Free Fat Quarter Friendly ‘All Blocked In’ Pattern
Modern Fat Quarter Quilting
Easy Modern Fat Quarter Quilting
This free & easy ‘All Blocked In’ modern fat quarter quilting pattern is perfect for so many different styles of fabrics. You may have seen this modern fat quarter pattern using high contrast black and white fabrics. The bold geometric prints created a dynamic design combined with batik strips.
This time, the same asymmetrical pattern is used with floral themed low volume fabrics. As with the black and white quilt, the bit of bold color added with a single batik fabric is a great contrast. Here, it brings all the patterns together emphasizing the predominant bold batik colors which is repeated throughout the floral prints.
Easy Modern Fat Quarter Quilting Pattern ‘All Blocked In’
The ‘All Blocked In’ modern fat quarter quilting pattern is a breeze to cut and sews together quickly. This latest low volume & batik version is a lap size quilt measuring 42” x 56”. I used a combination of six different low volume prints and floral fat quarters plus a single batik for the narrow strips. It turned out to be a perfect combination for a lovely, tranquil quilt design.
Read What Are Low Volume Quilts and Fabrics to learn more about how to choose low volume fabrics and see some examples of low volume quilts. Low volume quilting is a fun way to change up your quilting style with a new and easy method.
Selecting Batik Contrast Fabrics
The recent low volume quilts I made are very subtle and are almost monochromatic which is a common characteristic of this style quilt. However, my newest low volume quilt has quite a bit more contrast thanks to both the floral fabrics which carry the color scheme across the entire quilt top, and the batik fabric I used. The color brought in by the batik is much more saturated and bolder compared to the low volume florals. Together these fabrics work well together and provide enough contrast to keep it interesting.
Let your personal taste direct you to what you like the best. Maybe choose a favorite color or print, or perhaps a combination of different prints in a variety of colors. Whatever your choice, use a highly saturated color. Light or pastel fabric choices won’t provide enough contrast in a bold design like this. They will get lost mixed amongst the low volume fabrics.
How to Make the ‘All Blocked In’ Quilt
Fabric Needed to Make This Lap Size Quilt Top
This lap quilt, measuring 42” x 56”, is made with 2 fat quarters each of 6 different fabrics for a total of 12 fat quarters. You could certainly use all different prints, but my goal was to make the floral fabrics more prominent.
The optional side border requires two strips the length of your finished quilt. First, add a 1 ½”x 56” strip of batik to one long side. Secondly, add an additional print strip measuring 5 ½” x 56 ½” to the outside edge of the batik strip just added.
Note: If you want to make a larger quilt, check out the fabric requirements below.
Prepare to Cut Your Blocks
Stack all six fat quarters evenly on your cutting mat before cutting out the block. By cutting all fat quarters together, you will have uniform squares to work with. Once cut, you will only use one fabric from each fat quarter to complete your block so that no fabrics are repeated in any block.
All six fat quarters need to be cut down to 14 ½” x 17”. Here’s the method I use to stack and trim my fat quarters before cutting them into blocks. Stack each fat quarter, one at a time, on top of each other. Be sure to keep the cut edges to the same side and the selvages on the other side. Keep in mind that not all fat quarters are created equal!
Square Up & Trim Fat Quarters
Now that you have a stack of fat quarters laid out with all the selvages to one side, you will even up the opposite cut edges by trimming off about 1/8”. Be sure you are cutting along the 18” side and not the 22” length.
From the edge you just trimmed, measure in 14 ½” and cut the fabric the same direction as the selvage. The remaining stack of fabric with the selvage may be set aside for another project. Now trim up your fabric stack to measure 14 ½” x 17”. You will need to cut no more than ½” from each untrimmed side.
How to Cut Your Quilt Blocks
The ‘All Blocked In’ block is made with five rectangles. Place your fabric stack on the cutting mat with the 14 ½” from top to bottom and the 17” width from side to side. Following the diagrams below, make cuts 1 through 6 to create seven different size pieces. Note that there are two pieces that will be set aside for another project.
The small 2 ½” square will not be used in this block.
Once all six cuts are completed, slide the two largest rectangles clockwise as shown in the Final Block Layout diagram below.
Then remove the two pieces not being used and your block will look like this.
Organize Your Fabric Stack for Sewing
Hint: You’ll notice these photos have a different fabric on top of each stack of blocks. I found that arranging the fabric layers before sewing makes the job much easier. Here’s a little trick that helps to ensure you don’t repeat any fabrics in the same blocks.
Beginning with block #2, take the top fabric and place it at the bottom of the pile. Then take the top two fabrics off the top of block #3 and put them to the bottom of the pile. Continue with each block so there is a different fabric on top. Now you’re ready to sew your blocks together without duplicating any fabrics within a single block.
How to Cut Your Batik Strips
Each block requires two narrow batik strips. One measures 1 ½” x 14 ½” and the second measures 1” x 5”. Since this lap quilt is made up of 12 blocks, I wanted to get all the batik strips from one fat quarter. There’s not much room for error, but it can be done!
Lay your fat quarter with the short 18” edge to the side. Trim it straight. Then make a cut 14 ½” from the trimmed edge. Your cut fabric should measure 14 ½” x 18”. The remaining piece with the selvage should measure approximately 6” x 18”, depending on the width of the original fabric. Set that one aside for the next step.
Stack these two pieces on top of each other.
I cut mine into 3” strips first, then cut each to 1 ½”.
How to Cut the Smaller Batik Strips
Using the 6” x 18” piece previously set aside, you will first trim off the selvage side, so it measures 5” x 18”. Cut 12 strips measuring 1” x 5” from this strip.
Referring to the diagram below, put the batik strips in place where they will be sewn into the block.
Prepare to Assemble Your Blocks
Assemble Your Blocks
Sew your blocks together by following the numeric order indicated on the Block Assembly Layout diagram above. First sew blocks 1 & 2 together with the batik strip in between. Add block 3 alongside the previously sewn unit. Then sew block 4 as noted on the diagram above. If it isn’t the right size, first check that it’s been trimmed to 5” x 11 ½”. Next, double check to ensure you moved the two long rectangles into their right spots.
Now you will add the batik strip to the longest block 5, which is also the last strip to be attached. With the batik fabric towards the pre-sewn block, sew the final seam to finish your block.
Put Your Quilt Top Together
Decide on a block arrangement that you like and begin sewing. What’s great about this pattern is how few seams there are to match up. You’ll have a quick and easy time putting it all together.
Lastly you may choose to add a side border according to the directions mentioned above. Modern quilts generally don’t have a border, but I like the asymmetrical look of a long edge. It seems to pull it all together and it’s another opportunity for more batik strips!
More Ideas
Low volume fabrics are versatile to work with. This quilt has a specific coral and green color scheme, but you can go very neutral and let the batik strips bring in all the color.
For more definition of each block, add a bold lattice strip to just two sides of each block. When the blocks are laid out, the lattice strips provide a bit of separation between the graphic patterns. Even better is how the blocks are slightly offset, which staggers up the pattern adding more interest.
No matter how you finish off this quilt, it’ll be an attention getter! Have fun with it.
Fabric Requirements for Larger Size Quilts
Easy ‘All Blocked In’ Fabric Requirements are listed below. The fat quarter quantity ensures no duplication of fabrics. The entire fat quarter will not be used to make the individual blocks. Each block measures 14 ½” x 14 ½” (finished 14” x 14”). The final dimensions listed below do not include a side border which is optional.
- Baby 28” x 42” requires 6 fat quarters for 6 blocks
- Lap 42” x 56” requires 12 fat quarters for 12 blocks
- Twin 70” x 84” requires 30 fat quarters for 30 blocks
- Queen 98” x 98” requires 49 fat quarters for 49 blocks
- King 108” x 108” requires 64 fat quarters for 64 blocks
Add A Fun Backing To Your New Quilt
What is Quilt Backing will give you plenty of quilt back ideas to add even more interest to your new quilt!
Beautiful quilt! I love your fabric choices. Can you tell me what fabric line you used?
Hi Kathy,
Thank you so much! These are fabrics I’ve collected and they are a bit hard to track down. I’ll be adding a group photo of all the fabrics I used to the post. The batik isn’t in there b/c I used it all. 🙂
I think I’m going to add a side border and am looking for a complimentary batik. Should I find a great match, I’ll also include it in the post. I appreciate your input.
Thx, Lea
I love this block! I put together a black and white baby quilt and it is adorable. Thank you for this pattern!
Thank you so much Nancy. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this pattern! Such a great gift for a new baby. I appreciate you giving my pattern a try.
Lea