up. The fabrics come from the Hummingbird collection which is a collection that I still have a few prints from and have made a dress in already. It is rare that I get a chance to sew up something pink but there is a new little girl due into the family and I just knew this fabric was destined to be hers when I saw it.
I sketched out a quilt pattern but what I actually created was something entirely different. I am really pleased with how it evolved into the final quilt. The quilt is small so it will be suitable for carrying around as a portable play mat or car seat blanket. I found quilts this size so useful when the boys were little.
This pattern is super easy and would be a great starter project if you are new to quilting. I am already thinking about how I can scale it up to a larger size.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_bb0242f60f594aefa442fc2a0fa4d440~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_145,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_bb0242f60f594aefa442fc2a0fa4d440~mv2.jpg)
Finished Size - 1 Metre Square
Seam Allowance - ¼"
YOU WILL NEED
Fat Quarter Bundle of 5 Coordinating Prints
Light Pink Solid - Half Metre
Coral Pink Solid - Fat Quarter
Blush Pink - Fat Quarter
Backing Fabric - One Metre
Binding Fabric - Half Metre
Quilting Ruler, Mat and Rotary Cutter
All your usual sewing supplies
METHOD
1. Cut your fabric. You will need:
Two Tone Pink Hummingbirds - 6" Squares x5
Two Tone Pink Hummingbirds - 3¼" Squares x8
Light Pink Hummingbirds - 6" Squares x6
White Hummingbirds - 6" Squares x6
White Hummingbirds - 3¼" Squares x4
Pink Flowers - 6" Squares x8 OR (see step 2) 7" Squares x4
Pink Flowers - 3¼" Squares x4
White Flowers - 6" Squares x8 OR (see step 2) 7" Squares x4
Light Pink Solid - 6" x 3¼" x22
Coral Pink Solid - 6" x 3¼" x10
Blush Pink Solid - 6" x 3¼" x8
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_2c27d3916db248e0b6083aa62775620e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_2c27d3916db248e0b6083aa62775620e~mv2.jpg)
2. To create the half square triangles there are two options. The way I have done is a bit more of a wasteful way. It isn't the method I usually use but I didn't have half square triangles in my initial plan. I thought I would explain both ways.
Method A
Place your 6" squares right sides together. Draw a line from one corner to the opposite one and stitch along this line.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_e27052943635407ea56f837093324aee~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_162,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_e27052943635407ea56f837093324aee~mv2.jpg)
Trim leaving a ¼" seam allowance and press the seams open.
Although this method seems wasteful, I usually trim the left over triangles into smaller squares that I can use in other projects.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_0a4758a65d5b451aba37af9916810bad~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_138,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_0a4758a65d5b451aba37af9916810bad~mv2.jpg)
Method B
This is my usual method. You will need to make the squares bigger. I find it easier to make them slightly bigger than they need to be and trim them down afterwards. With 7" squares right sides together draw a line diagonally from one corner to the other. Stitch a line ¼" either side of the line.
Cut down the centre line and you will have two half square triangles. Press the seams open and trim.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_2a13680aab5d496a9f6aa23faebc9eba~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_138,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_2a13680aab5d496a9f6aa23faebc9eba~mv2.jpg)
3. Lay your pieces out as per the picture below.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_5946128550ed49c6a9a265dc481cffda~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_141,h_138,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_5946128550ed49c6a9a265dc481cffda~mv2.jpg)
4. Now you just need to stich it all together one row at a time.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_52655771379642508035efe8340c8813~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_246,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_52655771379642508035efe8340c8813~mv2.jpg)
5. Press seams open.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_1a36b6def8804dc798354a9fd47dbc51~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_176,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_1a36b6def8804dc798354a9fd47dbc51~mv2.jpg)
6. Back and bind your quilt in your preferred method. I have used the vines leaves from a different collection as a backing because I thought it went really well. The collection is Petal and Pip from The Crafty Lass.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_63d53f7e649046cfabfe9127a4a7d735~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_246,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_63d53f7e649046cfabfe9127a4a7d735~mv2.jpg)
Inspired by this design, I have gone with a vine leaf style quilting pattern. I had a little practice on some scrap first and then just went free style.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c80b85_0f5003560aba46deac11644e2443713d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_246,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c80b85_0f5003560aba46deac11644e2443713d~mv2.jpg)
With just simple squares, rectangles and a handful of half square triangles this quilt is easy to put together but with the clever use of colour and pattern it is really affective, even if I do say so myself. I would love to see yours and your fabric combinations if you give it a go so make sure you tag me in your makes on social media.
UPDATE 30-04-24 - I made the same pattern up in the Special Delivery collection, also by Lewis and Irene. Isn't it amazing what a difference a change in colour pallet can make?