Free Playing the Scales Quilt Pattern

Pattern Description:

The Playing the Scales quilt is a vivid, modern design that contrasts high and low volume fabrics in a rhythmic, scale-like pattern. 

Using simple strip sets, chain stitching, and careful pressing, this quilt creates a visually dynamic effect. 

Perfect for beginners and experienced quilters alike, it results in a cozy 62″ x 66″ throw that’s both playful and sophisticated.

Materials Needed & Measurements:

For the Standard Quilt (62″ x 66″):

• Fat Quarters: You will need 20 Fat Quarters in total.
  • Divide these into two piles:
    • 10 Low Volume prints.
    • 10 High Volume prints (described as the “opposite” of low volume).
• High Volume Prints:
  • Cut (124) 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ strips.
    • The tutorial suggests cutting 13 strips from each high volume print, leaving 6 for the scrap bin.
    • Set aside 93 strips in one pile and the remaining 31 strips in another pile.
• Low Volume Prints:
  • Cut (105) 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ strips.
    • The tutorial suggests cutting 11 strips from each low volume print, leaving 5 for the scrap bin.
    • Set aside 93 strips in one pile and the remaining 12 strips in another pile.
• From Remaining Fat Quarter Pieces (mixed variety):
  • Cut (12) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares.
  • Cut (12) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles.
  • Cut (12) 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles.
  • Cut (7) 2 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ strips.
  • Set these aside with your (12) 8 1/2″ strips (likely referring to the remaining 12 low volume 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ strips mentioned earlier).
• Binding: You will need 1/2 yard for binding.
• Backing Fabric: You will need 4 yards of backing fabric.

Alternative Materials and Adjustments:

• Jelly Rolls: This quilt can also be made with Jelly Rolls.
  • You will need 25 High Volume Jelly Roll Strips and 28 Low Volume Jelly Roll Strips. This calculation assumes you can get (5) 8 1/2″ rectangles from each strip, requiring cuts close to the selvages (since a standard jelly roll strip is 2 1/2″ x 42″).
  • Several commenters also expressed interest in using jelly rolls.
• Larger Queen Size (96″ x 92″): To make a larger queen size quilt, you will need to:
  • Add an extra (2) High Volume 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ rectangles and (2) Low Volume 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ rectangles into the middle of each row you make.
  • Make an additional 15 rows, or an extra section and a half.
  • Total Fabric Cuts for Queen Size:
    • High Volume Fabrics: (276) 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ rectangles.
    • Low Volume Fabrics: (230) 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ strips.
    • (18) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares.
    • (18) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles.
    • (18) 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles.
    • (10) 2 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ strips.
• King Size: For a king size quilt, it is recommended to make the Queen size and then add a border. One commenter wondered if this would detract from the design.

Instructions for Making the Free Playing the Scales Quilt Pattern:

To make the Playing the Scales quilt, follow these instructions, which emphasize chain stitching and careful pressing for efficient assembly:

Fabric Preparation and Cutting (for a 62″ x 66″ quilt):

• Start with 20 Fat Quarters: Divide them into 10 low volume prints and 10 high volume prints.
• From your 10 high volume prints:
  • Cut (124) 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ strips. (This typically means cutting 13 strips from each high volume print, leaving 6 for a scrap bin).
  • Set aside 93 strips in one pile and the remaining 31 strips in another pile.
• From your 10 low volume prints:
  • Cut (105) 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ strips. (This typically means cutting 11 strips from each low volume print, leaving 5 for a scrap bin).
  • Set aside 93 strips in one pile and the remaining 12 strips in another pile.
• From the remaining pieces of your Fat Quarters (ensure a mixed variety):
  • Cut (12) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares.
  • Cut (12) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles.
  • Cut (12) 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles.
  • Cut (7) 2 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ strips.
  • Set these newly cut pieces aside with the (12) 8 1/2″ strips (from the remaining low volume pile).

Create Initial Strip Sets:

• Gather the 93 high volume and 93 low volume 8 1/2″ strips.
• Place one high volume strip onto one low volume strip with right sides together.
• Stitch a 1/4″ seam along one end.
• Chain stitch all 93 sets, feeding them continuously through your machine without clipping threads between each set. Remember to mix up the prints randomly.
• Once all 93 sets are sewn, clip your threads and press all seams towards the high volume print.

Combine Strip Sets into Longer Units:

• Divide your 93 strip sets into 3 piles of 31 sets each.
• Take the first two piles of 31 sets. Place them right sides together, matching a high volume and low volume end. Stitch a 1/4″ seam along the edge, chain stitching all 31 sets.
• Now, take the third pile of 31 sets and the extra pile of 31 high volume 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ rectangles. Place them right sides together, matching a high volume and low volume end. Stitch a 1/4″ seam along the edge, chain stitching all 31 sets.
• Clip your threads and press all strips towards the high volume print.

Create Main Quilt Strips:

• Take the two strip sets you just created in the previous step.
• Place them with right sides together, matching a high and low volume end.
• Stitch a 1/4″ seam along the edge. Chain stitch all 31 strips to make a total of 31 complete sets.
• Press the seams towards the high volume print.

Add Remaining Low Volume Pieces to the Strips:

• Randomly divide your 31 newly created strips into 3 piles: one pile of 7 strips, and two piles with 12 strips each.
• Chain stitch all these additions using a 1/4″ seam, and press all seams towards the high volume print:
  • To the pile of 7: Add a 10 1/2″ low volume strip to the end of each strip.
  • To the first pile of 12: Add a 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ square to the beginning of each strip, and then add a 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ rectangle to the end of each strip.
  • To the second pile of 12: Add a 4 1/2″ rectangle to the beginning of each strip, and then add a 6 1/2″ rectangle to the end of each strip.

Assemble Quilt Sections:

• Lay out 10 strips (from the completed strips in Step 5) as shown in the tutorial, mixing up your prints until you are pleased with the arrangement.
• Using a 1/4″ seam, sew these 10 strips into one section. An easy method is to first sew the strips into groups of 2, pressing as you go, and then combine those groups until the section is complete.
• Press the seams.
• Repeat this process to make a total of 3 large strip sections in the same layout.

Assemble Quilt Top:

• You will now have 3 large strip sections and one “little lonely strip” remaining.
• Lay them out as shown in the tutorial to create the quilt top.
• Using a 1/4″ seam, sew the lonely strip to one of the large strip sections.
• Sew the remaining two large strip sections together.
• Press.
• Finally, using a 1/4″ seam, sew the top and bottom sections together.
• Press.
• Your quilt top is now complete and should measure 62″ x 66″.

Finish the Quilt:

• Baste your quilt top, quilt it, and bind it.
• You will need 1/2 yard of fabric for binding and 4 yards of backing fabric.

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