Beginner's Guide to Quilting - UK (2020-02)

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Combine gorgeous jewel-tone prints with textured

Kantha-style stitching for a soothing slow-sewing project

BY JO AVERY

Boho blocks

You will need

MATERIALS

QNine (9) different cotton prints:

11in x 18in each

QTwo (2) pieces of solid fabric:

31in x 41in each

QBacking fabric: 31in x 41in

QPerlé cotton No.8 in a variety of

colours to contrast with fabrics,

for the Kantha stitching

FABRICS USED

Q All of the print fabrics shown are from

the Honor Roll collection by Anna

Maria Horner for FreeSpirit Fabrics.

FINISHED SIZE

Q29½in x 39½in approx.

NOTES

Q Seam allowances are ¼in,

unless otherwise stated.

CUTTING OUT

1

From each of the print fabrics cut:

Q Three (3) 5½in x 11in rectangles, to yield a

total of twenty seven (27) rectangles.

2

Put twelve (12) rectangles aside for the

moment and cut the remaining fifteen (15)

in half. You will only use twenty four (24) of

these 5½in squares.

ASSEMBLING THE QUILT

3

Sew two different 5½in squares together

to make a rectangle. Press the seam open

or to one side. Sew this pieced unit to a

5½in x 11in rectangle and press the seam.

Trim to 10½in square (Fig A).

4

Repeat this process to make twelve blocks,

mixing up your fabrics in each one.

WHAT IS KANTHA

STITCHING?
Kantha is a traditional Indian
embroidery technique, mainly
from Bangladesh and Bengal. As
with Western quilting, it is a way
to use up old textiles: layers of
old saris are stitched together
to form bedspreads or used
for cushions. We have used old
sheets rather than batting in this
project to evoke the traditional
‘drapey’ feel of these pieces.

A B