Free Pattern for the Bowties Quilt from A New Spin on Drunkard's Path
Posted by Deirdre Quirk on Nov 13th 2017
This free Bowties Quilt project is taken from A New Spin on Drunkard's Path by John Kubiniec.
Finished block: 6 ̋ × 6 ̋ • Finished quilt: 86 ̋ × 92 ̋
This quilt gains its sparkle from the scrappiness of the fabric choices. I used 1930s reproductions and let them sing with black backgrounds. If this is a bit on the dark side for you, pick a light background and then add your favorite colors.
Changing the black background and red border to lighter colors gives the quilt a new look.
Materials
I used reproduction 1930s designs for the prints and a mix of solids and subtle prints for the tonal blacks.
Prints: 11 assorted fabrics, 1/2 yard of each
Tonal blacks: 11 assorted fabrics, 5/8 yard of each
Red: 3/4 yard
Black: 2 3/4 yards
Backing: 8 yards
Batting: 94 ̋ × 100 ̋
Binding: 1 1/8 yards red (1/2 ̋ finished width)
Cutting
To make templates for cutting quarter-circles and frames, use Patterns 1 and 2 (download here).
Prints
• Cut 2 strips 5 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric from each of the selections. Subcut 12 quarter-circle units from each fabric using Template 1. You will have 132 pieces.
• Cut 12 squares 2 1/2 ̋ × 2 1/2 ̋ from each fabric. You will have 132 squares.
Tonal blacks
• Cut 2 strips 6 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric from each fabric. Subcut 12 squares 6 1/2 ̋ × 6 1/2 ̋ from each fabric. Subcut into frames using Template 2. You will have 132 pieces.
From the quarter-circle waste fabric: Cut 132 squares 2 1/2 ̋ × 2 1/2 ̋.
Red
• Cut 8 strips 21/2 ̋ × width of fabric.
Black
• Cut 2 strips parallel to the selvage 8 1/2 ̋ × 76 1/2 ̋.
• Cut 2 strips parallel to the selvage 8 1/2 ̋ × 86 1/2 ̋.
TIP: If your solid black fabric is wide enough and you cut carefully, you might be able to cut some squares 6 1/2 ̋ × 6 1/2 ̋ to use together with your black tonal selections.
Backing
• Cut 3 pieces 94 ̋ × width of fabric.
Binding
• Cut 10 strips 3 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric. (This is for a 1/2 ̋ finished binding. If you prefer a narrower binding, cut accordingly.)
Construction
Seam allowances are 1/4".
Block Assembly
Make 132.
1. Sew the print squares 2 1/2 ̋ × 2 1/2 ̋ onto the black frame pieces to make half-square triangles. Trim away the excess fabric, leaving a 1/4 ̋ seam allowance. Press the seams toward the black.
Make 132.
2. Sew a tonal black square 2 1/2 ̋ × 2 1/2 ̋ onto a quarter-circle block to make a half-square triangle corner. Trim away the excess fabric, leaving a 1/4 ̋ seam allowance. Press the seam toward the black.
Make 132.
3. Sew together the quarter-circle and frame units to form the block. Press the seams toward the black.
Quilt Construction
Bowties assembly.
1. Randomly arrange the blocks following the Bowties assembly diagram. Reposition the blocks until you are pleased with the fabric placement.
2. Sew the blocks together into rows. Press the seams in opposite directions from row to row so that the seams nest.
3. Sew the rows together. Press the seams as you wish.
Borders
1. Trim the selvages off the 2 1/2 ̋-wide red strips and stitch them together end to end on the diagonal. Subcut into 2 strips 2 1/2 ̋ × 72 1/2 ̋ and 2 strips 2 1/2 ̋ × 70 1/2 ̋.
2. Sew the 2 red border strips 2 1/2 ̋ × 72 1/2 ̋ onto the sides of the quilt. Press the seams toward the red border.
3. Sew the 2 red border strips 2 1/2 ̋ × 70 1/2 ̋ to the top and bottom of the quilt. Press the seams toward the red border.
4. Sew the 2 black border pieces 8 1/2 ̋ × 76 1/2 ̋ onto the sides of the quilt. Press the seams toward the red border.
5. Sew the 2 black border pieces 8 1/2 ̋ × 86 1/2 ̋ to the top and bottom of the quilt. Press the seams toward the red border.
Finishing
1. Trim the selvage edges of the 3 backing pieces and join them together along the 94 ̋ sides.
2. Layer, baste, and quilt as desired.
3. Sew together the 3 1/2 ̋-wide binding strips on the diagonal.
4. Attach the binding to the quilt with a 1/2 ̋ seam allowance using your preferred method.
