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Quilting is a bit like running for me. I love the result but sometimes the process takes some perseverance.
I started quilting almost ten years ago and haven’t stopped. Since I began this hobby shortly before getting married, my husband’s family gifted me almost all the quilting supplies I needed to get started for our first Christmas together. My sisters bought me my first sewing machine called a Singer Promise.
Needless to say, this was not an all star sewing machine. BUT, it got the job done, and I loved it. I quilted many quilts on that little rickety thing…including my first queen size quilt. Sometimes it sounded like a train coming through the house, but alas, the needle continued going up and down as requested.
My husband soon learned this hobby was going to stick around for a while. He started talking about buying me a new sewing machine. I hesitated for a long time; I follow a lot of quilting blogs, and these awesome and creative ladies have machines that cost thousands of dollars. I wasn’t ready to drop that kind of money on a sewing machine.
Well, he secretly started doing some research. Knowing me well, he found a Singer Quantum 9960 that was a good upgrade from the one I started on, but was still less than $400. I don’t regret the purchase one bit. This has been a great middle of the line sewing machine for me. I use it almost every week, but since I don’t make a career out of sewing, this one is perfect for me.
This is the second queen size quilt I have sewn. I’ve wanted to sew a low volume quilt for quite some time, but made myself finish some other projects first. For me, low volume means low color. Pastels. Soft. Nothing bold. Lots of white.
A few things you should know about me when I quilt:
1. I don’t like using patterns. I’d rather look at a quilt I like and figure out something similar.
2. My corners don’t line up perfectly when I quilt…and that doesn’t bother me.
3. I like quilts because of the fabrics and the quilt pattern. While I appreciate ornate quilting, I have never sent a quilt away to be quilted on a long arm.
4. I want quilting to be something I enjoy. If I had to be perfectionistic about it, I would quit.
I’ve sewn two other quilts VERY similar to this pattern. Here is one and here is another.
Before I begin the tutorial, are you looking for fabrics? These are a few of my favorite places to browse:
Handmade is Heartmade – large variety of fabrics with many prints.
Fresh Modern Fabrics – large variety of fabrics with many prints.
Polka Dot Secrets – lots of florals and real pictures of the fabrics.
Morgan Kelly Quilts – a great place for fabric bundles. Since she doesn’t carry a high selection of fabric, it’s a good shop to browse if you’re overwhelmed easily.
Sew Organic – excellent experience with customer service & all organic fabrics.
Kiwi Fabric – wide variety of many fabrics. Fast shipping.
Fabric.com – great when buying multiple yards for backing.
Here is a short tutorial on a beginner friendly low volume quilt:
Like I said above, this is the PERFECT quilt to try if you are a beginner. It is made up of two blocks:
The block on the left is a square 6 1/2 inch block. The block on the right is made of four 3 1/2 inch squares.
To make the block on the left:
1. Cut 6 1/2 inch strips of fabric.
2. Cut the strips down into 6 1/2 blocks.
To make the block on the right:
1. Cut 3 1/2 inch strips of fabric.
2. Cut the strips down into 3 1/2 inch blocks.
3. Sew the blocks into pairs. (for example, one white and one patterned gray block.)
4. Sew the pairs together to make a square 6 1/2 inch block.
You may notice in the above pictures that I arranged the fabric squares to create a diagonal line going upwards to the right. Play with your blocks and use the fabric patterns and colors to arrange them how you like best.
Even though I am not a huge fan of borders around a quilt, I ended up putting a row of white blocks around the perimeter. I was out of all my patterned fabric, and I needed the quilt a tad bigger. I learned with the first queen sized quilt I sewed to try it out on the bed before you get to the point of no return. 🙂 The back of this quilt is solid Kona white fabric.
Are you a beginner looking for a few tips for quilting? This post, 4 Tips I Wish I had Known When I Started Quilting, is a great place to start.
For so long, this was my favorite quilt. It still, to this day, over five years later, is used as our bed spread for our master bedroom. I learned a few things from making this quilt:
1. I didn’t try to copy anyone else. I didn’t look at too many pictures for inspiration. I created what I wanted to create..and I liked how it turned out.
2. I had a pile of fabric at home that I was afraid to cut into for fear of never finding any fabric again that I liked so much. Note to self: There will ALWAYS be new and adorable fabric coming out on the market.
3. I used multiple shades of white. Sometimes I feel I trap myself when I use all white or all off white. By using both, I think this quilt has a fresh and modern feel with a touch of vintage. Just the way I like it!
Hi Kelli
I am going to do this in a King size in Riley Blake Hush Hush and Hush Hush 2. I may have to add in some other Amy Smart Low volume to get it to it’s true size. Thank you for showing how soft and comfortable a really basic quilting stitch to complete can be. This is perfect for what i want. I want the bed you look at and say, oh boy! I can sleep there. It reminds me of cabins or boat houses. I have a few ideas for the throw pillows. I will send them when finished. this will come together real quick with precuts, and then add ins….
I’d like to try making a quilt like this but in a throw size. Can you tell me with your best guess how much fabric to use or how many blocks to make? I’m terrible at trying to figure this out.
Thank you.
Hi Ann, so you’re looking for approximately a 50 by 65 inch quilt. That’s going to take about 80 six and a half inch blocks.
Then I’d purchase your fabric by the half yard or fat quarter until you have the combination you like.
Love your idea of that A quilt can be in perfect. I have made a few quilts but I am still a beginner. I have never used a pattern Or precuts. My first quilt was a memorial one made out of men’s ties
I have been collecting low volume material . My daughter requested a white quilt. I am a widow and money is tight so I use clothing in my quilts
I have used a mattress pad as my batting. It worked great. How do you finish your quilts? I have done both the binding and what I call an envelope
Carol, so good to hear from you! I love that you incorporate clothing into you quilts. I have almost always finished by quilts with a binding. There are a few that I’ve finished with an envelope, but the far majority are bound.
How many different patterns do you use in this quilt? How much material for binding?
I’d guess about 15 different fabrics along with two shades of white. For a queen size quilt, I’d need about 3/4 of a yard of fabric, and I cut my binding strips into 2 1/2 inch strips.
I hope that’s helpful!
I love your low volume quilt . I have made three quilts learning to sew from Pinterest and you tube and was so happy to read that you love staying with the square patchwork quilts . I felt pressured by sewing friends to make more difficult patterns so for my third quilt I followed a diamond quilt pattern , it turned out well but I didn’t enjoy the experience making it and was happy to gift it . I’m busy collecting low volume fabric to make one like yours , definitely my kind of snuggly quilt to keep for myself . Thank you for the inspiration .
Susie, I still love simple quilts. Quilts made with squares…sometimes large squares where you can see the fabrics well. I’m glad you’re finding your style too and narrowing in what on you enjoy best!
Kelli, I’m an advanced beginner (is there such a thing?). I, too, learned so much from sewing with my friends in a guild where I used to live. I sure miss them. One of them gave me a hint on ripping out seams. I went to your link about “What Iis That Little Red Ball For?” and found no mention of her hint for ripping out. She used a moustache trimmer. She zipped through seams and never ripped her fabric. I tried it, and it really worked!
I love your quilting Tutorials – your work is beautiful! I am a beginner quilter in the process of making a queen size quilt for my daughters bed. Using inspiration from your low volume beginners quilt, it will be all tone on tone patterned whites and off-white fabrics, as well as solid white. I have purchased 100% cotton fabrics and cotton thread. What is your suggestion for the best low loft loft batting to use? Polyester, cotton, or a blend?
Hi Karen, thank you so much! My favorite is Warm & Natural Cotton Batting: https://amzn.to/2ZL3TxH
The quilt you are making sounds so pretty. I really enjoy mixing different hues of the same color!
I love your quilts. I have just spent the last hour just soaking in looking at your projects. You have inspired me to make some low volume quilts (I donate most quilts I make with a few family gifts thrown in). I have been learning to quilt for the last year, mostly from pinterest, quilting shows and a few quilting magazines. I found myself nearly always stopping at your posts on pinterest so just decided I need to start following your posts for whatever you do. You are one of the few I chose to do that with. I avoid fussy quilt patterns too😊 you made a comment on the one you did with linen HST quilt and how hard it is to quilt through the corners. I have a spendy quilting machine and it happens to me too when I do hst. Only difference might be automatic tension and a size 16 needle.
Hi Cindy! Thanks for such a thoughtful comment. 🙂 I applaud you for donating so many quilts. That’s such an inspiration. Thanks for your insight on the bulky HST corners…it really is frustrating to finish a project and then have so much trouble quilting it.
🙂
I LOVE this low volume quilt! One of my very first quilts was a queen size for my bed, and I wanted it to be calm and muted. I ended up needing to buy more fabric for it, and by the time it was finished it was much more colorful than I had planned. It is now on my 8 year old daughter’s bed. If I had not been afraid to just use lots of offwhite, it would have been perfect for me. I am wanting to do one like yours because it would be so “me”. Thanks for your inspiration and tutorial! And, BTW, I totally am with you on your four points. I also have a fifth point….My quilts are made to be loved AND used. I don’t freak out about a smudge or spill or dab of nail polish on one of my kids’ quilts. That is life!
Hi Heidi, I love your comment and the fifth point you offered! We use our quilts too! Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, but I have to remind myself that I wouldn’t want it any other way. Just last weekend we dragged one of my favorites out for family pictures into the middle of a dirty field. I don’t know if the stains will ever all come out, but it’s okay!
Be sure to send over a picture if you start a new low volume quilt! They’re still my favorites.
Hi Kelli! About how many different fabrics would you say you used that weren’t a solid shade of white? What would you estimate your ratio of “white” and printed fabric is in this quilt? I am still in the cutting process for my queen sized quilt. I will need 720 pieces total….not ideal for a girl who needs immediate gratification, so I had to start sewing some of the blocks already…lol! I wish some little fabric cutting leprechauns would come to my house in the middle of the night and finish cutting for me!
Hi Heidi, I counted some out here at home, and it looks like about a 1/3 of the blocks are a solid white or off white. I completely understand the looooooong process it is to cut the blocks!! I compare it to running…sometimes the process gets long and hard, but the end is totally worth it!! 🙂
Hi Kelli! It’s finished! I’d love to show you what you inspired me to do, but I can’t seem to post a photo here in comments.
Heidi, I’d love to see it! Can you email me a picture? thewillowmarket@gmail.com 🙂 Your comment makes my heart so happy!
A dear departed friend of mine said she liked to “try out” the block before she cut out all the pieces. I’m with her; I want that instant gratification of seeing a finished block. And maybe avoiding a mistake of cutting 720 pieces wrong!
🙂 Sounds like some very wise and sound advice from someone who’s had a bit of experience quilting.
Your beautiful quilting projects have inspired me so much!! I am using this tutorial to make my very first quilt! It is for my daughter and I am so excited to see how it will all turn out 🙂 Eventually, I think I will use this same pattern to make a somewhat low volume camping theme quilt for my baby boy who is on the way! I love love love all your fabric and pattern choices! Your projects are all so pleasant and refreshing 🙂
Hi Rachel, thanks for your encouraging comment! 🙂 It makes my heart happy hearing that this tutorial is helpful. And, baby boy quilts are the best! Be sure to send a picture when you finish your quilts. I’d love to see them.
I LOVE this! Looking at closeups of the quilt, you didn’t stitch in the ditch around each block as well as your other stitches did you? Also, did you stitch each individual square one at a time or all the way across your quilt? This is my next project!
Hi Cindy! I did not stitch in the ditch. I sewed right across the entire quilt. I quilted a quarter of an inch of every vertical seam and then every horizontal seam.
Be sure to send a picture if you end up making one similar!! I’d love to see it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Very nice quilt but I especially love your four ponts about quilting. We need to keep that in mind. The process and finished product should be fun. Keep up the good (encouraging) work. Thank you
Hi Denise,
Thank you! Yes, the process must be enjoyable for me. 🙂 While I try really hard to get all my points and corners to line up, they just don’t. And, I don’t want to spend all that time ripping seams just to get them to line up perfectly. Maybe someday I’ll have the patience (and skills!), but for now, I’ll sewing my imperfect quilts.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love your quilt. It looks like many my Mother-in-Law did and before she past she was wining awards for her abilities. Sadly, I’ve gotten ahead of myself cause I can make just the patchwork tops I want a black and white quilt for my daughter. Most of my quilt blocks are 4 inch blocks. Excuse me on the Math but next to that block to even it out what should my blocks measure next to the 4 inch. Help, did I confuse you?
Diane
Hi Diane,
Sorry I took so long to get back to you. My quilting math is not good! But, if I understand your question correctly, your little blocks would need to be 2 1/2 inches each.
In other words, big blocks are 4 inches. Sew four 2 1/2 inch blocks together to create pieced block.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Hello,
I love the quilt.
How many yards of fabric is needed
How many blocks to a row?
Thanks,
Cindy
Hi Cynthia, those are great questions. First note this is a very very large queen size quilt. We have a pillow top on our mattress so I needed it extra large. So before you sew one this large, make sure you have a good idea of how big this is.
This quilt is made with 255 blocks total.
17 blocks long. 15 blocks wide.
Each block is 6.5 inches before sewn together.
Considering seam allowances, the front takes roughly 8 1/2 yards. The back takes approximately 7 1/2 yards.
The final size is 102 inches by 90 inches.
So apparently this is falling into the king size range…
Is that helpful?
Thanks for stopping by today!!
Thank you!
Kelli, Love this quilt so simple yet so chic. Love , Love , Love…. going to try this after I finish up my other wilting projects…. (Lots)….. I would like to know what you used for you backing? Is it a solid white, or a pastel print? Inquiring minds want to know. I love your work…. Thanks
Hi Natalie,
Good question, I used Kona Cotton White on the back of this one. I kept it pretty simple.
Thanks so much for your encouragement! I always enjoy hearing from someone with similar tastes. 🙂
Kelli,
You have inspired me to stop trying to be like my quilting friends and just keep being me, I hate patterns mostly because I can’t follow them!so anything I start ends up uniquely mine. Those who receive them love them and now I believe I will be able to see myself more as the quilter they all say I am because there are others out there like me that I didn’t know about!
Thank you so much for your inspirational words! BTW: I have never made a comment anywhere before! But this is special
Monica, you make me smile! Thank you for commenting! 🙂 I have learned I just like simple patchwork. I love the fabrics too! So yes! There are others like you! I’m one of them. Keep sewing and quilting. Do what you love!
I’m thankful you stopped by here today and brought me a ray of sunshine. It’s always fun connecting with someone kind of like yourself. 🙂
This quilt is absolutely beautiful. I love the soft pastels. I have been buying up fabric and sheets that are white with rose patterns, ( I hit the mother load at an antique shop) . I now know what I will do with it. Thanks for your post, and for the perfect idea to use my fabric on.
Oh Sheila!! Me too! I have a stack of old sheets in my bedroom right now ready to be made into a picnic blanket. 🙂 Please do send a picture if you end up using this pattern. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Finally! A woman after my own heart! Yes, the consensus is that a quilt should be “perfect” but if it’s made with love who cares?! I’mjust starting my first project and your ethos is inspirational! Thank you! 🙂
Hi Nat, good job starting your first project! I hope you love the process and enjoy it! Yes, worrying about perfection can squelch a project for me. Thanks for stopping by!
I SO want to try making a quilt – I’ve been saving fabric for a couple of months now – thanks so much for sharing – it’s just beautiful !
Hi Suzan, thank you so much for your compliment! I kind of compare quilting to running. It takes a little perseverance for me, but the end result is always worth it.
I do hope you give it a try! From looking at your blog, I think you would enjoy it. 🙂 -Kelli
I’ve picked up a few quilts at thrift shops and I just love them, but I’ve always wanted to try making my own! I’m definitely a beginner on a sewing machine, but I pinned your tutorial for later so I can give it a shot. Yours turned out fantastic and I love the fabric you used.
Thanks! I think quilts are often times easier to sew than people think. They can just get a bit monotonous…so you need some perseverance. I love seeing them used all over the house. Thanks for stoppying by! -Kelli