Hello everyone!! It's Haley from Happiness in the Making, here again with another simple fun quilt! Today I am sharing with you my new pattern called Chain Reaction. It's the perfect quilt for making a big statement with big blocks that really let your fabric shine. We all know those prints we find that are just too good to cut up into tiny pieces. Well this pattern lets them show off with minimal work by you! It is perfect for all skill levels and comes together so fast! I have big plans for my next one, and cant wait to play around with different designs and colors. Low volume, gradient, scrappy rainbow anyone? The possibilities are endless. With just one basic block on repeat, you can make this quilt whatever size meets your fancy. Tag me on Instagram,@happinessinthemaking or use the hashtag #chainreactionquilt to show me what you make! I can't wait to see your creations. Happy Sewing!

This quilt finishes at 72" x 84".

Fabric is Creekside by Sheri and Chelsi of A Quilting Life.

21 Fat quarters ( each Fat quarter makes 2, 12 inch blocks. Keep this in mind when altering the size to fit your needs)
3.5 yards background fabric
5 yards backing fabric
3/4 yards binding fabric

 

Cutting Instructions

From your background fabric, you will need

72 : 6.5 inch blocks

24 : 4.5 inch blocks

24 :2.5 inch blocks

48 : 4.5 x 2.5 inch rectangles

From Each of your fat quarters cut out

3 :6.5 inch blocks

1 :4.5 inch block

1 : 2.5 inch block

2 : 4.5 x 2.5 inch rectangles

 

Block Assembly

Each block will assembled the same way.

The beauty of this quilt is that you are only learning how to make 1 block, and alternating where you place your background fabric and your print. It will chain piece like a dream! I will be referring to  these blocks as type 1 and type 2, but they will piece the exact same way.  The instructions will walk you through how to make the block type 1, and then I will attach diagrams to walk you through the same process for block type 2.

Step 1

Attach your  2.5 inch print square, to one 2.5 x 4.5 inch background rectangle. Press seam towards the print.

Step 2

Attach your 4.5 inch print square to another 2.5 x 4.5 inch background rectangle.  Press seam towards the print.

 

Step 3

Using the 2 separate pieces you made in steps 1 and 2, join them to make 1,  6.5 inch square.

Step 4

Using the pieced 6.5 inch square you just made, 2 6.5 inch squares of background fabric, and 1, 6.5 inch square of print, create a 4 patch with the print squares kitty corner to one another like so. this unit will measure 12.5 inches.

Make 21 of these blocks using various prints.

Step 5  Repeat steps 1-4 but with the opposite placement of your prints and background print.  These will be block type 2.

Step 1                                       Step 2                                         Step 3     (Using the pieces from step 1 and 2)

                    

Step 4

Make 21 of Block type 2 with various prints.

You are now ready to piece your top!

 

You will join them in sets of two, then 4, alternating placement and bringing your 2.5 inch squares in the center to create a 4 patch. This will make 1 giant 24.5 inch block.  Combine 3 of them to make a row.

                                         

Make 3 rows, and join them. At this point your quilt top will be 72 inches square.

I added 1 more row of alternating blocks to add more length, and make it 72" by 84". With how easy these blocks are, the size of this quilt is completely up to you!

I made my Chain Reaction quilt out of Creekside fabric by Sheri and Chelsi. It is absolutely dreamy and the perfect fabric for something you want to look fun and vibrant! It has a great mix of bright floral prints and low volumes that add so much personality.  Quitting is done by @katiegarrettquilts.

 

Isn't this huge navy floral so beautiful? I knew I wanted to use it as backing the second I saw it. The colors are absolutely beautiful together! I used a bright red print with white and pink birds on it for binding and love how the red framed my quilt.

This quilt finishes at 72" x 84".

I hope you guys love this pattern! It was so fun to make and the secondary patterns that shine through really make it pop! We all need more fast bold patterns in our lives right? I cant wait to see your version!

Haley Anderson

@happinessinthemaking
Happiness in the Making

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