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Thursday, May 28, 2015

A Simple Charm Quilt Tutorial

Note: Click HERE to see the updated tutorial
that includes 4 more size options and info on using
other fabric cuts besides 5" squares.

I don't know if I've ever made a quilt as simple as this!

This quilt is perfect for beginners, 
perfect for using 5" charm squares and 
it ends up making a great throw size quilt!  

And since I've already done all the math
I thought I'd share the details!


Finished quilt size: 58.5" x 67.5"

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:

97 light 5" squares
98 dark 5" squares 

OR - IF USING YARDAGE

1 7/8 yards of light colored fabric
3 different dark 6" x width of fabric (WOF) strips 
5 different dark 12" x WOF strips

PLUS

5/8 yard for binding
4 1/4 yards for backing
1 7/8 yards of 90" wide batting



CUTTING:

If using yardage, 
- cut 13 light 5" x WOF strips, subcut into 97 light 5" squares.
- cut 13 dark 5" x WOF strips 
(1 from each 6" strip of fabric and 2 from each 1/3 yard of fabric), 
then subcut into 98 dark 5" squares. 


Lay out the squares according to the diagram below, alternating between dark and light squares.  It should be 13 x 15 squares.


Sew the blocks in one row together using a quarter inch seam allowance.
Press the seam allowances in one direction.  Continue sewing each row of blocks together, pressing the seam allowances of each row in opposite directions and then finally, sew all the rows together and press.

Helpful tip: try using numbered pins to help keep your rows in order!  I found mine at a cute little quilt shop in Preston, Idaho called Suppose Create Delight.  They saved me time and sanity!



FINISHING:

Trim the selvages from the backing fabric and cut it into two pieces that measure approximately 42” x 76 1/2” each.  With right sides together, sew the pieces together along the long edges to make the backing.

Quilt as desired.  

It seems so simple but I decided to have my long-arm quilter, Cathy Barney, do straight line quilting on this.  I sometimes do straight line quilting myself but this quilt was a little bigger than I was comfortable with (and had time for) so I had her do it.  I LOVE it!  I honestly have never seen straight line quilting that I haven't liked.  It's always stunning and never takes away from a design!  Even though my quilt is so simple and the quilting is so simple I am really happy with how the whole thing turned out.



After it's quilted, bind your quilt with seven 2 1/2" x WOF strips.


And you're done!   Time to cuddle up with it and enjoy!


FABRIC INFO:
Most of the fabrics I used were from the line Happy Haunting by Deena Rutter for Riley Blake Designs.  I just fell in love with that line when it arrived in at the fabric store I work at a few weeks ago.  I also threw in the black check from the line Feed Company by Sweetwater for Moda - just to mix things up a little.  I also used a cream shirting fabric (1158 26) from the line Miniature Gatherings for Moda for my light fabric - just to give it an extra vintagy feel!

Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

~ Amber

16 comments:

  1. It might be a simple quilt design but it's lovely and perfect for a new quilter! I also think it would make a wonderful baby quilt (especially if one is needed in a hurry!!)

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  2. Thank you - I enjoyed your tutorial and I love the straight stitching done on the quilt. I just needed to see this. It is simple, but so beautifully done. Love it!

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  3. I LOVE the simplicity of it. Beautiful!

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  4. It's a gorgeous quilt Amber! Just shows that sometimes simple is best. I'm so far behind on my Quilty to do list, a lot of which is from Vintage Vibe, i(I know I've said it before but I absolutely love that book!) and now I'm adding a quilt just like this. Thanks for the tutorial. XO

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  5. That's a lovely quilt. Fresh and clean and bright. Well done.

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  6. Your quilt is beautiful Amber, I love the straight line quilting.

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  7. Numbered pins.....genius!! Thanks for that tip and cute quilt.

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  8. Numbered pins are genius! Thanks for that tip and cute quilt!

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  9. That is a lovely quilt. Your photos are always so lovely. What kind of camera do you use, and editing software? Thanks, Amber!! Have a great weekend.

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  10. It may be a simple design, but it's a classic and timeless quilt that I'm sure you'll never get tired of!

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  11. LOVE straight line quilting! Sometimes that's all it needs!

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  12. Lovit! What type of batting did you use?

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  13. Love this quilt. I agree with comments above that sometimes a simple pattern is the very best! I do have a question. In the cutting instructions, if you are using yardage, it says to cut 3 different dark 6" x width of fabric (WOF) strips. Should this be 5" x width of fabric? Please let me know. Thank you for posting this lovely quilt.

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    Replies
    1. Hi! I believe those 6" strips were just the fabric requirements (just to give you a little leeway for cutting errors or shrinkage). And then in the cutting instructions, it says to cut them to 5" strips. HOWEVER, I do have an updated version of that quilt tutorial in this blog post:http://www.gigisthimble.com/2022/11/a-simple-charm-quilt-tutorial-20.html. It includes a reference sheet with details for a bunch of different quilt sizes, using different cuts of fabric, different backing widths, etc.! I hope you'll check it out!

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I ♥ to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment. I read each one and try to respond as often as I can. Thanks so much for stopping by! ~Amber