After making the Butterfly Garden quilt, I had several butterfly panels left over. I had already put frames on all of them, not certain how many or which ones I would use for the other quilt. If I had five, I would have made them into a nine block square for a lullaby quilt. But I had six and I wanted to use them all.
Putting them together would not be wide enough for the length, so additional fabric for alternate blocks would be needed.
But I didn’t want to just do a checkerboard setting. I lay them out with butterflies in the corners and a blue background print for filler.
I arranged and rearranged the butterflies until I was happy with the distribution of colors and backgrounds, then I sewed the top.
Then I decided it would look better with a border of the same print, so I added that. The border is 3-inches wide.
Ready for quilting, I layered it with a neutral backing and batting, and loaded it on the longarm.
I used a pale blue Magnifico thread in the top with Bottom Line in the bobbin.
The swirly pantograph is the same Fascination from Urban Elementz that I use often.
Quilting done, it was trimmed for binding. I used the leftover scraps from the filler print for the binding. As I usually do, I made the binding, then test fit it to the quilt to ensure that the seams do not land on a corner. I put pins in the binding seams and on the corners to hold it in place for sewing.
This time, I put the binding on by machine. I sew the binding to the back side first. Sew the joining seam, see my tutorial on Joining Binding Ends.
Then, the binding is turned to the front and topstitched near the fold.
When approaching a corner, pause with the needle down and turn up the bottom part of the binding on the side past the corner first.
Then, turn and pin the side. This will help the needle go smoothly over the miter without the foot catching on the fold.
Finish topstitching all around. All done! It measures approximately 36 x 46 inches, perfect size for a child.
This little quilt is for sale, $50 plus shipping. Let me know if you are interested.
Aren’t quick finishes fun?
From My Carolina Home 
I love the layout. It’s different from just alternating and the added border makes the butterfly blocks “float.”
Quick finishes are the best especially using leftover blocks & stash busting!
That will definitely bring sweet dreams to a lucky child. It was nice to hear your thought processes as you planned what to do with your extra blocks & found the perfect companion fabric. On comfort or child quilts I prefer to sew binding on the back & machine stitch on top. That seems more durable for a quilt I hope someone will use a lot. My stashbusters for May look paltry, only 2 quilts completed. Obviously some quick finishes are needed at this location.
Oh that was a lovely solution for your leftover blocks. I do love a project that just seems to come together with a bit of creativity. Fast is good too!! I dwell on projects for way too long.
Very beautiful! Surely doesn’t look quick! I love butterflies and have made a couple of pieced ones for the kids at the hospital. Love the tutotial on binding – always my nemisis! Thanks for all the work you put into this.
Oh, I would have loved this quilt when I was a little girl and I’m sure it will find the right person to use and love it. I always lay out my binding to make sure seams don’t land in corners, too!
Good use of leftover blocks. There is a little (or big) girl somewhere that will love this pretty quilt. Nice to snuggle in on a not so nice day.
Mary :))
Cute quilt and good use of leftover butterfly units!
Back to front binding is ideal on quilts that will get heavy use…like how you explained and illustrated!
Jo Anne
Quick finishes are great! This one is super cute.