instructions for Piper's quilt

First, thank you so much for all the lovely comments on Piper's Quilt, both here and on Instagram.  I've had several requests for instructions on how I made the quilt.  This is my first attempt at writing a pattern so, if you choose to make it, please let me know if something doesn't make sense and I'll try and help you further.

The flying geese units in this quilt are 2-1/2” x 4-1/2” unfinished or 2” x 4” finished.  

Use your favorite method to make the flying geese.  Here are a few options:

• This link shares 3 different ways to make your geese.
• Use this paper piecing template by Fresh Lemons Quilts
• Use the Quilt in a Day ruler.  Available here.  This is my favorite method.  It does involve waste but I get perfectly trimmed geese so I don’t loose too many points.

WOF = width of fabric

I have written these instructions using the colors I used for my quilt.  You are welcome and encouraged to change things up.  I look forward to seeing your creations!
 
You will need:
Approximately 1 yard light gray background for quilt center.

1/2 yard Medium Gray for Border 2 patchwork
Cut  5 strips 2-1/2” x WOF.  Sub-cut these strips into 2-1/2” squares.  You will need 72 squares.

2/3 yard Dark Gray - for Borders 1 & 3
Cut 4 strips 1-1/2” x WOF
Cut 5 strips 3-1/2” x WOF

Scraps of color to make:
48  flying geese units (See below for how many I made of each color.)
72  2-1/2” squares for the patchwork.  (I used 9 squares of each of the 8 colors.)

Quilt Center:
From the light gray fabric cut 4 strips 4-1/2” x WOF 
Sub-cut these strips into 4-1/2” squares.  Cut a total of 30 squares.
Use the rest as background fabric for your flying geese units.

Make 48 flying geese.  For my quilt I made: 
8 red (R)   
8 orange (O)
4 yellow (Y)
8 lime green (G)
4 light blue (LB)
8 medium blue (MB)
4 dark blue (DB)
4 purple (P)

Below is a photo of one Block.  For each Bock you will need eight flying geese and five 4-1/2” squares of light gray background fabric.  

Sew your pairs of geese together first.  Then sew the block together as you would any nine patch.
Make 6 Blocks pairing the geese as shown in the photo below.

When complete each Block should measure 12-1/2” square.
Sew all the Blocks together.
This center section of your quilt top should now measure 24-1/2” x 36-1/2”

First border:
Cut 2 of the  1-1/2” dark gray strips 36-1/2” long.  Sew these to the long sides.  Press to the border fabric.
Cut 2 pieces of dark gray fabric 1-1/2 x 26-1/2”.  Sew these to the top and bottom.  Press to the border fabric.
Your quilt top should now measure 26-1/2” x 38-1/2”

Second (patchwork) border:
You will need a total of:
72 gray 2-1/2” squares
72 colored 2-1/2” squares

Sew each color 2-1/2” square to a gray 2-1/2” square.  (Chain stitch these to save time!)  Press seams to the color fabric.

Sew these sets together into long patchwork strips being careful to vary the colors. 
Make 2 strips using 17 sets and 2 strips using 19 sets.  Press each seam (either way or open.)

Sew the longer 19 set strips to each side.  Taking care to make sure the long side with the gray squares on each end is against the edge of your quilt top on both sides.  Press to the narrow first border.

Sew the 17 set strips to the top and bottom.  Again taking care to make sure long edge with gray squares at each end is sewn to the quilt top.  This way your patchwork is consistent - and you will end up with a colorful block in each corner!  Press to the narrow first border.

Your quilt top should now measure 34-1/2” x 46-1/2”.

Third border:
Using the 5 dark gray 3-1/2” strips:
Cut two of these strips 40-1/2”.
Sew the remaining three strips together short end to short end.  From this long narrow strip cut 2 strips 46-1/2” long

Sew a 46-1/2” strip to each side of the quilt.  Press to the outer dark gray border.

Sew a 40-1/2” strip to the top and bottom of the quilt.  Press to the outer dark gray border.

Your quilt top should will now measure 40-1/2 x 52-1/2”.   It’s ready to quilt, bind, and enjoy!

If you make one please send me a photo:  runsewfun (at) gmail (dot) com
Share on social media using #rsfpatterns.