Have you ever looked at quilts that other people make and wonder how talented they must be to create such intricate designs? I know I have!
If you are a newbie quilter, this may be a constant battle for you. However, I am here to tell you that not every quilt block that looks difficult actually is.
There are several easy quilt blocks that look difficult, and today I am going to share with you some tips on how to make them. So sit back and get ready to be thoroughly informed!
Buy Pre-Cut Blocks
While it can be tempting to try to prove your prowess and make your quilts from scratch, there is an easier option; pre-cut blocks.
As any quilter who’s used them will tell you, pre-cut blocks are the gift that just keeps on giving.
You just choose the pattern you want and piece your blocks together like some kind of modern-day mosaic. You can even repeat the same block throughout your whole quilt.
Pre-cut blocks are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and patterns. Here are a few types of pre-cut blocks:
10” squares
These are some of the most popular pre-cuts out there. Also known as Layer Cake cuts, they come in a package of 40 10” squares, creating a fabric of 2 ¾ yards. There is just so much you can do with these pre-cuts.
Charms
These are also square pieces of fabric, but much smaller than 10” squares. Popular sizes are 5” and 2 ½”. They come in packets of 42.
Fat quarters
As one of the first precuts to be used by quilters, fat quarters are quite popular. Measuring around 18” by 21”, they are sold individually or in sets of as many as you want.
2 ½” strips
These are fabric strips of 2 ½” by Width of Fabric (42 to 44 inches). This means that each strip has a selvage on its short ends. These fabric strips are sold in packets of 40. Due to their sizing, it’s not advisable to wash them before use. Instead of buying strips, you can even make some from leftover fabric.
Others
While the precuts we have mentioned above are quite mainstream, others can only be found in a few quilt shops. These include tumblers, triangles, hexagons, fat eighths (measure 9” by 21”), and mini strips (1 ½” by 44”).
Use materials that are easy to work with
If you’re trying to make an easy quilt, there are some materials you should give extra consideration to. Here are a few:
Scrap fabric
With the advent of fusible web, it is possible to create amazing quilts from scrap fabric without much quilting know-how. For those who don’t know, fusible web is fiber that when placed between two fabrics and heated melts and fuses them together.
Although it is mainly used for mending, it can also be used to stiffen fabrics or create quilts. Much like tape, it is sold in rolls with different width sizes. It is usually readily available in stores that sell sewing supplies.
Needless to say, fusible web is quite effective and easy to use. However, you should always wash your fabric before fusing it. This pre-shrinks the fabric and ensures you achieve a permanent fuse.
Selvages
Instead of getting rid of your selvages, you can use them to create an innovative quilt. Contrary to what you would think, working with selvages isn’t that hard. Many quilters use them for string piecing.
This is a unique technique that joins different strips of selvage onto a foundation fabric to make a quilt. It is undoubtedly one of the easiest ways to create a quilt.
Use the stack and stitch method
As its name suggests, this technique involves stacking quilt blocks and stitching them together. There are several ways to do this. You can have your quilt blocks side by side or you could even sew several quilt blocks onto a single centerpiece.
No matter which way you decide to do it, you will realize that this quilting method is easy and requires very little expertise. You can do it by hand and have everything done in a couple of hours.
Ultimately, we could only hope that the tips we have shared with you today have made you a little bit more comfortable with your quilting skills. Although you can’t be a pro overnight, you surely can still make some pretty awesome quilts!