Things You'll Need:
- White, cream and pastel quilting fabrics
- Vintage fabrics
- Cotton batting
- Backing fabric
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Free motion quilting foot (optional)
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Step 1
Choose a quilt pattern. You can opt for nearly any pattern, as the fabrics you choose will give your quilt that shabby chic look. Consider your own skills and the amount of time you are willing to invest when selecting a pattern for your shabby chic quilt (see Resources for quilt pattern options).
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Step 2
Select an array of fabrics in light, faded colors. Consider working some vintage linens, including table runners, chenille and handkerchiefs into your shabby chic quilts. You may want to use cream, ivory, or soft pastel yellows, pinks, greens or blues as the focus of your quilt. Floral fabrics are a good choice for prints, in both a very small scale and larger scale. Avoid prewashing your fabric or batting to create a softer, vintage look for your quilt.
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Step 3
Cut your fabrics. If you are using vintage fabrics, do not hesitate to leave worn and faded areas visible. This will help your new shabby chic quilt to look a bit aged and vintage. You should also cut bias binding for your quilt from one of your fabrics to create a coordinated edging.
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Step 4
Piece your quilt, using a standard 1/4-inch seam allowance. Arrange your quilt blocks as desired for your shabby chic quilt and stitch the blocks together to form the completed shabby chic quilt top.
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Step 5
Sandwich the quilt top with cotton batting and backing. Pin the three layers together, then baste into place by hand or machine.
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Step 6
Decide whether you want to quilt in the ditch or do free motion machine quilting for your shabby chic quilt. Quilting in the ditch may be a faster option and can work very well with large block-style quilts. Smaller patchwork patterns may lend themselves better to free motion quilting.
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Step 7
Complete the machine quilting. Apply bias binding to the edges of your quilt. Wash your quilt. Since you did not pre-wash the fabrics or batting, fabric shrinkage will create a soft, rippled appearance well suited to the shabby chic style.
