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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Tute-Happy Summer: Melon Mini

We're continuing our Tute-Happy Summer series today with a tutorial for a watermelon mini quilt! The reds and greens in Ro Gregg's Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz collection reminded us of watermelons, and this fun little 12-1/2" square mini quilt was born. It's super-easy to make--just one Courthouse Steps block cut in quarters and reassembled! Enjoy the tutorial and then find the details at the bottom of this post for a chance to win a bundle of Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz prints to play with!


Materials:
1 fat quarter each 3 red prints, 1 green print, and 1 black print
1 fat eighth white solid
15" square of backing fabric
15" square of batting

Here are the Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz prints we used that inspired this project--don't they just scream, "watermelon!" to you?! 

Cutting:
From the light red:
One 3" square

From the medium red: 
Two 3" x 7" strips and two 3" x 12" strips

From the dark red: 
Two 2-1/2" x 4" strips and two 2-1/2" x 8" strips

From the green:
Two 2-1/2" x 11" strips and two 2-1/2" x 15" strips

From the white: 
Four 1" x 12" strips

From the black:
Three 2-1/4" x 21" strips for binding

Step 1: Sew the two 2-1/2" x 4" dark red strips to opposite sides of the 3" light red square, press open, and trim.

Step 2: Sew the two 2-1/2" x 8" dark red strips to the remaining sides and press open. Trim to measure 6" square, making sure that you center the light red square as you trim. Note: Squaring up after adding each round of strips will create the most accurate Courthouse Steps block. 

Here's what it looks like after the dark red round is added:

Step 3: In the same way, add the 3" x 7" and 3" x 12" medium red strips. Trim the unit to measure 10" square.

Step 4: Press each 1" x 12" white strip in half lengthwise. Pin folded strips to opposite sides of the red unit, matching raw edges, and baste in place with a 1/8" seam allowance. Trim white strips even with the red unit. 

Step 5: Pin folded white strips on the remaining sides and then pin a 2-1/2" x 11" green strip on top, right sides together. Stitch, securing both the green strip and the white flange to the red unit. 

Step 6: Press the green strip open. The white flange should rest on the red fabric. Repeat on the other side to add the second green strip.

Step 7: Sew the 2-1/2" x 15" green strips to the top and bottom, making sure to stitch inside the basting stitches to cover them up. Press the green strips open and square to measure 13".

Step 8: Cut the block in half in both directions to create four quarter blocks. 

Step 9: Rearrange the blocks into a layout you like and stitch them together. Optional: Use the remaining black print to add watermelon seeds!

Step 10: Layer the quilt top with backing and batting and quilt as desired. Trim the backing and batting even with the quilt top. 

Step 11: Use the three 2-1/4" x 21" black strips to bind the mini quilt. 


Enjoy! 



For a chance to win a bundle of Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz prints, leave us a comment letting us know that you follow us on the blog or on Facebook. Also let us know if you've ever competed in a watermelon seed spitting contest (even in your backyard!). Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 5th at 11:59 pm EST. This giveaway is now closed, but be sure to check out our other tutorials, as we'll be sharing a tutorial and hosting a giveaway each week!


Check out each week of our Summer of Tutes!
Week 1: Sunglasses case  featuring Graphix 3
Week 2: The overnight bag featuring Who's Who
Week 3: Tablet case featuring Jungle Party 
Week 4: Patriotic pennants featuring Tone on Tone 
Week 6: Lunch bag featuring Graphix 3
Week 7: Placemats featuring Marblehead Pleasing Pastels
Week 9: Elegant clutch featuring Jungle Party 
Week 10: Modern table runner featuring Prairie Cloth Solids 

23 comments:

  1. I have spit watermelon seeds but not in a competition. I follow the blog with GFC.

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  2. I follow your blog by email. No I have never spit watermelon seeds. It's about the only fruit I don't like.

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  3. I follow on the blog. Love watermelons but have never been in a seed spitting contest. . .

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  4. Watermelon is one of my favorite fruit!

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  5. So cute! I follow via Email and Facebook. I don't enjoy Watermelon, so I won't be in the seed spitting contest. I do love honeydew and cantaloupe, though, but don't spit those seeds, either. Fun question.

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  6. Awesome Mini!!!! I already follow, thru Email & Bloglovin both! :)

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  7. So cute.I get your emails and yes I have participated in a watermelon seed spitting contest. It's too bad that the ones in the store are seedless, today's children will never get to experience that small pleasure.

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  8. Well, sure, when we were kids and eating watermelon outside, we would see who could spit seeds the farthest, didn't everyone? :) I am a devote follower via e-mail.
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  9. I follow you on bloglovin as Jen Barnard. I've never been in a seed spitting contest, I've never even heard they were a thing.
    jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

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  10. I follow your blog via GFC. Love the tutorial -- the project is both cute and cleverly made! I'm sure I spit seeds in the grass when I was a kid, but don't recall any contests. Now I like the seedless kind better!

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  11. Cute quilt! Yes, when I was young my brothers and sister and I would have contests to see who could spit the seeds the farthest. I follow your blog via email and I like your Facebook page.

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  12. I follow your blog on bloglovin! We used to have great fun spitting watermelon seeds over the edge of the deck during the summer!

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  13. I follow your blog and I like your Facebook page. I've only been a backyard seed spitter.

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  14. I follow your blog on Feedly. I'm sure I have been a part of an informal seed spitting contest at some point I my life, but I've never spit professionally! Enjoy the holiday.

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  15. I follow your blog. I have never been in a watermelon seed spitting contest.

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  16. I follow your blog on Bloglovin. Sadly, I have never been in a watermelon seed spitting contest. Guess I am missing out!!

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  17. I follow the blog on Bloglovin and no, I have never been in a watermelon seed spitting contest, unless you count the ones I had with my sisters when we were young. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  18. That's a cute little quilt.
    Greetings, Rike

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  19. I follow via bloglovin. Although our town actually has a watermelon seed spitting contest, I have never participated.

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  20. Oh man, I have a friend who would LOVE this! I follow via Bloglovin', and it has been over 15 years but yes, I've competed in a seed-spitting contest. My cousin won. Thank you for sharing this tutorial, it's great!
    ~Brandy
    brandizzle7133@gmail.com

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  21. I follow on bloglovin , no I have never been in a seed spitting contest. Thanks for the chance to win such a great prize.

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  22. I follow with GFC and by email!
    I've never spat watermelon seeds

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  23. I follow you on bloglovin and this is the first I've ever heard of competitive watermelon seed spitting! x

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