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Batik Umbrella Quilt Tutorial

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This is a beautiful quilt that takes no time at all to make. You can easily make the batik Umbrella Quilt with scraps in your stash or take a look at my materials list and grab some of your fat quarters.

Batik Umbrella quilt with statue of boy

I used colorful batiks from the Red Tide collection from Island Batik which I don’t know if you can find anymore but you could use any bright quilt fabrics or batiks.

Fat Quarter batiks yardage

I remember when I showed a peek at this project and the beautiful Red Tide collection of batiks I got to work with.

Those little yellow flowers may be dandelions but they sure look neat with my quilt!

The quilt laying in the grass

Free motion applique

I like to use old phone book pages when I do my applique. I wonder if phone books will even exist in 20 years. I can’t remember the last time I used one as we don’t even have a house phone anymore.

Newsprint paper is also great to use as it is blank and you don’t have to worry about the ink on phone book pages getting on your fabric (it hasn’t happened to me).

I did the free motion applique around the umbrella and then removed the phone book paper. You really don’t need any paper behind the sections of the umbrella as the black fabric will stabilize your stitching.

using phone book paper for the stabilizer for applique

If you decide to leave the paper on that is fine, you just have more to remove. This photo makes it easier for you to see my squiggly free-motion applique.

leave the paper on when doing applique

The applique was done on my vintage 15-91 Singer and it is free motion applique. I used several different colors of Aurifil thread for the applique – black for the umbrella applique, white for the free motion quilting on the cream squares, and tan for the wiggle line on the blocks.

Close up of quilting

26″ x 26″ Quilt

I have recently combined both blog posts into one PDF that also includes the Umbrella Template. It is optimized for printing with no ads in it.

Get the Umbrella Applique quilt PDF

Materials you will need:

  • Assorted fat quarters of batiks (the more you use….more variety and color).
  • 1/4 yard cream batik or muslin
  • 1/4 yard black batik (for umbrellas)
  • 3 – 2½ inch strips for binding
  • backing and batting – 32-inch x 32-inch square
  • ½ yard Heat n Bond Lite
  • Newsprint paper for stabilizing applique

Cut the following:

  • Cut: (120) – 2½” squares of the colorful batiks
  • Cut: (4) – 2½” squares of the cream/muslin
  • Cut: (5) – 7″ squares of cream/muslin (we will trim them later)

Make 4 Blocks:

  • For each block -cut (8) assorted batik 2½” squares – a total of (32)
  • For each block – cut (1) cream 2½” square – a total of (4)
Piecing together the Batik umbrella block
  • Sew the batik squares together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance
  • Sew 3 rows of three blocks, the center row will have a cream block on the end
Batik umbrella bock sewn in sections
  • Sew together and make 4 blocks
  • Each block should measure 6½” x 6½”
Finished batik umbrella quilt block


Download the umbrella template from my post the other day where I talked about using phone books and deli paper for applique.
Make 5 appliqued umbrella blocks

  • Trace the umbrella applique pieces onto the clear plastic template and cut them out.
  • Make a mark on each piece so you know what is the right side.
  • Trace the templates onto the fusible web – turn the templates to the wrong side for two of them so your umbrellas are going in different directions.
  • Follow the directions on your fusible and apply it to your batiks.
  • Cut out the pieces of the umbrella and center them on your 7-inch cream/muslin blocks.
  • See this post umbrella template for more information.
  • Applique the blocks.
  • Trim the blocks to 6½” x 6½”.
Finish the two different blocks for the umbrella quilt
  • Sew the blocks together – make sure the cream block faces toward the center of the quilt as shown in the diagram below.
Batik umbrella quilt center part of the quilt
  • Now it is time to add the borders, grab all those beautiful batiks squares and start sewing them in rows.
  • Sew (2) rows of 9½” squares.
  • Add the top and bottom border first.
Batik Umbrella quilt top and bottom border sections
Add the side borders to th Batik Umbrella Quilt

Make two rows of (13) – 2½ squares.
Add the side borders.
You could also make all of the umbrellas the same color as I have in this sample.

  • Quilt as desired.
  • Add your binding.
Batik umbrella applique quilt tutorial at Freemotion by the River

Don’t forget to look at the post with the Free Applique Umbrella applique templates.

I’m getting settled into my new blog, there are still lots of things I have to learn but so far I really like it. After being at Blogger for 6 years I can see things I already miss about it and lots and lots of options on WordPress that will be nice to have. Oh my gosh! I just realized it is the last day of the month

Batik Umbrella quilt on bench

Just one more photo of the Batik Umbrella quilt…….I also have a beautiful quilt made with this same collection called Confetti Steps and a little Wonky Star quilt project.

quilt on rocks outside

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have enjoyed the Batik Umbrella Quilt tutorial! If you make this quilt I would love it if you would share it with me! Comments and photos always, always inspire me.

I have recently combined both blog posts into one PDF that also includes the Umbrella Template. It is optimized for printing with no ads in it.

Get the Umbrella Applique quilt PDF

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Connie with her dogs

About Connie

Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.

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16 Comments

  1. Beautiful! I going to enjoy making this one! We had a windy rainbday which caused my umbrella to turn inside out! That memory gave me an idea to turn some of your umbrella upside down. – Happy to see that your original fabrics are still available ! Love the bright colors!!! Thank you!!

  2. These umbrellas are so cute. I wish we would get rain. It is triple digits and totally dry here. Today will be 109F and I am so grateful for our air conditioning. Summer Smiles Dear…

  3. This is another idea I will be using for in Quilts. I used your Rainbow Rail Fence block in 2 Quilts now with different variations. Thanks for sharing❤️❤️

  4. Lovely! I had some work done in the yard and as they left they said “water this a lot!” Well it rained all day instead! Could have used your umbrellas yesterday! This would also be a cute table runner for the bridal shower! I haven’t seen a phone book for a while and Chicago had the best! 4 inches thick! Thanks,

  5. Love your new Blog set up. Love your Blog. Love your bright designs. Love the pictures of the river and your home. What can I say after I say I really enjoy hearing from you?

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