Quilting with Precuts
Most quilters likely agree that precut fabrics are a huge time saver. The beauty is that each quilter can choose their favorite fabric collection that is already precut into manageable sizes and ready to quilt. That alone is less expensive than buying yards of multiple coordinating fabrics. But how to choose which precut to bring home? With this easy quilt in one day, you can use most any precut for perfect results!
Many quilters also have favorite quilt patterns for various precuts. A familiar pattern is always easier and quicker to make but who wants to make the same quilt repeatedly, right? The perfect answer is to have a quilt pattern that is easily made in one day and versatile enough for varied looks. Meaning that depending on fabric placement, your resulting quilt designs can each look very different with any precut you choose.
So how can you create this perfect quilt in one day? So simple! Use a basic 4-patch layout to create a fantastic design that looks distinctive every time!
Why is this different from any other 4-patch quilt block? Color placement is key! Balancing fabric colors and prints create a visually appealing design. Plus, this block can be adjusted to any size you prefer. Once you decide on the size square you want, you’ll be finished before you know it!
Here are two basic 4-patch quilt layouts you can choose from. Each is quick to assemble and looks awesome when finished!
Basic Quilt in One Day Technique I
Creative 4-Patch Blocks
Once you learn a few tricks of the trade, such as how to effectively choose and organize your fabric, you’ll understand the best approach for piecing the blocks together. This article will provide you with the knowledge you need to make this quilt in one day. Get ready to quilt – let’s get started!
A 4-patch block is simply 4 equally sized squares sewn together in a two-by-two layout. Four squares are joined into two pairs. Then they are stacked and sewn with one above the other. Very straightforward, right? Absolutely, but there is so much more you can do!
Mastering Creative 4-Patch Secret I
How do you use this awesome quilt in one day technique for a beautiful quilt every time? The first secret is how you place your colors to achieve balance across your quilt top. Since each block is created with four squares, you want to place your fabrics, so they enhance each other to create a beautiful design.
Begin by dividing your fabrics into light, medium, and dark piles. While we can all agree that blue can often be considered darker than pink, that’s not the difference we’re looking for. It’s all about color value. You want to look at how saturated each fabric color is. A fabric with a bright design looks very different on a white background than it does on black or dark blue. So, backgrounds play an important role in how to divide your fabrics.
Your lightest fabrics will have light colored backgrounds. Even if they have a brightly colored print, they still come across as a light fabric within the entire group. The same rule applies to selecting your dark fabrics. If the background is dark, your design prints can all be white, but the block still appears darker among all the other fabrics. After sorting through your blocks with the lightest and darkest fabrics in their respective piles, the remaining blocks are your medium colors.
Mastering Creative 4-Patch Secret II
Dividing up your medium group is what I consider the second secret. Your medium fabrics can often be sub-divided into two groups. Look for primary differences between these medium fabrics. Sometimes it’s as easy as different colors, solids, or graphics. That makes your sorting very easy and offers a potential design opportunity when you begin laying out your 4-patch. We’ll talk about that in just a minute.
Alternatively, are there some large prints with detailed patterns, or are they more of an all over pattern with small motifs like dots or swirls? Is there a common pattern repeated in different colors or sizes? Find what looks different to you and create two piles with your medium color fabrics. Don’t worry if there’s not much difference, just create two piles that appeal to you.
Dividing this group into two piles is an opportunity to let some of these fabrics stand apart from each other. When lots of similar prints are grouped together nothing really stands out. But by separating them into two groups, you’re making a distinction that will be evident across your quilt. Simply put, you’re adding balance to your quilt top with your fabric color and design placement. It’s a great technique for a beautiful quilt every time!
How to Layout Your 4-Patch Block
Beginning with your lightest and darkest piles, place them diagonally from each other. Then place one medium pile next to the light pile and the other next to the dark pile. Make sure the two medium piles are also placed diagonally from each other, so they don’t touch side-to-side.
Placing the fabrics in this manner allows them to create contrast against each other within the 4-patch block. Then as you place all the 4-patch blocks together, you have a great overall balance among your fabrics. The medium fabrics are the perfect buffer between light and dark squares, so your quilt design flows smoothly from side to side.
Another option is to use solids or near-solids as one of your medium fabrics. This will create a spattering of these blocks for some great interest. Alternatively, you can use very similar colors and prints for both of your medium fabrics which will create a diagonal secondary pattern within your quilt. There’s so much you can do with color. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try some different ideas!
Easy Charm Square Quilt in ONE DAY
Unique & Creative Charm Square Quilting
Do you have a lot of fat quarters that need to be used, or do you prefer layer cakes with all those beautiful squares waiting to be sewn together? Perhaps yardage is your favorite choice so you can have plenty of a particular fabric to use throughout a quilt? Let’s not forget about the scrap pile! There is a wealth of opportunities in every scrap pile. But the beauty of a charm square quilt is its simple versatility.
With this easy 4-patch charm square quilt, you can have a stunning quilt top finished in one day. No need to sacrifice quality and craftsmanship – this quilt is made with careful precision and made to last. All you need is your favorite fabric and basic quilting supplies to make your own masterpiece.
Recommended Quilt Cutting Supply List
Rotary Cutter * Rotary Blades * Rotary Mat Ruler * Self-Healing Cutting Mat
Precut Quilting Fabrics
Charm Squares * Layer Cakes * Fat Quarters
This step-by-step guide to constructing your quilt, along with helpful tips to make the process even easier. So, get ready to quilt with confidence and create the perfect quilt – all in one day!
Here are all the basic steps needed to create a stunning 4-patch charm square quilt in JUST one day. What might seem like a daunting task can be broken down into manageable steps that will guarantee fabulous results with your personal style. From choosing the right fabric to arranging them into the perfect 4-patch block, you will see the entire process in a way that’s not only easy to understand, but fun to do.
Arrange Charm Squares into 4-Patch Blocks
These examples show how many different fabrics can be arranged in simple 4-patch blocks that can be arranged in a single quilt. Simply balance your fabric placement and you’ll have a beautiful quilt design. Start sorting your charm squares now!
Charm Square 4-Patch Block Assembly
Chain Stitch 4-Patch Blocks Together in Pairs
Cut Chain Stitching Between Each 4-Patch Block
Press Seam Allowances in Opposite Directions So They Nest
Match Center Seam and Chain Stitch Pair into Final 4-Patch Blocks
Cut 4-Patch Block Apart and Press
Begin Chain Stitching 4-Patch Blocks into Rows
Press Rows in Opposing Directions
Sew Rows Together Keeping Seams Nested
Basic Quilt in One Day Technique II
Creative Alternating 4-Patch Blocks
While the change in this technique is simple, it can make a huge impact on your finished design. Sometimes there are fabrics you just don’t want to cut into smaller pieces. They are gorgeous in a larger size and should be showcased. That’s the perfect combination for this 4-patch technique. It’s all about showcasing fabrics in a larger size that alternate between your charm square 4-patches. This alternating pattern creates lots of visual interest and draws the viewer’s eyes across the quilt admiring those beautiful fabrics.
Simply put, rather than beginning with charm squares, start with a larger block such as a 10” square. Packages of 10” squares are known as layer cakes and generally include multiple fabrics from a particular fabric collection.
Dividing Your Fabric Squares
Arrange Layer Cake Squares into Color Piles
Begin by creating a pile of the large squares you want to include without cutting and set them aside. Group the rest to be used in the 4-patch blocks.
From the rest of the fabrics, divide them into piles of four squares each
Balance colors and patterns within each group
Here the bird prints are diagonally and separated by the geometric prints for a good balance. Since this is a coordinating bundle of fabrics, you can easily mix colors for plenty of interest.
Layer Cake 4-Patch Block Assembly
Begin Block Assembly by pairing blocks for chain stitching
Sew each pair down both sides
Cut sewn squares in half in the same direction as the seams are sewn. Do not cut seams!
Match one block from each pair of fabrics together
Align seams along both sides of the blocks being sure to nest seams so the seam allowance goes in opposite directions.
Sew a seam on each side of the blocks in the opposite direction of the existing seams.
Cut in half cutting across the seam allowance as shown.
After cutting, there will be four blocks with the same fabrics in different locations
Another Option
Alternatively you can crosscut each group into 4 equal size squares measuring 5-inches. Now you have charm squares ready to be sewn into 4-patch blocks. Use the Technique 1 method described above to create your 4-patch blocks.
Final Quilt Assembly
Layout your blocks as desired, mixing in the larger, uncut squares
Begin chain stitching blocks into rows. Then sew the rows together for the final assembly.
The trick here is to alternate these 4-patch blocks with the uncut layer cakes squares. First though, you need to trim your 10-inch squares down to 9.5-inches, so they match up to the charm square blocks. Remember that seam allowances create a smaller block.
You can choose to mix your alternating blocks evenly or place them sporadically throughout your quilt. It’s your design so decide what you like best. Switch the blocks around a few times and see what you prefer.
Why Does Placement Matter
Alternating large and smaller blocks create the contrast which you want in your quilts. That’s how you make your quilt more interesting. Plus arranging the smaller blocks by their color value creates balance. Both contrast and balance together will enhance your quilt design immensely!
Think about a monochromatic quilt where all the fabrics are basically the same color. It can either be vibrant or boring. If that single color is repeated in each block without any change in it’s color value, there is no distinction. Everything looks the same. Now consider that same color in multiple values from light to dark, with both small and large prints, and maybe some geometric added, too. All those components together can create a stunning design.
Now It’s Your Turn!
So the next time you’re ready to make an easy quilt in one day, remember this simple 4-patch block technique. You’ll be surprised how much easier it gets with every quilt. Your eyes become accustomed to seeing the differences between each fabric allowing you to create a stunning design!
Happy Quilting
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