Abstract Modern Quilt - How To Make
The Rows and Rows Quilt by Purl Soho and Season Evans
Quilts have never interested me until I came across this pattern on pinterest by Season Evans! Continue reading for my simplified version of the quilt, or you can read the original blog post here!
I knew I had to try it out! And I have some honest feedback on the pattern and how easy it was based on an entry-level quilters’ perspective! I also have linked the items I used below! I have to express my amazement with the rotary cutter and mat I ordered from Amazon! Not only was it a lot cheaper than Joanns, but It was also the best rotary cutter I have ever used! THIS WAS HUGE because I have never enjoyed using a rotary cutter, but this time I experienced a quality one, and I have been using it for everything now! Also, the all-purpose thread I linked is my favorite because it’s really strong and doesn’t fray. You can get your cotton from anywhere just make sure they all have relatively the same weight.
Things you will Need
Color A: 1-yard cotton
Color B: 1-yard cotton
Color C + Binding Fabric: 2½ yards cotton
Backing Fabric: 1¾ yards cotton
SIZE: Finished Dimensions: 36½ x 53 inches, All seam allowances are 1/4 inch.
A BLOCKS
Cut twenty-six 1½-inch 20½ inch rectangles
B BLOCKS
Cut 50 1½-inch strips x 12½ inch rectangles
VERTICAL BORDERS
Cut two vertical borders: 4½ x 53 inches.
HORIZONTAL BORDERS
Cut two horizontal borders: 1½ x 28½ inches.
C BLOCKS
Cut a total of 79 1½-inch wide x 4½-inch rectangles
BINDING STRIPS
Cut five 2¼-inch strips.
Steps:
Piece together strips CAC
Piece together strips BCB
Piece rows together matching C Strips in center and sides
Quilt fabric to batting and backing
Bind the sides
REVIEW
What I thought was frustrating about the original blog post, is that all of the cutting instructions told me to fold a specific way but didn’t clarify how to fold the fabric-based off-grain which made it impossible to know what they meant when they said “selvage to selvage” cause you can fold a piece of fabric selvage to selvage hamburger or hotdog style! So Just cut the strips to the dimensions noted above, I am not sure what grainline was intended in the original blog post, so do whatever works best for you! For myself, I cut my stripes on the weft.
TIPS
1. Be super accurate when cutting (use rotary cutter and mat)
2. Focus on lining up the C strips with the upper and lower strip instead of sewing from end to end. You will cut off uneven edges anyways, just make sure the lines are straight when looking at the pattern.
3. When sewing strips together create a “chain” basically don’t worry about backstitching, just continue sewing onto the next strip, and then once your done cut the thread chains in between each strip.
