Hi Quilting Friends! I’m Melanie from A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog and Instagram. Today I’m sharing my EASY Grandmother’s Garden Quilt (keep on reading for the free tutorial) with the gorgeous Wild and Free Collection designed by Gracey Larson for Riley Blake Designs.
The Wild and Free Main print (below) is my FAVORITE because Gracey has drawn all 50 state flowers!!! This collection is both beautiful and educational! PS- the Wild and Free Panel is a must as it is a map of USA with all the states and their flower!
I knew I wanted a to make quit a with a floral design and I love a Grandmother’s Garden Quilt, but hand sewing hexagons together would take me forever and sewing y-seams is stressful. So I used my AccuQuilt GO! Half-Hexagon die to make my quilt EASY with no hand sewing or y-seams!
EASY Grandmother’s Garden Quilt Tutorial
53.5″ x 63.5″ Quilt
Supplies:
- (12) 1/2 yards : Wild and Free designed by Gracey Larson
- (5) 1/4 yards: Wild and Free designed by Gracey Larson
- 0.625 yard binding: Wild and Free designed by Gracey Larson
- 3.5 yards Backing OR (1) Wild and Free Panel with extra (1) yard of Wild and Free Main Print plus left over fabrics
- AccuQuilt GO! Half-Hexagon 4 1/2″ sides die
- AccuQuilt GO! Cutter (if using AccuQuilt GO! die for cutting)
Note: If you do not have an AccuQuilt GO! or GO! Half-Hexagon die – try using Lori Holt Hexie Half Ruler Set. Just use the larger size ruler. Your quilt size may vary slightly from mine.
Cutting Instructions
- Cut each 1/2 yard print into (3) 4 1/2″ x WOF strips, then cut (12) half-hexagons with your AccuQuilt GO! Half Hexagon 4 1/2″ Sides Die from each print. (Total of 144 half-hexagons)
- Each 4 1/2″ x WOF Strip will cut (4) half-hexagons
- Cut each 1/4 yard print into (1) 4 1/2″ X WOF strip, then cut (4) half-hexagons with your AccuQuilt GO! Half Hexagon 4 1/2″ Sides Die from each print. (Total of 20 half-hexagons)
- There will be a total of 164 half-hexagons cut. Quilt requires 162 half-hexagons.
- Each full flower requires (12) half-hexagons for petals and (2) half-hexagons for flower center.
- Don’t worry – it’s super quick to cut the half-hexagons as your AccuQuilt GO! Cutter does all the work for you! Plus you can cut 6 layers of fabric at a time – yay!
- Cut (6) 2.5″ x WOF binding strips.
Note: If you do not have an AccuQuilt GO! or GO! Half-Hexagon die – try using Lori Holt Hexie Half Ruler Set. Just use the larger size ruler. Your quilt size may vary slightly from mine.
Quilt Assembly
- Arrange your half-hexagons in your desired layout. Don’t worry about the hexagon edges on the quilt sides, we will be trimming them off. No need to panic- it’s just a tiny bit of trimming off so there isn’t much waste at all.
- Layout should be (9) half-hexagons across (horizontal) and (18) half-hexagons down (vertical).
Sewing
- Begin sewing horizontal rows together. Sew (2) half-hexagons short sides, right sides together with 1/4″ seam. AccuQuilt has already trimmed the corners of your blocks so they are easy to line up and sew together. Continue until entire horizontal row has been sewn together.
Row 1
Row 2
- Continue sewing all (18) horizontal rows as shown above. Be careful to pay attention to placement of half-hexagons.
- Next sew Row (1) and Row (2) together with a 1/4″seam. I did pin each point as I like perfect points :).
- Repeat sewing rows together in numerical order until quilt top is complete.
Trimming Quilt
- Using a ruler – trim the edges of the hexagons on the left and right edges of the quilt. I trimmed at the intersection of the two fabrics. This will give your quilt straight edges and it will be so much easier to bind. See diagram below. EASY Grandmother’s Garden Quilt will measure 53.5″ x 63.5″.
OPTIONAL (but awesome): Pieced Backing
The Wild and Free Panel is AMAZING! Plus I love a double sided quilt so I chose to use my left over fabrics for a fun pieced backing!
I think this is a fun (and pretty) option to learn US Geography!!!
Quilt and Bind as desired
You did it! Now you have an EASY Grandmother’s Garden Quilt with the gorgeous Wild and Free fabric to enjoy!!! Plus hooray for NO y-seams or hand sewing!!! I can’t wait to see your quilt!
Do you know your state’s flower?????
Be sure to follow me for more quilting fun!!!!!