Squirrelly Bargello Quilt Tutorial

By: Ellen Maxwell for michaelmillerfabrics.com

By: Ellen Maxwell for michaelmillerfabrics.com

Everyone feels antsy from time to time, especially when they are stuck indoors when the summer sun is shining outside. Put that energy into following this Squirrelly Bargello Quilt Tutorial that's easy and makes a super fun quilt pattern. If the freedom of squirrels is something you desire, you'll appreciate this bargello tutorial even more. Cutting the fabrics will be the most time-consuming part of this project, but assembling this DIY quilt will not take you much time at all. Bargello patchwork quilts are simple quilting patterns that anyone can make.

Project TypeMake a Project

Time to CompleteWeekend project

Easy

Materials List

Backing & Batting: 63 1/2” x 60 1/2”
CX5987 Multi - Nuts for Dinner - 1 yard - Cut CX5987-Multi down the center of the double border. Fussy cut - getting an entire squirrel - 5 sections 11 1/2” wide by 20 1/2” long. Cut 3 of the sections from one border side and two from the other border side.
CX5994 Teal - Hedgehoglets - 1/2 yard - Cut 5 rectangles 11 1/2” x 5 1/2”
CX5988 Teal - Tiles - 1 yard - Cut 5 rectangles 11 1/2” x 3 1/2”. Cut 5 rectangles 11 1/2” x 4 1/2”.
CX5965 Purple - Foxtrot - 4 yards - Backing.
CX5965 Citron - Foxtrot - 1/2 yard - Cut 5 rectangles 11 1/2” x 6 1/2”.
CX3584 Teal - Clown Stripe - 1/4 yard - Cut 5 rectangles 11 1/2” x 3 1/2”.
CX3584 Earth - Clown Stripe - 1/2 yard

CX3584 Cappuccino - Clown Stripe - 1/3 yard

CX3584 Apricot - Clown Stripe - 1/3 yard

The patchwork sections are made from CX3584 in CAPPUCCINO APRICOT and EARTH. Each square is cut 2 1/4”across by 2 1/2” down. To get the effect of the stripes in the quilt, the stripes will be cut in different directions. Mix them up as you choose - with 5 squares in a row, rotating the stripes vertically and horizontally as you cut. Accurate 1/4” seams are very important for this step
CX1492 Bottle - Ta Dot - 1/2 yard - Cut 5 rectangles 11 1/2” x 6 1/2”
SC5333 Tangerine - Cotton Couture - 1/3 yard - Cut 5 rectangles 11 1/2” x 5 1/2”

For more quilt patterns like this one, check out:

Squirrelly Bargello Quilt Tutorial

Sewing Instructions

This quilt is sewn in 5 vertical rows. Follow the order of the fabrics as shown in the quilt photo. Start with the three patchwork rows and build up. Then animal panel, teal stripe, hedgehogs, tiny tiles, patchwork row, citron forest, tiny tiles, couture cotton and ta dot.
Repeat 4 times.
Stagger the 5 rows when sewing together. Pin from the bottom - staggering the patchwork rows by 2 1/2”. Pin seam all the way to the top.

Backing

Cut the backing into two 2 yard pieces. Stitch together. Layer quilt with backing and batting. Quilt as desired. It is fun to do some hand quilting on the squirrel section. Even consider doing some embroidery stitches.

Binding

It is best to cut the binding on the bias from the tiny tiles fabric. Cut it 2 1/4” wide so it is easier to make the turns and corners. Stitch the outside corners as you would with French Fold Binding. On the inside corners, straighten the quilt out as you sew the binding in place.