Fabric and notions needed

Fabric

- one yard of light purple Moda fabric (pinwheel blocks and binding)
- 3/4 yard of medium purple Moda fabric (star blocks)
- one yard of dark purple Moda fabric (inner borders)
- 1/2 yard of a strong multi-colored design fabric for pinwheel blocks
- 1/2 yard of a strong multi-colored design fabric for star blocks
- 1/2 yard of complementary color for pinwheel blocks
- 1/4 yard of a strong multi-colored design fabric for points of star blocks
- 1/4 yard of a complementary color for the points of star blocks

Beads : your choice, depending on what you would like to accent. The picture shows some seed beads as well as larger crystal beads in the borders, and some large orange beads in the pinwheel blocks. Make your beading decisions when you are finished with the quilt top, including the quilting and binding.

Threads : again, your choice. Get a strong thread for sewing the blocks together, if you anticipate this lap quilt will get a lot of use. The quilting in each of the purple blocks was done with a light- colored purple thread with some sheen to it. The quilting in the inner borders was done with a dark purple thread that blended with the fabric. A light purple thread was used in the outer border. Use a thread in your bobbin that will not show on the back of the quilt (unless you want it to).

Batting for the quilt sandwich: at least 48 inches square. This is designed as a lap quilt, so you might want a thicker batting for more warmth, depending on where you live. Read the manufacturer's suggestions on the batting package for quilting and washing, so that you choose something that will work with your quilting plan. If you are going to hand quilt extensively, choose batting designed specifically for hand quilting.

Rulers and cutting tools : this pattern is designed to be used with the rotary cutter. If you are not comfortable with this tool, you need a good sharpened pencil and good scissors and ruler. You will be measuring and marking on the wrong side of fabrics and then cutting. Be sure you are as accurate as possible; using the rotary cutter increases your accuracy in putting pieces together and having blocks that are the same finished size.

Seam allowance : the quarter-inch seam allowance is standard in quilting. Be as accurate as possible. Mark the throat plate of your sewing machine with masking tape if you need to set yourself a quarter-inch line to follow.

Pretreating fabrics

Most people prewash fabrics before sewing them. This eliminates unnecessary finishing chemicals (like formaldehyde). Because this quilt is designed as a lap quilt, you can expect it to have extra washing. Pretreating to prevent shrinkage is critical. You can handwash fabrics in warm sudsy water. Check to see if any fabrics run; if they do, then wash and rinse again until the water runs clear. You can also put fabrics in the washing machine. Iron while still damp to remove all the wrinkles.

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