My very first tutorial. This is a great new experience for me. I wanted to do it for some time but did not dare to do so. So, lets start :

Quilt design

Quilt size finished 32″ x 30 1/2″. This is a pattern for a baby quilt that mixes squares and rectangles.

Fabric choice

Check your scrap basket. Select the colors you like – for my quilt I looked for warm shades: pink/red/orange. In case you do not have enough fabric rests, some shops sell scrap bags in different colors.

Backing : 1 yard

Batting : 35″ x 36″

Binding : 10″ from favorite color fabric. Cut 4 stripes each 2 1/2″

Cutting

126 pieces size : 2″ x 2″

126 pieces size : 2″ x 4″

Cut carefully and precise so that you quilt lines up as desired.

Assembly

Sew each 2″ x 2″ square to a 2″ x 4″ rectangle using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Chain piecing is the right solution, this saves thread and avoids thread jamming. I always use a small piece of fabric to start sewing.

For piecing I use cotton thread from Superior Threads – Masterpiece 50/2 in a natural color. I think white thread is too bright and can gleam through the seams after pressing.

Make random pairs by mixing the different fabrics together. Press the seams towards the square. Using a ruler check the correct unit size : 2″ x 5 1/2″; trim if needed.

Arrange the quilt layout row by row. Use your design wall or distribute the pair units on the floor to overlook the distribution. Rearrange pieces if you notice the same fabrics near to each other.

Sew 6 pair units together to make a unit A and check the size :  9 1/2″ x 5 1/2″; trim if needed. Press the seams in opposite directions.

Now sew 3 units A together to make a unit B and check the size : 9 1/2″ x 15 1/2″; trim if needed.

Use lots of pins to join the units and sew with an exact seam allowance of 1/4″.

Press the seams in each unit B in an opposite direction. Make altogether 6 units B with 6 rows (as shown on the photo) and 2 units with only 3 rows.

Join all units to a quilting top, press it well and check the size : 32″ x 30 1/2″. The edges should be straight and rectangular. Clean all threads on the wrong side of the quilt.

Now prepare the backing and batting. I used a solid pink and a stripe of pink fabric with a pattern. Lay out the pressed backing wrong side up, fix it with tape to the floor. Place batting on top it. Make sure both backing and batting are at least 2″ longer on each side then the quilt top.

Now it is time to place your top on the center. Straighten the top and start basting. I use safety pins to keep all layers aligned. Start pinning in the middle and work towards the edges. Check that the rows are straight line. Distance between the pins : approx 3″.

The sandwich is ready for quilting. Ordinary gloves from the garden center are a perfect help when moving the sandwich under the sewing machine.

I decided to quilt this piece with straight stitches following the vertical and horizontal seams. For machine quilting I use cotton thread :  Superior Thread King Tut 40/3 in Papyrus, walking foot and a stitch length of 3,5 mm on my Bernina.

Trim the extra backing and batting. The quilt is now ready for the last step : binding.

I found a good binding tutorial by Rita from Red Pepper Quilts.

You’ve made it – the quilt is now finished!

Hope you enjoyed this post. Please leave feedback and happy sewing, Barbora