Orange You Glad, Harvey?

This Cat Quilt Block is part of the Orange You Glad blog hop. The rules were to create something inspired by the color orange. My orange block is inspired by my daughter’s cat, Harvey. How did he come by that name? I am glad you asked!

If you have been following this blog, you have heard about Harvey before. He is a kitten that was given to my daughter, who lives in Albany NY, by a classmate of hers who had moved to Abilene TX. He is a Bengal cat, which means he has a major PERSONALITY. We were traveling home from a trip out west at the time, so we detoured to pick him up. He was given to us on the day of the eclipse, but we couldn’t really think of a good eclipse name for him. We traveled from Austin to Pensacola on our way home where we faced Hurricane Harvey. It seemed like an appropriate name for him!

So he became Harvey, a terror to our older dog, Rocky. This kitten loved nothing better than to climb the Rocky Mountain to explore his new world. Bless that dog and his patience.

Harvey’s new parents came to pick him up when we were only a few hundred miles from home. I guess we had told them so many stories about their baby, they were afraid we would keep him. No matter, we see him often and he seems to remember us. This block is my tribute to Harvey.

Fabric Requirements

Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces.  Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins.   Normally the seam in any quilt pattern is 1/4″ wide. 

Read over this pattern before you start to sew.  Make sure you understand all the directions before you begin cutting.  This block is pieced in columns, from left to right. I suggest sorting your pieces into columns to prevent mistakes. There is a piecing diagram at the bottom of this post.

Press as you go. Pressing means just holding the iron over a spot for a moment or two.  Don’t drag the iron back and forth as you normally do when ironing.  That might distort your seams. 

Cutting Instructions for the Block

Bengal Fabric

(1) 2-1/2″ square FIRST COLUMN TAIL
(2) 2-1/2″ × 1-1/4″ rectangles THIRD COLUMN COLLAR
(1) 3-1/2″ × 12-1/2″ rectangle SECOND COLUMN
(1) 4-1/2″ × 2-1/2″ rectangle THIRD COLUMN FACE
(1) 4-1/2″ × 7″ rectangle THIRD COLUMN BODY
(4) 1-1/2″ squares THIRD COLUMN NECK

Background Fabric
(1) 2″ × 4-1/2″ rectangle THIRD COLUMN EARS
(1) 2-1/2″ × 12-1/2″ rectangle FIRST COLUMN
(2) 2-1/2″ × 1-1/2″ rectangles THIRD COLUMN NECK
(2) 3-1/2″ × 12-1/2″ rectangles SECOND & FOURTH COLUMNS

Red

(1) 1″ × 2-1/2″ rectangle THIRD COLUMN COLLAR

Light Brown
(2) 2″ squares THIRD COLUMN EARS

Piecing the Block—First Column

The first column is the tail.  Draw a line on the diagonal of the back of the 2-1/2″ Bengal square.  Place it right sides together on the 2-1/2″ × 12-1/2″ rectangle so the line touches the lower left-hand corner. Sew on this line.  Flip the fabric over the seam and press.  It should match the corner. If it does, you can trim the underside to 1/4″ seam allowance.  The whole unit should measure 2-1/2″ × 12-1/2″.

Piecing the Block—Second Column

Sew the 3-1/2″ × 12-1/2″ Bengal rectangle to the 3-1/2″ × 12-1/2″ Background rectangle, right sides together.  Miter the seam as shown.  Watch that angle!  Don’t trim that seam until you are sure it is right.

Don’t cut it just yet. You will want to adjust it to match the curve of the neck.

Piecing the Block—Third Column

To make the ears, draw a diagonal line on the back of the (2) 2″ tan squares. Place these right sides together on either side of the 2″ × 4-1/2″ Background rectangle as shown. Just as you did for the tail, sew on the line. Flip the piece over and press.  If it matches, you can trim the underside.

Sew the 2-1/2″ × 4-1/2″ Bengal rectangle to the bottom of this unit to make the face. See the piecing diagram at the bottom of this post.

The neck is pieced almost the same way as the tail and the ears, with the exception that you have to finish each side separately before attaching the second side.  That’s because one square will overlap the other slightly.  It’s basically a Flying Goose block. 

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the 1-1/2″ Bengal squares.  Place them right sides together on the left side of the 2-1/2″ × 1-1/2″ Background rectangles as shown. Press, trim seam allowances, and add the second square.                                

To make the collar, sew the 1″ × 2-1/2″ red rectangle between (2) 1-1/4″ × 2-1/2″ rectangles.  Press to the center.

Sew the two Flying Geese units you just made to the sides of the collar.

Sew the 4-1/2″ × 7″ Bengal rectangle to the bottom of this unit and the face/ears unit to the top.  Give this column one final pressing.

Now you can sew the second column to this one. Adjust the angle of the body so it meets with the neck before sewing.   Or not.  This is YOUR cat, if you want to make the body of the cat larger or smaller, feel free to do so! Once you have made a decision and sewn that seam,  press to the second column and cut off the excess on the bottom and top.

Piecing the Block—Fourth Column

Sew the 3-1/2″ × 12-1/2″ Background rectangle to the right side of the third column.  Press to the third column.

Sew the first column to the second column and press to the first column.  Square this block up to 12-1/2″ × 12-1/2″ if necessary. 

You are done!  Use this Cat Quilt Block in a sampler, pillow, or make it a mug rug. Now you can ask yourself, “Orange you glad?”

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