How to Make an Old Fashioned Square Quilt

Sew a beautiful old-fashioned square quilt.

Quilts are commonly made from different shaped pieces, creating a pattern, and assembled with a sewing machine. Although more time-consuming, making an old-fashioned square quilt is simple, even if you choose to keep in the tradition and hand-stitch the pieces. With a little time, you can create your own beautiful old-fashioned square quilt.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Fabric measuring tape
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Needle
• Quilting thread
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Iron
• Thin batting

Instructions

Assembling the Top Layer

1. Measure and cut squares to make the quilt. Cut a total of 120 squares for a six-by-five-feet quilt, each measuring seven inches by seven inches. Choose between 10 and 15 different patterned fabrics for a mixed variety of color.

2. Assemble the rows of the quilt. Lay the first and second squares on top of each other, right-sides together. Stitch along the right side of the squares, with a 1/2-inch seam. Unfold the squares and lay a third square on top of the second, right-sides together. Sew a half-inch seam along the right side, attaching the third square. Continue adding squares until there are a total of 10 squares. Create a total of 12 rows, each with 10 squares. Begin each new row with a new square. Do not attach the rows together.

3. Lay the first row on a flat surface, right-side down. Iron the fabric, flattening the seams to the left. Iron each row, alternating the direction that the seams are ironed. For example, the seams on odd-numbered rows will lay to the left and even-numbered rows to the right.

4. Attach the rows of the quilt. Lay the first row on a flat surface, right-side up. Place the second row on top, right-side down. Match up the seams between the squares and pin the bottom edges together. Sew along the pinned edge, with a half-inch seam. Unfold the rows and turn them right-side down. Push the ironed seams together between the two rows. Because they face different directions, they will hinge together and lay flat. Unfold the two rows.

5. Continue attaching the rows until the front of the quilt is complete. Follow the same method for the first rows to attach each subsequent row.

Assembling the Backing

1. Calculate the dimensions for the backing. The backing will need to be slightly larger than the front to accommodate any spreading during the quilting process. The layout of the backing depends on what sizes your fabric can accommodate. Create the backing by sewing together two or three pieces of fabric. If using two pieces, cut each piece to measure five feet, four inches by three feet, two and one half inches. If using three pieces, cut each piece to measure five feet, four inches by two feet, two inches. Once assembled, either choice will produce an outcome measuring five feet and four inches by six feet and four inches with a one-inch seam allowance for each of the two or three sewn sections. Measure and cut the appropriate number of pieces.

2. Lay two pieces of fabric horizontally on top of one another, right-sides together. Pin along the bottom edge and sew a half-inch seam. Unfold the attached pieces. Attach the third piece, if necessary, using the same method.

3. Measure and cut the batting for the quilt, using the final dimensions from the backing. No matter whether two or three sections were used for the backing, the dimensions measure five feet and four inches by six feet and four inches.

Assembling the Square Quilt

1. Lay the backing on the floor, right-side down. Spread it out as much as possible, removing all wrinkles. Position the piece of batting over the backing, matching up all four corners.

2. Lay the top of the quilt over the backing, right-side up. Match up one of the top two corners, leaving the bottom and one side of the backing and batting extending past the top layer. Smooth out all of the layers.

3. Baste the quilt, attaching all three pieces. Begin with the top corner, where all pieces match up evenly. Pin the corner together. Work along the first row, inserting a pin in the center of each square. Spread out the fabric as you work, but don’t stretch it.

4. Continue working along each row, pinning every square. Roll up the pinned edge of the quilt as you work to avoid stepping or sitting on any pins.

Finishing the Square Quilt

1. Sew around the center of each square. Begin with the top, even corner. Sew along one side of the square about one and a half inches from the edge. Turn and continue sewing about one and a half inches from all four edges, creating a quilted square. Work along the first and subsequent rows, quilting each square.

2. Trim along the edges of the quilt, removing the extra backing and batting and evening them with the top layer.

3. Fold down one edge of the top layer, tucking it beneath the batting. Fold up the edge of the backing, tucking it under the batting, creating a clean edge. Pin the folds in place and repeat for the other three edges.

4. Sew along all four edges of the quilt, creating a half-inch seam and securing the clean edges.