Options, as quilters we love them, right?! There’s something about having options to make a quilt your own that is super appealing. The challenge is finding a pattern that helps guide you through those options! Enter the Mouse Trap Quilt. Last week I announced the Mouse Trap Block of the Month quilt along and told you I had a few more options to share. Today’s the day to share the fun to be had with the Mouse Trap Quilt Abstract version 2, the coral one 😉
The Mouse Trap BOM Quilt Pattern is available for instant download!
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Story Behind Abstract Version 2
One of the challenges that you’ve been dealing with in your quilting adventures is learning more about quilt composition. This is such a fun part of the quilt journey, but I can appreciate how overwhelming it can feel to know where to start.
That’s why I’m so excited to share several composition options within the Mouse Trap quilt pattern. When I was designing the quilt, I couldn’t stop playing with different quilt layouts. Each one had me excited to dive in and start stitching! It also got me fired up about passing on that excitement to you. So, to make it easy peasy for you to get inspired by layout alternatives, I’ve shared those layout and piecing instructions with you.
Today, I wanted to walk you through Abstract Version 2
Abstract Version 2 – the Coral One
I’ll let you in on a little secret. While this might be Abstract Version 2, these are the very first Mouse Trap quilt blocks that I made! Once I’d designed the quilt pattern, I then set out to bring her to life, and these were the test blocks that I made.
Well, there were quiiiiite a few more that I made in this colourway that aren’t in the final quilt – ha! Some even made it into a Triangle Zip Pouch. There’s quite a bit of testing that goes on behind the scenes while designing a new quilt pattern, and this one was no exception. In fact, it’s during the testing phase that I often change the design or approach to sewing. Normally, I think of ways to simplify the steps or make it easier for you to get amazing results.
Quilting Techniques
Since this is intended as a skill builder, I then try and balance that out with challenging you to up your piecing skills 😉 It’s a delicate balance – ha!
You’ll be happy to hear that most of my testing led me to increase your trimming wiggle room 😊
Since I was making the blocks without a specific layout in mind, I just had fun focusing on making the blocks and getting a feel for their unique layouts.
Block format
The good news is the Mouse Trap quilt blocks are super fun to stitch up! Especially since they deviate from your standard square block format, it gives you a fresh viewpoint on how you see your patchwork.
This is an element I encourage you to pay attention to as you work on your Mouse Trap quilt. See the different possibilities these shapes offer you in your quilty play.
Composition play
The best part is that you can take inspiration from the abstract layout suggestions as jumping-off points to create your own unique composition. The Design Your Own section in the Welcome Package of the Mouse Trap Quilt Pattern helps you do just that. Cut out those mini block graphics and use the blank quilt layout to play with your composition options.
That’s what I did to come up with the different versions you see in the pattern. I just happened to do it digitally 😉 Which you can too over on PreQuilt. Use code SHANNON to save 20% on your annual PreQuilt subscription (Basic & Market).
For this coral version, I decided to go with Abstract Version 2 because I already had the cover quilt colourway planned, and I wanted to show you how your fabrics can really bring versatility to your Mouse Trap quilt.
Fabric Selection
So, how exactly did I decide on this very bold and bright coral version?
Well, that all started from taking a trip to my fabric cabinet – ha!
I’ve been trying to shop my fabric stash first before I automatically reach for my colour cards and start planning a fresh fabric pull. As tempting and fun as that is, it leads to my fabric stash never getting used! Which is just silly since I have some really pretty fabric in there.
Now, the interesting twist, is that I’d planned to use these fabrics for an entirely different quilt pattern.
Did I let that stop me?
Clearly not! And my rationale is that I can always buy more fabric if/when I need to for that quilt. There was one matter that I didn’t consider, which caused me a little pickle later (more on that below!).
Besides, I’d been itching to stitch with these colours for quite some time and I was ready to dive in.
The biggest dilemma was deciding whether I wanted to feature the teal or the coral as the background fabric. I hummed and hawed for a little on this, but ultimately the coral won me over with its cheery brightness.
Quilty Pickle
Every now and then you find yourself in a quilty pickle, and I certainly found myself in one with this quilt!
The issue arose when I needed to add the borders.
The issue?
I was short on fabric.
No biggie, right? My fave quilty shops are just a few clicks away from satisfying my fabric needs. So, I did exactly that and ordered the same background colour from the same fabric shop. Done. All I had to do was wait for my fabric to arrive. While I was waiting for that delivery, I got started on Abstract Version 4 😉
A few days later, my fabric arrived and I set to work stitching up the borders.
I got everything stitched, got the borders in place, and stepped back to admire the view only to realize that some of my background fabric was lighter than other parts of my borders.
Blergh.
I thought I’d checked that???
Obviously not closely enough because, while subtle, it was still quite evident once on my design wall ☹ (learn how to make your own design wall)
You might recall that I shared this experience with you on Instagram and in my newsletter and so many of you had encountered a similar issue.
The project kinda stalled at this point while I tried to figure out the best fix.
Ultimately, I opted to trim the top and bottom borders down and use those for the sides. It means my Mouse Trap Abstract Version 2 has a little less negative space and clocks in at 47″ by 62″ instead of 60” x 76”.
I’m super happy with how it turned out and gives you the chance to see if you prefer a little less background in your own quilt!
Quilting
To keep the focus on the patchwork, I opted to go with classic straight-line machine quilting.
I’m hoping this simple motif encourages you that you can tackle your own quilting at home too. Straight-line quilting takes some practice but plotting your lines with a Hera marker or using a guide bar are two easy ways to achieve consistently spaced straight lines.
I did sneak in a little extra texture by using a 40wt thread. It’s not an exact match to the coral, but the orange is close enough that it blends nicely with the final quilt. This gives some yummy texture without distracting from the quilt composition.
If you’re new to quilting your own quilts, check out my Top 10 Tips to Improve Your Quilting on a Domestic Sewing Machine.
Finishing Touches
There’s something about tone on tone that has been appealing to me, and so I opted for that effect when it came time to bind my Mouse Trap quilt.
I especially love the coral against the bold floral backing. You might recognize that floral print from the Jade Ombré Quilted Coat or possibly from the backing on this Shattered Star Lumbar Pillow. I still have some left in my stash, so who knows when this pretty will show up again!
Since there’s nothing demure about this quilt, I thought I’d keep that theme going and feature a bold contrast for the big stitch hand binding thread. Enter this gorgeous tealy green. It’s just stunning! And seeing it pop against the coral while also picking up the darker green tones in the floral is just yummalicious!
Make it Your Own
To recreate a similar Mouse Trap quilt, here’s what you’ll need to make your own:
- Mouse Trap Quilt Pattern – Abstract Version 2
- Mouse Trap Acrylic Ruler Set (optional, but super helpful!)
- Fabrics in colours:
- Piecing thread
- Quilting thread (I used 40wt)
- Binding thread (teal from this pack)
- Batting
- Sewing machine
- Sewing machine needles
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter with these blades
- Rotary cutter for paper templates
- Scissors for paper cutting
- Ruler – long
- Ruler – short
- Small scissors
- Pin cushion
- Pins
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat – Use code SHANNONFRASERBOM2025 to save 15% on your entire purchase at The Felt Store Canada or The Felt Store USA. One use per customer, offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Expires June 30, 2025.
- Spray bottle
- Erasable marking tool
- Seam ripper
To make the original pattern cover version you can find the exact kit featuring the same AGF Pure Solids in this quilt kit from Sew Curated.
Get the AGF Pure Solids dupes from Sew Curated for the colours I’ll be stitching my Mouse Trap quilt in 2025.
Mouse Trap Block of the Month
The Mouse Trap Block of the Month Quilt Along kicks off on January 15, 2025. A new quilt block pattern will be released on the 15th of every month until all 12 blocks have been released along with the final quilt instructions on December 15, 2025. Each new block introduces a new quilting technique or a new approach on how to use the quilting technique. The real fun is deciding what layout you’d like to make. You can choose from 1 of the 7 layouts featured in the quilt pattern, or you can choose to design a unique layout to you! Take the optional Mouse Trap video-on-demand class for added step-by-step guidance.
And that’s how the coral Mouse Trap quilt came to be! Lots of quilty twists and turns, right?! I hope this story encourages you to stick with a quilt even when challenges pop up. It makes for an extra satisfying quilt finish!
If you haven’t already, be sure to get your Mouse Trap BOM Quilt Pattern and sign up for the Mouse Trap BOM Newsletter so you don’t miss any of the quilt-along details 😊 For added help, take the optional Mouse Trap Course to see how each of the quilt blocks are made!
Happy stitching!
xo
Shannon
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