How To Make a Fast & Easy Quilt

How to make this quilt! It is easy- so easy it could be a MomSpark no-brainer!

The most fantastic thing about this quilt is how easy and how fast it comes together. I guess technically that is two fantastic things. Fast and almost effortless are great qualities but my favorite part about this quilt is that you can make it as simple or as complex as you want. It is a great quilt and has an even better base pattern. That is what makes this a great first quilt.

The directions below are for a crib/cuddly toddler size quilt.

What you will need:

• total of 2 yards of Cotton Quilting Fabric
• 2 yards of Minky fabric
• 2 yards Flannel for the middle layer

** I can not reiterate this enough. This is a basic pattern, because of that, you can switch it up very easily. If you want 2 or 6 or 100 different patterned fabrics on the front – go for it. If you want multiple fabrics on the back, that works too. I chose to do one fabric on the back and a simple diagonal pattern on the front.

Also, this works with a variety of fabrics too. I did this quilt in flannel. It is the same 6inch square pattern, just a slight variation by using two fabrics on both sides. Also, this would be a great scrap quilt. In fact, I plan on making one when our last baby is done with all the flannel receiving blankets and make myself one giant Imissholdingbabies quilt just for me to cuddle under.

Okay. So you got your fabric.

Before you go check out, add these things to your cart if you don’t already have them.

• rotary cutter
• cutting mat
• quilt ruler – at least 6 inches wide
• seam ripper – because even the best of us make mistakes
• Thread. This quilt uses quite a bit of thread so I would grab two spools.
• Oh and if you haven’t already got one, buy a sewing machine – It will be very much needed to make this quilt!

Now the fun begins. Well for me the fun began back at the store choosing the fabrics. But for a good blog arc, let’s say the first-rate action-packed fun begins NOW!

Start cutting your 6-inch by 6-inch squares.

You will want to cut all the fabric (that means the minky, the cotton, and the flannel)  into 6-inch squares. This takes a while but really isn’t that bad. I would suggest a Diet Coke and some reruns of your favorite TV series pass the time. I got caught up with Mad Men while cutting out the fabric for this quilt.

After you are done cutting squares, get up, stretch your back, and let your eyes focus on something other than your fabric. When you can see straight and your back barely aches, you are ready to start putting together the quilt!

Unlike most quilts, you will do the quilting before sewing the blocks all together.

You will need to do this to every block. It doesn’t matter what side is up while you stitch (unless you chose a different bobbin color-if you did, kudos to you for going the extra step to make the quilt more uniquely yours and you now have to be careful what side is up) all that matters is that the flannel is sandwiched in the middle and that the fabrics all line up to as close to square as possible (perfection is not needed though-this is a very forgiving quilt)

I chose a simple X pattern, but you can do whatever you want. The goal is to make it so that the flannel does not shift around inside each of the blocks once the quilt is all pieced together and you are cuddling under your one-of-a-kind creation.

Now that all the blocks are quilted, lay out your pattern.

Next start attaching the blocks. READ THIS: the WRONG SIDE FACING IN! Do not make the mistake of putting the patterned fabric facing in….that is unless that is the look you choose. I personally prefer the pattern side to have the ragging.

Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

after your rows have been sewn together start attaching the rows.

when all the rows are attached sew a 1/4 inch seam around the perimeter of the quilt.

Now admire your work. You did good, very fine indeed. However, you are not done yet.  Now you must start cutting, and yet again, get comfy because this can take a while.

Keep snipping…. and snipping…. and snipping until all seams have been snipped – even around the perimeter.

After you have snipped close to – but not through all the seams, wash the quilt. The first wash is important. This will start the ragging process. Wash on cold and then dry it all the way.

Then you are done!

Now, you can celebrate. You finished a quilt!

Go show off your quilt, wrap it up as a gift, or hand it over to your little one who doesn’t understand how much he should appreciate his mommy’s hard work, effort, and love that went into their one-of-a-kind, mom made quilt.

Amy @ Mom Spark

Founder of Mom Spark – a lifestyle blog for moms.