Finished Size
86 x 107 cm (34 x 42 inches)
You will need:
6 fat quarters (a fat quarter is 22 x 18 inches)
1.5m (1 2/3 yard) backing and binding
107 x 127cm (42 x 50 inches) batting
cotton
sewing machine
rotary cutters, rulers and mat
1. Choose 6 fat quarters
2. Cut each fat quarter as shown in the diagram below below.
3. Put the 14 1/2 x 2 1/2 rectangles away for the moment and organise the rest into 6 piles. Each pile will need one 10 1/2 square, one rectangle 10 1/2 x 5 1/2 and two rectangles 5 1/2 x 6 1/2. Make sure you use 4 different fabrics in each block.
4. Take one pile of fabrics and sew the smaller rectangles together along the longer edge. Press (you can either press the seams open or to one side).
5. Sew the big rectangle to the top and the square to the bottom. Press. Repeat for the other 5 blocks.
6. Arrange the 5 blocks into 3 columns. The blocks in the middle row are upside down. When you are happy with the arrangement sew each column together.
7. Take the 6 rectangles 14 1/2 x 2 1/2 you put aside at the start and sew together in 2 strips of 3 as follows.
8. Sew the two strips between the columns.
9. Place the backing right side down on the floor and the batting on top at one end of the backing. Place the quilt top right side up on top. Baste.
10. I quilted in horizontal and vertical straight lines, between about 2 and 5 inches apart.
11. Trim away the excess batting and backing (leaving a little bit showing). From the excess backing fabric cut four strips along the width of the fabric 2 1/2 inches wide. Remove the selvedges and sew the strips together. Press in half wrong sides together down the length. Sew the binding to the front of the quilt, mitring the corners. Fold the binding to the back and stitch in place. I haven't written a detailed tutorial of the binding process as they are already some great ones around. Here is a great one I saw the other day. If you google quilt binding tutorial you will find lots of great ones.
If you do make one I would love to see it. You can add it to the flickr group here.
Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteOh, I have been looking forward to this!
ReplyDeleteThanks - Lurline♥
Perfect, I've been meaning to make a quilt for 3 years. Love this one so much that I'm actually doing it right now! Nearly have it all cut out...
ReplyDeleteGreat little tutorial Kate. Fab way of using up those random fats that are lining around ;) xox
ReplyDeleteBright happy quilt, thanks for sharing Kate
ReplyDeleteLovely. Does this mean I'll need to have another baby? Oh dear!
ReplyDeleteOh this is perfect! I was just starting to think about what to do for my little one's first birthday quilt.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteA dear friend is about to be a first time Grandmommie, and this is just what I was looking for as a gift. Fiber hugs! - Ginger
Thank you for the tutorial, I will have to try it sometime soon. I really like the colours you used btw, red and blue is one one of my favourite colour combinations at the moment! :) x
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! I love the red flower fabric :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tut, explained really well, thanks Kate.
ReplyDeletethis is awesome, thanks for sharing it :) I love the fabrics you chose, too... so cheerful and pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial, i'm going to make it this size first, then a bit bigger maybe. More interesting than plain squares!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute and well explained! I would love to link to this if you didn't mind. I just clicked over from Craft.
ReplyDeleteI love this design and you make it look simple.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cool tutorial! I definitely have some FQs I could use to make some of these.
ReplyDeleteI've never made a quilt before, but found your tutorial really easy! Thank you so much for sharing it! I don't have a flickr account, but photos of the quilt are here: http://www.jnutisnuts.com/fat-quarter-baby-quilt
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog and found your fab tutorial. I linked to it here: http://quilting.craftgossip.com/?p=6457
ReplyDeleteNice instructions plus I appreciate your use of fat quarters to simplify and shorten the time to complete what's likely a gift.
Warmly,
Scarlett Burroughs
Quilting Editor, Craft Gossip
This was my first ever quilt and I LOVED the easy to use tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThis was such an easy pattern but with such a striking outcome! I've gotten more compliments on this quilt than any others! I posted in the flickr group too. Thanks for sharing this pattern!
ReplyDeleteBeth
Thank you for such a wonderful tutorial! I just made my first quilt using it, and it came out pretty good. I will post it to the flickr group. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI love working with fat quarters and I just made the top this week. It went together so easily. thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI made this tonight out of old men's dress shirts, but I did it so quickly I did it out of order (only me!). It still looks cool. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, I'll try and post a picture of mine. I wish I'd placed my fabrics better but know the couple who are getting this for their first baby will love it anyway.
ReplyDeleteLove your work.
I just found this tutorial on Pinterest and I'm looking forward to making two of them for my cousins.
ReplyDeleteI just love your quilt and your tutorial. So easy to follow. I've made my own (a little bigger) and just love it! Already decided to make a few more as Christmas gifts! :) I also posted a photo to your Flickr group :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this tutorial! I just made my first quilt top, THIS quilt top! I used the custom fat quarter bundle "Fighting Crime One Fabric at a Time" from Fabricworm! It's not perfect (as I'm just learning), but I'm pretty happy with it and can't wait to start the rest of the process tomorrow!
ReplyDeletethis was really easy!! I was able to cut it out and sew it together in one afternoon/evening {& i have two young kids!} Thanks!!
ReplyDeletethis was really easy!! I was able to cut it out and sew it together in one afternoon/evening {& i have two young kids!} Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteQuick question...I am getting ready to cut the blocks out of the fat quarter. Don't I need 18.5 inches of fabric to cut out all the blocks? The fat quarter is only 18 and even smaller after washing. Am I missing something? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean Andrea. Any thoughts from those who’ve made it?
DeleteHere is a copy of Kate’s reply to you Andrea. She couldn’t find your comment so just posted in the comments.
Delete“Hi to the person who asked about cutting out, I quickly saw your comment about 18", but when went back it had disappeared, so I didn't see the whole question, but the fabric is 18" high and 22" wide. 10 1/2 + 5 1/2" is 16" so you should have 2" extra height wise and 10 1/2 + 5 1/2" + 2 1/2 is 18 1/2" so you should have 3 1/2" extra width wise. I hope I have answered your question, otherwise please leave me a message.”
Hope you see this Andrea.
I just starting making this quilt and it has been such a great experience! It's my first time quilting and the instructions are perfect. Thank you so much for this tutorial!
ReplyDeleteLove your tutorial. I posted a link to it here on my blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://burnsbobbins.blogspot.com/2013/03/charity-quilting-mindblockcan-you-help.html
I will post a picture in your flickr when the quilt is finished. Thanks again,
Sandra
Thank you for sharing your tutorial. I am on a mission to make fifty baby/kids quilts in twelve month and your pattern will be a good one to use for fat quarters. Hugs
ReplyDeleteSorry for interupting your comments chain with stupid questions, but I'm new to this sewing business and a little confused. When you say sew the strips between the columns do mean on top of or in the middle? And should the wadding be right up to the edges when you sew the pieces together or hanging out slightly?
ReplyDeleteHi Bec, I will leave a message here and hope you see it as you didn't leave a way to reply to you. You sew the columns between the rows, the picture shows how it looks when you are finished. When you are quilting there will be wadding/batting hanging out the sides. Trim it when you have finished quilting.
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble getting my small rectangles to line up. They are longer than the big sqaure. What am I doing wrong?
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, did you sew them together along the long side, not the short side?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this tutorial! I made my first quilt top based off of it yesterday. It's the perfect pattern for a beginner, and I really appreciated the clear instructions :)
ReplyDeleteHi to the person who asked about cutting out, I quickly saw your comment about 18", but when went back it had disappeared, so I didn't see the whole question, but the fabric is 18" high and 22" wide. 10 1/2 + 5 1/2" is 16" so you should have 2" extra height wise and 10 1/2 + 5 1/2" + 2 1/2 is 18 1/2" so you should have 3 1/2" extra width wise. I hope I have answered your question, otherwise please leave me a message.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate. I can see Andrea question. If you don’t mind I will try a copy and paste your answer on her posting for her to see.
DeleteIf you are using fabric with a directional pattern, bear this in mind when assembling the middle column.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely quilt and wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing the tutorial
ReplyDeleteDressmaking Fabrics
I did it! I'm in my 60s, don't sew, but needed a sit-down hobby when I broke my ankle. Bought a sewing machine and searched the internet. Your instructions were very easy to follow for the quilt top, although I admit I had to look for a simple way to put it together as all the quilting and binding instructions I found looked difficult. I plan to put a picture on your flicker account, and I plan to keep sewing - although probably not quilts.
ReplyDeleteI have made this quilt 2 times and am back for a third! Love it and it's so easy. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI just finished this for a friend's baby. Thanks for the free, wonderful tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI made this and it's very cute and directions were perfect.
ReplyDelete