patchwork frames quilt pattern and tutorial

This finished block measures 12.5" square.  For each block, you'll need:

1 fussy cut center
1 FQ of background fabric 
28 2" squares of various fabrics
(2) 1" x 8.5" strips and (2) 1" x 9.5" of fabric for the inner border 

To make the block, start by fussy cutting a piece of your favorite fabric.

The Basic Block - 12.5" square

The basic framed patchwork block finishes at 12.5" square and I've included the measurements for three sizes of fussy cuts so you can choose which fits best with the print you are using.  You can also rotate the block so that your fabric can be shown vertically or horizontally.

Block 1:  using a 2.5 x 4 fussy cut

From your background fabric, cut the following:  (a) 2" x 2.5", (b) 2.5" x 3.5", (c) 2" x 8.5", and (d) 5 x 8.5".  Sew the smaller pieces of background fabric (a) and (b) to either side of the fussy cut print as shown.

Press seams and then sew the larger pieces (c) and (d) to the top and bottom.  Press seams and trim block to 8.5"

Using the inner border fabric, attach a 1" x 8.5" strip to either side of your center block and press.

Then attach the 1" x 9.5" strip to the top and bottom of the block.  Press and trim to 9.5" square.

Arrange the 2" squares around your center block with rows of 6 squares on either side of the block and 8 squares for the top and bottom.  Once you are happy with the layout, sew the rows together and press the seams. Attach the rows of 6 squares to either side of the block and press seams.

Finish the block by attaching the rows of 8 squares to the top and bottom as shown.  Press seams and trim to 12.5".

Block 2:  using a 3.5" x 3.5" fussy cut

Follow the same pattern as for Block 1 except substitute the following measurements (a) 3.5" x 4.5", (b) 1.5" x 3.5", (c) 2" x 8.5", and (d) 4" x 8.5".

Block 3:  using a 3.5" x 4.5 fussy cut

Follow the same pattern as for Block 1 except substitute the following measurements (a) 2" x 3.5", (b) 3" x 3.5", (c) 2.5" x 8.5", and (d) 3.5" x 8.5".

Version 1:  Patchwork Frames Mini Quilt

If you wish to make the framed mini quilt with your finished block as shown above you'll need an additional FQ of background fabric and a FQ of another border fabric.  Cut 2 rectangles 3.5" x 12.5" and 2 rectangles 3.5" x 18.5" of your background fabric.  Attach the smaller strips to each side of the block, press the seams, and then attach the larger strips to the top and bottom.  Press seams.

From the border fabric, cut 2 rectangles 2" x  18.5" and 2 rectangles 2" x  21.5" and attach in the same way as for the background fabric. 

Quilt and bind as desired.  

Version 2:  Patchwork Frames 30.5" square 

Patchwork Frames Small Quilt (30.5" square)

In addition to the fabric for the main block, cut the following:

From background fabric:

2" x 12.5"
4" x 12.5"
2" x 17.5"
4" x 17.5"
3" x 23.5"
5" x 23.5"
3" x 30.5"
5" x 30.5"

From print 1 (first border):

2 pieces 1.5" x 17.5"
2 pieces 1.5" x 19.5"

From print 2 (second border):

2 pieces 2.5" x 19.5"
2 pieces 2.5" x 23.5"

Sew the 12.5" strips to either side of your 12.5" block as shown.

Sew the 17.5" strips to the top and bottom of the center block.

Using the same method of first sewing the smaller strips of each print to the sides and then sewing the larger strips to the top and bottomt, attach the rest of the border pieces.

Quilt and bind as desired.

Version #3:  12 Block Quilt (see examples of finished quilts in this post.)

12 Blocks (evenly placed)  finishes at 54.5" x 71"

12 Blocks (uneven placement) finishes at 54.5" x 71"

Yardage Requirements

12 fussy cuts (choose from the following sizes:  2.5" x 4", 3.5 x 3.5", and/or 3.5" x 4.5")
2.5 yards of background fabric
.5 yard of dark fabric for inside border of blocks (sub cut into (24) 1" x 8.5" strips and (24) 1" x 9.5" strips

For patchwork rows, your fabric requirements will vary depending on how many different fabrics you would like to use for variety.  Each block takes 28 2" squares so you'll need 336 2" squares.  I have written out instructions below for strip piecing the patchwork rows.  If you choose to use this method, you'll need 24 strips measuring 2" x 12.5" and 32 strips measuring 2" x 16.5"

Strip Piecing the Patchwork Rows

From a variety of fabrics, cut 24 strips measuring 2" x 12.5".   Divide into 4 piles of 6 strips each and sew those strips into rows varying the fabrics throughout.  Make sure that the top and bottom fabric from each set is different.

Press seams and cut into vertical strips 2" wide as shown.  Each set will give you 6 strips.

Repeat the process except use cut 24 strips of fabric measuring 2" x 16.5" and divide into 3 piles of 8 strips each - again being sure to vary the fabrics and make sure that the  the top and bottom fabric do not match each other or the top and bottom fabrics on any of the smaller strips.

12 Block Throw Quilt (evenly placed blocks) (finished size:  54.5" x 71")

Arrange your blocks into 4 rows of 3 blocks each until you are happy with the layout.

From your background fabric, cut the following:

8 pieces measuring 5" x 12.5" (sashing)
3 pieces measuring 5" x 45.5" (sashing)
2 pieces measuring 5" x 62" (border)
2 pieces measuring 5" x 54.5" (border)

Sew the small pieces of sashing to the blocks to form rows as shown.

Sew the large pieces of sashing to the rows as shown.

Sew the 5" x 62" border pieces to either side.

And complete the quilt top by sewing the 5" x 54.5" to the top and bottom.

12 Block Throw Quilt (randomly placed blocks) (finished size approximately 54.5" x 71")

Arrange your blocks in 4 rows of 3.   Vary the position of the blocks within each row but for the purposes of this tutorial, you'll need to make sure that none of the blocks overlap with blocks from other rows.  The blocks could be positioned at the very bottom or the very top of a row but this tutorial will demonstrate piecing in rows, not by blocks.

When you are happy with the layout, begin adding sashing to the top and bottom of each block.  Each block in the top row should measure 21.5" in height.  The blocks in the remaining rows should measure 16.5" in height.  Also, for each of the remaining rows, you might have one block that does not need a top sashing piece.

Next you'll start filling in the rows by adding sashing between the blocks.  Each row should measure 54.5".  Then just sew the rows together and you'll have your completed quilt top.

If you want to vary the block size, substitute the following measurements:

10.5" Basic Block

Substitute the following measurements in the 12.5" version:

For a block with a 2" x 3.5" fussy cut:  (a) 2" x 2", (b) 2"x 3", (c) 2.5" x 7.5", and (d) 4" x 7.5"

For a block with a 3" x 3" fussy cut:  (a) 2" x 3", (b) 3" x 3.5", (c) 2" x 7.5", and (d) 3.5" x 7.5"

For the side strips, use (2) .75" x 7.5" and for the top and bottom strips, use .75" x 8"

And use 1.75" squares for the patchwork rows.