How to Make the Cool Water Quilt

In this Quilting Quickly tutorial, the Fons & Porter staff show you how to make the block that goes into the quilt Cool Water. This batik quilt is made up of assorted light and dark pre-cut strips. Jean and Colleen recommend sewing each strip from opposite directions to prevent the sets from curving. This quilt and full instructions can be found in Quilting Quickly Winter ’14. For more Quilting Quickly quilt tutorials, visit video.fonsandpo...
Cool Water digital pattern
www.shopfonsan...
Quilting Quickly Winter '14 digital issue
www.shopfonsan...

[@gbyrd1970]

Beautiful!!!

[@kschallert3569]

I've watched this video at least 20 times. I've watched literally HUNDREDS of quilting videos over the past two months, cuz I'm about to make a quilt, first one in 17 years! My 17 year old granddaughter will be getting this quilt for Christmas. I am choosing this one because it looks simple and oh so beautiful! Mine will be turquoise and purples with a splash of yellow /red in a Sassy Animals Furry print, and the borders will be the Sassy Animals Sunglasses print, all matching and beautifully colorful. The back will be the Sassy Animals panel, cut up and sewn back together with black and sunglasses print in between. I have labored over hundreds of fabrics to arrive at this compilation and I'm praying it turns out at least half as good as the one shown in this video! Thanks for sharing this simple tutorial!

[@mjclark794]

To avoid sewing on cut bias edges, one could draw a diagonal line, sew 1/4" on both sides of the line, and cut on the line. This would achieve the same squares without the stress on the bias edges.

[@newbeequilter]

That was my initial thought too, because I hate sewing on the bias. But I can see the reason they do it this way is so that you can perfectly line up the seams. As they recommend, do it very carefully, taking you time and don't cut that diagonal seam until just before you're ready to sew it; then you handle it a little as possible and not put any stress on the cut bias. I would probably spray some starch on the joined fabric strips and press them just BEFORE I cut the 8 1/2 inch squares to give the fabric a little more "togetherness" and help to prevent any more stretch of the bias edge. It's certainly a quick pattern to make up some attractive blocks that at first glance look like they're set on point, but can easily be done in rows. And now that I'm thinking about it, I might even lay out each set of 4 strips and spray starch and press them right there before I sew the strips together to ensure consistent accurate 1/4-inch seams throughout the process. Yes, it's another step, but will probably add to the ease of joining up those diagonal seams ending up with blocks that square up nicely.

[@6quilter4]

Very true. The nice part about this specific quilt - it was made using batiks that are very stable and don't stretch easily due to the dye process. Your tip is correct, just double check the alignment after stitching and before cutting to ensure they are creating the correct angles:)

[@gigiontube]

Lol… I was about to write the same comment you did…

[@eileenfb1948]

Your blocks are great for up-sizing to make a lap quilt from one block. Thank you very much. Don't know how I didn't come across you sooner. Lots of inspiration - lots of grandchildren and a different design needed for each of them. Thank you.

[@blondwiththewind]

Such a beautiful quilt...almost hypnotic. I would never have guessed it is so easy and quick to put together....it's getting harder to decide which of you quilts in your videos to do first!!! LOL

[@SamsonsamSim]

I Live this idea and I LOVE the colors! Thank you for sharing!

[@paulareeveslmt]

This is such a great way to learn how to quilt for beginners! Now I know what to do with those lovely batik jelly rolls I have! Thank you for producing a video that is easy to understand.

[@6quilter4]

+paulareeveslmt I'm glad that you found it helpful - I never imagined myself making quilting videos:)

[@suzanfranz6979]

Made this fun pattern from your tutorial, I sewed 1/4 from the centerline of the squares then cut. Used Malim Batiks Jelly roll - Fountain. Very happy with the results, a gift for my longtime good friend who lives by the coast.

[@6quilter4]

+Suzan Franz What a wonderful gift! Happy Quilting

[@suzanfranz6979]

Thank you :-)

[@MsSueLahoo]

I realize you use 20 light and 20 dark, but can you please tell me, how many different colors do you use? And are the colors arranged in a certain way after the block is constructed. I know you turn the blocks so that the little half-squares are where they belong, but what about the colors? Thank you. :0)

[@suzanfranz6979]

+Susan Rose , Hi Susan, you use all of your colors, just arrange them to your liking.

[@MsSueLahoo]

Suzan, Thank you so much for your help. I need all the help I can get! I'm kind of a chicken, as this would be my first quilt. Do you think it would be overly bland if I just used 4 colors? 2 light and 2 dark?

[@virginiaratcliff82]

Good one for young sewers

[@retireasap1]

Love this quilt. I am new to this and watching lots of videos to learn. Your videos are great and easy to understand. I will definitely watch more of your videos.

[@6quilter4]

+Sandi Webb Thanks for the encouraging words - I'm glad that I could be helpful:)

[@Haylo545]

thank you for your demonstration! So going to try this!

[@user-jh9rc5sm3i]

просто и красиво! Россия вами любуется!

[@MsSueLahoo]

Thank you for this video! I downloaded the pattern and I feel encouraged to give it a try. How many different fabric colors did you use for this? Do you place the colors in a certain way? Or is it only really important that you place the little half-squares in the right places?

[@6quilter4]

This quilt was originally made using (40) - 2 - 1/2" strips of batiks. I think it was probably 2 strips of 20 different fabrics, but you are welcome to use as many as you like. I think that when my co-worker make the quilt, she alternated darks and lights to scramble the values to keep from getting a "dark" or "light" spot in the quilt. Placement of the triangles is vital for the overall design. Enjoy the process. Happy Quilting:)

[@MsSueLahoo]

Thank you for your help, it is so appreciated. :0) Alright, so other than making sure of the triangle placement, and trying to scramble the values, there is no need to worry about where to place each block. Hmm, on one hand that is a little scary, but on the other, its kind of freeing. :0) My last dumb Q, how long are the 2 1/2" strips? I look forward to giving this a try, Thank you again!

[@6quilter4]

WOF - Width of fabric - they come that width as pre-cuts.

[@maricarmenmolla156]

Hola buenas mira me encantan todos tus tutoriales son preciosos cada uno más bonito pero por favor podrías marcar de qué centímetros son pues es que soy Valenciana y no te entiendo bueno muchísimas gracias y hasta pronto

[@6quilter4]

Mari Carmen Molla This project is made using pre-cut 2-1/2 strips throughout the quilt top. I'm not proficient at metric measurement. I believe 2-1/2" converts to 6.35 cm.

[@susanwolfe3139]

I tried to find this pattern but could not find it anywhere on Fons and Porter website. Where can I find his?

[@johnkathart6537]

I was not able to get these to work following the directions. It seems that some needed to be cut in the opposite direction to get them to meet.

[@karenhebert7388]

where do I go to get this pattern...have been to your site and tried several options and still can not find it...guess I am be doing something wrong.....

[@6quilter4]

Karen Hebert Scroll back up just under the video and description - click on the show more and the digital pattern link is right there.

[@missymeakin6945]

@@6quilter4 links no longer work

[@6quilter4]

@@missymeakin6945 The video is from 6 years ago. The magazine has been sold is under new production. You might contact he magazine for information. I no longer work for them - sorry I'm not much help. the pattern may still be available in digital format.

[@zerrinsenturk1933]

Harika

[@rajashridixit3103]

Mam u show very nice quilting designs but why don't you show the complete quilt

[@beckypetersen2680]

It's on the wall behind them

[@deborahrobinson1731]

The link no longer works to purchase the pattern..

[@lhjpr2753]

10 inch or 9 inch?

[@carolenichter6394]

I am completely stumped. I sewed all my 2 1/2 inch strips with a 1/4 inch seam and they do not measure 8 1/2 in length. I have remeasured every one of my seams and they are not over 1/4 inch. I also measured every strip that I used to make sure they were 2 1/2 inches. I cut them all going by the width on my 8 1/2 inch ruler not even thinking to check the length. What have I done wrong and now what do I do with a huge stack of 8 1/2 X 7 1/2 rectangles. Very discouraged as I'm sure I measured correctly.

[@gregpalmier6746]

I would just trim your squares so they are 7 1/2 inch square instead of 8 1/2. Your quilt will be a little smaller or you could make more squares (7 1/2 inch) and make it whatever size you want. I've made this quilt before and its an easy quilt to make. Don't get discouraged. :)

[@6quilter4]

Tracy Palmier - that was a really good response. I probably would have done the same thing. Trim them and just keep going. We live and learn - the quilt will still be lovely and be loved by whoever uses it!

[@virginiacannon2023]

How do you join the HST blocks into 1 bigger block?

[@morndew11]

How long should the 2 1/2 inch strips be?

[@morndew11]

Forget it :) I found out. Salvage to salvage makes things easier!

[@MsSueLahoo]

How long should they be?

[@SpiggyBee113]

WOF is about 42"

[@angelaburton5493]

S

[@bnyzhny]

Oh, for HEAVEN’s sake - Lose the SILLY glove :{

[@trish61523]

the glove is for saftey. my friend nearly lost a whole finger when the cutter sliped.

[@mariadasgracasmachadodealb1886]

Beautiful!