Elizabeth Hartman - Solar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse is a modern take on the classic Delectable Mountains quilt block. This pattern includes instructions for 4 different block variations, each of which is enhanced by arranging the fabrics by value, from light to dark. The entire quilt is made with 2½” strips of fabric. You can cut these from yardage or use precut strips (e.g. jelly rolls or roll-ups). Each set of block instructions includes a list of the pieces needed to make that block, so you can also make the blocks from scraps.

Quilt sizes and fabric requirements are included on the materials chart in the listing images. You will also need the fabric marking tool of your choice and, optionally, 22 sandwich bags for organizing the cut fabric, and a 2½" scrap of template plastic for making a guide to mark the diagonal seams.

SELECTING FABRIC
Each of the four block designs in Solar Eclipse (A, B, C, and D) is made using a different group of four coordinating fabrics. I used Robert Kaufman’s Kona Cotton Solids, as shown in the materials chart. You can use the same fabrics, something similar, or something totally different. The main thing is to pay attention to the value (lightness or darkness) of each fabric. The quilt will be most effective when each group includes a range of values, with Fabric 1 being the lightest and Fabric 4 being the darkest. The background fabric should be a neutral solid like white that contrasts with the colorful fabrics.

USING PRECUT STRIPS
Precut 2½” strips (e.g. jelly rolls or roll-ups) can be substituted for the colorful fabrics as follows:
Baby Quilt = 16 strips
Lap Quilt = 40 strips
Queen Quilt = 95 strips

Note: The Lap Quilt can be made using one 40-piece roll each of colorful and white fabric.

USING SCRAPS
The individual block instructions include lists of the cut pieces needed to make single blocks. You will need a variety of 2½” wide fabric scraps ranging in length from 2½” to 16½”.