How to Make a Block Quilt for a Twin Bed

A needle and thread can transform recycled fabrics into a block quilt.

A quilt makes a cozy and attractive bedspread for a single twin bed and a block quilt could utilize new or recycled fabrics. The block pattern is uncomplicated and well suited for a quilting novice. The block quilt can be pieced with the help of a sewing machine or hand stitched. With a careful choice of fabrics, the block quilt for a twin sized bed can be coordinated to a bedroom's curtains and wall color.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4-yard or six new or recycled cotton fabrics
• Cardboard
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Needle
• Thread
• 2-yards cotton muslin fabric
• 2-yards quilt batting
• Safety pins

Instructions

1. Draw a 5 1/2-inch square on the cardboard with a pencil, using the ruler. Cut out the square, which will be used as template for the block quilt.

2. Draw around the template on one fabric with a pencil and cut out the square. Repeat with all fabrics, creating a total of 48 cut squares.

3. Pin two non-matching squares together, right sides together. Sew a straight seam 1/4-inch from the edges to connect the squares. Repeat, with two more non-matching squares.

4. Pin the two pairs of fabrics together, right sides together, and sew a straight seam 1/4-inch from the edges to connect the squares, creating a four-square block. Repeat, to create 12 four-squares blocks.

5. Connect the four square blocks by the same method to create one 48-inch quilt block that has a width of six blocks and a length of eight blocks.

6. Cut the quilt batting and the cotton muslin to the exact size of the finished twin-sized block quilt.

7. Layer the cut muslin, batting and quilt top right side up on a flat surface. Insert a safety pin in the center of each quilt blocks. Hand sew small stitches through each seam line separating the quilt blocks.

8. Cut a 2-inch wide strip of muslin to the length of the perimeter of the quilt, piecing the strip if needed.

9. Sew the strip to the edge of the quilt top, right sides of the fabric together, with a straight seam 1/4-inch from the edge, folding the strip at right angles at the corners. Fold the strip over 1/2-inch twice and hand stitch it to the back of the quilt to create the quilt edging.

References

• "Quilting Basics"; Celia Eddy; Barron's Educational Series; 2003
• "Dare to be Square Quilting"; Boo Davis; Potter Craft; 2006