Ombré Popsicle Quilt Tutorial
Finished size: 50” x 62”
by Jessica Schunke of A Blue Sky Kind of Life
I don’t know about you, but I’m not quite ready for summer to end. While the stores are already starting to roll out pumpkin spice everything, I’m still dreaming of popsicles on the front porch. And since there’s a quilt for everything, a popsicle quilt seemed like the perfect way to commemorate these fading days of summer. I made the original Ombré Popsicle quilt several years ago, but now there’s finally a tutorial so you can make one of your own because the world can always use more popsicles. This easy quilt goes together in no time, so your family can be snuggling under popsicles long before the fall chill hits.
Note: While I chose to use solids to create an ombré effect, if you wanted a scrappier look, the popsicle part of this quilt is very jelly-roll friendly. Just add background fabric and a tan solid, and you’re set!
Supplies:
Popsicles
• (6) pink fabrics in a range of shades: ¼ yd. each
o Subcut each fabric as follows:
o (1) 2.5” x WOF strip of each fabric
o (1) 13.5” x 2.5” strip of each fabric
• (6) blue fabrics in a range of shades: 1/8 yd. each
o From each fabric, subcut (1) 2.5” x WOF strip of each fabric
• (1) tan fabric: ¼ yd.
o Subcut
o (3) 2.5” x WOF strips
o From WOF strips, subcut (14) 6.5” x 2.5” pieces
Background: 2 yd.
• Subcut as follows:
o (6) 6.5” x WOF strips
o From (2) WOF strips, subcut (6) 6.5” x 12.5” pieces
o From (1) WOF strip, subcut (1) 6.5” x 12.5” piece and (4) 6.5” squares
o From (1) WOF strip, subcut (3) 6.5” squares and (8) 6.5” x 2.5” pieces
o From (2) WOF strips, subcut (20) 6.5” x 2.5” pieces
o (6) 4.5” x WOF strips
o Sew strips together lengthwise using vertical seams. From pieced strips, subcut
• (2) 4.5” x 50.5” top and bottom border strips
• (2) 4.5” x 62.5” side border strips
• (8) 2” squares
o (1) 2” x WOF strip: sub-cut (20) 2” squares
Binding: ½ yd.
• Subcut (6) 2.25” x WOF strips
Backing: 3.25 yd.
**A ¼” seam allowance is assumed throughout.
Instructions:
(1) Arrange the WOF pink strips in your preferred color order. Sew together. Press seams.
(2) Repeat with the 13.5” pink strips, following the same color order.
(3) Repeat with the WOF blue strips.
(4) Subcut each of the WOF units into (6) 6.5” rectangles. Subcut the 13.5” pink unit into (2) 6.5” rectangles. The pink rectangles are Unit A; the blue rectangles are Unit B.
(5) Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each 2” background square. Place one 2” square right sides together in the top left corner of each pieced Unit A and B with the marked line oriented in the direction shown below. Sew along the line, then trim ¼” away from the line as shown. Press triangle open.
(6) Repeat Step 5, placing one of the remaining 2” background squares in the top right corner of each pieced Unit A and B. Make sure the marked line is oriented as shown below.
(7) Sew (1) 6.5” x 2.5” background piece on each side of the tan 6.5” x 2.5” pieces. Press seams. This is Unit C.
(8) Sew a 6.5” background square (Unit E) to the bottom of (7) of the C units. Press seams.
(9) Sew a 6.5” x 12.5” background piece (Unit D) to the bottom of (4) of the C units. Press seams. (Note: Three C units won’t have anything added to them.)
(10) Sew the (3) remaining C units to the bottom of (3) of the B units (pieced blue popsicles). Press seams.
(11) Arrange units in rows as shown below. Sew units into rows and then sew rows together. Press seams.
(12) Attach 4.5” x 50.5” border strips to the top and bottom of the quilt top. Press seams. Attach one 4.5” x 62.5” border strip to each side of the quilt top. Press seams.
(13) Baste, quilt, and bind as desired.
(14) Enjoy your beautiful new quilt! Be sure to post on Instagram using #ombrepopsiclequilt and #havelssewing so we can see what you made! Happy sewing!
[Bio: Hi! I’m Jessica, a sewing, baking, editing, mommying Texan transplanted to the Midwest. I’m a proud Havel’s brand ambassador and the president of the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild. I’m most active on Instagram, where you can find me as @blueskycrafter.]