Uncle Sam’s Quilt with American Banner Rose

Hello there, lovlies! I’m Andie and I sew and blog over at Andie Johnson Sews. I’m so excited to share this vintage-inspired quilt with you! This quilt was born from a longing to make something patriotic and slightly old-fashioned looking, but it had to have a fresh and sweet feel to it. For me, this quilt is just the right mix of traditional and modern – which, quite frankly, makes me a little giddy. This quilt is a snap to put together and would make a wonderful gift for your favorite veteran, military family, or patriot!

1 jelly roll of American Banner Rose
1 1/4 yards of tan and white woven check {which is 54″ wide}
1/2 yard of red small floral print {for the binding}
2 3/4 yards of aqua background with red flowers {backing}

Begin by sorting your jelly roll into colors: light blue, dark blue, red, light neutral and dark neutral.

Cut the strips that will make the stripes first: keeping the strip folded in half the way it comes off the roll, measure 16″ from the selvage end and cut across the strip. Repeat this process with all of the red strips and all of the light neutral strips. You’ll need to add a few of the darker neutrals to round out the neutral totals.

This will give you two 16″ pieces and one 11ish” piece. I chose to leave my selvages in the quilt {I think it makes it scrappier, which I totally dig.}

Red strip totals: {18} 16″ strips and {9} 11ish” strips
Neutral strip totals: {9} 16″ strips and {9} 11ish” strips

From the blue strips, cut {54} 2.5″ squares, using whatever color combo of the lights and darks you like. I mixed mine up.

Begin sewing the blue squares together. Piece {2} rows of 3 squares.

Sew the rows together.

For each flag:
1. Piece {2} 11″ pieces together – one red, one neutral with the red on top.
2. Piece {3} 16″ strips together, two red and one neutral. The neutral will be in the middle.
3. Attach the 11″ strip set to the blue square set.

4. Attach the blue/strip set to the 3-strip set to create the flag.

Layout your {9} flags on a design wall or on the floor to find the arrangement that is the most pleasing. Trim the flags to 16″ x 10″.

Next, cut the sashing fabric {the woven check}. Cut:
{6} 3″ x 16″ strips for the vertical sashing
{4} 3″ x 35″ strips for the horizontal sashing and top and bottom borders
{2} 3″ x 60″ strips for the side borders

Add the checkered sashing and borders: first add the 16″ vertical pieces between the flags. Then add the horizontal pieces that will separate the rows. {You can see in the picture that I didn’t do a stellar job of lining up my rows. Be careful when adding the horizontal pieces to make sure the rows match. I had to go back and fix this!} Add the outside borders, attaching the top and bottom strips first and then the sidepieces.

Cut the remaining blue strips into 6″ pieces.

Piece together {2} strips of 8 pieces for the top and {2} strips of 10 pieces for the sides. Add the side strips first and then the top and bottom strips to the border.

This is the pieced top!

Quilt as desired. My dear friend Jill, whom I met through the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild , is
a truly gifted quilter and longarmer and she quilted this for me! She did a fantastic job and I just
love the stars, loops and ribbons she added. Yum!

Bind the quilt with the red floral yardage and run this little gem through the wash to make it crinkly and cuddly!

60″ x 45″ quilt

The back is just as yummy as the front! I like to piece my quilt backing, but this quilt will be just as sweet without it. I just used some leftover strips from the roll in a random pattern.

I had so much fun making this quilt. I love a quick project that has huge eye-candy payoff. This quilt would also be delicious using other Moda lines like Hometown or Ruby. Thinking outside the box with something as iconic as the American Flag made with unconventional colors can result in the most unique and inspiring projects!

Happy stitching y’all and God Bless America!

Andie Johnson

{andie johnson sews}