Schnitzel & Boo: MEOW: a Candy Cat Quilt Along Free Pattern/Tutorial

Hello, again!

As promised, I am back to post my free tutorial for MEOW, a simple patchwork pattern to accompany the Candy Cats from Unicorn Harts. In case you missed it, I am hosting a free Instagram based Quilt Along. Click here all the important information and get ready to join us in making a whole litterful of kitties! There is no sign up required, just jump in and have fun.

To make MEOW, you will need:

-Large scraps of a background fabric and four different coordinating fabrics.

**I suppose you could make them all the same, but it might be hard to read, unless you put a background strip in between each letter. Something to consider when choosing your fabrics, right?**

-ruler

-fabric pen

**although, the pen marks won't be seen so you could use a regular ol' ball point, like me**

-all the usual machine sewing accoutrements

Now, let's get started...

For the M, cut the following from M fabric

-TWO 2 1/2"x9 1/2"

-ONE 5 1/2"x2 1/2"

-FOUR 1 7/8"x1 7/8"

You will need the following from Background fabric:

-ONE 2 1/2" square

-ONE 3 1/4" square

For the E, cut the following from E fabric:

-ONE 2 1/2"x9 1/2"

-ONE 3 1/2"x2 1/2"

-TWO 4 1/2"x2 1/2"

You will need the following from Background fabric:

-TWO 1 1/2"x4 1/2"

-ONE 3 1/2"x 2 1/2"

For the O, cut the following from O fabric:

-FOUR 2 1/2"x2 1/2"

-TWO 2 1/2"x3 1/2"

-TWO 2 1/2"x5 1/2"

You will need the following from Background fabric:

-FOUR 2 1/2"squares

-ONE 2 1/2"x 3 1/2"

For the W, cut the following from W fabric:

-TWO 2 1/2"x9 1/2"

-ONE 2 1/2"x5 1/2"

-FOUR 1 7/8"x 1 7/8"

You will need the following from Background fabric:

-ONE 2 1/2" square

-TWO 1 1/2" squares

-ONE 3 1/4" square

Label your pieces to make it easier to put it all together, if you like.

I didn't do this, but I do reccomend it!

On the back of the letter M 1 7/8" squares, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on all four pieces:

To make the flying geese, with right sides together, lay two 1 7/8" squares on top of the 3 1/4" square.

Sew a scant 1/4" seam on both sides of the line.

Using a rotary cutter, cut on the line you drew:

Press the triangles out, being careful not to stretch the fabric:

Place another square in the corner as shown, sew a scant 1/4" seam on both sides of the line:

Using your rotary cutter and acrylic ruler, cut along the drawn line and press:

Arrange the M pieces as shown; stitch using a scant 1/4" seam to sew the flying geese to the 5 1/2"x 2 1/2" strip. Press the seam toward the strip for a flatter block. Sew the 2 1/2" square to the bottom of the center strip. Once the center strip is sewn, stitch the 2 1/2"x9 1/2" strip to either side. Press seam away from center strip:

For the letter E, arrange pieces as shown:

Stitch the 1 1/2"x 4 1/2" background pieces to the 2 1/2"x 4 1/2" E pieces, then stitch the 2 1/2"x 3 1/2" background and E pieces together, pressing seams towards the darker fabric. Stitch the sections together, using the photo below as a guide:

For the O, arrange the fabric as shown. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 2 1/2" E squares; place right sides together on the 2 1/2" background squares:

{totally not the right layout in the center, see third photo down for correct representation}

Stitch directly on the line:

(I chain stitch whenever possible!)

If you have one of these handy little thread cutter gadgets, you can quickly separate your blocks without having to put down and pick up your snips a bunch of times. (I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THIS TOOL!) Trim the seam; press the triangle out being careful not to stretch the fabric.

Stitch the pieces you just made to the top and bottom of each 2 1/2"x 5 1/2" piece; press seam toward the center:

Stitch the center as shown, pressing seam toward the darker fabric; stitch the sides to the center, pressing seams toward the center:

For the W, make flying geese as described in letter M. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of both 1 1/2" background squares, place in the outside bottom corners of the 2 1/2"x9 1/2" W strips; sew directly on the line. Trim seam to 1/4", press towards darker fabric.

Follow the same instructions for letter M to assemble the W.

Assuming all went well, you now have a finished MEOW! I am waiting to sew mine together until I have made a decision on the quilt layout. Each two letters measures 12"x9" finished, the same measurement as the Candy Cat. Be on the lookout for a possible FPP pattern from Jo of a smaller version of this!