Woodland Friends Quilt Tutorial

The Woodland Friends block panel just asks to be cut apart and sewn into a fun kids' quilt. So we did!

Each fussy-cut block is framed, Courthouse Steps style, with three different prints. Sew the nine blocks together, and the quilt top is complete! Quick, easy, and so adorable! 

Finished Quilt Size: 48-1/2" square

Finished Block Count & Size: Nine 16" square blocks

You'll Need:

2/3 yard of the panel print

1/3 yard blue print

1/2 yard dark green print

5/8 yard beige tree print

1/3 yard brown print

1/2 yard light green print

2/3 yard brown tree print

1/2 yard lime green print

2-1/4 yards backing fabric

54" square of batting

Cutting:

From the panel print:

Fussy-cut nine squares 1/4" past the printed border (approximately 7-1/2" square)

From the blue print: 
Four 2" x 42" strips

From the dark green print:
Five 2" x 42" strips

From the beige tree print:
Six 2-1/2" x 42" strips; recut into eight 2-1/2" x 16-1/2" strips and eight 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" strips
Tip: To maximize cutting efficiency, cut each of four strips into one 16-1/2" length and two 12-1/2" lengths. cut each remaining strip into two 16-1/2" lengths.

From the brown print:
Five 1-1/2" x 42" strips

From the light green print:
Six 2-1/2" x 42" strips

From the brown tree print:
Eight 2-1/2" x 42" strips; recut into ten 2-1/2" x 16-1/2" strips and ten 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" strips
Tip: To maximize cutting efficiency, cut each of five strips into one 16-1/2" length and two 12-1/2" lengths. cut each remaining strip into two 16-1/2" lengths.

From the lime print:
Five 2-1/4" x 42" strips for binding

Make the Blocks:
Note: We're using the sew and trim method here for building the blocks. This allows the greatest amount of accuracy when working with fussy-cut squares while giving you some wiggle room as you sew. 

Step 1: Position a fussy-cut square right sides together with one 2" x 42" blue strip, matching raw edges. Sew, aligning your stitches on the "line" between the checkerboard block border and the beige seam allowance print. Trim strip just beyond block edge and repeat on opposite side. (Tip: You can also chain piece these, sewing one side of all four blocks to the blue strip and then cutting between the blocks. Repeat on the opposite side with a second strip.)

Step 2: Press open so your unit looks like this. Trim the border strips even with the center square. 

Step 3: In the same way, add the top and bottom strips. Press open and square unit to measure 10" square. (Make sure that the fussy-cut design is centered!)

Step 4: In the same way, use the 2" dark green strips to add side and then top/bottom borders to the unit. Square up to measure 12-1/2" square.

Step 5: Sew 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" beige tree strips to the sides of the unit. Sew 2-1/2" x 16-1/2" beige tree strips to the top/bottom. If needed, square up to measure 16-1/2" square. Note: In this last round, the strips are cut to size before sewing to make the most efficient use of fabric. Make a total of four blue/green/beige blocks.

Step 6: In the same way, sew 1-1/2" x 42" brown strips to the sides of a fussy-cut unit. Press open and trim even with edges of the center unit. Sew 1-1/2" x 42" brown strips to the top/bottom. Square up unit to measure 9" square. 

Step 7: Add 2-1/2" light green strips to both sides and then the top and bottom. Square up to measure 12-1/2" square. 

Step 8: Add 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" and 2-1/2" x 16-1/2" brown tree print strips to the block. Make a total of five brown/green/brown blocks. 

Step 9: Lay out the blocks into three rows of three blocks each, alternating the blocks as shown. Sew the blocks into rows and join the rows. Your quilt top is done! 

We've even got the perfect backing for this sweet quilt:

See the entire Woodland Friends collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.
Get a close-up look at these whimsical prints here.