By The Sea Wallhanging

Quilt Top Size: 31 1/2" x 28 1/2"

This fanciful seashore quilt is made using paper-piecing and quick-fuse appliqué. First, paper-piece the lighthouse and the sailboat blocks, then add the sashing and borders and finally finish up by appliquéing pretty seashells and nautical embellishments.

Fabric and Supplies Needed:

Cutting the Pieces for the Lighthouse and Sailboat Blocks

A variety of sizes and shapes of pieces are needed for the paper-pieced technique. To make cutting simpler, we are including approximate similar sizes and listing the piece numbers for each fabric.

Lighthouse Block

Sailboat Block

Making the Blocks

You will need a copy of the paper foundation sections A, B, C, and D for the Lighthouse Block and E, F, and G for the Sailboat Block and a copy of the Lighthouse and Sailboat Block placement guides.

Lighthouse Block

  1. Beginning with section C (the easiest to demonstrate), place the #1 fabric piece over the same area on the back of the paper with the wrong side of the fabric next to the paper. Fabric should extend at least 1⁄2" on all sides of the paper. If it is difficult to see through paper, pin fabric in place and hold layers up to the light.
  2. Turn paper to printed side. Fold paper along stitch line, trimming fabric 1⁄4" from this edge. Unfold paper.
  3. With right sides together, position one 2 1⁄2" x 11" #2 fabric piece on first fabric matching edges with the piece you just trimmed. Hold layers up to light to see through to pattern line. Be sure all fabrics extend beyond outside edges of pattern by at least 1⁄4 inch.
  4. Turn paper over to printed side. Sewing through paper and both layers of fabric, stitch on line using a very short stitch length. Be sure to start and end stitching two or three stitches beyond line.
  5. Flip second fabric piece over to cover up seam line and finger press seam.
  6. Repeat steps 2 - 4 with remaining background piece sewn to shape 3.
  7. Stay stitch just inside trimline.
  8. Turn unit paper-side up and trim along trim line.
  9. Repeat the above steps to complete lighthouse sections A, B, and D. Sew units together as shown in placement diagram. Carefully remove paper from back of block. Block will measure 6" x 20 1⁄2".

Sailboat Block

  1. Beginning with section E, position one 2" x 6" piece of sail fabric under shape 1. Repeat Lighthouse Block steps 2 - 5 to add shape 2. Continue repeating steps until all five shapes are added.
  2. Repeat Lighthouse Block steps 1 - 8 for sections F and G.
  3. Sew Section E, F, and G together. Block measures 12" x 7 3⁄4".
  4. Sew 2 1⁄2" x 12" piece of water fabric to the bottom of sailboat block. Press.

Add the sashing and borders.

Cutting the Strips and Pieces

Assembling the Wallhanging

  1. Sew Lighthouse Block between two 2" x 6" sashing pieces. Press. Sew between two 2" x 23 1⁄2" sashing strips. Press.
  2. Sew 2" x 12" sashing piece to the top of Sailboat Block. Press.
  3. Sew 2" x 11 1⁄4" sashing piece to the right side of unit from step 2. Press.
  4. Sew 13 1⁄2" x 4" background piece to the top of unit from step 3. Press.
  5. Sew 3 1⁄2" x 14 3⁄4" background piece to the right side of unit from step 4. Press.
  6. Sew 2" x 16 1⁄2" sashing strip to the top of unit from step 5. Press.
  7. Sew 4 3⁄4" x 16 1⁄2" background piece between two 2" x 16 1⁄2" sashing pieces. Press.
  8. Sew unit from step 7 to the bottom of unit from step 6. Press.
  9. Sew one 2" x 23 1⁄2" sashing strip to the side of unit from step 8. Press.
  10. Sew unit from step 1 to the right side of unit from step 9.


Finishing Your Wall Hanging

  1. Using 3" x 42" border strips, add borders to the quilt by measuring through the center to find the accurate length of the top, bottom, and side strips.
  2. Trace nautical and seashell appliqué shapes onto paper side of fusible web for quick-fuse appliqué. Follow manufacturer’s directions to fuse them to your quilt. For placement of appliqué shapes use wall hanging layout as a guide.
  3. Layer quilt top, batting, and backing and machine or hand quilt as desired. Add binding. If desired, tabs may be added so that quilt can be hung from driftwood or paddle.
  4. Position braided rope trim on quilt using quilt layout as a placement guide. Hand stitch to quilt. If desired, embellish with charms or small seashells.

Paper Piecing Sections







Applique Templates