How to Make a Simple Beginner Quilt – Free Sewing Tutorial

I absolutely adore quilts! I especially love the final product possibilities! I also love how they can be made by any skill level, from beginner to expert, and that’s what prompted this Simple Beginner Quilt free sewing tutorial.

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My first quilt was the Modern Log Cabin Quilt. It was easy to make, but still just a step above beginner level.

I quickly decided I would need to make a beginner friendly quilt tutorial at some point.

My great grandmother made me a quilt when I was a baby. It was a simple two piece quilt, that she made by hand. How great is that?!

This quilt is really easy, quick, and takes little materials! Seriously the best quilt to make for your first time!

For this tutorial is instructions for a lapghan/baby size quilt, but you can easily adjust this by adding more squares to the top panel and then measuring top to bottom and side to side to determine how large of a backing you will need.

Here’s how to make the Simple Beginner Quilt:

Note: My fat quarters were purchased from ADORNit, but the rest of my materials came from Joann Fabric and Crafts.

Using a 1/2″ seam allowance,
Take two 6″ squares, hold them print sides together, and sew up one side. Take the next square, place it over one of the squares, with print sides together, and sew up one side (so all squares are side by side). Continue this method until you have a long strip of 6 joined squares. Make 7 total strips.

Now, join the strips together, being careful that your fabric is facing the right direction; hold one strip over the other, with print sides together, and sewing across the long edge. Repeat with all strips.

Let’s add the border!

Take one 33″ x 4.5″ border strip and sew across the top. Take the other 33 x 4.5″ border strip and sew across the bottom. Trim off excess.

Take one 38″ x 3.5″ border strip and sew to the side. Take the other 38″ x 3.5″ border strip and sew to other side. Trim off excess.

Voila! Your top panel is done.

Next, lay your top panel onto your flannel backing and cut to size. Tip: If your flannel is not wide enough, cut it in half, turn it sideways, and sew two panels together (this is what I did).

Place your top panel and flannel backing with the wrong (non-print) sides together. Slowly peel back the flannel to about halfway and
spray basting spray between the flannel and top panel. Lay the flannel back
down and smooth out, so it’s perfectly back in place with no air bubbles or bumps. Repeat on other end of blanket, folding the flannel back to halfway, spray, lay flannel back down. Now you’re ready to add the bias.

Note: The basting spray does hold your layers together, but I still like to
place a few pins throughout, just to make sure it stays.

Now add your binding!
Cut 1 strip of 36″ and 1 strip of 44″ from each double fold bias tape (2-36″ and 2-44″ total).

Sew the 36″ strips across the top and bottom, making sure to enclose all
layers of the quilt. Trim excess off the edges. Next, pin a 44″ strip on one side, with an excess of 1/2″ overhang on both the top and bottom, fold
the 1/2″ overhang inside the bias tape, and sew the binding in place.
Repeat with other side.

Last, we’ll seal the layers together with embroidery floss!

Thread your needle, insert needle through the backing and out through the top layer at the bottom corner of one square. Reinsert needle 1/4″ over and through the top corner of the adjacent square (and out the backing). Tie the embroidery floss ends together. Repeat this step several times in different areas. You do not need to “pin” each square, but a few on the top, few in the center, and a few in the bottom.

And that’s how you make a Simple Beginner Quilt!

Here’s my finished quilt, what do you think? Comment below and let me know!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Please feel free to share your finished projects with me on Facebook or Instagram!

Thank you for crafting with me today!

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Written pattern and photographs © 2018 Sonya Blackstone of She’s So Creative. Please do not sell, share, or modify this pattern, but instead share the link to where the pattern can be found. Do not use these photos for advertising without written permission. Do not post this tutorial on your own website without written permission. You may sell any finished items you create using She’s So Creative tutorials.

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