Beginner Quilting Patterns Are (Mostly) Easy To Read

I remember attempting beginner quilting and looking at my first pattern book. I had bought it to make baby quilts for my new granddaughters. When I opened it and started reading, it felt like I was reading a foreign language and it is. It is the language of quilting, so start at the very beginning and read each word. This is not a good place to skim read. Read each word.

1) Basic Quilt Information - total size, block size, etc.

2) Fabric Requirements - how many of what fabric do you need.

3) Cutting Instructions - blocks, strips, etc.

4) Assembly Directions - what the finished block will look like.

5) Quilt Layout - the order of all the blocks.

6) Quilting - some patterns have suggestions, or its up to you to be creative.

7) Binding - you are done!

For more explanation, keep reading.

7 Hints To Reading Quilt Patterns Without Losing Your Personality

When you are looking at a beginner quilting pattern or any quilting pattern you will always see some consistent things:

1) Quilt Size Info - Will show you what the finished block size will be once you are finished. It will also show what the total size is after it is assembled.

2) Fabric Requirements - The actual fabric requirements may be broken into a few parts.

A) Different sizes you can make of the same quilt

B) The amount of each different fabric you will need for each of the blocks, backing, borders, sashing and binding. (I usually will write on my patterns what color I am using if I am using different colors from the original pattern. This helps me to remember my plan, especially if I buy my fabric at different times.

C) The width of the fabric this pattern was made from. Fabric can range in size from 40-45” so check out your pattern and make sure the fabric you buy is wide enough or get more.

D) The quilting tools you might need to complete the quilting project.

3) Cutting Instructions - How many strips, squares, etc. you will be cutting. Plus if you will make additional cuts (2nd cut or more) on the strip or square, etc.

As you are reading a pattern this is some of the language you might encounter. If you are having trouble understanding it, read it out loud, it sometimes help to decipher the pattern.

An Example: “Unit C 2 ½” strips 4” – This means that you will cut 4 strips 2 ½” wide on your fabric, cutting from selvedge to selvedge, your fabric is probably folded in half at this point and it will be Unit C on your pattern.

An Example of A Quilt with appliqué pieces: Cream #2: Fat 1/8 yd for snowman, shoes, toe of stocking Block #14 – This means the 2nd color of cream (Cream #2) should be a fat eighth (not a fat quarter) and when you open your pattern showing the appliqué pieces it will be for the snowman, shoes and toe of stocking and that this is Block 14. You will need to use your preferred method of cutting out the appliqué pieces and assembling them.

An Example: From Peach and Brown Floral cut: 6-2 1/2 x 42” strips for border No. 4. This means you will cut 6 strips 2 ½ wide x 42” long and it is for your fourth border.

4) Directions – Information on how to assemble your quilt. If you are having trouble understanding the directions, grab the piece you are working on, and follow the instructions step by step. See if it goes together. How does it look?

I would suggest you make a sample block. See how you like the colors you have chosen in your sample block. Is it pleasing to the eye? Good, now create the rest of the blocks. If not, can you move the blocks around to create a more pleasing placement?

If you absolutely cannot get the block assembled take it to your local quilt shop and ask what you are doing wrong, they will be happy to help you.

5)Block layout – This will tell you how many blocks are across and down. If your pattern is more intricate, it will show the placement of each block. This is especially true if your block sizes are all different.

6) Finishing Your Quilt – Quilting is where you will take the quilt top you have created, the batting (middle) and your backing fabric to create the quilt sandwich.

You need to decide if you are going to hand quilt, machine quilt or if you will have a long arm quilter quilt your quilt. If you use a long arm quilter, there will be a cost involved, but your finished project will have a more professional look.

If you are quilting it yourself with your machine, it can be hard to get all of your quilt into your sewing machine throat, on the other hand, if you quilt is small, you can easily quilt it on your machine.

7)Binding – You are almost done. Binding encloses all the edges of the quilt sandwich and basically creates the picture frame of your work.

Remember, don’t freak out when you read a pattern and you are having trouble understanding it. Just break it down into bite size pieces and write your own notes in the margins, this helps keep you on track.

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