How to Make a Scrappy Quilt

In 2018, I took my first steps into the quilting world with a project that brought warmth & creativity to my life. I created this cozy flannel quilt - pulling together rich shades of red, orange, teal, navy, and gray in a simple design. This first quilt laid the foundation for my love of quilting.

Let's get dive into how to make a scrappy quilt!

Designing the Quilt

Designing a quilt doesn't have to be complicated - sometimes, simplicity is key.

For my first quilt, I used an Excel spreadsheet to plan out the pattern, arranging squares in a way that felt balanced and visually appealing. Excel was a great tool because it allowed me to visualize the quilt's layout easily.

One of the most helpful steps in planning my first quilt was creating a fabric chart in Excel. I used the spreadsheet to list each color of fabric and listed the number of squares I needed next to the fabric name. This chart helped me stay organized and ensured I bought enough fabric.

With just a bit of basic spreadsheet knowledge, I was able to transform my idea into a functional plan - proving that anyone can design a quilt with tools they already have at hand!

[ Using Excel to Plan My Design ]

[ Creating Fabric Chart in Excel ]

Quilt Layout

After cutting my fabric, one of my favorite steps is laying it out on the floor to see the design in person. This hands-on approach lets me step back and see how the colors & patterns play together. It is much easier to spot areas of the design that need tweaking!

For this particular quilt, I realized that the squares alone needed a little something extra to keep the design from feeling too busy. I decided to add a few stripes or sashing, which gave the layout a bit more depth and visual interest. This simple addition made the design feel more dynamic, proving that sometimes, a small adjustment can make a big difference!

[ Before Adding Stripes ]

[ After Adding Stripes ]

Finishing the Quilt

For this quilt, I chose colored yarn to quilt the layers together, adding just the right amount of texture without overpowering the fabric. When I went to the fabric store and discovered they were out of orange yarn, I felt like I hit a knot in my plans! I thought I would go back and finish this project someday, but it has never made it to the top of my sewing list!

To finish the edges of my quilt, I used a premade bias tape - a choice that made the process much quicker and easier, especially as a beginner. Although premade bias tape can be a bit pricier than cutting your own - it was worth it when I was first learning. For anyone new to quilting, using premade bias tape is a great way to simplify the final step & achieve a professional finish without the extra effort.

Thank you for joining me on a look back at my first quilt project! I loved sharing the journey of turning simple squares into a cozy, colorful quilt. I hope this project inspires you to dive into your own projects with creativity - knowing that even the simplest designs can hold so much warmth and character. Happy quilting!

[ Close Up of Quilting ]

[ My College Room with My First Quilt ]