My first tutorial

In the spring, I featured this red herringbone quilt in the Spring Blogger's Quilt Festival. YOu can read more about it here.  

I was asked for a tutorial and I promised I would work on one after my busy summer... so here it is...my very first tutorial!   I first made this quilt in a class at a LQS which is now closed. The tutorial is written (and fabric requirements figured) for 5 bands like the flannel version at the end of the post.  I added a 6th band to the red herringbone above to increase its size. 


Be aware that this tutorial is picture heavy because I am a visual learner :D

Tutorial for Herringbone quilt  

finished size approx. 50” x 56”

All seams are scant 1/4”

Fabrics:

1. Between 6 - 12 different fabrics, fat quarters in pairs of at least 2 of each fabric or 1/4 yard cuts, totaling  3 yards. 
2. 1/4 yard for end triangles - could be a fabric from group A or a coordinating fabric. 
3. 3/8 yard for small squares to coordinate or contrast with fabric from group A.

Organize:

Determine how your fabrics transitions from one to another. Arrange them in desired order.

Note: From each 1/4 yd cut (0r pair of fat quarters) you will get 10 pairs, enough for 2 herringbone strips across the quilt. Therefore your order of fabrics will repeat once along the length of the quilt.

Cutting:
        Group A:   If you have 1/4 yd cuts, cut each piece in half as if cutting into fat quarters (9” x 20”).

        Group B:   ~Cut 5 - 8 1/2" squares*

~Cut each in half diagonally to make 10 

triangles 

~Cut 5 of these triangles in half to make 

10 smaller triangles.

You should have 5 large triangles remaining.

*NOTE: if you can’t get 5 - 8 1/2” squares from your WOF, cut the last 

2 squares 8” but use the 8 1/2” squares for the 3rd step above - see diagram

    Group C:  ~Cut into 6 - 2” X WOF

                    ~ cut each into 2 - 2 x 20” strips 

Sew and Subcut: 
~For each pair of 9” x 20” fabric, sew a 2” strip from Group C onto one of 

   the pieces matching the 20” sides. Press seam toward C strip. 

~Subcut both pieces into 2” strips. You will have 10 - 2” x 9” pieces and 

   10 - 2” x 10.5” pieces.

~Pair one strip of each ~you will have 10 sets.

~Arrange into 5 piles in the order that you want them to go together 

    - See  Organize.

Sewing:

You will be using one of your piles of strips, one large triangle and 2 small triangles.

       ~With the large triangle arranged with its point facing up, sew the 

          strip without the small square to the left side of triangle 

        - see picture. Press seam toward triangle.

~Sew matching strip with small square to the right side of the triangle, matching seams carefully ~see picture. Press seam toward strip.

~Continue in this pattern in the order you arranged your fabrics until 

   you have used all your sets.

~Add a small triangle to each each side ~ left first, then right. 

Picture for illustration only. You should have 24 rows.

You have finished the first band of the herringbone.

Trimming:

~Lay your band out flat on your cutting mat. Using your ruler and rotary cutter, measure 5 1/4” from the center of the small diamond to each side and trim. 

Picture for illustration only. 

Follow the directions for each of 5 bands making sure you keep your fabrics in the same order.  

Once all 5 bands are sewn and trimmed, sew bands together, matching seams carefully. 

Quilting:

Sandwich, quilt and bind as desired.

Enjoy!

If there are any questions or something is unclear, please let me know and I will try to clarify.  I have made this quilt in flannel and in homespun cotton with lam′e triangles and squares. Both with beautiful results.  If you make this quilt, I would love to see it!  Thanks!

Edit: Click here for a PDF link to my tutorial.