TUTORIAL KAWAII BLOCK

Tutorial For Kawaii Quilt

Seen in Fons and Porter – Quilting Quickly magazine

Fabric Requirements:

18 Fat Quarters (fat quarter 18”x20”) Color palette used in layout was red/purple/pink

2 ½ yards background print (cream was used in layout in magazine)

5/8 yard for binding (red was used in example)

4 ¾ yards backing

Full size batting 

Finished Size 72”x 72” 

Finished Blocks 36- 12” blocks

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:

(For a single block only:  1- 4 ½” “C” Square for center, 2 each of print and background color @ 4 7/8”  “A” Squares, 4 each of print and background 4 ½” x 2 ½” Rectangles “B” )  

Hint: When cutting several pieces from a cut of fabric, use sticky note with a pin to label the measurement and which (letter or pattern piece) it is. 

From each Fat Quarter cut the following:

1- 4 7/8” strip   then sub cut 4- 4 7/8 ”  “A” squares.

2- 4 ½” strips then sub cut 2- 4 ½”   “C” squares, and 8- 4 ½”x 2 ½”   “B” rectangles.

From Cream (or background color) cut the following: 

9- 4 7/8” strips  then sub cut 72- 4 7/8”  “A” squares

9- 4 ½” strips   then sub cut 144- 4 ½”   “B” Rectangles

Hint:  Lay out the pieces and mark, then stack to the left of your machine for easy chain piecing. 

After pressing and squaring the individual units, lay out the block as it should appear.   Piece in the same order from row to row. 

From Red (binding color) cut the following:

8- 2 ¼” strips.  (if you would like a slightly wider binding allow slightly more yardage) 

ASSEMBLING YOUR UNITS:

1.   Half Square Triangles:   Make 144 half square triangles using background and fat quarter assorted prints to make your “A” squares.   

2.  Join 1 background rectangle and 1 print rectangle to make “B” side units.  Make 144. 

3.  Lay out the following for each block assembly:

1- Matching set of 4 half square triangles  “A”

1- Matching set of 4 side units  “B  

1- Matching Center Square  “C” 

You will have three rows.  Join each of the sub units in the row, then join the 3 sections of rows.  Basic 9 patch block construction.  Press center row seams to the center, and top and bottom rows to the outside for nesting seams.  Square the block with your 12 ½” ruler.

Block is now complete: 

Joining blocks can be done either in full rows, or in 4 block units.  It is up to you how you join these.  (I learned that if I joined in 4 block sections, it seems to go together a bit easier than the weight and drag of side by side rows of blocks… either will work)   These rows are only 6 blocks, so the length and width are not extreme here. 

FINISHING:

Divide backing fabric into 2- 2 3/8 yard lengths. 

Sandwich and quilt.

Join 2 1/4” strips for binding.  

Snuggle at will!