How to Make a Full Sized Quilt of Primary Big Blocks

Big-block quilts can be made quickly.

Quilting is a fun hobby and a great way to recycle old scraps of material. You can customize the quilt to your household needs. Big-block quilts are the fastest and easiest quilts to make. The larger the block, the faster the quilt can be sewn. Beginning quilters can start with simple patterns of alternating colors, and advanced quilters can create complex patterns to build intricate fabric blocks. Patterns are readily available at fabric and quilting stores and outlets.

Things You'll Need

• Different-colored fabric
• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Yardstick
• Quilt batting
• Iron
• Washing machine
• Scissors
• Chalk
• Rotary cutter
• Cardboard or cutting-surface protector
• Blanket (optional)
• Needle

Instructions

Preparing the Fabric

1. Wash all of the fabric for the quilt. Washing allows the fabric to shrink.

2. Iron out any major wrinkles in the fabric.

3. Decide on the size of your quilt. Common block sizes range between 8 and 10 inches on a side.

4. Place cardboard on a flat surface. Put your fabric on the cardboard.

5. Measure the size of your block and place a chalk mark at each cutting point. Use the rotary cutter to cut your squares.

Sewing the Fabric

1. Arrange the squares in a pattern. The easiest pattern is alternating colors.

2. Flip the squares over to the backside of the fabric and pin them together. Just do one row across at a time.

3. Sew the side of one square to the square next to it until you complete the row. Repeat this step for all of the rows.

4. Flip two rows over to the backside of the fabric. Pin the top on one row to the bottom of another row. Sew this seam. Repeat until all the rows are connected.

Attaching the Back

1. Select fabric for your back. It is easiest to use a large piece of fabric. Another option is to use a blanket. The back should extend four inches over the block pattern of the front of the quilt.

2. Cut your batting to the same size as the back fabric. Pin the batting to the backside of the back fabric.

3. Sew the batting to back fabric.

4. Pin the back side of the front of the quilt to the backside of the back of the quilt. Just do one side at a time. Repeat this step for three sides of the quilt.

5. Sew the forth side but do not complete the row. Flip the fabric through the unconnected seam until the quilt's fabric is visible. Hand sew the remaining seam.

Tips & Warnings

• Fabrics of similar weight are easier to sew.

References

• AllPeopleQuilt.com: Big Block Style
• Claudia's Quilt Shoppe: Absolute Beginners

Resources

• C & T Publishing: Big-Block Quilts by Magic
• Victoriana Quilters: General Quilting How To's