It’s that exciting moment in the Mouse Trap Block of the Month Quilt Along where you finally get to see your quilt take shape! And with so many layouts to choose from, this month it’s all about quilt composition play!
Bravo on piecing your Sickle block last month. The simplicity of the design is a little deceptive in how challenging the block is. It’s one of the reasons I kept it for the end. You’ve been stepping outside your quilty comfort zone throughout this QAL, just look at all the quilting techniques you’ve already learned in the Mouse Trap BOM:
- How to piece quarter circles in the Rainbow block.
- How to trim up those adorable half-rectangle triangles in the Triangle Point block
- How to work with templates and piecing angles in the Sticks block.
- Traditional piecing in the Mosaic block.
- Learning how to line up triangle pieces with the Apex block.
- How to piece half-circles with the Half Moons Blocks.
- How to keep things nice and straight with the Flag block
- Keeping long angles nice and sharp in the Arrow block.
- How to keep small strips nice and straight in the Split Moons block
- How to slice and stitch large triangles in the Intercept block.
- Perfecting inset strips and sharp angles in the Sickle block.
With all of your Mouse Trap quilt blocks pieced and ready, now comes the real fun of pulling together your composition!
Today I’m covering:
- A recap on my Mouse Trap blocks
- Composition play to be had
- Finishing details
- Materials required
- Top Tips
- Caution
- Monthly giveaway details
Let’s dive in!
The Mouse Trap BOM Quilt Pattern is available for instant download!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.
Looking Back at the Mouse Trap Blocks
I had the best time stitching these blocks throughout 2025 with you. It was a fun monthly touch point where we got to come together and share our quilty efforts!
These colours were an absolute joy to stitch with and were a sunny spot whenever the weather was anything but – ha! Proof that textiles and colours can brighten your mood.
Composition Play
While piecing these cuties and seeing them come to life, I was tempted to deviate from my original plan of piecing together Abstract Layout 1 (aka the cover layout). But I felt like I might be letting you down with that last-minute switch. So, I stuck with it, but wanted to mention that I encourage you to deviate from your original plan 😉
This is the fun of the Mouse Trap Quilt Pattern is the freedom you have to arrange the blocks in whatever layout you feel called to. Remember to think about how the different blocks can create new shapes within your quilt composition. Think about repetition and reflection. The mini quilt block graphics and colouring pages included in the pattern are there to help you.
Go the Digital Route
Don’t forget you can always play around with the layout digitally over on PreQuilt. Use code SHANNON to save 20% on your annual PreQuilt subscription (Basic and Market).
Finishing Details
When it came time to consider my quilting options, I really wanted to show you the possibilities the negative space of the Mouse Trap quilt offers you. The quilting is another moment in your quilting adventure where you get to add an entirely different layer of detail and dimension.
Hand Quilting
Just like I showed you in Abstract Version 4, the hand quilting I did was another design element that was very carefully considered in the final look of the quilt. Even the fact that I went with a coordinated thread, so the focus was on the texture the hand work created rather than a colour drawing you in. A subtle becoming to come closer to the quilt 😊
Longarming
I’ve always wanted to team up with Lilo from Trace Creek Quilting, and she did an amazing job longarming the original Mouse Trap Quilt. Those curves add a gorgeous texture without detracting from the quilt layout.
Machine Quilting
Planning the Design
For this one, my original plan was to use the Mouse Trap Acrylic Rulers (that’s right, they’re not just for cutting your blocks!) to help me create the lines, curves, and angles I was after. It was a technique I used to machine quilt the lap Cloud Surfing Quilt, and I loved the effect.
But for some reason, as I was plotting my lines, the quilting plan wasn’t fully inspiring me. So, I decided not to rush the process and give myself the time to think through the look I was after. One of my best tips here is to refer to resources that inspire you. For me, that meant pulling out my Walk book to get some ideas.
It worked! The next day, I was inspired to try out this multi-focal point design featuring a radiating four-corner design that I repeated a few times. It creates this incredible circle in the very center of the quilt that makes me think of a sun radiating out.
Thread Selection
There was only a slight pause when it came to selecting my quilting thread colour. I knew I wanted to keep things minimal on the front, so I opted for this gorgeous light pink thread (colour 2410) in a 50wt.
The momentary pause was for the backing thread colour. I waivered between a few different oranges before opting for this stunning variegated thread (colour 4658) (similar to this one, but in a 50wt). I’ve used it before in my Ode To Coral Modern Aztec quilted wall hanging, and I was curious to see how the variegated colours would look on the solid backing fabric. Short answer, I’m very pleased with the effect!
Helpful Notions
These handy notions helped me create this look. Namely, my trusty Hera marker, paired with this ruler and this disappearing pen. The latter really does disappear, so you need to work quickly. I did my initial marking, then re-added my dots as I was quilting each section.
It took me several days to complete the machine quilting, but I’m so happy I took the time, as I’m thrilled with the texture it created.
Materials & Notions
Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand to stitch up the Mouse Trap Quilt:
- Abstract Version 1 – part of the Mouse Trap Quilt Pattern
- Mouse Trap Acrylic Ruler Set
- Ruby and Bee Solids in colours:
- Colour 1 – Delphinium
- Colour 2 – Mustard Seed
- Colour 3 – Pumpkin (also used for the backing)
- Colour 4 – Marigold
- Colour 5 – Blush
- Binding is a gorgeous Ruby and Bee Blender called Drawn Stripe in Peachy/Delphinum
- Piecing thread
- 50wt machine quilting thread for the top
- Machine quilting thread for the bobbin (similar to this one)
- Pearl cotton thread for big stitch hand binding (from this kit)
- Sewing machine
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter with these blades
- Ruler – long
- Ruler – short
- Small scissors
- Pin cushion
- Pins
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat – use code SHANNONFRASER15 to save 15% on your small, medium, or large wool pressing mat at thefeltstore.ca or thefeltstore.com.
- Tailor’s clapper
- Erasable marking pen
- Hera Marker
- Leather thimble
- Embroidery needle
- Spray bottle
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.
Top Tips
Don’t forget this is your quilt! With each new quilt I make, I always try to attempt something new. It can be something small like a thread weight, but I find that my quilting capabilities slowly grow over time without it feeling like a chore.
Plus, it’s a great way to keep from getting stuck in a quilty rut!
Caution
Don’t rush this step, but keep the momentum going.
I know myself, and one of the steps that has a way of derailing my progress is basting – ha! I have a feeling I’m not alone in this 😉
So, one of the tricks I’ve been trying is to commit time to basting my quilts shortly after piecing the top. Think within the week (I’ve been aiming for the next day or the day after).
It’s working for me.
Give it a try and let me know if it works for you, too!
December 2025 Mouse Trap BOM Giveaway
You’ve done a stellar job piecing your Mouse Trap quilt blocks that I wanted to encourage you to keep your progress up and get your quilt top pulled together. This is why I reached out to Lilo from Trace Creek Quilting to give one of you the chance to win free longarming of your Mouse Trap BOM Quilt!
I’m on pins and needles for you!
To enter the giveaway, you must:
- Be following @tracecreekquilting and @shannonfraserdesigns on Instagram.
- Post a photo on Instagram of your Mouse Trap Quilt Top between December 15, 2025, and January 14, 2026, at 11:59 pm Eastern.
- Instagram account must be public.
- Tag @tracecreekquilting and @shannonfraserdesigns
- Include the hashtags #MouseTrapBOM #MouseTrapQuilt
This month’s giveaway is open internationally, however, return free shipping is only available to US residents (i.e. international winners will be responsible for return shipping, import duties and taxes).
The winner is to be announced in the January 15, 2026, Mouse Trap BOM Newsletter!
This is the last push before seeing your Mouse Trap Quilt come to life, so keep up the great work! I look forward to seeing your Mouse Trap Quilts pop up on the ‘gram or in our Facebook group.
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
PS Don’t forget to share your quilt top on the ‘gram to be entered into the giveaway!
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