Sunburst baby quilt details - Part 1

As promised, I've got some details for you about the way I constructed this quilt top. The blocks are basically a variation of a Dresden Plate. But the entire block (with the exception of the center circle) is pieced into a square, rather than appliqued on to a background.

My 12-block quilt top measures 41.75" x 54.75" with each finished block measuring 12.75" square. I know it seems an odd size, but I wanted the quilt to only use one width of backing fabric (about 42"-44"), and this just barely meets that requirement. I had to monkey around making a few different sized blocks to reach this magic less than 42" mark, and when I finally arrived at this size quilt top, I stopped testing :)

To make this same sized quilt top you'll need the following:

* 2.5 yards of a background fabric (I used Kona Snow)
* 1/2 yard of dark accent fabric (chocolate brown in my quilt)
* 1/4 yard cuts (WOF) of 6 different prints (extra to use for scrappy binding)
* Stack n Whack 15 degree Fan Ruler

*** EDITED January 12, 2016.  Please note that in order for these instructions to work as written you MUST use the Stack-n-Whack 15 degree Fan Ruler.  Other 15 degree rulers have different top and bottom dimensions, and using them will potentially result in a much smaller or even non-existent center circle opening when all your wedges are sewn together. ***

The 15-degree wedge is important here because with it you get 24 wedges per circle, and in order to make each circle into a square block, you have to first cut it into an octagon. 24 wedges/8 sides means you can make each side of the octagon with 3 wedges. I know, I know, you're thinking "what the heck is she talking about?", but just trust me here. It will all be clear a little later in the construction process.



You're going to cut the wedges from strip sets. Cut your fabrics as follows:

Background fabric:
(6) 1.75" WOF strips
(6) 6.25" WOF strips (set these aside to cut into wedges later)
(3) 4.75" WOF strips subcut into (24) 4.75" squares
(5) 2" WOF strips (set aside for final border)

Dark accent:
(6) 1.25" WOF strips

Colored fabrics:
(1) 4.25" WOF strip from EACH color

Make strip sets from each colored fabric as shown:
4.25" colored strip
1.25" dark accent strip
1.75" background strip

Sew each strip set with 1/4" seams. Each sewn strip set should measure 6.25" x WOF.

Press both seams toward the dark fabric.

Aligning the wedge ruler on the strip set using the bottom edge and the 6.25" mark at the top, cut the right waste edge from the strip set.

Flip the strip over and align the wedge ruler on the left cut side of the strip set, cutting your first wedge.

Now you'll have to flip the ruler top-to bottom for each new cut. See how one wedge has the colored fabric on the skinny edge of the wedge and the other one is reversed?

That's what you'll get by flipping the ruler, and you'll have enough wedges (12 of each kind) from each strip set for two quilt blocks with very little waste :)

Here's a photo of all my completed wedges. I've got 14 sets because I wanted to have a couple of blocks left over to make into decorative pillows :)

You've also got to cut your background 6.25" strips into wedges to alternate with the stripped wedges. Cut each of the (6) 6.25" background strips with the wedge ruler as shown in the above photos, and you'll have enough background wedges to make 2 blocks from each WOF strip.

Whew! That's a lot of information for one day. Check back here tomorrow for Part 2!