Easy Quilt Pattern – Strawberry Jam

Easy Quilt Pattern for Beginners!

57 1/2 x 69 1/2

What you’ll need:

1/2yd of each fabric used in strip block(green, grey, coral, dark grey) or one Jelly Roll.

2 1/4yds solid block/border fabric(grey), 3yds if one strip in block, solid block, and binding will all be the same color(grey).

Binding- 1/2yd. You can use left over jelly roll strips for binding or any fabric you choose.

Batting-  will need to cover 64″ x 76″, or twin size batting.

Backing fabric- will need to cover 64″ x 76″,or 4 yds to piece backing.

This quilt can have many looks. The strip blocks can have a scrappy look by using your left over fabric scraps, you can use a jelly roll which already has pre-coordinated fabrics or you can piece it exactly like the quilt pictured above.  Decide how you want your quilt to look and then lets get started!  It will be look great any option you choose.

What to do:

Strip Block

1.  Cut five, 2 1/2″ strips of each fabric that will be in your strip block; If using a jelly roll pick out 20 strips that you will use. Trim selvages off ends of strips so they will not be in your finished quilt.  Cut strips into 10 1/2″ long segments. They will measure 2 1/2″ x 10 1/2″.  In total you will need 72 strips(you will have eight extra).

Lay out your strips how you like to see what your block will look like. Now, sew your first strip to your second, and then press open.  Continue until all four strips are sewn together. Press all seams in the same direction.  Your finished block should measure 8 1/2″ x 10 1/2″.  You will need 18 blocks. You will have enough for two extra blocks in case you mess one up or just add the extra to your scrap stash.

Solid Block

2.  Cut your solid block fabric into five, 8 1/2″ strips.  Trim selvages from ends of strips.   Cut your strips into 10 1/2″ blocks. Your finished block should measure 8 1/2″ x 10 1/2″.  This will yield 20 blocks, you only need 18 blocks.

Combining Blocks

3.  Now sew your blocks into rows, alternating strip and solid blocks. Press seams toward the solid blocks.  This will allow your seams to lock together as you join rows.  Now, join your rows together. Using some pins here to keep things lined up may help.  The center of your top is now done.  Almost there!

Borders

4.  Cut your border fabric into six, 5″ strips.  Trim selvages off the ends.  Cut two 5″ strips in half at the fold.  Attach each half length strip to the end of a full length strip. Cut border strips so that you have two measuring 5″ x 60 1/2″ for the sides and two  measuring 5″ x 57 1/2″ for the top and bottom.

Now sew your borders to your quilt top starting with the side borders. Line up and pin borders to the quilt top before sewing together.  I don’t always pin, but it really keeps the borders from looking wavy when your done.  Sew the top and bottom borders the same way and then your quilt top is done!

Finishing Your Quilt

5.  Now sandwich your quilt with backing (wrong side up), batting layer, and quilt top(right side up).

6.  Baste layers together using safety pins or spray adhesive, make sure to keep it smooth and flat.

7.  Quilt as desired, then apply binding to finish off.  To make binding, cut seven 2 1/2″ strips or use your left over jelly roll strips.  Trim selvages and then join strips end to end to make one continuous binding strip.  MSQC  has  some great videos to help with binding your quilt, it can be tricky!

(pattern is based on use of 1/4″ seams and 44″ wide fabric)

1.  Trim selvages sparingly…we need all of our fabric in the strips.

2.  Use a scant 1/4″ seam when sewing strip blocks.  When you press open the block you lose a little of your fabric in the fold, so to keep your blocks the correct size we shrink our seam just short of 1/4″(about the width of one thread). Some sewing machines will let you move your needle over just slightly to help you get this width.

3.  Sew the first two strips together, press open and then measure to see if it is accurate. Two strips, after pressed open, should measure 4 1/2″ wide. If there is a problem it is better to figure it out sooner than later!

4.  After finishing your first couple of blocks, measure again to make sure coming out right.  Should be 8 1/2″ x 10 1/2″.  If block is too big you can trim to correct size, but if too small….something is off. It is either your seams are too wide or not pressing seams all the way open.