Making an On the Bubble quilt is a lot of fun because you get to combine solids and scrappiness all in one visually interesting quilt. I named it “On the Bubble” because of the appliqued circles, but also because the placement of the color values of the squares builds an illusion of a curve where none exists. I made mine with shades of gray, but you could easily convert this to an ombre selection of fabrics, or for a different look you could switch the solids and prints to have a layer of solid bubbles floating over colorful scrappy squares. This will make a lap sized quilt about 67.5″ square.
I purchased a yard each of Robert Kaufman’s Kona cotton solids as listed below. Beside them I’ll list the number of five inch squares you’ll need of each:
- White 13
- Silver 24
- Shadow 28
- Medium Gray 36
- Coal 44
- Charcoal 52
- Pepper 28
You’ll also need 225 circles cut from various scraps.
I used a 2.75″ diameter circle template. I’ve made a circle template and a placement template that you can download and print on cardstock: On The Bubble Templates from CoopCrafts_20150206_0001. I traced 225 circles onto the paper side of Heat n Bond Light. (Numbering the circles as you trace will help you keep track.) Then roughly cut them out, leaving a little space around the edge of each circle. Follow package directions to attach the circles to the back side of your fabric scraps, then trim carefully around each circle. You can use the placement template provided (cut out the center square) to help you center the circles, or if you have one, you can add washi tape to your five inch square ruler as I did below. Then, following package directions, attach the circles to your squares.
The next step is to stitch around your circles. If you want to keep your edges neat and free from fraying, use a zigzag stitch that encloses the edge of the circle. For my quilt, I’ve used a vintage hand crank machine that only makes straight stitches (and doesn’t stitch in reverse), so the edges of my circles will lift over time to give ruffly, textural interest. For whichever method you choose, I recommend this trick to keep your applique from unraveling. If using straight stitches, complete about three rounds, as seen below. Try not to stitch over the edges if you’re going to let them ravel, but let the circles “drift” a bit as you sew, kind of like the first few rounds of a Spirograph drawing.
The backs will look like this, with the thread ends neatly tied:
Once all your circles have been appliqued, it’s time to lay out your squares. Here’s the fancy grid I used, direct from my sketchbook, with the color numbers from above to help with placement.
It may help to start in one corner. Once you approach the middle, it’ll be easier to see and follow the pattern.
Mine looked like this, with a couple squares needing to be remade because my hand crank machine gets grouchy as her bobbin runs low.
Begin stitching your rows together, taking time to admire your favorite fabrics as you go. This was a gift from a friend and I love it!
And although it’s not even quilted yet, I’m sharing the tutorial because several Instagram friends are eager to start bubble quilts of their own.
If you make one, I’d love to see it!
CoopCrafts 
This is so beautiful!
Thanks! :) I’m glad you like it!
Love the effect that’s achieved just by placement of the different coloured squares!
I do, too! :D I had originally planned to make a baby quilt with a similar (but smaller scale) design. The parents broke up instead of having a baby, so the idea was shelved for a couple years. I’m glad I made it anyway!
I would love to make this for my son but he is 6’4 and a lap size will not work. Would it be possible for me to make the squares bigger to get a bigger size?
Of course! You could make the squares larger and scale up the circles if you like, or add a border all the way around to make it whatever size you needed.
Oooh I love it!!!!
Thank you! :)
This is gorgeous! It would make a superb I-spy quilt. I’m not sure I could face all those circles though.
It is very much an I-Spy quilt, I love looking at it! If you didn’t want to stitch around each circle, you could try the no-sew Heat N Bond … but I don’t know how well it would hold up over time and washings. I enjoyed sewing the circles on a hand crank machine, it was kind of soothing.
Sarah, do you by any chance have this tutorial in PDF ?
Hi Betsy! Only the templates (linked near the top) are in PDF format.
This is beautiful, and fun to look at, too. :)
Hi Lauren! I love looking at it, too! :) And I think this would make a great “man quilt”, as my guy friends have really reacted positively to this one. (Usually they don’t even notice quilts!)
Another beauty! Thanks for sharing your tute’ — I may have to try this!
Do it!! I was thinking of making up a “starter set” of circles to give away on IG. Do you think anyone would use them if I did?
ABSOLUTELY! i FOUND YOUR SITE WHILE TRYING TO GET THE TUTORIAL FOR THE LAVA QUILT. I AM OBSESSED WITH IT. I WANT TO TRY IT IN BLACKS, GREYS AND WHITES. NO IDEA HOW MUCH TO BUY THOUGH. FODDER FOR THE BRAIN. I AM A NEW QUILTER AND DID MY FIRST AND ONLY WITH A TWISTED BARGELLO. TOOK ME ALL SUMMER BUT I AM THRILLED WITH IT. I NOW SPEND EVERY WAKING HOUR ON THE INTERNET LOOKING AT QUILTING SITES – LOL. HOW MANY COLOURS AND HOW MANY OF EACH ? I ALSO LOVE THE BUBBLE. NO TIME TO COOK OR CLEAN – BUT SEW – OH YES!! THANKS
Hi Gail! Are you asking about how much fabric to buy for the On the Bubble quilt? I purchased a yard of each, as listed above in the post. If you’re asking about the Lava Meets Sea quilt, I mentioned in the post which fat quarter bundles I used, and I think there is more detail about the number of fabrics in each bundle in the comments: https://coopcrafts.com/2013/08/05/lava-meets-sea-half-square-triangle-quilt-with-tips-to-make-your-own/
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Beautiful quilt. I think I’ll probably make this one. What size are the squares?????
Hi Rejeanne! The squares are 5″, mentioned just above the fabric.