Today we are excited to share with you a fun lap quilt pattern and tutorial.
The idea for this quilt began when we were invited to contribute to a blog tour that was celebrating the release of the new line of wool from Penny Rose Fabrics. Not only were we able to give their new wool a whirl but we were able to choose a line of fabric to play with as well….and once I saw their Menswear line I knew that is exactly what I wanted to pair with that wool. The prints reminded me of my grandpa and the second I saw them I knew that I was going to make him a lap quilt with them…which is exactly what I did.
Now don’t let the wool scare you off. All you need to know is a few simple tricks and suddenly you can add a whole new dimension of texture to your quilt.
Let’s get started. First we need to gather supplies.
For this quilt you will need:
*1 yard of wool
*10 Fat Quarters
*Standard sewing supplies (rotary cutter, ruler, cutting mat, sewing machine, thread, scissors, etc.)
Next we need to prepare our fabric. It is always a good idea to wash, dry, and press your fabric before you cut it. Now…I said it’s always a good idea…and it is..but that doesn’t mean that I do it….I’m usually too impatient to get started. That being said, even I wash my wool before cutting it. In fact I have to…it’s more than a good idea, it’s a necessity.
Before you cut your wool you should always prepare it! And to do that give it a nice hot wash in your washing machine and then throw it in the drier until its dry and fluffy soft! Once you’ve done that it’s ready to be cut.
Here is what you will need to cut:
From your wool cut 6 squares that are each 10″ x 10″
Then cut each of your 10 fat quarters according to the cutting map below:
This quilt is constructed from 10″ quilt blocks. 6 of them are wool, 9 of them are the 10″ squares you cut from your fat quarters, and the remaining 10 blocks are modified scotch blocks that I am going to show you how to build from your remaining fat quarter pieces but before we get to that let’s look at a photo of the quilt top laid out so you can see where you are going!
NOTE: The photo is before the quilt top was pressed or squared up…so…go easy on the judgement….
ONE MORE NOTE: You will have enough wool left over to cut enough 4″ x 4″ squares to put one of them on the corner of each of your modified Scotch Blocks instead of using the pieces from your fat quarters. I chose to use my wool but that was a last second change.
Now…let’s start making these blocks!
How to Construct a Modified Scotch Block:
The modified Scotch blocks we are making today are constructed from one small square, one large square, and two rectangles and will look like the photo below:
To construct these blocks choose your pieces from four different prints and lay them out according to the map below.
Once you are happy with your layout sew block #1 to block #2.
Then sew block #3 to block #4.
And finally sew blocks #1 and #2 to blocks #3 and #4.
Press and square to an even 10″.
Repeat this process to make 10 modified Scotch Blocks.
Now it’s time to lay out your quilt.
Using the quilt map below lay out your 10″ wool blocks, your 10″ fat quarter blocks, and your modified Scotch blocks.
NOTE: The cream color represents the wool squares and the green patterned squares represent the fat quarter squares and the modified Scotch blocks represent themselves. 🙂
It may take a few minutes to get a pattern that you like for your quilt so spread it our on the floor and change squares to different locations until you have a design that you like. Once you are satisfied all you have left to do is to sew those blocks together and your quilt top is done!
So there you have it..and easy lap quilt.
But as I’m sure you have noticed in the photos….I haven’t finished this quilt…I’m waiting and wondering….Right now the quilt measures just under 50″ by 50″ which is a great size for my grandpa a lap quilt but…I’m debating whether or not I should add a boarder.
What do you think boarder or no?
I’m kind of thinking yes, a 5 inch boarder from the plaid. But I’m totally on the fence. Someone just make the decision for me so I can move on and finish this up for my grandpa before it’s too warm outside for a lap quilt!
-liZ
Yes! A border would be the perfect finish. It will be the envy of every grandpa there.
I love this quilt! It would be easy to make with old button-up shirts instead of the fat quarters as a memory quilt…. Thankfully yours is not a memory quilt and your Grandpa will just love it! I would normally say to add a border, but because it reminds me of a simple patchwork quilt of my mom’s (that she made way back when with polyester fabric – haha!) I think the wool/texture is enough of a highlight, so it doesn’t need a border. Either way, it’s a wonderful quilt! Thanks for sharing!
I generally shoot for 60″ squares for my lap quilts. Unless your grandfather is in a wheel chair and requires a smaller size, I’d say add the border.
New to the whole process of quilting. Is all fabric wool?
This is just what I was looking for. Mine will be a memory quilt as my dad (who was a grandpa and greatgrandpa) passed away less than 2 months ago. I am going to use his flannel shirts instead of fat quarters and buy the rest. Thanks for the inspiration!
April 22, 2016 – Hi – I love this quilt and the size for me is a little small I think I would add another row – that’s just me… What did you decide you were going to use on the back? Wool? Cotton? Flannel? I have a ton of wool that someone gave me last year – (I am talking yards, and yards). I think I will Use the Wool not only for blocks on the front but the back as well. Will have to dig up some old Flannel Shirts for the rest.
One question for any one who want to answer – If I were to use the wool for the back would you suggest a cotton batting? Or perhaps just use an old cotton sheet for the inside of the “Sandwich”? Suggestions…please I am new to quilting just over a year ago….
Hi there.
I’m an Australian quilter and one of our traditional quilts is made from woolen fabrics. It’s called a “wagga” and was originally backed with a wool bale. Wagga Wagga is a Town in New South Wales where there was a bale manufacturer, hence the name. I make waggas from old wool and I would suggest backing it with corduroy. This has a weight and feel comparable to the wool, and the result drapes beautifully. I also find that most woolen fabrics need a half-inch seam allowance rather than a quarter inch; finer woolen fabrics may not, but a lot of wool is much thicker than cotton and I find the half inch seams sit flatter and therefore look better.
I hope this helps. I love the look of this quilt.
I made my daughter a naive pictorial quilt made from wool for her 21st and I’d send you a photo if she lived closer. It’s queen bed sized and has a pieced border top and bottom. The center has a cottage sitting under a tree with a full moon above and a dog kennel, complete with dog, beside it. There is a bat in the sky and an owl in the tree – I howled with laughter drawing these and appliqueing them on! Details such as the window panes, door knob and smoke from the chimney are embroidered on and the quilt is filled with wool batting and backed with an old blanket. My machine struggled with the thickness, so use a thin batting if any- the batting I used was quite thick and fluffy and my machine really struggled with the binding. I tied the quilt, again with wool and as finishing touch, incorporated the Southern Cross stars into the quilting. It was after this I looked for an alternative backing and discovered how well corduroy works.
I hope you find this helpful. I’m very happy to find a source of woolen fabrics, so thank you too!
Happy quilting!
Maria
Absolutely, add a border.
No. Most quilting fabric is 100% cotton. If you ever use wool, make sure it is washable wool.
I never thought if backing a quilt with corduroy interesting idea. I think I might try it sometime.
What size do I cut the pieces that I cut the fabric to make the finished ten inch block?
Very interesting , thank you for this tutorial. I am also new to piecing and quilting It was very clear and to the point. I will try to make this Iam not to sure about wool I thought it was itchy. Very manly and I was looking for something comfortable and mannish
That answer my question…I was wondering how she didn’t shrink her wool to small scraps!