Alanda Craft 16 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.
17K Shares
Quilting for beginners has never been this easy.
One of our most popular videos on YouTube is the Easiest Quilt Ever tutorial. It has over half a million views at this point with over 24,000 likes. It’s a super easy quilt so perfect for a beginner. There’s no binding and it’s so simple that you could easily make this in a day. No wonder it’s popular.
With this in mind, we decided to put together version 2 of the quilt. This one is just as easy but has a variation in the design and how it is pieced together. Quilting for beginners has never been this easy.
Watch the video below or scroll down for the step-by-step written instructions
Let’s get started.
What you need
- 5 strips measuring 6½” x 40″
If you are making your quilt the same as I have done you will need:
- Fabric 1: ½ yard – 2 strips
- Fabric 2: ½ yard – 2 strips
- Fabric 3″: ¼ Yard – 1 strip
Batting: 30″ x 40″
Backing: 1 yard
TOOLS USED IN THIS VIDEO
You can check the latest pricesat Amazon by clicking on the links below:
- Creative Grids Ruler 8½” x 24½”
- Olfa 24″ x 36″ double sided healing mat
- Olfa 60mm rotary cutter
- Gutermann Sew All thread
- Warm Company Batting
Finished Quilt Size
The finished quilt size is 30″ x 40″.
Method
- Cut your strips 6½” x wof (width of fabric) and trim to 40″ in length.
- Lay out the strips how you want them to look.
- Take the first strip and lay it, right sides together, on top of the second strip.
- Sew the strips together with a ¼” seam.
- Press the seam towards the darker fabric of the two.
- Take the 4th and 5th strips and lay them right sides together
- Sew the strips together with a ¼” seam.
- Press the seam towards the darker fabric of the two.
- Now lay the centre strip over the first two strips, right sides together.
- Sew the strips together with a ¼” seam.
- And repeat the process so that all the strips are now sewn together.
- Check that you have pressed all the seams towards the darker fabric.
- Lay your batting on a table or a clean floor.
- Lay the quilt top on top of the batting, making sure the quilt top has the right side facing up.
- Smooth the quilt top and the batting out.
- Fold the quilt top back to about the half way point.
- Spray the backing liberally with 505 adhesive spray (or alternative quilting spray)
- Lay the quilt top back down over the sprayed batting
- Smooth down the quilt top making sure to remove all creases.
- Repeat the process with the other half of the quilt top.
We use 505 spray. We have tried other adhesive sprays but we have found that this one works the best for us. We also use it when we are working with machine embroidery.
- Cut the batting around the quilt top.
- Lay the backing piece of fabric on the table or floor with the right side facing up.
- Lay the quilt top and batting sandwich on top of the backing fabric, right side facing down.
- Cut the backing fabric around the quilt top.
Alternatively, you can, measure your quilt top piece and cut your backing and batting the same size, but we find the method we are using here works just fine for baby quilts.
- Smooth the three layers and pin them together using quilting pins.
- Sew the layers together with a ¼” seam. If you have a walking foot for your machine, now is the time to use it.
- Leave an opening of about 6″-8″ at one end. This is where you will turn the quilt through to the right side. One way to help you remember to leave and opening is to make a chalk roller or Fixion pen mark on either side of the where you want the opening to start and finish. NOTE: Don’t use a ballpoint pen.
- Turn the quilt through and just make a quick check around the seam line that all your layers have been caught in the seam line.
- Now pull the each of the corners out from inside of the quilt and cut across them, taking care not to cut the stitching.
- Also trim a little from either side of the corner to remove some of the bulk.
- Cutting the corners allows for pointier corners.
- Use a wooden skewer or similar item to push out the corners.
- If you use your scissors, be very careful as you don’t want to poke them through the corner and break the stitching.
- Give your quilt a press taking care to press in the seam allowance on the opening.
- If you find the batting is a little thick at the opening, trim it back about an eighth of an inch to reduce the bulk.
- Topstitch around the quilt approx an eighth of an inch from the edge.
- This will give the quilt a nicely finished edge and close the opening that we had to turn the quilt through.
- Now it’s time to quilt. Because of how we have constructed the quilt, keep it simple, too much quilting will draw the quilt in and may result in puckering.
- I started with the middle stripe and drew a line 2″ inches from the seam line. Continue drawing the line right down the length of the quilt.
- I used erasable chalk. (DO NOT USE a ballpoint. Make sure you use erasable chalk or a Frixion pen. Just remember that if you live in a very cold climate the Frixion pen mark may show on your quilt.)
- Then I continued to draw lines 2″ apart, across the whole quilt.
- Now sew down the full length of of the lines that you have drawn making sure to do a tie off or back stitch at the beginning and end of each row.
- Also alternate how you sew the rows. Don’t sew them all in the same direction. When you get to the end of a row, turn the quilt and sew back the other way for the next row of quilting. This will help to stop the quilt from warping.
- You can see in another quilt we made how the quilting looks when stitched.
- And here is the final result.
WATCH THE STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO
Reader Interactions
Comments
Elsa Loubser says
Thanks. Awsome instructional video.
Reply
Alanda says
Thank you Elsa!
Reply
Sonya Hughes says
On the “Easiest Quilt” video you have on YouTube (different material than this one), I am trying to figure out what kind of sewing foot you are using at the end. It doesn’t look like a typical walking foot. Can you tell us what it is, please? Thank you,
SonyaReply
(Video) Quilting for Beginners - Easiest Quilt for Beginners Ever (Quilting Tutorial)Alanda says
It’s just a walking foot from a Janome 7700 Horizon sewing machine.
Reply
Vicky says
I like the video but I’m curious how I could do this same pattern as a blanket for older children or even a adult quilt.
Reply
Alanda says
You would just need to add more strips to make it wider. To make the quilt longer, you would probably need to just sew two strips together depending on how big you want your quilt to be.
Reply
Luci Randall says
Your tutorials are always well done, easy to understand/follow.
Thanks,
LuciReply
Alanda Craft says
Thank you Luci. We do appreciate your lovely comment.
(Video) A Beginners Guide on How to add Quilt Sashing to Your Quilt(Tutorial)Reply
Rita Smith says
One tip to make your easiest ever even easier! Use fleece for backing and you won’t even need batting! Spray the two layers together (and fleece isn’t slippery so the layers really join well!) I have made so many small quilts using fleece backing and they are so cuddly. Also, instead of stitch in ditch, do your stitches 1/2 away from sewing lines, it’s more forgiving (sitd sometimes wobbles out of the ditch and doesn’t look as neat) I am a self-taught quilter and I specialize in the fastest, easiest, and most beautiful lap quilts ever!
Reply
Alanda Craft says
Nice tips Rita. Thanks so much for sharing!
Reply
Sandi Jenkins says
How wide and long should I make a queen size quilt to use
as a comforter/bedspread? This will be my first attempt at making a quilt. But if I’m being honest I’m a little nervous and scared. Your video and written instructions give me the feeling that I can do it. .I’ve got to my material.Thank you very much.
Sandi
Reply
Alanda Craft says
You can make this as long or as wide as you like. So you just need to determine the size you actually want to make. Quilts come in all sizes so it is really a personal thing. You can measure a quilt you already have at home or you can Google ‘quilt sizes’ to get an idea.
(Video) QUILT AS YOU GO (QAYG): Quilt Block #2 TutorialHOWEVER, can I suggest that if this is your first quilt that you start with a baby-sized quilt to get some practice. So just follow the tutorial first and then once you’ve successfully made a small one, you will feel more confident to tackle a larger quilt.
Reply
Alexis Palmer says
Love your tutorial, is it possible to have a downloadable copy of it please.
Reply
Alanda Craft says
Thank you for your lovely comment Alexis. You will find a download button at the bottom of the post.
Reply
Mary Gerweck says
I do my quilts basically the same with batting w/cotton back,flannel or fleece without batting. Then on my cutting mate fold in half line corners up then take a glass pie plate upside down with my rotary cutter and round the corners off they lay so much nicer no uneven square corners. Same for table runners. Even if I do binding round corners still come out so much nicer.
Reply
Alanda Craft says
Thank you very much for this helpful tip Mary 😊. This will be helpful for those who have problems with getting nice mitered corners. I haven’t done rounded corners on my quilts in the past, but I will give have to give it a go.
We do have an easy binding tutorial for those who struggle with binding and here is the link https://www.alandacraft.com/2015/09/16/how-to-machine-bind-a-quilt/.Reply
Leave a Reply
FAQs
What is the easiest quilt to make for beginners? ›
One of the easiest quilts for a beginner to make is a simple patchwork quilt. A square patchwork quilt is made from fabric squares that are sewn together in a simple grid pattern. You can cut squares from your own fabrics, or start with a precut fabric bundle called a “charm pack” or “layer cake”.
What is best quilt pattern for beginners? ›What is the easiest quilt pattern for a beginner? The simplest design for a beginner is a simple square patchwork quilt. If you look up free quilt patterns for beginners, chances are this design will pop up in your search. All your blocks are the same size square, and you simply sew the squares together, creating rows.
What is the most popular quilt pattern? ›Log Cabin Quilts
Log Cabin quilt patterns were and remain one of the most popular quilt patterns in America. They combine simplicity, symbolism and frugality with a rich historical pedigree. To many, Log Cabin quilts are the American quilt.
The Crazy Quilt is probably the oldest of quilt patterns. Early quilters used any scrap or remnant available, regardless of its color, design, or fabric type.
What are the 4 basic types of quilting? ›There are four basic types of quilting, though there are all sorts of patterns that use more than one of these techniques. Our four basic types of quilts are: Pieced, Appliquéd, Paper Pieced, and English Paper Pieced.
What are the different types of quilts give at least 5? ›- Pieced or Patchwork Quilts. Pieced, or patchwork, quilting is the most basic and common type of quilting. ...
- Applique Quilts. ...
- Paper Pieced Quilts. ...
- English Paper Piecing. ...
- Memory & Photo Memory Quilts. ...
- Cathedral Window Quilts. ...
- Civil War Quilts. ...
- Hawaiian Quilts.
- Tilly and the Buttons – Cleo. Great for: Easy to follow instructions. ...
- Grainline Studios – Scout Tee. Great for: A quick, simple sew. ...
- Leisl & Co – Everyday Skirt. Great for: A well-drafted, wardrobe staple. ...
- Tilly And The Buttons – Coco. ...
- Sew Over It – The Ultimate Shift dress.
The three basic styles of rallis are: 1) patchwork quilts made from pieces of cloth torn into squares and triangles and then stitched together, 2) appliqué quilts made from intricate cut-out patterns in a variety of shapes, and 3) embroidered quilts where the embroidery stitches form patterns on solid colored fabric.
What state is known for quilting? ›Over the past 11 years, Hamilton, Missouri, has generated a list of nicknames: the Disneyland of Quilting, the Quilting Capital of the World, and Quilt Town, USA.
What is the golden ratio in quilting? ›The ratio, in its simplest form, is 1.6 to 1. So if you are doing 3 quilt borders, each border should be 1.6 times larger than the previous one. For instance, if you want to add 3 borders totalling 8″ per side, the first border would be 1.5 inches.
What is the easiest way to quilt? ›
Straight line quilting is the easiest way to finish a quilt and it's especially great for beginner quilters. After spending so much time making a quilt, you can confidently quilt it yourself in straight or wavy lines.
What is the first thing quilters do to begin a project? ›Step 1: Choose a Quilt Pattern
If you are making your first-ever quilt, start with something small to help you learn the basic techniques. Baby quilts are perfect for beginning quilters! Use one of these tutorials or pick a very basic block (like patchwork squares or half-square triangles) to begin.
Quilt in the same direction
Whether you are quilting top to bottom, left to right, or along the diagonal, always start at the same end and finish at the other end, sewing in the same direction each time.
Traditionally, the binding is sewn to the front of the quilt and wrapped to the back and sewn down by hand (or machine). By starting on the back and wrapping to the front, you'll be able to do the final stitching by machine and it will look awesome (front and back.)
Do you stitch around quilt before quilting? ›If the outside border is made of pieced blocks, for example, flying geese, stay-stitch all the way around the edge of the quilt at 1/8 of an inch. This will prevent the seams from pulling apart. Stitching within 1/8 inch will fall inside the binding. Press the quilt top so it is wrinkle free and all seams lay flat.
What are the 3 quilts a woman should make? ›According to Grace, a woman should make three quilts before she's married: a Tree of Paradise, a Flower Basket, and a Pandora's Box. Although, some versions of this truism replace the Pandora's Box with a Double Wedding Ring quilt.
What was the first quilt made in America? ›The show will have a special exhibit of "The Martha Howard" quilt, an antique treasure known as the oldest American made whole-cloth quilt. The quilt was donated to the Canton Historical Society around 1910, and over time was forgotten.
How old does a quilt have to be to be vintage? ›The piecing, by hand or machine, quilt pattern, weave and color of the fabric as well as the batting are taken into consideration when identifying the age of a quilt. Quilts made from the 1920's-1950 are considered "vintage" quilts.
What makes quilting easier? ›Starch – I LOVE using starch to help with quilting. It makes your seams nice and crisp and it makes squaring and trimming so much easier. Be sure to follow the directions on the packaging and don't spray too close to your fabric to avoid spots.
What are 5 squares called in quilting? ›5″ x 5″ squares – sometimes called Charm Squares or 5″ Stackers; 10 x 10″ Squares – sometimes called Layer Cakes or 10″ Stackers; and 2½”x Width of Fabric (42″) Strips – sometimes called Rolie Polie's or Jelly Rolls. In this post I've put together a list of quilts and projects perfect for 5″ precut charm squares.
What math is used in quilting? ›
Geometric thinking is required to make any modular quilt pattern, but some quilters also choose mathematical subject matter for their quilts.
What are Amish quilts? ›Early Amish quilts were made from pieces of fabric left over from garments made for members of the family. Amish women made the fabric from hemp, flax or wool which they spun into yarn and then wove into cloth. They then dyed the fabric with natural pigments.
What are prayer quilts? ›What are prayer quilts? This type of quilt is a "lap" quilt, laced with heavy thread. These laces, or threads, are tied with a square knot by members of the quilting group and congregation. The quilts are a gift of love and prayer.
What is the name of the oldest known quilt? ›One of the earliest existing decorative works is the Tristan Quilt, made around 1360 in Sicily. It is one of the earliest surviving quilts in the world and at least two sections survive, located at the V&A Museum (London) and in Bargello palace (Florence).
What is the easiest design pattern? ›Singleton (Creational)
This is probably the best known and the simplest to implement design patterns in software engineering. Overuse of the singleton pattern can be a sign of poor architecture but used strategically the singleton pattern is a tried and true solution to a lot of commonly reoccurring scenarios.
- 01 of 18. Simple Six-Pocket Bag. Jacob Fox. ...
- 02 of 18. Farmers Market Tote Bag. Better Homes & Gardens. ...
- 03 of 18. Fabric Utensil Holder. ...
- 04 of 18. Knot Bag. ...
- 05 of 18. Cotton Drawstring Bag. ...
- 06 of 18. DIY Canvas Tote Bag. ...
- 07 of 18. Reusable Snack Bag. ...
- 08 of 18. Reusable Sandwich Bag.
1) Solid or Single Piece Pattern
Single piece pattern is the cheapest pattern among all other types of pattern. This pattern generally used in simple processes. It is applied in small scale production.
A feather quilt will keep you warm throughout the night without you feeling overheated. This means your feather quilt will provide a comfortable, healthy and restful sleep throughout the seasons. Feather quilts are also suitable for those who suffer from allergies.
What is a floating quilt? ›Let's back up a sec… to “float” a quilt top means that the quilt top is layered on the batting and backing but not secured directly to the longarm frame in any way. Floating is very popular and can be done successfully. It's so much faster than loading a top!
What is a yoyo quilt? ›Yo-yo quilts are made from round pieces of fabric with long stitches along a turned-under outer edges. Stitches are pulled to gather the circles into rosettes. Some yo-yos are connected with a short seams but others are sewn together to more closely fill the gaps making the circles appear puffed up.
What is the largest quilt shop in the US? ›
Roberts Sewing Center: Worlds Largest Quilting Shop. Welcome to Roberts Sewing Center. We are a faith based business located in Crest Hill, Illinois. Roberts is proud to be an authorized Pfaff sewing, quilting and embroidery machine dealer.
What is the quilt capital of the USA? ›Anchored by long-lasting traditions and year-round quilt and fiber art experiences, Paducah is known as Quilt City USA®.
What are quilting people called? ›Britannica Dictionary definition of QUILTER. [count] : a person who makes quilts. ASK THE EDITOR.
How far apart should quilting lines be? ›How far apart do you want your quilting? If I'm doing horizontal lines, I'll usually do 1"-1.5" apart. If I'm doing criss cross quilting (lines in both directions, like I did in this quilt), then I'll quilt my lines further apart... typically about every 2"-3".
What is a good size border for a quilt? ›Borders should be in proportion to the size of the finished quilt. As a general rule of thumb, a small wall hanging should have a border of less than 6" while a king-size quilt can handle a 12" to 14" border. Borders that are too wide diminish the quilt center design.
How many stitches per inch is good quilting? ›Stitch length of 10-12 per inch is considered normal for most quilting styles, and yields the best stitch quality as well. Longer stitch lengths create needle flex and increase tension changes. Stitches in the “micro” range are best saved for detail quilting and heavy background work with very fine thread.
Is it better to quilt by hand or machine? ›Some people prefer quilting by hand, some prefer machine and some do a combination of both. There's really no right or wrong way to do it, because the art of quilting is just that — an art. At the end of the day it's about what brings you enjoyment.
How many 5x5 squares does it take to make a queen quilt? ›How Many 5-Inch Squares Does it Take to Make a Queen Size Quilt? To make a 90” x 108” throw quilt, you will need 480 five-inch squares.
What are the 3 different techniques used in quilting? ›ZJ explains that quilting can be categorized into three main quilting styles- pantograph, free motion and custom. A pantograph is an all over design on a quilt. This can be done using a computerized long arm machine or by following a template.
What are the 3 layers of quilting? ›Quilters call the process of assembling the three layers (quilt top, batting, and backing) as making a quilt "sandwich." It is best to assemble the layers on a large, flat surface where the entire quilt can be spread out.
What is the hardest part of a quilt? ›
In the beginning, the hardest part for me was getting my fabric cut properly so that it wouldn't go all wonky on me while sewing. I have learned over the years to take my time while cutting so that I can avoid having uneven pieces. It takes practice. Lots and lots of practice to perfect the skill of cutting.
Does quilting help your brain? ›Pursuing creative arts seems to hold multiple impressive benefits for your brain and mood. Take the art of quilting: research published in the Journal of Public Health showed that making quilts helps people's cognitive, creative and emotional well-being, particularly among older adults.
What size quilt will 2 jelly rolls make? ›Let's assume you are buying a standard jelly roll containing 40 strips measuring 2 1/2 ” by 44″ long. In that case, you would need at least 1 jelly roll for a baby quilt or lap quilt, 2 jelly rolls for a twin-size quilt, and 3 jelly rolls for a queen-size quilt.
What is the most common quilt block size? ›Sizes may vary but the standard packs are either 10 inches by 10 inches, 5 inches by 5 inches, or 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches. So just decide what size blocks you would like to build with. (As for me.. I usually choose the 5×5's…and that is the size I would suggest starting with.