Saguaro Quilt Tutorial

I've been promising a tutorial for my Saguaro Quilt for quite some time, and today I'm finally going to deliver! I actually had the idea for this cactus quilt rolling around in my head for several months before I put pencil to paper, and it was last October that I made my first block and posted it to Instagram. You can see more pictures of this quilt on my blog post HERE.

These Saguaro blocks are a good way to make a dent in your green scraps. For more variety, I recommend swapping some 2.5" green squares with your friends! I'm SO grateful for my friends who donated their scraps when I made my quilt! 

Keep in mind that this isn't a quilt pattern...simply a tutorial, so you may have to do some figuring out on your own. But you're smart, so I'm sure it won't be a problem. I will give you measurements assuming that your seam allowance is a perfect scant 1/4" and all of your blocks measure a perfect 12.5"x 20.5" (unfinished). Please measure your completed blocks before cutting your sashing and borders. You may need to adjust the lengths to fit.

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS FOR QUILT

3-1/2 yards PINK BACKGROUND

Lots and lots of GREEN SCRAPS

BLOCK CUTTING GUIDELINES

Color	Size	1 Block	12 Blocks
Green	2.5" x 2.5"	30	360
	1.5" x 1.5"	2	24
Pink	8.5" x 4.5"	1	12
	6.5" x 4.5"	1	12
	12.5" x 2.5"	1	12
	10.5" x 2.5"	1	12
	4.5" x 2.5"	1	12
	2.5" x 2.5"	1	12
	1.5" x 1.5"	2	24
	1" x 1"	6	72
P/G HST	2.5" x 2.5"	2	24

P/G HST = Pink and Green Half Square Triangles. Use your favorite method to make 24.

These cactus quilt blocks have ten "stitch and flip" corners. Placement is shown in the diagram (typed in BLACK) and photo below. Place the square on the corner of the fabric, right sides together. Stitch diagonally, press back to check for accuracy, then trim.

The unfinished block measures 12.5" x 20.5".

NOTE: You will need to make SEVEN blocks as diagrammed below, and FIVE that are opposite.

You may notice that the 1' x 1" squares aren't added to the bottom of this saguaro.
This was my prototype, so they were added later.

SASHING AND BORDERS

Horizontal Sashing	12	12.5" x 4.5"
Vertical Sashing	3	72.5" x 4.5"
Side Borders	2	72.5" x 4.5"
Top and Bottom Borders	2	58.5" x 4.5"

Assemble the cactus quilt blocks as diagrammed below.

I'm so eager to see your Saguaro Quilts! Will you use a pink background or do you have another color in mind? Please use the following hashtags when you share your pictures on social media.

#saguaroquilt

#cactusquilt

Saguaro Quilt

Now that the holidays are over and I'm done traveling for a while, I'm finally able to blog about my Saguaro Quilt. The idea for a cactus quilt has been been rattling around in my brain for almost a year now, but it wasn't until I was at a quilt retreat last November that I actually made my first block.

A year and a half ago I made a pineapple quilt, using a tutorial by Jackie Padesky. Two and a half-inch squares and half-square triangles are the basis for the pineapple blocks. These saguaro blocks are similar. Thirty 2.5" squares, a couple of half-square triangles, and a handful of "flip and stitch" corners. When chain pieced, these big blocks go together quite quickly.

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to make this cactus quilt with a pink backing, but these cute note cards from the Dollar Spot at Target reconfirmed my decision! I used the 2017 Kona Color of the Year, Pink Flamingo (AKA the perfect pink!), as my background choice.

I was somewhat uncertain which fabric I wanted to use for the binding. I ended up going with this green gingham, which I cut on the bias, even though most people chose a green and white bias when I posted a poll on my Instagram story. But I'm very happy with my decision!

This awesome Kaffe Fassett backing was purchased at The Quilter's Lodge (Thanks, Robyn!) and the modern loops quilting was done by Utah Valley Quilting.

As promised, you can find a free tutorial for the Saguaro Quilt HERE.

A big shoutout to my daughter, Kirsten, who was my quilt holder. We made several stops in the desert on the way home from California last week. Mother Nature gave us a run for our money, but we won in the end!

#saguaroquilt

#cactusquilt