This simple throw quilt can be made easily using simple squares, rectangles, and strips sewn together into rows. I used pink fabric with vintage McCalls patterns printed on it and coordinated it with fabrics from my stash that matched.

Here is the completed quilt alongside the template of the quilt layout I created in Word. The completed quilt will measure 32″x43.75″ if you follow the instructions to a tee. (Quilt pictured actually measures 30.5″x43.75 due to shortage of fabric.)

After picking out all the fabrics I want to use in a quilt, I use a paper template such as the one I made above to help position my fabrics. Sometimes I use pencil crayons to colour in boxes to represent each fabric, sometimes a letter, or sometimes a symbol. If I’m feeling unsure about my colour coordination, I may take photos of my fabrics and import swatches to see how they look together digitally before cutting into my precious fabrics. Do whatever works for you!

You Will Need to Cut Out:

  • 32 small squares (A): 4.5″x4.5″
  • 6 large squares (B): 7.75″x7.75″
  • 4 thick sashing strips (C): 2″x32″
  • 2 thin sashing strips (D): 1.5″x32″
  • 8 rectangles (E): 2.25×7.75
  • a multitude of strips of various widths, equaling 32″ wide when joined together (F): 0.5″ to 3″ wide x 5.25″ tall

Additional Supplies

In addition to the supplies above, you will need batting, backing material, and binding material to complete the quilt in full. This tutorial will only cover making the top of the quilt.

And of course, you will need a sewing machine (or hand needles, if you’re feeling brave) and thread. I recommend using a 1/4″ seam foot if you have one to be sure that all your 1/4″ seams are absolutely perfect. Otherwise, use your measuring tape to line up your seams.

Seam allowances are 1/4″ for the entire tutorial. Use an iron to press the seams open, or if you don’t have an iron, finger-press them! It will improve the quality of your quilting ten-fold. Really!

Creating the Rows of Blocks

  1. Begin by sewing 8 squares of (A) into a row. Repeat this three times to create 4 separate rows of 8.
  2. Sew one row of (A) to a second row of (A). Set aside. Then sew another row of (A) to a second row of (A). Set both pairs of (A) rows aside.
  3. Now we will do the rows with the large squares separated by the rectangles. Sew together the (E) rectangles and (B) squares together into rows in the following position:

    E – B – E – B – E – B – E

  4. Repeat this with the remaining (E) rectangles and (B) squares to create a second row. Set both rows aside.
  5. Next is my favourite part of this quilt: the stripped centre. Using all those strips ranging in width,sew them together randomly until it is at least 32″ wide. Make sure you take this measurement after ironing the pieces flat. So much fun!Whee!

Assembling the Rows

Now that all the complicated rows are sewn together, let’s attach them together!

  1. Using the thin sashing pieces (D), sew one above the strip row and one below the strip row.
  2. Sew one large-block row to the top of your assembled centre, and one large-block row to the bottom of your assembled centre.
  3. Using the thick sashing strips (C), sew one to the top and one to the bottom.
  4. Sew one set of your small-block rows to the top of your assembled quilt and one to the bottom.
  5. Finally, attach the two remaining thick sashing strips (C) to the top and bottom of your quilt.

If you’re lazy like me and didn’t iron the entire way along, iron the seams before you make your quilt sandwich. See the above picture? That’s what happens when you’re lazy and don’t iron. The centre strip row look lovely and ironed, the sashing looks puffy and awkward. If you don’t iron them flat before you make your quilt sandwich, the puffiness will be trapped in the quilt forever… forever.. forever… (imagine that as a dramatic, cavernous echo, my friends).

After your sandwich your batting and backing fabric and quilt it together, you can use a rotary cutter and cutting mat to square up your new quilt top and trim it so that the quilt is a perfect rectangle before binding the edges.

I hope that you enjoyed making this quilt as much as I did. If you follow this tutorial, post a link to your project in the comments! I’d love to see what you come up with!

Never sandwiched a quilt top, batting, and backing fabric before? Please check back; I will be writing a tutorial on that soon.

1 thought on “Easy Strip and Block Throw Quilt Top

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