Conversations Pattern for Ellie Fun

July 26, 2009
Pattern

Connie asked me for the pattern for the Ellie Fun quilt, and rather than hide the info in a comment I thought it would be better to make a post of it.  Thanks for asking Connie!

ellie-fun-front3

I got this pattern from my very talented quilting teacher at my local quilt shop.  Not sure if it’s her pattern or where it originated from, but there is no copyright on the pattern, so I figured I’d share it with all of you.

This is a great pattern for the conversation prints, and it is really designed to show off a pattern by fussy cutting (cutting out a specific design element in the fabric rather than simply cutting yardage).  I didn’t fussy cut my focus fabrics (elephants) because I didn’t need to, but feel free to fussy cut, and keep in mind that if you do fussy cut you will likely need more yardage for your focus fabric.  The key to this pattern is to stay organized–you need to alternate the arrangements of the strip squares (see below for more detailed explanation).

The yardages below are approximately what I used for my pre-washed quilt of 59 x 67.  The pattern did not come with fabric yardage requirements (it just had the directions).

Fabric for 59 x 67 quilt:

  • 1 1/4 yd. elephants (focus fabric)
  • 3/8 yd. green polka dot (coordinating fabric)
  • 5/8 yd. floral (coordinating fabric)
  • 3/8 yd. red polka dot (coordinating fabric)
  • 1/2 yd. brown (inner border)
  • 1 1/3 yd. red floral pattern (outer border)
  • 1/2 yd. green polka dot (binding)
  • Fabric for backing

Cutting Instructions:

  • The focus fabric (elephants): cut 72  4 1/2″ squares
  • 3 coordinating fabrics:
    • Green with polka dots: cut 8 1 1/2″ strips the width of the fabric
    • Flower print: cut 8 2 1/2″ strips the width of the fabric
    • Red polka dots: cut 8 1 1/2″ strips the width of the fabric
  • Brown inner border: 2 1/2″ strips the width of the fabric
  • Flower outer border: 6 1/2″ Strips the width of the fabric
  • Binding: cut 7 2 1/2″ strips strips the width of the fabric

Directions:

  1. Sew the fabric strips together so there is a 1 1/2 strip, then a 2 1/2 strip, then 1 1/2 strip (green polka dots, flower print, red polka dots.  The dimension of the strip set will be 4 1/2″ x 42ish”  From the strip set, cut 4 1/2 squares.  Repeat until you have 72 strip set squares.
  2. To arrange the top simply take an elephant square; then place a strip set horizontally (green strip on top); then an elephant square; then a strip set (red strip on top); then an elephant square; then strip set (green on top); then elephant square; then strip set (red on top) etc.  The alternating arrangement gives the framed look.
  3. The next row start with a vertical strip set (green strip on the left); then an elephant square; then a strip set (red strip on the left); then an elephant square; then strip set (green strip on the left); then elephant square; then strip set (red strip on the left) etc.
  4. Since I started row 1 with an elephant square the last square in row 1 needs to be an elephant square.  You also want your last row to be the same as your first row.   So, for the rows starting with the elephants, the last square should be elephants, and for the rows starting with the vertical strip (green on the left), the last square should be a vertical square (green strip on the left).
  5. You can start the first row with the elephants or the strips too.  I would cut some squares and strip sets and arrange them how you like it.  Just make sure you alternate the strips both horizontally and vertically so you get the framed look. (Strip 1 and 3 could be the same fabric too and then you don’t have to worry about alternating the strips in a row, but be sure to alternate the strips for each row—horizontally place in one row and vertically place in the next and so forth).  There really aren’t any hard and fast rule here–see what works with your fabric and what you like.
  6. The number of squares in each row and how many rows is going to depend on how big you want your quilt.  I did 11 squares in each row and 13 rows.
  7. Attach your borders–if your quilt is small you’ll want to go with smaller borders.
  8. Quilt and then bind.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

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