Hi, I’m Lisa Ruble from Quilty Zest (formerly Love to Color My World) and I’m here to be part of Sparkle week, sharing a July 4th project using HeatnBond Lite Iron-on Adhesive and Fusible Fleece.

Who doesn’t love a good red, white and blue project?!?

Firecracker Mini Quilt with HeatnBond Lite

This Firecracker Mini Quilt is quick and easy to make, and the fun part is that every block will look different. I used Metallic thread to add random straight line quilting, upping the sparkle quotient of this project!

What You Need:
1/4 yard each of medium and dark red solid
1/4 yard each of medium and dark blue solid
1/2 yard white solid
1 fat quarter for backing
HeatnBond Lite Sewable Iron-On Adhesive
HeatnBond Fusible Fleece
Metallic thread for quilting

Cutting:
From each red solid:
(2) 7″ squares

From each blue solid:
(2) 7″ squares

From the white solid:
(4) 7″ squares
(2) 2-1/4″ x WOF strips

From the Iron-On Adhesive:
(8) 6-7/8″ squares

From the backing fabric:
(1) 15″ square

From the Fusible Fleece:
(1) 15″ square

Making the Blocks:

Step 1 Fuse each 6-7/8″ Iron-On Adhesive square to the wrong side of one 7″ red or blue square.

Step 2 Using a thread spool as a template, trace a circle near the center of the fused fabric square. Position some of them slightly off-center – this will add interest when the block is assembled.

Step 3 Using a ruler, draw lines radiating out from the center circle as shown. Note: I marked the rays that I’d be cutting out with a pencil squiggle to help visualize the negative space the lines will create. Create as many or as few rays as you like, varying widths and angles.

Step 4 Cut out the negative areas to create a fireworks shape that looks like this: 

Step 5 Make a total of eight fireworks shapes – four red and four blue. These will all be slightly different based on your circle position and the angles and number of your rays.

Step 6 Position one red and one blue firework shape on a 7″ white square. Experiment with rotating one of the shapes until you find the look you like. Lay out fireworks shapes so two blocks have red on top and two have blue on top.

Step 7 When you’re satisfied with the firework shape positions, fuse both pieces onto the white square. Make four.

Step 8 Trim each block to measure 6-1/2″ square.

Figure 9 Lay out the four blocks into two rows of two. Sew the blocks together in rows and join the rows. Press seams open to help reduce bulk.

Step 10 Fuse a 15″ square of Fusible Fleece onto the wrong side of a 15″ backing square. Center the mini quilt on top and quilt as desired. I used silver metallic thread and random straight lines. Trim backing and fleece even with the quilt top.

Step 11 Use the (2) 2-1/4” x WOF white strips to bind the mini quilt.

Here’s a quick video of the process

And you’re done!

I originally made these blocks in a different layout, with sashing and a border, so that’s another option as well. Head over to my blog for assembly instructions for this version.

Happy 4th of July!