For this quilt I had a simple fat quarter. I wanted to design this quilt so that it feels like being inside an aquarium. The center was used as the main ‘focal point’ and framed to look like a window viewing. The outside border has little port holes along the ‘outer’ wall of the aquarium.

I created the pattern for this quilt, designing it from the center to the outside. I continued to use my husbands Emerald 118 until I needed to add my applique. He lent me his Tribute 145C which made easy work because I could use his circular accessory for his machine.

Prepare Segments

Choose 9 coordinating colors to create segments.

• Each segment contains 3 colors
• Strips are cut 2.5″ x WOF
• Stich the 3 strips together
• Subcut to 2.5″ wide 3 piece segments
• 1 – 3 piece segment yields 16 pieces

For this quilt you will need 56 total 3 piece segments

• Border 3: 4 sets of 3 piece segments sewn into 9×9 blocks finished 6.5″ square
• Border 5:
  1. Sides: 2 sets of 9 piece segments sewn together finished 18.5″ rectangle
  2. Top & Bottom: 2 sets of 13 piece segments sewn together 26.5″ rectangle

Prepare Port Holes

• Cut 4 strips 5.5″ x WOF
• Subcut to 5.5 ” squares
• 1 strip yields 7 squares

For this quilt you will need 22 circles

• Cut 22 – 5.5″ square pieces of heat ‘n bond lite
• Cut 22 – 5″ in diameter circles. I used my AccuQuilt circle die
• Mark the center of each circle. You will need this when you stitch down the applique.

• Border 6:
  1. Sides: 2 sets of 5 circles
  2. Top & Bottom: 2 sets of 6 circles

Creating Quilt Top

1. Center: Start with center fat quarter – trimmed to 18″ x 21.5″
2. Border 1:
   • Sides: 2 – 1.5″ strips each 18″ long
   • Top & Bottom: 2 – 1.5″ strips each 23.5″ long (21.5″ – (2*.25)) +1.25″ + 1.25″ = 23.5″
3. Border 2:
   • Sides: 2 – 2″ strips each 20″ long (18″ – (2*.25″)) + 1.25″ + 1.25″ = 20″
   • Top & Bottom: 2 – 2″ strips each 26.5″ long (23.5″ – (2 * .25″)) + 1.75″ – 1.75″ = 26.5″
4. Border 3:
   • Sides: 2 – 6.5″ strips each 23″ long (20″-(2*.25″)) + 1.75″ + 1.75″= 23″
   • Top & Bottom: 2 – 6.5″ strips each 26″ long
     • (26.5″ – (2*.25″))= 26″
     • 26″ + 6.5″ + 6.5″ = 39″ prior to sewing together
     • (26″ – (2* .25″)) + 2(6.25″ – .25″) = 38″ finished length
5. Border 4:
   • Sides: 2 – 2.5″ strips each 35″ long (23″ – (2 * .25″)) +6.25 ” + 6.25″ = 35″
   • Top & Bottom: 2 – 2.5″ strips each 42″ long (38″ – (2 *.25)) + 2.25″ + 2.25″ = 42″
6. Border 5:
   • Sides:
     • (35″ – (2.25″))+2.25+2.25 = 39″ finished length
     • 2 – 9 segment pieces sewn together, finished width is 18.5″
     • 2 – 6.5″ strips each 21″ long
     • Finished and sewn: (18.5″ – .25″) + (21″ – .25″) = 39″
   • Top & Bottom:
     • (42″=(2 *.25)) + 6.25″ + 6.25″ = 54″ finished length
     • 2 – 13 segment pieces sewn together, finished width is 26.5″
     • 2 – 6.5″ strips each 28″ long
     • Finished and sewn (26.5″ -.25″) + (28″ – .25″) = 54″
7. Border 6: For placing portals mark center lines on each strip prepared 6.5″ strip at 3.25″
   • Sides:
     • 39″ + 6.25″ + 6.25″ = 51″ finished length
     • Need 2 – sets of 5 circles per side
     • 2 – 6.5″ wide strips each 51″ long
     • Mark 3.25″ x 3.25 “ this will be the center point for 2 of the 5 circles on each end of the strip. It aligns the sides with the top/bottom border 6.
     • Evenly place and mark the center for the remaining 3 circles – one at center, then one half-way between the center and each end
     • Now press the circles to each side border. The best method, place a pin through the circle and the mark on the border strip. Press to adhere
     • Next, use your favorite applique method to finish the edges of each circle.
   • Top & Bottom:
     • (54″ – (2 * .25″)) + 6.25″ + 6.25″ = 66″ finished length
     • Need 2 – sets of 6 circles per side
     • 2 – 6.5″ wide strips each 66″ long
     • Mark 3.25″ x 3.25 “ this will be the center point for 2 of the 6 circles on each end of the strip. It aligns the top & bottom with the side border 6.
     • Evenly place and mark the center for the remaining 4 circles spacing evenly between 2 ends.
     • Now press the circles to each top & bottom border. The best method, place a pin through the circle and the mark on the border strip. Press to adhere
     • Next, use your favorite applique method to finish the edges of each circle.

Complete quilt top is 66″ wide and 63″ long

Next up…loading it to the longarm!