This guest post by Laura Parry, owner of the fabric shop Global Fiber Shop, teaches you how to create a framed quilt block. Laura has been a Suzy Quilts partner for several years, and is even a Discount partner on The Cutting Table! Her shop has a beautiful collection of fabrics with a focus on different textures including peppered cottons and chambray. Take it away, Laura!
Would you like to add a little pizazz to that blank corner of the room? Or perhaps you just want to find your sew-jo but can’t muster the time for a full quilt project. This framed quilt block tutorial is the perfect solution.
In this tutorial, I will show you how to adapt the Mosaic quilt pattern to make a series of three framed quilt blocks. One thing I love most is that this project is relatively fast to finish if you happen to need a quick gift in a pinch.
Keep reading to learn how to make a framed quilt block and even buy a kit for this project!
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Framed Quilt Block and Full Mosaic Quilt Kits
To make the framed quilt blocks exactly as they are shown in this tutorial, you can order a kit! For a limited time, Global Fiber Shop will have kits for this project which can be purchased here.
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Don't forget that subscribers to The Cutting Table can get an exclusive discount for their Global Fiber Shop purchases!
And because Mosaic is such a fun quilt pattern, Global Fiber Shop also has TWO brand new Mosaic quilt kits featuring Suzy Quilts fabrics! Purchase this Mosaic quilt kit in Nova Meadow here. Get a full Mosaic quilt kit and the framed quilt block kit to add coordinating touches to your home.
And if you prefer lighter colors, you can get a Mosaic quilt kit in Queen Bee here.
Framed Quilt Block Materials
- Mosaic Quilt Pattern
- Fabric and batting (see fabric requirements below)
- Hera marker
- Aurifil 8wt thread
- Lecien Hidamari Sashiko Needles (comes with a needle threader)
- Thimble
- Ruler
- Basting spray or pins
- Frames with mats of choice (18” square opening)
- Basic Quilting supplies
Framed Quilt Block Fabric Requirements
The Row A center panel in the Mosaic Quilt consists of three identical blocks sewn together, which will become separate mini quilts for this tutorial.
Fabric requirements for a single block:
- Color 1: 1 FQ or 1/4 yard
- Color 2: 1 FQ
- Color 3: Not used
- Color 4: 1 scrap at least 3” square
- Color 5: 1 FQ or 1/4 yard
- Background: 1 FQ or 1/4 yard
Fabric requirements for three blocks with different looks:
- Color 1: 3 - FQs or 3 - 1/4 yard
- Color 2: 3 - FQs
- Color 3: not used
- Color 4: 3 scraps that measure at least 3” square
- Color 5: 3 - FQs or 3 - 1/4 yards
- Background: 3 FQs or 3 - 1/4 yards
NOTE: If you would like continuity among these blocks (a fabric selection that repeats between 2 or more blocks), you may want to consider your layout as you make these selections. For example, if you’d like your background fabric to be the same in all three blocks, you would choose to purchase ¾ yard of this fabric.
Tips for Fabric Selection
When choosing fabric pull and placement, decide how many blocks you will make and how you’d like these blocks to coordinate and/or contrast with each other.
In each of the three blocks in this tutorial, at least one fabric is shared with another block. This helps make each block feel unique yet adds cohesiveness to the project when considered as a set.
There will be leftover scraps after making the first block, and it is rather easy to pull these scraps into another block. If you prefer, you can choose 5 unique prints or colors for each of three blocks. This is completely up to you but should be taken into consideration when allocating the appropriate yardage for your project.
When planning which fabrics to use, also consider placement in the block. For example, using two high-contrast fabrics for Color 2 and the background will highlight the half square triangle (HST) checkered effect. For Colors 1 and 5, you might choose prints that are in the same color family as Color 2 (all three are shades of blue for example), with Color 2 presenting a medium hue color for more contrast.
Step 1: Cut Fabric
Cut fabric as outlined below for one block. Repeat two more times to make three unique blocks. Labeling the cut fabric pieces is helpful to stay organized.
- Color 1: Cut (3) 3" x 15" strips
- Color 2: Cut (3) 6 3/4" squares and (1) 3" x 15" strip
- Color 3: Not used
- Color 4: Cut (1) 3" square
- Color 5: Cut (2) 3" x 15" strips
- Background: Cut (3) 6 3/4" squares
Step 2: Make the Quilt Blocks
Review instructions for Row A on page 3 of the Mosaic Quilt pattern, keeping in mind you are only making 1 of 3 independent blocks at a time because they are NOT identical as listed in the pattern. Consider the following as you complete the Row A blocks.
- Using Color 2 and the background color, complete steps 1-4 as outlined in the pattern.
- Step 5 is not relevant to this project.
- As you complete step 6, keep in mind that the strips are not WOF but 15” long.
- Complete steps 7 and 8 as listed. Following instruction in step 7, slice strips into 3” block units (there will be leftovers). You need 4 of each Block Unit (labeled 1, 2 and 3). Fig. 7 is very helpful as you complete the block layout.
Repeat this process for two additional blocks.
Step 3: Baste the Mini Quilts
Press the pieced block and one of the 20” squares for the quilt back.
Layer the backing wrong side up, and the batting and quilt block top right side up. Baste as desired.
These blocks will go into traditional picture frames. It is wise to plan how the mini quilts will be finished at this point. If you do not want the extra bulk inside your frame, you can either choose to skip traditional batting or use material with less loft, such as flannel, to reduce the “fluff” factor and bulk. You can even choose to use the flannel as your actual backing.
My samples were made with scraps of batting I had available and scraps of a wide back poplin I happened to have available for the backing. When I make these blocks again, I will likely opt to use a flannel backing and avoid using the extra layer of traditional batting.
Step 4: Quilt the Mini Quilts
Hand quilt or machine quilt each Mosaic mini quilt as desired. If you have never hand-quilted before, smaller projects are the perfect chance to give it a try!
Check out Suzy’s video tutorial to learn how to hand quilt.
An added bonus, because these blocks will be framed and the back-side of each mini quilt won’t be seen, you have more flexibility with starting/stopping a quilting line. There is no need to bury threads and you don’t need to be that concerned in general with how things look on the backside.
The hand-quilted details in this project were done using the new Aurifil 8wt thread from Suzy Quilts Evolve Collection. It is dreamy to work with and provides the perfect stand-out detail to these blocks in the perfect matching shades.
Give yourself permission to lean into the decorative aspect of quilting these mini-blocks. Because these are small and will be held together inside of the frame, the primary purpose of the quilting details is artistic versus function.
Trim the mini quilts down to an 18" square using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler.
Step 5: Choose the Frame
Again you have options here!
Option one: If you’d rather not use frames, bind and finish your quilt to be hung using any number of more traditional options (loops on back, double-sided tape, insert a rod, use quilt hangers — all viable options. This is what most people tend to do with wall hanging quilts.
Option two: Skip the binding and use frames! Why choose this option? It is certainly faster to put these blocks in a mat and frame and that may be all that needs to be said to convince you to give it a try. I personally like the contrast of textures — the wood frame, the mat, the fabric and the hand-stitching all add their own textural layer to these pieces.
Consider two things when choosing the frame. First, the blocks are 18” square and you need a frame to match that size. I choose to use a mat that fits in a 22” square frame with an 18” square opening. Using a mat both highlights the block itself and provides stability and structure to the block inside the frame. Think of the mat as your substitute binding for the mini quilts.
Second, you may want to preserve your mini-quilts and protect the fabric against light damage by choosing an acid-free mat and archival quality anti-glare glass. But if you choose to use more affordable framing supplies, you can make new mini quilts once your first set begins to fade, so this project can change as your style changes over time!
Step 6: Frame the Mini Quilts
Open the back of the frame and make sure any protective coating is removed from the glass.
Place the mat back inside the frame, face down so you are looking at the backside of the mat. Put your quilt block face down in the center of the mat just as you would place a picture in the mat. It is okay if things do not perfectly line up right away. The quilted block will have a little give and that is to your benefit.
Line up one side of the block so it just barely sits on the outside of the mat opening. Use a little scotch tape at the corners to temporarily hold it in place. You can then give the slightest little pull to have the opposite side line up and tape these corners in place. Add a little extra tape if needed in the middle of the four sides.
NOTE: The tape is a temporary but effective way to keep things in line while framing. No other adhesives are needed. Once you have the back of the frame in place, the pressure of the glass, mat, mini-quilt and frame back will hold everything together and you can remove the tape.
Gently flip the frame, glass, mat and block over to peak at the matted block from the front. Oh my gosh, it’s so cute! Make any necessary tweaks as needed until you are satisfied with the way the block sits in the mat. Once you are satisfied, you can put the backing on the frame and you're done!
Show Off Your Framed Quilt Blocks!
Where will you hang your framed quilt blocks? They are a fabulous way to use up your stash and feature your favorite collections. Framing these blocks also showcases hand-quilting details for everyone to admire.
We can’t wait to see how you make these blocks your own! Be sure to use #SuzyQuiltsPatterns and tag @suzyquilts when you post your pictures on socials.