How to Make a Quilt
Using Free Quilt Block
Learn how to make a quilt using an Easy Quilt Pattern and Free Quilt Blocks. When learning the art of how to make a quilt it is definitely a truism that you will get the best results by using the right tools. But tools alone cannot teach you the art of quilt making. There are several ways to learn.
- Get a good beginners book, one with lots of pictures. Often visuals can replace words.
- Visit excellent web pages such as this one.
- Join with a friend and make quilting a fun and sharing adventure.
- Organize your space and make it special just for you.
- Pick a simple and easy pattern for your first project.
- Learning how to make a quilt is fun when you use a guide to step you through the process.
- I picked an easy quilt pattern to share with you for this learning experience or you can use one of your choice.
- A few fat quarters will get you started on a practice block.
- Your first quilt should not be rushed. It can be time-consuming but it will not be difficult, provided you choose an easy quilt pattern.
- Save all your projects...it is a way of measuring how your skill level grows.
- If you're ready, I'm ready!
How to Make a Quilt Can be
Broken Down Into Easy Steps
Give some thought as to how the quilt is to be used. Is it to be a wall hanging or a table runner or even a pillow for the bed?
Where will the quilt be placed? Will it be big enough for a bed or large enough to be hung in a foyer to welcome your guests?
And last, who will the quilt ultimately be for? Will it be for a baby's crib or a granddaughter going off to school?
If the quilt is to be used by an infant then choose quilt baby blues, pinks, or yellows.
If it is to welcome guests then make it warm and friendly colors.
The style of a quilt should be a straight forward patchwork design when first learning how to make a quilt.
Choosing an applique or complicated multi-level design should wait until you have a few quilts under your belt. Both are easier than you think but start out with a beginner level pattern for your first quilt, as there will be sewing techniques you will have to master.
If this is your very first quilt or you are simply stuck for inspiration, stop at most quilting stores and take a look at an easy quilt kit where all the decisions have been made for you to simplify the color choices and complexity.
How to Make a Quilt
Involves Developing Skills
Skills like being able to sew an accurate quarter inch seam is important. The power of a quarter-inch plate and foot gives way to an essential quilting tool. You must master accurate seams.
Mastering the mat cutting tools is another important skill. This technique produces accurate and straight cuts along with speed when it comes to cutting all those little quilt pieces.
If you lack confidence with using your sewing machine practice using your machine to make a few sample quilt sandwiches found on our quilting tips page.
How to make a quilt requires a clear understanding of how the grain of the fabric affects the way you cut your pieces for all quilts.
How to Make a Quilt
Using a Free Quilt Block
When making a quilt the rotary cutter, cutting mat, and ruler are three very important quilting tools. Buy the best cutting tools. that you can afford.
You will also need the necessary scissors, thread snips and a seam ripper.
Pins are for holding your quilt pieces together when sewing, basting, pressing or tacking. Have plenty of pins and several pincushions or magnetic pin holders at various sewing stations. Trying to find your supply of pins or walking from one station to another in your sewing room to retrieve your pincushion can be very tiring.
An accurate 6-inch ruler for measuring is by my side at all times. Do quick checks to make sure you are always on target with the quarter-inch seam allowance which is required by all quilting instructions.
A fine point permanent marking pen and a fine point #2 pencil is also handy to have. The permanent marker will be used on the pattern and the pencil will be used on the fabrics. Pencils leave a faint mark that will fade later. Chalk is also a good alternative for marking fabric as it washes out easily. Because it tends to blur chalk is not good for marking detailed drawings.
Machine quilting needles designed solely for quilting is a must. Quilting threads and quilting needles are interwoven. Needles use a point code and a size code. The numbers on a spool of thread indicate the thickness and the number of plies but the thread must match the needle or vice-versa!
You will also need an iron and a portable or full size ironing board handy as every seam must be pressed after joining each piece of the quilt.
Read the Quilting Instructions for Content
Then One More Time for Direction
This is the cutting directions for our Free Quilt Pattern called Stairway to the Stars and shown above.
- A - Cut 4 corner squares per block that measure 2-1/2 inches each.
- B - Cut 1 center square per block that measure 4-1/4 inches
- C - Cut 1 square per block that measure 5-1/4 inches; then cut the square into 4 equal triangles to form a quarter square triangle.
- D - Cut 4 squares per block that measure 2-7/8 inches; then cut the 4 squares into 2 equal triangles to form a half square triangle.
When learning how to make a quilt read through your pattern in its entirety before starting your quilt.
Make sure you have a clear understanding of all terms used for making a quilt. Use our sitemap page to learn the meaning of quilting terms.
Sometimes it is necessary to read twice before starting. The saying goes, "measure twice and cut once", or "read twice before starting".
I find that attaching a swash of each piece of fabric to the pattern diagram keeps me on track.
To learn more about finishing this Free Quilt Pattern advance to Beginner Quilting to learn how much fabric will be needed for a full quilt, a few designs for quilting and a free template for making the quilting stitches.
Return to top
Start with Quilting Instructions
Mastering Half Square Triangles
Learn to Make Quarter Square Triangles
Easy Nine-Patch Block
Using the Right Quilting Accessories
Return to Keepsake Quilting from How to Make a Quilt
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