1st Quilt Ever -- FABRICS!!

Okay -- Let's talk fabrics, and what you'll need!

Your quilt will end up about 45"x60". This is considered "crib size," although I find it to be the perfect size for a lap quilt, or for snuggling under on the couch. This is a great size to start with, as it will be manageable for you to quilt, you can purchase a prepackaged batting in this size, and it is possible to avoid piecing fabric together for the backing.

I suggest using 9 to 10 fabrics in your quilt to make your layout easier later on in the process. (This way you are more likely NOT to end up with the same fabrics touching each other in your layout. If that doesn't make sense, ignore me until later!)


This is the test quilt I made to check my math and yardage requirements.
(I wish you could see it in person -- the colors are so much more vibrant and fun than the photos show!) I used a total of 10 fabrics. It has a 2" border.


I just LOVE those happy colors -- and those hedgehogs!!


I also incorporated a pieced binding. How I love a pieced binding!

Since my quilt is pretty much exactly 45" wide, I pieced together a strip on the back. (45" wide fabric isn't actually 45" of usable space -- you can safely plan on only 42"!) My measurements include everything you need to make this quilt.

**I will give different measurements for a slightly easier quilt -- with no borders, no pieced strip on the back, and no pieced binding -- later in this post, SO if you're scared of any of that -- stay with me!**

What You Need:
Eight 1/4 yard cuts and two 1/3 yard cuts of fabric for the blocks, binding, and pieced strip for the back. (Your two 1/3 yard cuts will yield more blocks on the front, so pick your two favorites here!)
3/8 yard cut of fabric for the border (I duplicated one of the fabrics for my blocks here)
1 3/4 yards for the backing
You will end up with very few scraps. That's it!

I anticipate a question already!!

What is the difference between a 1/4 yard cut of fabric and a Fat Quarter of fabric? Are they the same? Can I just get Fat Quarters instead of quarter yards?

A quarter yard of fabric is 9"x45(ish)". A Fat Quarter has the same amount of fabric, but it is 18"x22". Even though they have the same amont of fabric, they are not interchangeable in most patterns. Besides, Fat Quarters are generally more expensive than 1/4 yard cuts.


Choosing fabrics: Pick 10 fabrics that coordinate together nicely. You really can't go wrong here -- just pick fabrics you love! If you are nervous about selecting fabrics, the easiest route is to pick from a fabric collection you like -- they are already pre-coordinated for you!

A suggestion: Avoid stripes and plaids for your first quilt. Why? If your cuts aren't perfectly on-line with the pattern of the fabric, it could be distracting, and you may be disappointed. By choosing all-over prints, you will avoid any of that trouble. Just a suggestion; ignore me if you like! :o)

One more suggestion: If you are nervous about picking out a border and backing already, or have trouble committing to a border and back before you've gotten your blocks together, just get the fabric for the blocks. This is the way I normally operate when making quilts -- I have to see the blocks together before I can decide what I want the border to be!


**Okay, I promised measurements for a simpler design -- here they are!**

If you want to make a quilt with no borders, no pieced binding, and no pieced back, here is what you need:

Nine Fat Quarters that coordinate nicely for the front
3/8 yard cut of fabric for the binding

1 2/3 yards fabric for the back
(Note that by omitting the borders, your quilt will end up a few inches shorter on each side.)

Tomorrow we'll talk about CUTTING!!!