River Squares Quilt in Blue Batiks
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.I had so much fun making the River Squares quilt in brown batiks that I had to make another one in blues as soon as I finished quilting and binding it.
Fortunately, there wasn’t any wind to blow the quilts off the deck. The river is actually ice-covered…..just not very thick.
I originally wrote this post in 2013 and for some reason, it disappeared. Someone asked about the River Squares quilt and I was able to find the post and update it with the tutorial. Enjoy!
Purchase an ad-free printable PDF version of the River Squares tutorial in my shop that shows all the steps for making the blocks. The photos have been reduced in size and the tutorial is 8 pages long.
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
- Basic Sewing Tools
- Thread
- Quilt Ruler
- Rotary Cutter
- Cutting Mat
- Binding Clips
- Clapper – excellent for setting seams
- Lighting
River Squares Quilt in blue batiks
The blue River Squares quilt size is 37½ x 37½ and is made up of 9 blocks. The brown batik River Squares quilt is 50 x 62 and made up of 20 blocks. I also made a wheelchair quilt from 12 blocks.
Quilt Size 37.5 x 37.5
- (9) fat quarters coordinating fabrics
- 1 1/4 yards backing fabric
- 1 1/4 yards batting
- 1/3 yard (4) 2 1/2-inch strips width of fabric for binding
Quilt Size 50 x 62
- (20) fat quarters coordinating fabrics
- 3 1/2 yards backing
- 3 1/2 yards batting
- 2/3 yard (6) 2 1/2-inch strips width of fabric for binding
You want a variety of fabrics so I have figured one fat quarter for each block in the quilt. There will be leftover fabrics that can be used for pillows or other things.
Each quilt block is made with five different fabrics.
This is a very easy and fast quilt to make and can be made with coordinating fabrics or as a scrappy quilt.
Note: I used fat quarters which are 18 x 22 inches, you could also use yardage, or another option would be to use a jelly roll and a charm pack.
Each square is made the same way. What you are doing is cutting pieces from each fat quarter to equal all the parts of one block. Then follow the diagrams below and switch the different fabrics in your blocks.
You can see on the diagram that there will be leftovers. You can use these to cut out parts for other blocks. To make it simple I have figured yardage at one fat quarter per block.
Sometimes I wash my fat quarters and they shrink. That is why I cut the strips using the 22-inch length as shown.
Next, you will sub-cut the strips into the pieces needed for the blocks.
From each fat quarter cut:
- 1 – 5” square
- 2 – 2½” x 5” pieces
- 4 – 2½” x 9” pieces
- 2 – 2½” x 13” pieces
Steps to make blocks
- Step 1. Add one 2½” x 5” piece to one side of the 5-inch square. Repeat this and add one more 2½” x 5” piece to the opposite side
- Step 2. Add one 2 ½” x 9” piece to the top of the piece. Repeat this and add one more 2½” x 9” piece to the bottom of the piece as shown
- Step 3. Add one 2 ½” x 9” piece to the side of the piece. Repeat this and add one more 2½” x 9” piece to the other side of the piece as shown
- Step 4. Add one 2 ½” x 13” piece to the block. Repeat this and add one more 2½” x 13” piece to the block as shown
You will now have one 13-inch unfinished block. Continue making as many blocks as needed for your quilt size.
Lay your blocks out and rotate as shown.
Rows 3 x 3
9 square quilt – size 37½” x 37½”
Rows 4 x 5
20 square quilt – 50” x 62”
Lap Quilt for a wheelchair
Rows 3 x 4 12 square quilt – 37½” x 50”
I also made a wheelchair quilt using the River Squares quilt for a neighbor.
The snow makes it fun to take pictures of quilts hanging from tree branches……or on the steps leading down to the river!
The blues and teals look perfect by the icy water.
I couldn’t resist laying the quilt on the woodpile and showing a little of the back. The backing is actually a pale blue print.
On the brown batik quilt, I used a tan print.
I quilted both quilts on my vintage Singer 15-91 and just did a medium-sized free-motion stippling.
Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing. Baste the layers together. Quilt as desired.
Cut 2 ½” wide strips of fabric for the binding. Fold in half lengthwise and press the fold line. Place the raw edge of the binding against raw edges on top of the quilt. Sew with 1/4” seam allowance. Turn folded edge to the back and stitch in place by hand or machine.
You could make this quilt bigger or just do 3 squares for a table runner. Lots of ideas!
A quilt with 42 squares – would be 75 x 87.5 inches
While I was taking photos of my quilts I got to see a few eagles.
In another post, I made pillows to match the brown quilt using the leftover scraps.
The pdf includes lots of photos and directions to make the quilts and tips for cutting fat quarters and getting the most out of them.
Purchase an ad-free printable PDF version of the River Squares tutorial in my shop that shows all the steps for making the blocks. The photos have been reduced in size and the tutorial is 8 pages long.
I have also made this as a bright colorful baby quilt that I think you will like!
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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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Connie Dear you know I love this BLUEtiful River Squares Quilt. It is so refreshing…especially with the snow. Our high today will be 105F. Just a tad warm. I trust all is well with you and yours. Hugs….
Beautiful quilt!!! Step 2 reminds me of the Uneven 9 Patch from the AccuQuilt 8 ” Cube Block.I’m working on that hope to have several similar to give to Holocaust survivors next winter in my city of Tzfat, Israel. Yes the earthquake in Turkey/Syria was felt here several threads and notions did fall from my cutting table, but no serious damage. Today we had snow!!!I love your tutorials very interesting also love Mr. Micky & Rusty, they are so cute!!!
Love this pattern. I have a ton of batik scraps and think it would be fun made up scrappy too. Am especially loving the blue 💙 one. If I may ask how are the pups doing. Kinda miss their sweet faces. Thanks again for the pattern ☺️
Nice colors and very beautiful. Reminds me of my rail fence quilt I made from your pattern “rail fence”. Love them. Thank you for sharing.
Could you use a jelly roll and a 5 inch square to make this quilt. I have two Christmas jelly rolls that i would like to use.
Could I use your holly Christmas jelly roll to make this quilt
Hi Sweet Connie. You know how I am swooning over these BLUEtiful batik fabrics and your design. Simply Lovely! I hope your are not iced over and frozen.
Thank you Connie, your blog always starts my day with a smile.🥰🇨🇦
Hi Connie! I sure do enjoy your patterns and appreciate that the cutting instructions are shown as a diagram including the measurements. That helps me so much. Thank you!
Hi Connie –
I just had to let you know how much I enjoy your posts, especially the photo of you, Rusty and Mr. Mickey. That big smile on Mr. Mickey’s face brings me joy every single time I see it. Rusty looks as though he’s not quite sure what’s going on but he’s going to hang in there with his new Mom and brother. And you have a very contented smile on your face. As I would also have with two furry friends on my lap!
Thanks! I love the idea of making just one block and rotating it to give it the look of different blocks. I didn’t pick up on that until I read your tutorial.
These quilts are so lovely, Connie. Other colour combinations would look just as nice as the blues and browns. The pillows are a perfect addition.
So happy for you with your new studio as your “patchwork paradise”.
I love the simplicity of this quilt and you just cannot go wrong with batiks. I have lots of 5″ squares and 2 1/2″ strips already cut up from my beautiful batik scraps. I am going to try this soon. Thank you for sharing.
I jumped on board just as you were leaving the river area, but what a background for photos! I also remember the flooding! Ying and Yang. This is a wonderful pattern to add to the top of an already teetering pile of “Must Make” quilts patterns!!!!!
Thanks,
I did get a chance to make this! Sorry I didn’t send a thank you – It was fast and so fun and it made money for the dog group I belong to so it was fun AND went to a good cause! Thanks
Thank you so very much! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you, for the patterns. Your photos are beautifull!!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Connie, for the pattern. Your PDF tutorial is perfect with lots of pics and directions. Love your photos above, too. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful pictures Connie – both of quilts and snow. I love the colours of the log cabin – wonderful combinations.
Beautiful quilts! I love the blue one since that is my favorite color.
Those are beautiful, and the scenery is just stunning!
Your River Squares quilts are really lovely! I'm so jealous of your wonderful view. You did a great job with all the pictures you took!
Beautiful quilts, Connie!!! I especially like the blue one.
Both quilts are wonderful. Both colours work really well. The blue really looks great with that backdrop!
I love the quilts and the way you have photographed them. Brrr it looks rather cold where you are.
uhh these are so nice…..where r u selling your patterns? I'm thinking of more than just craftsy/etsy..
Your quilts are beautiful, and so are your pictures. The lighting was perfect to show the quilting sttiches on the back of the blue quilt.
I can't get over the beautiful view you have. The quilts are lovely and even more so with the icy background. Keep warm!
They may be the same pattern, but they take on their own personality with the fabric hues. Nicely done and really enjoy the photos.
Love the blues, so very beautiful against the river.
Connie, that is a great pattern and I love the blues & teals quilt in particular! I like the picture on the steps leading to the river the most. My favourite colours in a beautiful setting. Well done!
Beautiful quilts, and lovely photos.
I love the pictures you took by the snow! You are so talented!
Gorgeous quilts – I love them both equally!! I agree with Needled Mom in that the setting is perfect!!
Great photos…ahhhh to see an Eagle would be incredible,
Connie, you always make me smile when you take adventurous quilt pictures! I love it!!!
Hi Connie! These are both so beautiful and I really love the blue with the sea colours! Great photos! x Teje
They both look fabulous. The setting for the photos could not be more perfect.
Oh so pretty and while the brown one is really nice I love the blue one more.
Lovely quilts and oh, that river, looks beautiful. Cold but beautiful. Thank you for the patterns. I’ve been a subscriber to your blog for years and hope to continue for more years. Happy Christmas.