Learn how to make a strip quilt with this easy and fun sewing project. A strip quilt is a quilt that is made by sewing together long strips of fabric to create a colorful and cozy design. You can make a strip quilt in any size and shape you want, and customize it with different fabrics, patterns, and embellishments. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a strip quilt with a simple square block design and a border.

What You Need

To make a strip quilt, you will need the following materials and tools:

Fabric of your choice. You can use any woven fabric, such as cotton, linen, denim, or wool. Quilting cotton is easy to sew and gives your quilt a nice amount of stiffness. You can also use other fabrics for a different look and feel.

Backing fabric for the back of the quilt. You can use any fabric that is large enough to cover the back of your quilt. You can use the same fabric as your strips or a different one for contrast.

Batting for the filling of the quilt. You can use any thin batting, such as Warm and Natural cotton batting *. Batting adds warmth and thickness to your quilt.

Binding fabric for the edge of the quilt. You can use any fabric that matches or contrasts with your strips. Binding fabric adds durability and neatness to your quilt.

Matching thread

Sewing machine or needle

Pins or sewing clips

Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat

Iron and ironing board

Ruler or measuring tape

Optional: basting spray or safety pins to hold the layers of the quilt together

How to Make a Strip Quilt

Follow these steps to make a strip quilt:

Step 1: Cut out the strips for the quilt blocks.

You will need several strips of fabric for each block. Decide on the size you want and cut out the strips accordingly. You can use a simple strip pattern¹²³⁴ or use your own creativity to mix and match different fabrics and patterns. For example, you can cut out 2 1/2 inch (6.4 cm) wide strips from different fabrics.

Step 2: Sew the strips together to make strip sets.

Keep two strips right sides together and stitch them together along one long edge with a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance. Press the seam open or to one side with an iron. Repeat with more strips until you have a strip set that is wide enough for your block size. For example, if you want to make 10 inch (25.4 cm) square blocks, you will need to sew five 2 1/2 inch (6.4 cm) wide strips together to make a 10 1/2 inch (26.7 cm) wide strip set.

Step 3: Cut the strip sets into smaller units to make block pieces.

Cut the strip set across the width into smaller units that are the same width as your block size plus 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) for seam allowance. For example, if you want to make 10 inch (25.4 cm) square blocks, you will need to cut the strip set into 10 1/2 inch (26.7 cm) long units.

Step 4: Rearrange and sew the units together to make blocks.

• Turn some of the units upside down or sideways to create a random or symmetrical pattern with your strips.
• Sew two units right sides together along one long edge with a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance.
• Press the seam open or to one side with an iron.
• Repeat with more units until you have two pairs of units that are wide enough for your block size plus 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) for seam allowance.
• Sew the two pairs right sides together along one short edge with a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance. Press the seam open or to one side with an iron.

Step 5: Trim the blocks to the desired size if needed.

If your blocks are slightly larger than your desired size, trim the excess fabric with a ruler and a rotary cutter. Make sure to keep the blocks square and even.

Repeat steps 1 to 5 to make more blocks until you have enough for your quilt size. You can make as many blocks as you want, depending on how big you want your quilt to be. You can also use different fabrics and patterns for each block or make them all the same.

Step 6: Arrange and sew the blocks together to make the quilt top.

Lay out your blocks on a large flat surface or on the floor and arrange them in a pleasing pattern. You can use a simple grid layout or a more creative layout. Sew the blocks together in rows, then sew the rows together to make the quilt top. Press all the seams open or to one side with an iron.

Step 7: Cut out the backing fabric and the batting for the quilt.

Cut out a piece of backing fabric and a piece of batting that are slightly larger than your quilt top. You can use one large piece of fabric or piece together smaller pieces of fabric for the backing. You can also use one large piece of batting or join together smaller pieces of batting with a zigzag stitch or a basting spray.

Step 8: Layer and baste the quilt sandwich.

Place the backing fabric right side down on a large flat surface or on the floor and smooth out any wrinkles. Then place the batting on top of the backing fabric and smooth out any wrinkles. Next place the quilt top right side up on top of the batting and smooth out any wrinkles. Pin or clip the three layers together around the edges and in the center. You can also use a basting spray or safety pins to hold the layers together.

Step 9: Quilt the quilt sandwich.

Quilt the three layers together using a straight stitch or a decorative stitch on your sewing machine. You can quilt along the seams of the blocks, across the strips, or in any pattern you like. You can also hand quilt or tie your quilt if you prefer.

Step 10: Cut out and attach the binding to the quilt.

• Cut out strips of binding fabric that are 2 1/2 inch (6.4 cm) wide and long enough to go around the edges of your quilt plus some extra for corners and seams.
• Sew the strips together end to end with diagonal seams to make one long strip of binding.
• Fold the strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press with an iron.
• Align the raw edges of the binding with the raw edges of the quilt, starting from somewhere along one side and leaving a few inches of tail at the beginning.
• Stitch along the edge with a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance, stopping 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) before each corner and backstitching.
• Fold the binding up at a 45 degree angle at each corner, then fold it down along the next edge, aligning the raw edges again.
• Continue stitching along each edge until you reach where you started, leaving a few inches of tail at the end. Join the two tails of binding with a diagonal seam and trim off any excess fabric.
• Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and stitch it down by hand or by machine.

Congratulations! You have made a strip quilt!

Missouri Star

FAQs

Q: What is a strip quilt?

A: A strip quilt is a quilt that is made by sewing together long strips of fabric to create a colorful and cozy design.

Q: How much fabric do I need to make a strip quilt?

A: The amount of fabric you need depends on the size and number of your strips and blocks, as well as your quilt size. You can use any fabric scraps you have or buy new fabric for your project. In general, you will need about 1/4 yard (0.23 m) of fabric for each strip set, plus extra fabric for backing, batting, and binding.

Q: How do I sew strips together to make strip sets?

A: To sew strips together to make strip sets, you will need to keep two strips right sides together and stitch them together along one long edge with a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance. Press the seam open or to one side with an iron. Repeat with more strips until you have a strip set that is wide enough for your block size plus 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) for seam allowance.

Q: How do I cut strip sets into smaller units to make block pieces?

A: To cut strip sets into smaller units to make block pieces, you will need to cut the strip set across the width into smaller units that are the same width as your block size plus 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) for seam allowance.

Q: How do I customize my strip quilt?

A: You can customize your strip quilt by using different fabrics, colors, and shapes

Q: How do I quilt my strip quilt?

A: You can quilt your strip quilt by using a straight stitch or a decorative stitch on your sewing machine. You can quilt along the seams of the blocks, across the strips, or in any pattern you like. You can also hand quilt or tie your quilt if you prefer.

Q: How do I bind my strip quilt?

A: You can bind your strip quilt by cutting out strips of binding fabric that are 2 1/2 inch (6.4 cm) wide and long enough to go around the edges of your quilt plus some extra for corners and seams.

Sew the strips together end to end with diagonal seams to make one long strip of binding. Fold the strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press with an iron.

Align the raw edges of the binding with the raw edges of the quilt, starting from somewhere along one side and leaving a few inches of tail at the beginning. Stitch along the edge with a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance, stopping 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) before each corner and backstitching.

Fold the binding up at a 45 degree angle at each corner, then fold it down along the next edge, aligning the raw edges again.

Continue stitching along each edge until you reach where you started, leaving a few inches of tail at the end.

Join the two tails of binding with a diagonal seam and trim off any excess fabric. Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and stitch it down by hand or by machine.

Q: What are some tips and tricks for making a strip quilt?

A: Here are some tips and tricks for making a strip quilt:

• Use a rotary cutter and a cutting mat to cut your strips accurately and quickly.
• Use a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance for all your seams and press them open or to one side with an iron to make them flat and neat.
• Use a ruler and a rotary cutter to trim your blocks to the desired size if needed. Make sure to keep the blocks square and even.
• Use pins or clips to hold your layers together when sewing or quilting. You can also use a basting spray or safety pins to hold the layers together.
• Use a walking foot or a quilting foot on your sewing machine to help feed the layers evenly when quilting.
• Use a zipper foot or a binding foot on your sewing machine to help sew close to the edge when attaching the binding.