Lucent Tutorial & Pattern
Quilt Pattern, Quilt Tutorials

Introducing Lucent {Tutorial and Pattern}

I had an absolute blast working on my MQG fabric challenge quilt, and I received a lot of inquiries about a tutorial related to the design. I spent quite a bit of time putting together what I thought would be a free tutorial for the quilt, only to realize that I had just made a full blown quilt pattern which would translate into the world’s longest blog post. Seriously, it did not seem kind (to you, to me) to publish it!

Also, the more I worked on and thought about the quilt, the more I realized that this quilt is is not really a Swoon block, nor a Star of Magi block, but the quilt design stands on the shoulders of these two awesome block designs. Camille said she saw the traditional (Star of Magi) block, made it big, and broke it into more parts to eliminate the Y seams when she came up with her “Swoon” block. I saw Camille’s Swoon quilt, made the block even bigger, and added back a select number of Y seams to allow for continuous cuts of fabric.

So, I would like to introduce you to Lucent. Lucent is a brand new quilt design that was inspired by the Swoon and Star of Magi blocks. In this quilt, the scale of the block is increased to take up the vast majority of the quilt and single cuts of fabric are utilized to show off large scale prints. Today, I have a limited tutorial here on the blog. I am offering the much more detailed Lucent pattern (which includes instructions for creating an additional 48ʺ square quilt from “scraps” of the piecing process) for sale in my  CraftsyEtsy, and Payhip stores for $6 through Sunday, July 26th, which is a savings of 33% off of its regular price.

Introducing Lucent

Planning

The Lucent quilt finishes at 80 ½” wide by 80 ½” long. I was inspired to create this design to show off large scale prints, and to accomplish that goal the print blocks are created from a single cut of fabric. Note that because of the goal of making the prints from a single piece of fabric, this pattern necessitates sewing Y-Seams.

General Pattern Notes

  1. Sew all seams with a ¼ʺ seam allowance.
  2. I prefer to press all my seams open to reduce bulk.
  3. The pattern refers to fabric units by fabric number, block letter name, and size. You may choose to group like blocks together and label them with their corresponding size or letter if that helps your organization. Alternately, there are associated images for each step and you may print the pattern and mark with your own fabric selection to help keep the assembly going together correctly.

Fabric Requirements

This pattern is designed around the use of 6 prints, as seen in the cover image and illustrated below. If you would like to reduce the fabric selections, simply add the yardage requirements together to make sure you have enough yardage for the project. Note that the purple cornerstones are commonly replaced by background fabric.

Giant Swoon Quilt Color Key

Giant Swoon Quilt Color Key

I assume that the usable fabric width is 40-inches for these instructions unless otherwise noted.

WOF = Width of Fabric

  • Fabric 1 (red) = 5/8 yard
  • Fabric 2 (orange) = 5/8 yard
  • Fabric 3 (yellow) = 1 1/8 yards
  • Fabric 4 (green) = 1 1/8 yards
  • Fabric 5 (blue) = 1 1/8 yards
  • Fabric 6 (purple) = 3/8 yards
  • Background Fabric (white) = 3 ½ yards
  • Binding Fabric = 2/3 yard [(8) 2 ½” x WOF strips]
  • Backing Fabric = 5 yards of 42-inch wide fabric or 2 ½ yards of wide backing

Cutting Instructions

Fabric 1 (red)

  • Cut (1) 18 ½” by WOF strip
    • Subcut (1) 18 ½” x 18 ½” square [A]

Fabric 2 (orange)

  • Cut (2) 9 ½” by WOF strips
    • Subcut (8) 9 ½” x 9 ½” squares [B]

Fabric 3 (yellow)

  • Cut (2) 18 ½” by WOF strips
    • Subcut (4) 18 ½” x 18 ½” squares [C]

Fabric 4 (green)

  • Cut (2) 18 ½” by WOF strips
    • Subcut (4) 18 ½” x 18 ½” squares [D]

Fabric 5 (blue)

*Note that the cutting instructions for Fabric 5 assume a directional print

  • Cut (1) 18 ½” by WOF strips
    • Subcut (4) 9 ½” x 18 ½” rectangles [E]
  • Cut (2) 9 ½” by WOF strips
    • Subcut (4) 18 ½” x 9 ½” rectangles [F]

Fabric 6 (purple)

  • Cut (1) 9 ½” by WOF strips
    • Subcut (4) 9 ½” x 9 ½” squares [G]

Background Fabric (white)

  • Cut (9) 9 ½” by WOF strips
    • Subcut (28) 9 ½” x 9 ½” squares [H]
    • Subcut (4) 18 ½” x 9 ½” rectangles [I]
  • Cut (8) 4 ½” by WOF strips

Piecing Instructions

Piecing Step 1 – Piece (4) Flying Geese

Pieces Needed:

  • (8) Fabric 2 9 ½” x 9 ½” squares [B]
  • (4) Background Fabric 18 ½” x 9 ½” rectangles [I]

Using the Sew and Flip method, create (4) 18 ½” x 9 ½” flying geese blocks.

Make (4) 18 ½

Make (4) 18 ½” x 9 ½” Flying Geese Blocks

Piecing Step 2 – Piece (4) “House” Blocks

Pieces Needed:

  • (4) Fabric 3 18 ½” x 18 ½” squares [C]
  • (8) Background Fabric 9 ½” x 9 ½” squares [H]

Using the Sew and Flip method again, create (4) 18 ½” x 18 ½” “house” blocks that look like the figure below.

Make 18 ½

Make 18 ½” x 18 ½” “House” Blocks

Piecing Step 3 – Piece Corners

Pieces Needed:

  • (4) Fabric 4 18 ½” x 18 ½” squares [D]
  • (4) Fabric 5 9 ½” x 18 ½” rectangles [E]
  • (4) Fabric 5 18 ½” x 9 ½” rectangles [F]
  • (4) Fabric 6 9 ½” x 9 ½” squares [G]
  • (20) Background Fabric 9 ½” x 9 ½” squares [H]

Step 1. Using the Sew and Flip method, sew (1) Background Fabric 9 ½” x 9 ½” square [H] to the lower left hand corner of (1) Fabric 4 18 ½” x 18 ½” square [D].

Corner Block - Step 1

Corner Block – Step 1

Step 2. Using the Sew and Flip method, sew (1) Background Fabric 9 ½” x 9 ½” square [H] to (1) Fabric 5 18 ½” x 9 ½” rectangle [F] as shown in the figure.

Corner Block - Step 2

Corner Block – Step 2

Step 3. Using the Sew and Flip method, sew the unit from Step 2 to the unit from Step 1 as shown in the figure.

Corner Block - Step 3

Corner Block – Step 3

Step 4. Using one of the unmarked Background Fabric 9 ½” x 9 ½” squares [H], sew the square into the gap of the block left in Step 7 using a Y Seam technique.

  • I used the Y-Seams Tutorial from Fresh Lemons to get familiar with the technique.
  • I suggest marking a dot on the wrong side of [H] at the pivot point, which is ¼” from 2 edges of the square where you will pause your sewing with your needle down, turn the top fabric to align with the second raw edge, and continue stitching. It is important not to sew beyond the pivot point when sewing the Y Seam, so take your time!
Corner Block - Step 4

Corner Block – Step 4

Step 5. Using the Sew and Flip method, sew (1) Background Fabric 9 ½” x 9 ½” square [H] to (1) Fabric 5 9 ½” x 18 ½” rectangle [E] as shown in the figure.

Corner Block - Step 5

Corner Block – Step 5

Step 6. Using the Sew and Flip method, sew the unit from Step 5 to the unit from Step 4 as shown in the figure.

Corner Block - Step 6

Corner Block – Step 6

Step 7. Sew together (1) Background Fabric 9 ½” x 9 ½” square [H] with (1) Fabric 6 9 ½” x 9 ½” square [G].

Corner Block - Step 7

Corner Block – Step 7

Step 8. Using the unit from Step 7, sew the rectangle into the gap of the block from Step 6 using a Y Seam technique. The finished unit should measure 27 ½” x 27 ½”.

Corner Unit

Corner Unit

Repeat steps 1 through 8 (3) more times to make a total of (4) corner blocks. If you are using directional prints, consider the position of each corner block and audition your fabric for each location.

Quilt Top Assembly

Assemble the top row…

Top Row Assembly

Top Row Assembly

Assemble the middle row…

Middle Row

Middle Row

Assemble the bottom row…

Bottom Row

Bottom Row

Sew the rows together…

Assembled Rows

Assembled Rows

And sew on the borders using the (8) Background Fabric 4 ½” by WOF strips. Sew together (2) Background Fabric 4 ½” by WOF strips for each side. Sew a combined strip to the left and right side, press seams, and trim ends square with the block. Sew a combined strip to the top and bottom, press seams, and trim square with the side borders.

Lucent Quilt Top

Lucent Quilt Top

Quilt Construction

  1. Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing. Baste and quilt as desired.
  2. Form the binding by chain sewing together the (8) pre-cut binding strips. Bind and enjoy your quilt!

Congratulations! You have completed a Lucent Quilt! I would love to see what you create. If you are on Instagram, tag me (@QuiltingJetgirl) and any images of your quilt using #LucentQuilt. Or send an email to jetgirl8(at)gmail(dot)com with a photograph or link to a blog post about your quilt!

Lucent

Lucent

Again, I am offering the much more detailed Lucent pattern (which includes instructions for creating an additional 48ʺ square quilt from “scraps” of the piecing process) for sale in my  CraftsyEtsy, and Payhip stores for $6 through Sunday, July 26th, which is a savings of 33% off of its regular price. 🙂

Tips and Tutorials Tuesdays

Tips and Tutorials Tuesdays

Linking up to Tips and Tutorials Tuesdays @Late Night Quilter.

22 thoughts on “Introducing Lucent {Tutorial and Pattern}

  1. RuthB says:

    Really looks beautiful in the challenge fabrics you used. I wrote about the block & variations for the MQI blog last year and the oldest version I found was in Barbara Brackmans book as the Rolling Star from 1932; wait I forgot about it as the Dutch Rose from 1897! Such a versatile design and looks great in big block form – congrats on the release of Lucent – lovely name.

    1. Helen says:

      Loved yours too Ruth

  2. Wow…you put a lot of work into this post. Thanks for sharing the tutorial. Will be adding it to my wish list of quilts to make.

  3. Lucent is a beautiful pattern and perfect for showcasing those large scale prints. It would even look great in solids. Thanks for sharing the tutorial, Yvonne. It’s clear, well written and easy to follow!

  4. I didn’t realize it was THAT big!! I really love it – thanks for sharing the tutorial!

  5. Cindy says:

    Thanks for the well written tutorial Yvonne.

  6. Stephanie says:

    Holy cow. You are so generous! I thought you were just going to give a y-seam tutorial!!! Lucent is definitely on my list to make and I will also buy your scrap version. Xoxoxo

  7. Jayne Willis says:

    How cool! I think making a pattern for this was a great idea! I do love this ‘block’ (quilt!!)

  8. Lisa D. says:

    I love the pattern. Thanks for putting it on sale, I just bought one!

  9. Thanks for sharing this, Yvonne! I’ve pinned it for future reference!

  10. What a great quilt and pattern, job well done as usual, Yvonne!

  11. I love that it looks like a small square but is in actuality a large quilt. it also looks kind of space-shippy, which I also like.

  12. Louise says:

    Thank you! I have admired Swoon for some time, but I love what you did with it. The additional fabrics and the large scale is wonderful. I just bought the detailed pattern (and bonus scrap size pattern) — I really appreciate that you took the time to make it for all of us. I can’t wait to make it!

  13. Jasmine says:

    You are so sweet to share this with us. I’m adding it to my bucket list. 🙂

  14. Great balance between a tutorial and a pattern. I love the design, congrats!

  15. Sandra says:

    Beautiful quilt in such beautiful colours. Another one to add to my list!

  16. Very nice! Love the color palette!

  17. Helen says:

    I think this has made it into my ever growing long list of quilts to make !

  18. Vera says:

    Looks fab on the last pic of your post. Pretty combo and thanks for sharing so much info with us!

  19. I think my favorite thing about this quilt is that it will really showcase large prints perfectly. Everything you seem to tackle turns to gold. I think your decision to change careers (or step away from a more stressful one) was a good one. There is so much creativity in you that is just spilling out with every project. You amaze me. And thanks for the tutorial.

  20. sally says:

    That is a very detailed tutorial for a quick free version!!! You put so much work into it, I’m sure it will be much appreciated.

I really appreciate the time and thought you take to comment, and I look forward to conversing with you. :)