In March I released a free pattern called Floating Squares, which is both beginner friendly and fat quarter friendly! It is my spin on the classic economy block, but with a few tricks worked in so that it yields terrific results, even for relatively new quilters. While I was stitching up my original Floating Squares sample, I knew I’d be sewing this pattern again . . . and again. The blocks come together quickly and it’s so fun to watch the fabrics work together. Check out these pretty blocks I just stitched up!
Here are the nine fat quarters I began with. (You can ignore the cute plum gingham on the left side of the photo. He joined the photo shoot just for fun.) My Floating Squares pattern calls for 21 fat quarters, along with border yardage. But you can also use my instructions to stitch up as many (or few) blocks as you’d like. Group your fat quarters into sets of three and let the fun begin!
As it says in my instructions, each fat quarter will yield two blocks. Since I began with 9 fat quarters, I’ll end up with 18 Floating Squares blocks. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll make a long table runner (two rows wide by nine rows long) or a square table topper (four by four, omitting two block). I’m just going to keep sewing and enjoy these gorgeous fabrics.
Speaking of the gorgeous fabrics, I purchased these fat quarters from three different quilt shops. Five of the prints are from Art Gallery Fabrics (AGF), two are from Cotton & Steel, and two are a mystery to me. Within the AGF pieces, I spy three different designers: Sharon Holland, Amy Sinibaldi and Katarina Roccella. It’s a bit of a thrill to collect pretty fat quarters and then put them to creative use.
I dare you to break into a few of your treasured fat quarters and stitch up some Floating Squares blocks. I bet you’ll get carried away! And if you do, be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your progress!
@taunjalynn #floatingsquarespattern
Don’t forget, I’m running a Mother’s Day Sale on my Etsy shop. Everything is 15% off through May 20. Thanks for stopping by!
~Taunja
Original Floating Squares, featuring Shoreline by Camille Roskelley
Every time I look at your original Floating Squares quilt, I’m amazed. I am terrible with colors (yes, I have been sewing for 56 years, and I quilt, but let’s get beyond that) and would never have come up with the combination you used for that quilt – not in a million years. You’re pretty much a Color Goddess, I think!
You are too kind Lori! But honestly, in the original Floating Squares, I didn’t do anything color special . . . as that was all from the same fabric bundle! 🙂 All credit goes to the fabric designer on that one! 🙂 Have a great weekend and thanks so much for visiting my blog!
Thank you for the cute pattern!!
You are welcome Ellen! I hope you enjoy it!
So beautiful. Your patterns and quilts never disappoint. Thank you for the pattern and your inspiration!
Thanks so much Melanie! I appreciate your kind words!