This project is perfect for a last minute gift, or just when you need an easy quilt that you don't have to think to hard about.
Grab some precuts or scraps, pick your adventure, and we'll have this quilt done in no time!
Materials
For this quilt, we have a choose your own adventure option. There are two paths you can take.
Path 1: I want to save time! Make this quilt as quickly as possible by choosing path one. This is perfect for when the baby shower is this weekend, or you just realized you need one more Christmas gift and it's December 22. For this option you will need:
1 Layer cake (10" squares) of background fabric. You can go with a solid or pick low volume prints for even more scrappy goodness. You'll need 30 - 10" squares in your layer cake.
2 charm packs (5" squares). You'll want these charm packs to be predominantly one color each. We opted for red and green so we could make a Christmas quilt. You'll need 40 squares of each color.
1 plush throw, at least 50x60" for backing and batting
1/2 yard binding fabric. We cut our binding at 2 1/4" strips. If you prefer a different size you may need more or less fabric.
Path 2: I want to save money! Make this quilt as cheap as possible by choosing this option. This is perfect for when you have more small pieces of fabric then you ever know what you'll do with. For this option you will need:
2 1/4" yards background fabric, or 30 - 10" squares of low volume prints (or all dark prints, just keep them fairly similar)
40 - 4 3/4" squares of color 1
40 - 4 3/4" squares of color 2
1 plush throw, at least 50x60"
1/2 yard binding fabric.
Making the quilt blocks
If using a charm pack, you can trim them to 4 3/4". This will leave a little more space between the diamonds in the finished top. If you really want to same time, you can skip this step entirely.
Grab 2 green charm squares and 2 red charm squares. Fold them in half and press the line (either finger press or press with an iron).
Place the green squares on alternate corners of a background square. Place the red squares on the remaining corners.
Sew directly on the folded lines of all four squares.
Trim 1/4" from the outside of the seam. Press squares open.
Repeat to make 12 blocks.
Repeat folding and sewing red and green squares to make:
7 of layout B
7 of layout C
2 of layout D
2 of layout E
Laying Out the Quilt Top
Follow the layout below to arrange all of your blocks in 6 rows of 5 blocks each. If going for scrappy, rearrange the blocks as needed to get an even dispursement of prints all over the quilt top.
Sew the quilt together in rows, then sew the rows together.
Finished the Quilt
Layer the quilt top on the plush quilt, baste with either spray or pins. Quilt as desired. I recommend keeping it nice and simple with easy loops or straight lines.
Tips for Quilting with a Plush Blanket
A couple quick tips when using a plush blanket:
1 - find one that matches your background color. Sometimes when quilting you can pull bits of the blanket through the top, if it matches your background color, this won't be much of an issue.
2- thicker is not necessarily better. When using a plush blanket, the thicker it is the harder it will be to push through the machine. Choose a nice blanket, but one that's a little thinner.
3 - If you are having trouble with the blanket showing through the background you can still use batting, just keep in mind it will be even thicker.
You can also make this quilt with a regular cotton fabric batting and backing if you prefer.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out!
Happy Quilting!
Kimie and Missy
