Cartwheels Quilt

When I first sketched out this quilt, I planned on making a lap size quilt, but after I evaluated the leftover pieces and parts, I worked out a way to make twin size quilt. I am so glad I did! Fewer leftovers and a larger quilt to snuggle. Good all around!

To make this quilt you will need:

1 Strawberry Fields jelly roll
3 yards cream fabric for background (20167 13) {this is one of the fabrics in the line}
2/3 yard red polka dot for binding (20166 21)
3 3/4 yards for backing (20160 15)


All seam allowances are 1/4" throughout.
1. Cut 9 strips 2 1/2" x width of fabric from the binding fabric. Set 8 aside for the binding. The one remaining strip will be used for the quilt blocks.

2. Cut 43 strips 2 1/2" x width of fabric from the background fabric. (There is only 1/2" extra from this length, so cut carefully!)

3. Remove the one cream strip from the jelly roll and set aside to use for a background strip. Substitute in the extra binding strip in it's place.

4. Pair the jelly roll strips with the background strips. Sew together in pairs. Iron seams open.

5. From each strip, cut into 9  4 1/2" lengths. Cut one 2 1/2" segment from the remaining part of the strip. Toss the selvage edges.

6. Set aside the 2 1/2" segment and one of the 4 1/2" segments from each strip. These will be used for borders and backing.

7. Take 4 of the 4 1/2" segments and place them in the order shown in the photo.

Sew together to make one block. This will be an A block.

8. Take the 4 remaining 4 1/2" segments and place them as shown in the photo. Sew together to make one block. This will be a B block.

***Please note, the blocks are a mirror image of each other.

9. Repeat until all 80 blocks are assembled. 40 A blocks and 40 B blocks.

10. Layout the blocks in a 8 x 10 array, alternating A and B blocks throughout. The blocks should form a secondary rectangle pattern when they are placed correctly.

11. Take a photo to see if the colors are distributed evenly. When you are pleased with the layout, sew the blocks together in rows, then sew the rows together.

12. At this point, if you want a lap quilt that measures 64" x 80", you could baste, quilt and bind as desired. But I wanted to use more of my fabric, so I added a bit to the length and made this quilt a twin size. Take background strips and piece them together to make a strip 2 1/2" x 65". Make 2.

13. Add one of these strips to the top of the quilt. Add one strip to the bottom of the quilt. Trim overhanging ends. Press well.

14. Take 8 segments that are 2 1/2" wide and sew them end to end to make a long strip. Make 2.

16. Add one strip to the top of the quilt. Add one strip to the bottom of the quilt. Press.

The quilt top is finished!

17. Cut the backing fabric into 2 equal lengths (at least 68" long).

18. Sew together 17 of the 4 1/2" segments, side to side. This will form a strip of coins to add in the middle of the quilt back. This serves two purposes...it uses extra pieces from the quilt top, and it also breaks up the repeat of the fabric. This way you don't have to worry about matching up the pattern when sewing the seam. Piece the backing using the coin strip in the middle with two large panels on either side. Press the seams well.

19. Baste, quilt and bind as desired. I stippled my quilt in cream thread.

One twin sized quilt that measures 64" x 88".

Amanda Jean
{Crazy Mom Quilts}