Electric Earth Quilt Pattern

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Caution: Nothing but vibrant colors ahead! Quilt in every color of the rainbow with this gorgeous quilt pattern from Sujata Ryan. Inspired by a setting summer sunset over purple peaks, green valleys, and a sparkling ocean, this quilt pattern’s eye-catching design is created by using log cabin blocks turned on point. If you’re looking for the perfect quilt to make this summer, look no further than this delightful lap quilt pattern.

Fabric and Cutting Instructions:

The log cabin block is shown below with the pattern pieces numbered. After making each block, it will be turned on point, like a diamond. Setting triangles will be added to the start and end of each row and at the corners.

Note: The colors are listed in the chart with “light, medium and dark” referring to varying shades of that color. For example, “light dark green” means a shade of dark green but lighter than the other shades used.

The chart below shows the colors and number to cut for each pattern piece.

First, cut 2 in. x width of fabric (WOF) strips of fabric. Then, cut each strip down to the dimensions shown in the chart. Keep the strips organized in piles by color and block for ease of construction. Tip: Cut the largest piece number measurements first to maximize fabric usage, using remnants for cutting smaller measurements where available.

Note: Numbers refer to the pattern piece number, as in the diagram.

Fat Eighths (FE: 9 in. x 21 in.) or Fat Quarters (FQ: 18 in. x 21 in.) can be used in place of 1/8 yd. or 1/4 yd., respectively. When cutting from FE or FQ, first cut 2 in. x 21 in. strips of fabric. Then, cut each strip down to the dimensions shown in the chart, cutting largest to smallest to maximize fabric usage.

FOR THE SETTING TRIANGLES:

Colors: Red, light orange, pale yellow, light turquoise, royal blue – 1/2 yd. each. Note that these can be the same or different fabrics that you used when making your log cabin blocks.
Cutting directions: Starch and press the fabrics first for added stability. From each of the five fabrics, cut a 16-1/2 in. square. Cut along each diagonal, resulting in 4 triangles, 2 of which will not be needed. However, cutting in this manner will avoid a bias edge along the quilt top edges. Note: If you prefer to use less fabric and are willing to work with bias edges, you can instead cut a single 11-1/2 in. square, then cut once on the diagonal.
From the red and royal blue fabrics, cut an 11-1/2 in. square. Cut in half on a diagonal, forming 2 triangles to be used in the corners.

Note: The setting triangles are cut a little larger on purpose to allow for variations in cutting and seaming. You will have the opportunity to square up the quilt top at the end of assembly, if needed.

FOR THE BORDERS:

Dark brown fabric – 2/3 yard.

Cut 8 – 2 1/2 in. x WOF strips.

Piecing Instructions:

Construct the log cabin blocks for each color section as described below. All seams are 1/4 in. Press all seams away from the center of the block after each new seam.
1. For example, for Block A (the red/pink blocks), begin with a pink center square CS. Sew a pink piece 1 to the bottom. Sew a pink piece 2 along the right side.
Sew a red piece 3 to the top, then a red piece 4 along the left side.
Continue to add pink pieces to the bottom and right sides and red pieces to the top and left sides, in the order shown to the right.
Prepare the blocks for each color set in this manner, with the following pairs, as shown in the picture below.
1. Block B: Orange and yellow
2. Block C: Lavender and turquoise
3. Block D: Light green and dark green
4. Block E: Light green and royal blue (with “light” light green in the center)
Working on the diagonal from the top left corner, arrange each row from left to right with the appropriate color setting triangles, corner triangles, and blocks as shown in the diagram below. Press all seams open or to the side as desired for seam nesting.
1. Row 1: Orange, 1 Block A, Red (then attach a Red corner triangle to the top of Row 1)
2. Row 2: Yellow, 1 Block B, 2 Block A, Red
3. Row 3: Turquoise, 2 Block C, 1 Block B, 2 Block A, Red corner triangle
4. Row 4: Blue corner triangle, 1 Block E, 1 Block D, 2 Block C, 1 Block B, Orange
5. Row 5: Blue, 1 Block E, 1 Block D, 1 Block C, Yellow
6. Row 6: Blue, 1 Block E, Turquoise (then attach a Blue corner triangle to the bottom of Row 6)
Trim all the quilt top edges to 1/4 in. seam allowance.
1. The setting triangles were made larger on purpose to provide some leeway in construction. After constructing the top, use a water soluble marker to mark 1/4 in. past where the setting triangles meet. Connect all the points and trim any excess away from these lines.
Add borders to each side.
1. Stitch pairs of border strips together on the short sides to create 4 long border strips. Press the seams open.
2. Align the seam of one long border strip with the middle of the top edge of the quilt. Pin in place, working from the center outwards, and stitch. Press the seam away from the quilt. Trim the excess border even with the left and right sides.
3. Repeat for the bottom edge.
4. Find the midpoint of the left and right sides by measuring or by folding the top in half. Mark with a temporary fabric marking tool or pins. Align the seams of the remaining long border strips with the midpoint on each side. Stitch each seam. Press the seams away from the quilt. Trim the excess border even with the top and bottom edges.
Quilt the top as desired. The example quilt was quilted on a longarm quilting machine with the following motifs:
1. Swirls of breezes in the sunset color layers of red, pink, orange and yellow.
2. Feathery clouds in the lavender and turquoise sections.
3. Vines of leaves in the green sections.
4. Swirling waves in the blue ocean section.