BALANCING ACT

fi nished size: 66" × 66" fi nished blocks: 9 (18") BLOCKS

designed and made by EILEEN FOWLER quilted by DONNA SMITH

This was designed around a challenge to use up as many squares as possible in a couple of charm packs. The only additional fabrics needed were the white background and a coordinating stripe print. I liked how rotating the sections around the center square created some movement in the design.

Grab a few packs of 5" squares and get to work on this beautiful quilt. Partial seams create the gyration and movement in the blocks, but please don’t be intimidated. This technique is easy once you try it! Use an accurate ¼" seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt fi t together well. Handle all bias edges carefully to avoid distortion.

Watch videos of all of the Sew Easy™ techniques and download the FREE Sew Easy™ Lessons ebook: www.quiltingdaily.com/category/ videos/sew-easy/

Fabric yardage assumes 40" usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted. • Assorted light pink prints 36 charm squares* for blocks • White print 2 yds. for blocks and border 1 • Assorted medium and dark pink prints 36 charm squares* for blocks • Pink stripe 23⁄8 yds. for blocks, border 2 and binding • Backing 4½ yds. • Batting 74" x 74" *charm square = 5" x 5"

Patches are lettered in order of use. Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. Border strips will be pieced and cut to exact length needed. You may want to make them longer to allow for piecing variations. • Assorted light pink prints

4 squares 2½" (A) • White print 7 strips 2½" x WOF for border 1 144 rectangles 2½" x 4½" (B) • Assorted medium and dark pink prints 36 squares 4½" (C) • Pink stripe 7 strips 4½" x WOF for border 2 8 strips 2½" x WOF for binding 36 rectangles 2½" x 8½" (D) 9 squares 2½" (A)

NOTE: Artisan Spirit Shimmer in Hibiscus designed by Deborah Edwards for Northcott.

1. Lay out 4 matching light pink print A’s, 4 white print B’s, 1 medium/dark pink print C, and 1 pink stripe D as shown in Diagram I. Join to make 1 section. Make 36 sections total.

2. Lay out 4 sections and 1 pink stripe A as shown in

Diagram II. Referring to

Partial Seams in Sew Easy

Lessons, join as shown to make 1 block. Make 9 blocks total.

Section Make 36 total

Block Make 9 total • = partial seam

NOTE: Refer to Assembly Diagram for following steps.

3. Sew 3 rows of 3 blocks each.

Join rows together.

4. Join white border 1 strips and cut to sizes shown in Assembly Diagram.

Matching centers and ends, sew border side strips to quilt. Repeat to add border top and bottom strips. Repeat with pink stripe border 2 strips. 5. Layer, baste, and quilt. Donna machine quilted a swirl across the quilt surface. Bind the quilt.

4½" x 66½"

2½" x 58½"

4½" x 58½" 2½" x 54½"

Pink not your favorite? See how other color combinations create completely different looks. Blue and green, autumnal colors, or make a Christmas quilt—such a fun design!

EDITOR, LOVE OF QUILTING quiltingdaily.com

Some traditional blocks use this method to join patches and units around a central square.

1. With right sides together, align corner edges of square and first unit as shown. Sew from center of square to left edge, creating a partial seam. 2. Working clockwise, join second unit, sewing entire length of seam. Press away from square. 3. In same manner, join third unit.

4. To join fourth unit, fold block over to align edges of fourth unit with square and first unit, pinning in place.

5. Finish by sewing from partial seam to outside edge of block.

6. Press seam allowance away from center square to complete block.

Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat. Fabrics from Garden Glory collection by Maja Ronnback and Abstract Collage collection by Ampersand, both for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.