Completed June 2002
33" x 33" each
The Idea:
The idea for these quilts was taken from Mathematical Quilts — No Sewing Required! by Diana Venters and Elaine Krajenke Ellison (published by Key Curriculum Press). They called the quilt “The Fibonacci × 4 Quilt.” The Fibonacci Sequence is an additive sequence of numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55... where each term is the sum of the previous two terms. The authors designed their quilt to be a grid starting at the center and going out in widths of 1, 2, 3, and 5 in all four directions, then color in alternating squares. I wanted the effect of this to be more evident by adding in two more rows/columns, so mine is based on 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13. However, this would create a 64"×64" square. So I cut each measurement in half, creating a nice size for a wall hanging, 32"×32". I chose dark purple and an off-white pattern with gold and purple because of the school colors for Judah Christian School. They are pictured hanging in my classroom!
Materials Needed:
  • 2/3 yard of light fabric
  • 3/4 yard of dark fabric
  • 1 yard × 1 yard square of batting
  • 1 yard × 1 yard square of muslin for backing
  • light colored thread for piecing
  • transparent thread for quilting
  • dark colored thread for binding

Instructions for Piecing:
Square up the fabric according to selvage. Fold in half again and cut 45" strips in the following widths: 1", 1½", 2", 3", 4½", and 7". Do this for both fabrics. For the dark fabrics, also cut 4 additional 1½" strips to use for the binding and set aside.

Cut each strip in half (22½") to create two sets of strips in each fabric.

Create four sets of strips by doing the following: choose one of each width (1", 1½", 2", 3", 4½", and 7") alternating between dark and light.

Two sets of:

and two sets of:

Sew these strips together (using 1/4" seam allowance), forming four rectangles of stripes.

For each of the four rectangles, cut strips perpendicular to those sewn in the same widths (1", 1½", 2", 3", 4½", and 7").

Again, create four sets of strips by doing the following: choose one of each width (1", 1½", 2", 3", 4½", and 7") alternating between sets. This should create four checkerboard-like squares when you sew the strips together (using 1/4" seam allowance). Two of these squares are identical, and the other two are inverses.
Make a four patch with the squares, either placing the largest squares in the outside corners (creating a vortex look) or placing the largest squares in the center (creating a balloon look).
Instructions for Quilting:
Pin the quilt top to the batting and backing. First quilt by sewing along the seam lines (“stitch in the ditch”). Then quilt the diagonals (as shown in the diagram) of all the rectangles/squares except the ½" ones. This helps highlight the vortex/balloon effect.

Use dark fabric for binding.

Finished Product:

The following are pictures of my first two quilts!