Even though this week is a bit gloomy here in the midwest, spring has still arrived! Azaleas and irises are in full bloom outside, and the peonies are next in line.
I ordered this low volume bundle of fabric a few weeks ago with spring and summer in mind, and some of these fabrics have been the perfect addition to our home.
The majority of these fabrics are going to be hard to find since they’re from years ago. The two solid whites I used were Kona white and Kona snow. Those are both still readily available!
If you are looking for some great shops to browse, I’ll offer a few suggestions. Some of my favorite fabric shops are Polka Dot Secrets, Sew Organic, Kiwi Fabric, and Peony Pedal Quilts. Morgan Kelly Quilts is also 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.
I finished this throw sized quilt with simple five inch blocks. If you have a collection of pre-cut charm packs, those would be perfect for this quilt. Obviously, this is not one to showcase intricate piecing or ornate quilting, but I chose this simple patchwork because I loved the fabrics in this quilt.
I landed within the dimensions of a standard throw sized quilt with 15 rows of 12 blocks (all five inch blocks). I used this tutorial to cut the blocks and once again, I used Cluck Cluck Sew’s machine binding tutorial to finish the quilt.
I wasn’t too finicky about laying out all the blocks before hand. I somewhat randomly chain pieced all the blocks into pairs and then into fours and finally into sets of six. My only stickler was I didn’t want any matching blocks next to each other.
After sewing sets of six blocks, I laid all the rows out on the floor. I used this opportunity to rearrange colors and combinations to ensure I had balance in the quilt. I didn’t want all the yellow floral jumbled in just the top or all the pink in the bottom left.
Once I had the sets of six balanced and figured out, I sewed the sets of six into rows of twelve. Then I sewed the rows of twelve blocks together to make the quilt. Like I mentioned above, this quilt consists of fifteen rows of twelve blocks.
I used six different patterns of fabrics. I used about 3/4 of a yard of each fabric for the blocks. The back took about 2 1/2 yards of fabric. The finished quilt measured around 51 by 64 inches.
I couldn’t be happier with the simplicity of this quilt!
If you are relatively new to sewing and quilting, here are a few posts that you can quickly scan through for a few tips and inspiration:
4 Quilting Tips I Wish I had Known when I Started Quilting
How to Choose Fabric for a Quilt
Low Volume Quilts are my Specialty
My Favorite Fabric Shops and Stores
If you really like this combination of prints, you may enjoy this quilted pillow cover I have listed in my shop.
(Please note that affiliate links have been used in this post.)
I do not understand the steps to making this quilt. It is absolutely perfect for the fabric I have! But I got my fabric from Germany and it came in 25 cm x 75cm strips which equals 10” x 30” strips. I got a package of 5 matched fabrics and got 3 packages to make a throw quilt. If I’m doing the math correctly that will give me 96 5” squares. Can I make your gorgeous quilt with just 96 5” squares? Should I buy more fabric?
Hi Karin, I think you’ll want quite a few more squares. The typical throw sized quilt is 50 by 65 inches. You can’t make a quilt that large with only 96 five inch squares. You’ll need about 180 five inch squares to make a throw sized quilt. (Remember that you have to take seam allowance into consideration.)
I hope that’s helpful!
Thank you!
I want to quilt together a project I’m working on using the technique you used. Can you tell me what type of stitching that’s called? Do you need a certain foot to stitch on the sides of the “ditch” like you have done. I’m very new to quilting and I don’t know how to even ask the question. Hope this makes sense.
Hi Paris! This is all just a simple basic straight stitch on the sewing machine. I almost always just use the standard presser foot that the machine comes with and use the edge of the foot as my guide. I follow along the fabric seams with the side of the foot.
This is a beautiful quilt. I’m in the process of making 4 memory quilts from my clients father in laws clothing. I start cutting tomorrow. I’m thinking 5” squares are perfect. I was going to sew in the ditch but I love the stitching next to the ditch. Thank you for the inspiration.
You’re very welcome, Jocelyn! Enjoy making your memory quilts! You are so generous with your time and talents doing those for your customer. I’m sure they’ll be so special.
I want to make a throw quilt but this will be my first large project. I understand that I need 15 rows of 12 blocks or 180 5” squares. My question is how or where do I find a force of material that is at least 46 x 61” to make my finished quilt 45 d 60”. I looked around today and most of the fabric was only 42 “ wide. Except for precut fleece. Fleece is so thick, I know id be fighting my sewing machine if I used that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Julie, I think I understand your question. You don’t need fabric that goes the width of the quilt. The top of the fabric will all be cut squares, right? After cutting up your squares, you sew them back together to make rows as wide as you want.
If you’re asking about how to back a quilt, I always have to piece my backing as well. For example with this quilt, I think you can buy 3 yards of fabric for the back. Cut it down to 1 1/2 yard pieces and sew those two pieces together for the backing.
Does that make more sense?
Yes thank you. Yes I was talking about the back of the quilt. I was thinking I had to have a piece the size of my quilt + seam allowance. Your tip makes that much easier
They also make quilt backing material that is 108″ wide, which would probably be overkill for this, but just wanted to let you know it’s out there, for future reference.
So where did you get the 5” squares that you used in this quilt? Am interested in the blocks. Is it something that you have in your store?? Thank you!!
Hi Annamarie! Where did I get the squares? I started with a mix of yardage and then cut them down. I do not sell any fabric from my store, but here is a link to many of my favorite fabrics shops: https://www.thewillowmarket.com/my-favorite-fabric-shops-and-stores/
I am wanting to make this quilt but was wondering, if I made it bigger like around 72 by 60 how many more squares I would need? (I’m not good at the math behind it lol)
Hi Kylie! If you use 5 inch squares, then 16 squares by 13 squares would be 72.5 inches by 59 inches. Is that helpful?
Yes thank you!
Hello, I have a question about quilting. Being that my sewing machines were stolen I need to make a quilt but I will have to do it by hand. Wondering if I spent 3 or 4 hours a day stitching by hand how long do you think it would take me to make a quilt? Saying this same size as the one in this post.
Thank you very much & awesome job on your quilt it is gorgeous.
Hi Kelly, 🙁 so sorry to hear about your machine. That must be pretty defeating. You asked about stitching an entire quilt by hand. I actually have no idea since I’ve never pieced a quilt by hand, but I can only imagine it taking a very very long time. It has to be something you’d enjoy working on otherwise I could foresee it getting overwhelming fast.
So sorry to hear you sewing machines were stolen!!! Sometimes quilt shops have machines that you could use/rent in the store.
Hello, I have a question for you? If I have 200 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch squares what size block would that make and if Ihad 200 would it be big enough to make a quilt? Thank you, Lori
My friend and i are starting to make quilts for the homeless… And i haven’t done this since the 11th grade… I’m wondering how many 5×5 blocks do i need to make a lap quilt?
Hi Jessica, good for you and your friend! Most lap sized quilts are maybe 50 by 60 inches…give or take a bit depending on your blocks. For simple five by five squares, you’d need approximately 145 squares.
Remember, after you sew five inch blocks together, they’ll only be 4 1/2 inches when you are finished. You have to allow a quarter of an inch on all sides.
Hopefully that’s helpful!
Very pretty! I love how light and cheerful it is. I happen to be starting on a charm square throw for my husband tomorrow. I cannot tell you how much I am going to love not cutting squares!!! I’m going to be using Moda Snowfall Wovens and I can’t wait to start putting those lovely little squares together. LOVE charm packs!
Yay for not cutting all the squares! And you know these charms are all cut absolutely perfectly. 🙂 Should be a fun quilt to put together.
I was very disappointed to discover my charms were wonky, and I had to spend some time trimming them up. Bleh!
Oh dear! How disappointing!
I am working at sewing the squares together for this quilt (I am beyond excited) I was wondering how after the top squares are all sewed together how you got the quilting lines on each side of the seams? Does that question make sense?
Hi Ashley, yes, your questions makes total sense. After you sew the top together, you make a quilt sandwich with some fabric on the back, batting in the middle, and the squares on top. I used the seams of the squares as my guide and sewed a quarter of an inch seam allowance down each seam.
Your presser foot is your quarter of an inch guide. Line up your presser foot with each straight seam from the squares and sew through all three layers of your quilt sandwich.
I have a tutorial about sewing a quilt together and quilting using the seams as a guide here if you are interested in checking it out: https://www.thewillowmarket.com/how-to-sew-a-quilt-everything-you-need-to-know-about-quilting-packed-into-a-simple-coaster-tutorial/
It may be helpful!
Ask more questions if something is unclear! 🙂
First thank you for always replying and replying so quickly! The concept of attaching the batting and back I totally understand. I guess I am just unclear how to actually sew it with such a large piece of fabric once you get to the middle. Do you have a special sewing machine?
Hi Ashley, I think I understand what you are asking. I added a temporary picture to the very bottom of this post to help explain.
My sewing machine is not extraordinarily large, and my first sewing machine was smaller, and I quilted a queen size quilt on it…so I know it’s possible!
The best advice I can offer is to baste really well. Lots of pins or basting spray. Then start quilting in the middle. Roll the sides of the quilt up really tight and nice kind of like the picture. Then gently feed the quilt through the machine. I usually drape the quilt over one of my shoulders as I feed it through.
Most sewing machines come with a table extender too…which is the platform on which you sew. It may be something you have to order separately if it didn’t come with your machine. Those make quilting much easier because you have a bigger platform around your presser foot.
Hopefully that is helpful!
Thank you so much! I so appreciate you taking time to replying ao quickly and throughly!
No problem, Ashley. 🙂 I hope you enjoy creating your quilt!
Did you put any batting inside your quilt ? I am attempting to make your beautiful quilt!!
Hi Vickie, yes! I used 100% cotton batting. I believe it was warm and natural cotton batting. I buy it by the roll from Jo Ann’s.
It’s fun to hear you’ve been inspired by this one! I’d love to see pictures once you are finished. 🙂
Very beginner hear! How much of each fabric did you buy to make the quilt? Getting ready to start this 🙂
Hi Ashley, I started with a half yard of each of the seven prints of fabric. I know I didn’t use the full half yard of each fabric though. Depending on how large your quilt ends up, you will need three to four yards of fabric for the backing. Hopefully that’s helpful!
I’m so glad to hear you are attempting a quilt! Enjoy the process!
Kelli, I’m a beginner so have a simple question. When you say 5″ squares, are they cut 5″ or 5 1/2″? Just want to be sure you don’t mean after sewing together each square is 5″. TIA!
Hi Mary, good question! I started with five inch blocks. After you sew them, they’ll end up as 4 1/2 inch blocks in the quilt. Hopefully that’s helpful! I’m glad you are able to reference this tutorial and let me know if you have other questions. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much! I haven’t worked up the nerve to make a quilt yet but this one seems like a good one to start with! So glad I found you!
You should go for it! Just don’t be to picky about being a perfectionist on your first one! You’ll learn as you go and get better and better. 🙂
Love this one too, so pretty!
Hi Christine! Thank you!
Very pretty. The low volume colors give it a cool look, definitely perfect for summer.
Hi Kate, thanks so much! It’s been a fun one to have out this summer. 🙂
A very pretty quilt. The fabrics play well together.
Hi Marcy! Thanks so much. 🙂
Thank you for listing the fabrics. I have a difficult time color-coordinating and would rather buy custom-made bundles. I will read your blogs more closely to see if you list more low volume bundles. I have just discovered your blog and have already learned so much!
Hi Joy! You make me smile! I’m soooo glad you were able to find some inspiration from this bundle of fabrics, and I’m even more happy to hear you have learned a bit from reading here. You encourage me! And thanks for leaving a comment. I hope to hear from you again!
Very nice. Sometimes simple is the way to go. 🙂
It really works well with the fabrics.
Hi! Thanks Jen. 🙂 Five inch squares were perfect for showcasing this group of fabrics. Simple for sure, but I’m enjoying it! Thanks for stopping by!
Simple and summery. I love quilts that show off the fabrics and not necessarily the skills of the quilter.
Smiles
Kate
Hi Kate, that’s a great way of saying it…featuring the fabrics and not the intricate piecing or quilting detail. This one was a breath of fresh air to make…it went together fast and simple. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Darling little quilt! good job….so perfect!
Thank you Nancy! This simple summery quilt came together fast, and every now and then, that makes for a fun project. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!