A few years ago, I found myself captivated by the intricate art of storytelling through fabric. I remember visiting a small fabric shop with shelves stacked high with bundles of prints and textures that held their own secret histories. Each pattern seemed to echo a tale of color, culture, and memory.
This sparked my desire to create quilts that combined patterns as threads in a narrative, allowing each quilt to become a tapestry of stories and connections. The Merchant Bright’s Quilt, crafted from Liberty’s Emporium Collection, is one of these treasured creations. With its complex mix of stars and squares, this quilt brings out the charm of old-world design and the vivid colors of a merchant’s bustling marketplace, blending into a masterpiece for any quilt lover.
Stars of Heritage: The Significance Behind the Merchant Bright’s Quilt Design
The Merchant Bright’s Quilt is a celebration of symmetry and bold, patterned fabric choices. The design draws its roots from traditional star blocks and triangles, but adds a twist with variations in color, giving each star its unique place within the quilt.
The combination of half-square and quarter-square triangles, assembled with precision, creates starry formations that seem to twinkle with life. This interplay of shapes and shades represents a merchant’s vibrant wares on display, capturing the spirit of craftsmanship and the joy of piecing together beautiful things from across the world.
Materials List for Merchant Bright’s Quilt
To make the Merchant Bright’s Quilt, you’ll need the following materials:
- 15 Fat Quarters – Various prints from The Emporium Collection by Liberty
- 1 5/8 yards of Wild Bloom A (04775901A)
- ¼ yard of Turner C (04775903C)
- 3 1/8 yards of White Wiltshire Shadow (04775715Z)
- 3/4 yard of Fabric for Binding
Finished Quilt Size: 70” x 84”
Block Size: 12” x 12”
The cutting and sewing will incorporate a standard ¼” seam allowance, and each block will bring together a different combination of fabrics to build the starry patchwork landscape of this quilt.
Prepping for the Journey: Essential Tips Before You Begin
Before you start cutting or sewing, familiarize yourself with the layout and construction of the quilt. The instructions use basic quilting techniques such as half-square and quarter-square triangles, but consistency in sizing is key to achieving the seamless look of the finished product.
Precision is your best friend here, so double-check all measurements and align your pieces carefully. Taking time to organize your fabrics, especially since each block uses different prints, will also make assembly smoother. Remember, this quilt celebrates diversity in design, so let your color choices shine through!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Crafting the Merchant Bright’s Quilt
Let’s dive into the steps to construct your own Merchant Bright’s Quilt! Here, we’ll assemble blocks, add sashing and borders, and piece everything together to bring out the vibrant character of this quilt.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Step 1: Prepare Your Squares and Strips
- Cut the Fabric: Following the Cutting Requirements section, cut the fat quarters and other fabrics into the required squares and strips. Organize your squares by size and fabric print for easy access.
- Half-Square Triangles (HSTs):
- Draw a diagonal line on the back of each 5” White Wiltshire Shadow square.
- Place one White Wiltshire Shadow square on top of a 5” print square from your fat quarters, with right sides together.
- Sew ¼” on each side of the drawn line, then cut along the line to create two HSTs. Press the seams open or toward the darker fabric.
- Square up each HST to 4½”. Repeat until you have 84 assorted HSTs. You’ll use 80 for the quilt and set aside 4 extras.
- Quarter-Square Triangles (QSTs):
- Draw a diagonal line on the back of each 5¼” White Wiltshire Shadow square.
- Place a White Wiltshire Shadow square with a 5¼” print square (right sides together). Sew ¼” on each side of the line, then cut along the line to create two HSTs.
- Press the seams toward the print fabric.
- Take one HST, draw a diagonal line across the seam, and place it on top of another HST, with the seams nested.
- Sew ¼” on each side of this new line, then cut along the line to create two QSTs. Square up to 4½”.
- Repeat until you have 80 QSTs.
Step 2: Assemble the Star Blocks
Each Star Block requires a combination of HSTs and QSTs to form the star pattern.
- Lay Out Row 1: Arrange two HSTs on either side of a QST. Sew together to form the top row.
- Assemble Row 2: Place two QSTs on either side of a 4½” square from your assorted prints. This forms the middle row.
- Create Row 3: Arrange two HSTs on either side of a QST. Sew these pieces together to form the bottom row.
- Join the Rows: Sew Row 1, Row 2, and Row 3 together, matching seams as you go. This completes one Star Block.
- Repeat to make 20 Star Blocks.
Step 3: Add Sashing and Posts
Sashing and posts bring structure and spacing to your quilt blocks.
- Sashing Rows:
- For each sashing row, sew one 2½” x 12½” White Wiltshire Shadow rectangle between each Star Block.
- You’ll create five rows of four Star Blocks, separated by sashing rectangles.
- Post Rows:
- Assemble the post rows by placing a 2½” White Wiltshire Shadow rectangle between each 2½” print square (post).
- Create four post rows, each with four sashing rectangles and three posts.
Step 4: Assemble the Quilt Center
- Following the Quilt Center Diagram, alternate the Star Block rows with the post rows.
- Sew each row together, then join the rows to complete the center of your quilt.
Step 5: Attach Borders
- Measure for Borders:
- Measure through the center of the quilt top to get accurate side and top/bottom measurements.
- Sew border strips together as needed to match the required lengths.
- Border 1:
- Attach the White Wiltshire Shadow 2½” strips for Border 1.
- Sew the side borders first (68½”), then add the top and bottom borders (58½”).
- Border 2:
- Add the Wild Bloom A 6½” strips as Border 2.
- Sew the side borders first (72½”), then add the top and bottom borders (70½”).
Step 6: Quilt and Bind
- Quilting:
- Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing.
- Quilt as desired; you might opt for a simple meandering design or intricate patterns that highlight the stars.
- Binding:
- Use ¾ yard of your chosen binding fabric to cut and sew the binding around the edges.
- Hand or machine stitch the binding in place to finish.
Additional Tips for Success
- Pressing Matters: Take your time pressing each seam. This ensures accuracy and helps your blocks stay square.
- Plan Your Fabric Layout: Arrange all Star Blocks before sewing them into rows to ensure a balanced look across the quilt.
- Border Precision: Measure carefully before attaching borders; slight adjustments can help the quilt stay squared and even.
Creating the Merchant Bright’s Quilt is like weaving a tapestry of colors, textures, and memories. This quilt doesn’t just bring together individual blocks—it brings together the artistry of the past with a contemporary flair. Each step in the process, from choosing fabrics to squaring up your triangles, contributes to the story.
As you lay out your quilt and see the finished design come together, you’ll be reminded of the joy in crafting something personal and unique. Let it be a reminder of the beauty in handmade work and the warmth that a well-loved quilt can bring.
