Design a Seminole Quilt

Alternating strip

Alternating
Maze is the most intricate of alternate designs, yet is surprisingly simple to make. Maze designs use three fabrics.The band use of narrow strips makes this small-scale pattern subtle and understated, a delicate contrast to bolder bands. The band measures 41-1/4" x 6-1/4" once it is sewn into a quilt.

Strip sets
Cut ten strips of fabric, each measuring at least 28 inches, as follows:
- Two 1-1/4-inch strips of fabric A
- Two 1-1/4-inch strips of fabric B
- Four 1-1/2-inch strips of fabric B
- Two 1/4-inch strips of figure C

For use as spacers, cut 1-1/2-inch strip each of fabrics A and C, selvedge to selvedge. Stitch the strips together lengthwise to form four strip sets. Press the seams toward the darker fabric and set the spacer strips aside.

Segments
Fold Set 1 and Set 2 in half, end to end. Slice both sets into 3-1/4-inch segments.

Sections
Stitch segments made from Set 1 and Set 3 then stitch segments made from Set 2 to Set 4 and trim. Flip over all of the sections made from Sets 2 and 4.

Bands
Stitch the sections edge to edge, alternating flipped and upright sections. To complete the letter T band, stitch the 1-1/2-inch spacer strips of fabrics A and C to either edge.

Angled strip

Angled
Chain is a simple repeating pattern in four colors. This open-angle band works well as a decorative accent in any quilt. Chain and the three bands that follow are made from the same strip set. The band measures 38" x 3-1/3" once it is sewn into a quilt.

Strip Set
Cut four strips of fabric, selvedge to selvedge as follows:
-one 4-3/4-inch strip of fabric A
-one 1-3/4-inch strip of fabric B
-one 1-3/4-inch strip of fabric C
-one 4-3/4-inch strip of fabric D
Stitch together lengthwise.

Segments
Slice the strips diagonally into seven, three-inch segments on a 45-degree angle.

Sections
Stitch the segments together edge to edge, matching the top seam line to the bottom seam line of the next segment. To square off the ends of the segment, slice through the section once and transfer the slice to the opposite end, matching the seam lines.

Band
Turn the section on its side and trim to form the chain band. Make sure the trimmed edges are parallel.

Floating strip

Floating
Rattlesnake
In a Rattlesnake design, squares seem to cling to a floating X, yet the band is transformed with the use of different spacer strips. Though the band is not difficult to make, matching the seams carefully makes all the difference. Large-scale and eye-catching, Rattlesnake can easily be the primary design in a Seminole quilt. The band measures 44" x 9" once it is sewn into a quilt.

Strip Set
Cut three strips of fabric, each measuring at least 30 degrees as follows:
-one 2-3/4-inch strip of fabric A
-one 1-1/4-inch strip of fabric C
-one 2-3/4-inch strip of fabric D

Cut two spacer strips of fabric, each measuring at least 30 inches, as follows:
-one, 7-3/4-inch strip of fabric B
-one 1-1/4-inch strip of fabric C
Stitch the strips together lengthwise and set aside the spacer strips.

Segments
Slice the sets into 10, 2-3/4-inch segments. Slice the 7-3/4-inch spacer strips into five, 5-3/4-inch segments.

Sections
Stitch half of the segments to the 1-1/4-inch spacer strip as shown. Trim the strip even with the edges of the segment. Flip the remaining segments and stitch them to the other side of the spacer strip, matching the seams across the spacer strip.

Band
Stitch the sections and alternate 5-3/4-inch spacers edge to edge. Cut through the spacer at a 45-degree angle — equal distance between seam lines. Rotate the sections and stitch edge to edge, matching the seam lines. Square off the ends of the section by slicing through it once and transferring the slice to the opposite end. Both ends will now be square forming the Rattlesnake band.

Stairstep strip

Seminole Stairstep
Dominoe designs are even and steady, the tiny rectangles that make up this pattern topple across the band. Because of the mix of colors possible, Dominoes is a wonderful opportunity to pick up and repeat colors used in the bolder bands of a quilt. The band measures 39" x 5-1/2" once it is sewn into a quilt

Strip Set:
Cut five strips of fabric, selvedge to selvedge, as follows:
-One 3-inch strip of fabric A
-One 1-3/4-inch strip of fabric B
-One 1-3/4-inch strip of fabric C
-One 1-3/4-inch strip of fabric D
-One 3-inch square of fabric E
Stitch together lengthwise.

Segments
Slice the strips into 2-3/4-inch segments.

Sections
Match the segments and sew them together in a stair step pattern to create one section.

Power Bands
To square off the ends of the section, place a 30-degree mark on a seam line using a quilters' ruler. Slice through the section and transfer the slice to the opposite end. Trim the fabric and both ends will now be square.