The cats in our quilt have button eyes. If your quilt is intended for a young child, we suggest substituting fabric patches for the buttons as a safer alternative. For tips on how to easily make perfect applique circles, read our Sensational Circles technique.
For more detailed instructions on each step of the quiltmaking process, see our Basic Lessons.
Choosing Your Fabrics
For high contrast, use a variety of black and orange prints
for this scary Halloween quilt--or trade in the bats for mice and make the mellow version
shown in the "Let's Play Cat and Mouse!" option at the end of this article.
Notice that both borders in Cats and Bats and Cat and Mouse use directional fabrics.
If you want the print to read the same, cut the top and bottom strips lengthwise or
crosswise, depending on the direction of your print. Cut the side border strips in the
opposite direction. As you cut and sew the background patches for the bats (or mice),
check that the prints also face in the same direction.
Cutting the Pieces
Use the following diagrams as a guide for rotary cutting
your pattern pieces. Align arrows with the lengthwise or crosswise grain of the fabric.
Check the yardage box for fabric color guidelines.
Rotary cut a 2 1/2" square, then trim a 1 1/8"
triangle from the upper right corner.
Rotary cut a 1 7/8" square, then cut squares in half
diagonally to form two triangles.
Making the Blocks
Make 4 bat blocks.
Bat Block V Piecing
Make 4
Make 1 each of cat block W, X, Y and Z.
Cat Block W Piecing
Make 1
Cat Block X Piecing
Make 1
Cat Block Y Piecing
Make 1
Cat Block Z Piecing
Make 1
Cats in our wall quilt have button eyes. If the quilt is for
a young child, we suggest substituting fabric patches in place of button eyes for safety's
sake. If you wish to do this, see the tip Sensational Circles for preparing small circular patches for appliqué. You'll need 8 I patches for the
bats' eyes and 8 I's and 8 J's for the cats' eyes. Appliqué the patches in place and
satin stitch the centers of the J patches.
Satin Stitch
Add 3/16" turn-under allowances to patches I & J.
Assembling the Quilt
Join G patches and the cat blocks to make 2 rows as shown.
Alternating types, join the sashes and the rows of cats.
Sew an inner border strip to each side of the quilt. Sew a bat block to each end of the
remaining inner border strips. Sew these to the top and bottom of the quilt.
For squared outer borders, first sew the shorter strips to the sides and trim excess
border fabric. Join the longer strips to the top and bottom and trim again.
Quilt Assembly
Quilting
Layer the lining, batting and quilt top. Baste the layers
together.
Quilt the cat block patches and around the bats in the ditch. Outline quilt the G patches
and the sashes. Quilt the inner border 1" in from the long seam line.
Finishing the Quilt
Join the binding strips end to end and sew to the quilt to
enclose the edges.
If you're using buttons for eyes, sew the 1/2" buttons in place for the bats' eyes.
Stack and sew the 1/2" and 7/8" buttons in place for the cats' eyes. For each
cat's whiskers, cut a piece of yarn 4" long. Separate the strands. Tack the strands
in place, knotting the thread at the back of the quilt. Repeat for all the cats. Sew a
sleeve to the lining for hanging.
Let's Play Cat and Mouse!
For a whimsical year-round quilt, change the Halloween blacks and oranges to soft pastels and change the bats to mice.
Designed by Becky Anderson and sewn by Terri Belke.
Rotary cut a 2 1/2" square, then trim a 1 1/8"
triangle from the upper right corner.
Rotary cut a 1 7/8" square, then cut squares in half
diagonally to form two triangles.
For a whimsical year-round quilt, change the Halloween blacks and oranges to soft pastels and change the bats to mice.
