Miracle Fish Lap Quilt Pattern

Kick off your warm weather quilting by creating a school of gorgeous, tropical fish with this lap quilt pattern from Preeti Harris. Measuring 59 inches by 61 inches, this summer quilt pattern uses colorful batik fabric in colors like lime and cherry against a crisp white background. This charming quilt pattern uses twelve miracle fish blocks in an on-point setting, and would look so cute accompanied by a matching pillow.

Finished Size: 59” x 61”

The quilt is made up of 12 blocks (See Figure 1 below) in an on-point setting.

The quilt includes a 2” finished border (only on the top) to protect the points.

Materials:

Note: Fabrics used are from the Sunlit Garden collection provided by Island Batik.

• White background: 2 1/2 yards
• Reds (3-4 fabrics): 1 1/4 yards total
• Light Greens (3-4 fabrics): 1/2 yard total
• Medium Greens (3-4 fabrics): 1/2 yard total
• Backing: 4 1/4 yards total
• Binding: 5/8 yard total

Cutting Instructions:

Note: Cut pieces largest to smallest to maximize fabric usage.

White background:

• Cut 24 rectangles 4 1/2″ by 8 1/2″. (Side units for the Fish Block)
• Cut 12 squares 6″.
• Cut 12 squares 6 1/2″.
• Cut 2 squares 21″ and cut each into half on the diagonal for 4 large setting triangles for four corners.
• Cut 1 square 21″ and cut on the two diagonals 4 smaller setting triangles.
• Cut 2 strips 2 1/2″ x WOF, and sew them together end to end, then trim to 60″ for the top border.

Reds:

• Cut 12 rectangles 2 1/2″ by 6 1/2″.
• Cut 12 rectangles 2 1/2″ by 8 1/2″.
• Cut 12 squares 6″.
• Cut 12 squares 4 1/2″.

Medium greens:

• Cut 12 rectangles 2 1/2″ by 4 1/2″.
• Cut 12 rectangles 2 1/2″ by 6 1/2″.

Light greens:

• Cut 12 squares 4 1/2″.

Binding:

• Cut (7) 2 1/2″ x WOF strips.

Piecing Instructions:

MAKING RED AND WHITE HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES:

Note: See Figure 2 below.

1. Pair one 6″ square of white background fabric with one 6″ square of red fabric to make 8 HSTs.
2. On the back of the 6″ white square, draw lines through the center as shown – one horizontal, one vertical and two along the diagonals. Place right sides together with the 5” red square and pin in place. Stitch 1/4” from both sides of all drawn lines and cut on the drawn lines.
   
3. Press and square to 2 1/2″. You should have 8 HSTs.
4. Repeat to make a total of (96) red/white HSTs.

MAKING THE TAIL FIN UNITS:

Note: See Figures 3 and 4 below.

1. Pair each 6 1/2″ white square with a 4 1/2″ red square. Place the red square right sides together on the top right corner of the larger white square. Stitch on the diagonal and cut 1/4″ away from the stitched line. Press and square to 6 1/2″. Repeat to make a total of 12 Tail Fins.

MAKING THE BLOCK:

1. Gather the following:
   1. Light Green – one square 4 1/2″
   2. Medium Green – one rectangle 2 1/2″ by 4 1/2″ and one rectangle 2 1/2″ by 6 1/2″
   3. Red – one rectangle 2 1/2″ by 6 1/2″ and one rectangle 2 1/2″ by 8 1/2″
   4. Red and White – eight Red and White HSTs and one Tail Fin unit
   5. White – Two rectangles 4 1/2″ by 8 1/2″
2. Arrange these units as shown in Figure 6 below. Note the direction/orientation of HSTs. Stitch 4 HSTs together as shown, then stitch to the large white rectangles. Stitch the medium green rectangles (small unit first) to the light green square.
   
3. Follow the steps in the Figures 6 and 7 below (always piecing the smaller unit first) to complete the Fish Block.
   
   
4. Square to 14 1/2″. Repeat to complete all 12 Fish blocks.

LAYOUT AND PIECING THE TOP:

Notes:

• See Figure 8 below.
• The Layout Figure shows the setting triangles in grey for clarity. In the actual quilt, they are the same as the background fabric.

1. Arrange the blocks as shown. Assemble in three sections.
   
2. The middle section includes eight Fish Blocks and two large setting triangles at two ends. Stitch four blocks together into a 4-patch, paying attention to the orientation of the blocks. Press and then add the large setting triangle. Repeat to make the second half, joining the large setting triangle on the opposite side of the 4-patch this time. Join the two halves. Press and set aside.
3. The top left section includes two fish blocks, two small setting triangles, and one large setting triangle. Stitch the two blocks together, and add the smaller setting triangles, paying attention to the orientation of the triangles. Press, and then add the large setting triangle.
4. Similarly, piece the bottom right section. Pay attention to the direction of the blocks and the placement of the setting triangles. Press.
5. Piece the three sections together. Press.
6. Using a scant 1/4” seam, add a 2 1/2″ border only on the top to protect the Fish mouth points from being trimmed/lost. Press. Square the quilt as needed, trimming any overhanging border strip, and press all seams.

Layer, Baste, Quilt, Trim, Bind, Label, and Enjoy!