Sew Sweet Lilacs, a Floral Patchwork Quilt Pattern

By Janet Wickell

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About this Patchwork Quilt

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Lilac Spring - Patchwork Quilt Pattern. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

This pretty patchwork quilt is made with two blocks that link together to create visual movement. Choose floral fabrics of varying scale and color value or use a completely different theme for your quilt -- it needn't be floral.

The quilt is somewhat difficult to see in this small image. Take a look at block constructions pages for a better understanding of its layout, and click to image to zoom in a bit.

Finished Quilt Size: 70" x 94"

Finished Quilt Block Size: 12" x 12"

Quilting Fabrics and Other Materials

Large, floral (medium dark; for quarter square triangle blocks): 1 yard

Floral or other print (medium-light; for center of block #2): 1.2 yard

Floral or other print (lightest; for quarter square triangle blocks, block #2 and border from crosswise strips: 2-1/4 yards

Green tone-on-tone or small scale floral (for block #2 and binding): 1-1/8 yards

Rose or pink tone-on-tone (for block #2): 7/8 yard

Backing: 6-1/2 yards or a panel about 80" x 104" (How to Make Quilt Backing)

Batting: to match backing

Binding: Approximately 355 running inches of doublefold binding (How to Make Binding Strips)

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Make Alternate Quilt Blocks for the Floral Quilt

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Quilt blocks made from oversize quarter square triangle units. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

The alternate quilt block for the floral quilt is simply a large quarter-square triangle unit.

We'll use quick piecing techniques to assemble the block, eliminating the need to handle stretchy, bias edge triangles.

As for any quilt pattern, begin by cutting only enough fabric for a few sample blocks. Everyone makes errors -- including me -- and after making a sample you might discover you prefer a different fabric arrangement.

Sew the Patchwork

Cut (9) 13-1/4" x 13-1/4" squares of your large, darker floral. Cut (9) more same-sized squares from your light floral.
Use the easy sandwich method to pair a large floral square with a light floral square to make half square triangle units. Repeat with remaining squares.
When complete, the units should measure 12-7/8" x 12-7/8", and have a dark half and a light half. Trim the "dog ears" (little triangles that extend past the angled seams).
Use the same method to create two quarter square triangle units from two half square units, taking care to place contrasting fabrics against each other for sewing (complete instructions).
Repeat, pairing remaining units to create a total of (18) quarter square triangle units as illustrated on this page; each should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2". One unit will not be used; save it for another project, cutting it down as needed, or sew borders around the patchwork and use it to make a throw pillow that coordinates with your quilt.

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Make Corner Units for the #2 Patchwork Quilt Block

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Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Each quilt block contains 20 half-square triangle units (for a total of 360 units in 18 blocks). The cutting instructions reflect my favorite way to assemble the units -- the sandwich method.

If you prefer to use another technique, such as sewing on a grid, be sure the units finish at 1-1/2" square -- in other words, measure 2" square (unfinished) before sewing them into the block

The top drawing illustrates sewing triangles to the sides of a larger square.

Instructions are actually on page 4.

To begin, cut only enough fabric to make a sample block or two.

Cut (16) 2-3/8" selvage-to-selvage strips of pink fabric and an equal number of green strips of the same size. Cut (180) 2-3/8" x 2-3/8" squares from each strip color.
Pair a green square with a pink square. Use the sandwich method to make two half square triangle units from the pair. When complete, each unit should measure 2" square.
Make a total of 360 identical units. Trim the "dog ears" at the ends of seams.
Cut additional 2-3/8" wide green strips, enough to cut (72) 2-3/8" x 2-3/8" squares (you may need four strips plus leftovers from making half-square triangle units). Cut each square in half once diagonally.
Sew two half square triangle units (HSTs) together vertically as shown in the illustration, bottom left. Sew a green triangle to the bottom of the strip. Press.
Sew three HSTs together horizontally as shown in the same illustration. Sew a green triangle to the strip's right edge. Press.

Cut (4) 3-7/8" selvage to selvage strips of pink. Cut (36) 3-7/8" squares from the strips. Cut each square in half once diagonally. If you like, trim tips for easier matching.
Sew the vertical row of HSTs to a pink triangle. Press seam allowance towards the pink triangle. Sew horizontal row to top of unit. Press. Repeat, making (72) identical units.

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Finish Sewing the #2 Patchwork Quilt Blocks

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Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Cut (3) 6-1/2" selvage to selvage strips of medium-light fabric reserved for block centers. Cut (18) 6-1/2" squares from the strips.
Cut (4) 5-1/8" wide selvage to selvage strips of your lightest fabric. Cut one more strip that measures 5-1/8" x 22". Cut a total of (36) 5-1/8" squares from the strips. Cut each square in half once diagonally. Trim triangle tips for easier matching.
Sew a light triangle to each side of a 6-1/2" square (see top illustration on previous page). (Some quilters like to sew two opposite sides first, and then add the remaining opposite sides.) Press seam allowances towards the square.

Make 18 identical units.
Center and sew a corner unit (from previous page) to each side of the center units you just created. Press seam allowances towards the center.
Your completed quilt blocks should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2".

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Assemble the Floral Patchwork Quilt

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Two row configurations are used in the quilt. Each row is made from five quilt blocks, but blocks alternate from row to row as illustrated.

Make five rows that match the top portion of the illustration. Make three rows that match the bottom portion of the illustration. Press seam allowances towards quarter square triangle blocks.
Assemble the quilt top, orienting the first two rows as shown and repeating that arrangement as you work downward. Press.

Use 5-1/2" wide strips of light fabric to make the quilt border. Beginners - don't be tempted to measure your quilt along its outer edges, because it is likely skewed a bit. Borders are an opportunity to square up the quilt before the finishing steps. (Border Instructions)
Mark the top for quilting if necessary. Sandwich with batting and backing and quilt. Finish by sewing mitered binding around the quilt's edges.

Optional Inner Border

To separate the light fabric in quarter square triangle units from the like-fabric in the border, add a narrow, contrasting border first. Use 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" strips to make the border.