A Touch of Tuscany, a Simple Block and the NEW GO! Qube Angles Companion

This quilt was made using the trapezoid shape from the new GO! Qube 8” Companion-Angles set and Shapes 2, 3, and 5 from the GO! Qube Mix & Match 8” Block set. What makes this quilt really special is that it was made using a “Six Pack” of fabric. This is a precut fabric that includes all of the fabrics in a particular line with each precut measuring 6” wide by the width of fabric. And the “Six Pack” by Timeless Treasures Tonga Batiks is the perfect precut for making quilts with the 8” and 9” AccuQuilt GO! Qube Mix & Match Block Sets.  Any leftover fabrics from the cutting edge are just the right size to add to your string piecing scrap bin. 

Supplies Needed:

Fabrics:

• Timeless Treasures Tonga Treats Tuscany Six Pack (20 Pieces 6” x 43/44”) (there are 14 dark strips and 6 light strips in the Tuscany six-pack)
• Additional Yardage:
• Coordinating Dark Fabric- 1/3 yard for narrow border around quilt (border is optional)
• Coordinating Light Fabric – 5/8 yard for light trapezoids in the pieced border
• Quilt Batting and Backing

GO! Qube Mix & Match 8” Block

GO! Qube 8” Companion Set-Angles

This is the Elevate Block from the 144 Blocks Pattern Brochure showing the shapes used:

Cutting Instructions:

Prepare the Six Pack:

RESERVE AND SET ASIDE 3 EACH WIDTH OF FABRIC DARK COLOR STRIPS FOR QUILT BINDING. With the remaining width of fabric strips, fold each strip in half with selvedges matching and cut on the center fold. Press. It is easier to work with strips that are half the width of fabric and layering into strip sets increases the randomness of the various fabrics throughout the quilt 

Make sets of six different light half width of fabric strips stacked exactly on top of each other and sets of six different dark half width of fabric strips stacked exactly on top of each other.

You will cut shapes 2, 3, and 16 from these layers. The following photo shows the dies that are used and the shapes that were cut to make the pictured quilt. 

Dark Fabric: Use 6 each strip sets of layered half width of fabric strips and cut 96 each squares.

Light Fabric: Use 6 each strip sets of layered half width of fabric strips and cut 96 each squares.

Dark Fabric: Use 12 each strip sets of layered half width of fabric strips and cut 48 half square triangles (quilt blocks) and cut 44 half square triangles (pieced quilt border) for a total of 88 Half Square Triangles.

Count as you cut and reserve any leftover strip to be used later.

Dark Fabric: Use 4 each half width of fabric strips (not a strip set—just 8 half width of fabric strips). Fold the half width of fabric strips in half lengthwise and press with the iron so that the folded strip is 3” wide.

Layer the strips or fanfold on the die of not more than six layers. Cut 48 half square triangles (quilt blocks) and cut 44 half square triangles (pieced quilt border) for a total of 88 Half Square Triangles.

Count as you cut and reserve any leftover strip to be used later.

Light Fabric: Use 12 each strip sets of layered half x width of fabric strips and cut 88 trapezoids as shown in the diagram below. You should turn the strip in the opposite direction to cut one additional trapezoid from the corner.

You will need the additional yardage listed in the Supply list to cut all of the trapezoids.

Narrow Frame Border (optional):

Cut 5 each 2” x WOF strips for border from dark fabric yardage.

Binding

Cut 5 each 2-1/2” x WOF strips for binding from dark fabric strips that were set aside at the beginning of the cutting step.

Block Construction:

Trapezoid Squares: Make 92 Trapezoid Squares (48 squares are for quilt blocks, 44 squares are for the border).

When stitching trapezoids together, I find that if I feed the triangles through the machine alternating stitching a large triangle and then a small triangle, the triangles nest under the presser foot and the stitching is smooth and fast. Stitch one triangle to the trapezoid, press the seams open, then stitch the second triangle to the trapezoid and press the seams open.

Four Patch Squares: Make 48 Four Patch Squares

Stitch 96 light squares to 96 dark squares. Press seams open. Match the stitched units together, pinning as needed and stitch to make 48 each four patch squares. Press seams open.

Assemble Blocks

Each block is made up of two four patch squares and two trapezoid squares. Stitch 48 trapezoids to 48 four patch blocks making sure that each is stitched in the same order. Press seam to one side. Stitch the half blocks together, nesting the center seam allowances so that the centers match. Pin as needed. Press all seams in the same direction—either clockwise or counterclockwise—it is your preference.

This is the finished block:

Assemble Quilt:

The quilt top is assembled with four blocks across to make a row and six rows down to complete the inner quilt. Blocks are turned in alternating directions to create the overall design. 

Assemble Border:

The border trapezoids can be arranged according to your preference. I tried multiple configurations and had a hard time deciding which to use. The following arrangement was my final decision, but it was a very hard decision as the angle blocks are so pretty turned so many different ways.

Make two each of the vertical row which is the right and left side borders of the quilt. Stitch the vertical border to the quilt first. The trapezoid blocks are arranged as follows for the side borders.

Make two each of the horizontal row which is the top and bottom borders of the quilt.  Stitch the top and bottom borders to the quilt next. The trapezoid blocks are arranged as follows for the top and bottom borders.

The quilt including the pieced borders is laid out according to the diagram below. As you can see there is a narrow border all the way around the quilt. That was my preference as a frame for the quilt, but it is optional. The quilt is beautiful with or without the narrow border.

When the quilt top is complete, add batting and backing and quilt as desired. Bind the finished quilt and enjoy. 

by Marjorie Busby

http://bluefeatherquiltstudio.com