How to Sew a Patchwork Quilt

Our ancestors depended on quilts to keep themselves warm and to add a bit of color to their surroundings. Girls learned to quilt at an early age, filling their hope chests with quilts in various patterns that were handed down in families. Patchwork quilts were favorites since they used scraps of material that were available and the patterns were easy to follow. Today patchwork quilts are a fashion accessory and fun to make.

1. To begin, you need to decide what size quilt you are going to make. You can use left over material you already have or buy fabric in coordinating colors. Some fabric centers and quilting shops even sell squares of material ready to quilt.


2. Start with the backing. Use a bed sheet and cut it to the size you want your quilt to be. You’ll need 4-by-4 or 5-by-5 inch squares for the basic patchwork pattern. To determine the amount needed, count how many you’ll need to cover the width and how many to cover the width of the sheet and then multiply. Be sure to launder the sheet and quilt material so there will be no shrinkage later.


3. Lay your squares out on the sheet and arrange the colors. You may want to do this on paper before cutting the squares. You can then sew the squares together.


4. Start with sewing the first square to the second, the second to the third until you have covered the width of the quilt. This is your first row; continue sewing rows. When your rows are completed, sew the strips together until you have covered the sheet. Your quilt top is finished and should look like a rectangle of colorful squares.


5. Spread the sheet, which is the quilt backing, out and smooth any wrinkles. 


6. Cut the batting the same size as your quilt top and back. The battling is placed over the backing, the quilt is laid on top. Quilt batting can be found at your local craft or fabric shop.


7. Pin your three layers together and you are ready to quilt. The easiest way is by knotting. Take a large needle and using yarn make a stitch, coming from the back of the quilt to the top. Tie the yarn into a knot. Knots should be about five inches apart.


8. Bind the edges of your quilt with binding tape, sold in fabric stores.