Penelope Quilt Pattern
DESIGNER: Unknown
OWNED BY: Susan Guzman
DIFFICULTY LEVEL ‣ BEGINNER
FINISHED QUILT SIZE:
65″ x 72½”
FINISHED BLOCK SIZE:
7½” x 7½”
This lovely vintage quilt features the classic Shoo Fly block—popular among 19th-century quilters in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The designer used just two solid color fabrics to create a quilt that is both sweet and simple. When choosing your fabrics, pay attention to the color value, which is the relative lightness or darkness of the colors. You may wish to use a classic two-color scheme that can be either soft and subtle or bold and striking. Consider challenging yourself to gather up a variety of prints that have similar color values and see what unfolds!
Instructions:
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Read through entire pattern before beginning project. Use ¼” seam allowances with fabric right sides together. Pressing arrows are included with diagrams. Basic quiltmaking supplies are assumed. Fabric requirements include extra yardage for shrinkage and insurance. If working with directional prints, you may want to purchase more fabric than called for. Patten is based on an antique quilt and has been simplified as needed for ease of construction and may differ slightly from original.
HST = half-square triangle unit
WOF = width of fabric
LOF = length of fabric
FABRIC:
Fabric A: 3½ yards solid white fabric
Fabric B: 2⅓ yards solid pink fabric
Backing: 4⅞ yards (for 44/45″-wide) or 2½ yards (for 108″-wide)
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES:
Batting: 74″ x 82″ piece
Marking pencil
CUTTING:
From Fabric A, cut:
• (6) 8″ x WOF strips. Cut strips into:
• (28) 8″ x 8″ squares
• (6) 3½” x WOF strips. Cut strips into:
• (56) 3½” x 3½” squares
• (7) 3½” x WOF strips for border 2
• (9) 3″ x WOF strips. Cut strips into:
• (112) 3″ x 3″ squares
From Fabric B, cut:
• (6) 3½” x WOF strips. Cut strips into:
• (56) 3½” x 3½” squares
• (3) 3″ x WOF strips. Cut strips into:
• (28) 3″ x 3″ squares
• (8) 2½” x WOF strips for binding
• (13) 2″ x WOF strips for border 1 and border 3
Block Assembly
Referring to Diagram 1, draw diagonal line on wrong side of (2) Fabric A 3½” squares. Place Fabric A 3½” square over Fabric B 3½” square. Sew a ¼” seam allowance on each side of drawn line. Cut in half on drawn line and press to make (2) HST Units. Trim to 3″. Make 4.
Paying attention to orientation, lay out (4) HST Units, (4) Fabric A 3″ squares, and (1) Fabric B 3″ square as shown in Diagram 2. Sew into rows. Sew rows together to make Shoo Fly Block. Make 28.
A quick and easy way to sort a collection of fabric into relative color values is to take a picture of the fabric collection with your smartphone. Use the photo editing feature to view the fabrics in monochrome and sort them from light to dark.
Quilt Assembly and Finishing
- Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out (28) Shoo Fly Blocks and (28) Fabric A 8″ squares. Sew together into rows. Sew rows together to make Quilt Center.
- Piecing end-to-end, sew together (6) Fabric B 2″ x WOF strips to make one long strip. Cut strip into (2) 2″ x 53″ lengths. Sew lengths to top and bottom of Quilt Center; press. Cut remaining strip cut (2) 2″ x 63½” lengths. Sew lengths to sides of Quilt Center.
- In a similar way, join (7) Fabric A 3½” x WOF strips. Cut strip into (2) 3½” x 56″ top and bottom border strips and (2) 3½” x 69½” side border strips. Add top and bottom borders first and then side borders, pressing toward darker fabric.
- Sew together remaining (7) Fabric B 2″ x WOF strips. Cut (2) 2″ x 62″ top and bottom border 3 strips and (2) 2″ x 72½” side border 3 strips. Sew borders to quilt, top and bottom first and then sides. Press seams toward darker fabric.
- Trim selvage edges from 4⅞ yards of backing fabric, fold yardage in half lengthwise, and cut into (2) 85½” x WOF backing fabric pieces. Sew pieces together along LOF; press seam to one side.
- Center and layer backing, batting, and quilt top together to make a quilt sandwich; baste layers together and quilt as desired.
- Trim batting and backing even with quilt top.
- Using diagonal seams, make Fabric B binding from (8) 2½” x WOF strips. Fold binding in half lengthwise, matching wrong sides; press length. Sew binding to quilt top and miter corners; join binding ends as desired. Press binding away from quilt top and fold over quilt’s edge to back of quilt. Hand-stitch binding in place to finish.