Easy-to-Sew Quilt Tutorial

Sewing a four-patch quilt is much easier than you think.  {{seriously}}!  If you can sew in a straight line then you can definitely tackle this project.    Most importantly, it’s for a good cause.  Last week I told you about the  Downy Touch of Comfort Program.  Founded in 2009,  the Downy Touch of Comfort Program has partnered with Quilts for Kids, Inc. in order to  help bring the comfort of home to hospitalized children during their hospital stays.  One of the ways to get involved is to make a quilt for a child in need and today I’m going to show you how to make a four-patch quilt with an Easy-to-sew quilt tutorial!

Quilts for Kids, Inc.

 will ship the free quilt kit directly to your home.  The kit includes detailed instructions and all of the materials needed to complete a quilt minus the batting.  Once you have completed the quilt simply return it by mail.  This quilt will be cherished forever and you will feel fantastic for doing such a wonderful thing!

Four-Patch Quilt Tutorial

1.  Pin together one A strip and one B strip.  Sew them together to make a strip set.  You will make three of these strip sets. *Use a 1/4″ seam allowance for all seams.

2.  Using a rotary cutter, mat and ruler  cut the strip sets into 30 units that measure 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″.

3.   Sew these units together to create 15 four-patch blocks that will measure 6 1/2″ square.

4.  After the four-patch blocks are assembled, lay out your blocks alternating them with the 6 1/2″ focus fabric blocks in a checkerboard pattern.  Make sure your 4-patch blocks are all set in the same direction to create diagonal lines across the quilt.

5.  Sew the blocks in each row together and press the seams from right to left.

6.  Sew rows 1-6 together.

7.  Add the side inner borders first.  Then add the top and bottom inner borders.

8.  Add your outer borders in the same manner as the inner borders, first adding the side borders and then adding the top and bottom borders.

9.  Baste the quilt layers (either with safety pins or a needle and thread).  Use only 1/8 – 1/4 inch low loft batting.

10.  ‘Pillowcase’ the quilt before quilting or use traditional binding, or fold the backing to the front of the quilt.  Double fold backing to the front of the quilt and topstitch.  Keep binding on the front of the quilt to 1/4″ to 1/2″ wide.

11.  Quilt in the ditch horizontally and vertically between all blocks and diagonally.  Also, quilt around the inner border and add some quilting to the outer border.

12.  Place label on the back of the quilt and machine sew around all four sides.  Don’t forget to sign the label with a permanent fabric marker.

13.  Wash and dry the completed quilt.

You did it!  You are now ready to ship the finished quilt to Quilts for Kids Headquarters.  Wasn’t that easy?!

Remember, getting involved in the Downy Touch of Comfort Program is easy!  There are a 3 ways to get involved.  Learn more here! 

Quilting Recap

• Fabrics should be brightly colored and kid-friendly.
• Fabric must be “new,” unused and not clothing/draperies/etc.
• If you donÂ’t have your own fabric, you can visit  the Quilts for Kids website  and request a free quilt kit.  I love that the kit contains a label which can help you share the story of your quilt with the child itÂ’s delivered to.
• If youÂ’re a more advanced quilter, you can download the pattern for the official Downy Touch of Comfort quilt!

More Sewing Tutorials:

• How to Sew Cargo Pants {Kids Clothes}
• 15 Great Throw Pillow Tutorials
• Understanding Parts of A Sewing Machine

I’m so honored that this amazing Downy Touch of Comfort awareness series on Tip Junkie is being sponsored!  They sent me the kit for this quilt tutorial, too!