Free Quilt Pattern: Modern and Minimalist

If you've ever thought quilts are too hard for a sewing beginner, think again! With the super simple quilt-as-you-go method, even large quilts like this one are within your reach. A modernist design probably makes the best use of this method, with this version that emulates a Mondrian painting.

Estimated time: 6–12 hours
Techniques: Binding
Makes: One 46" x 46" (117 x 117cm) throw quilt

Materials:
Basic sewing kit
1 1/3 yd. (133cm) quilting cotton in color A—front (black)
1 1/3 yd. (133cm) quilting cotton in color A—back (black)
1 1/4 yd. (125cm) quilting cotton in color B—front (white)
1 1/4 yd. (125cm) quilting cotton in color B—back (white)
1/4 yd. (25cm) quilting cotton in color C—front (blue)
1/4 yd. (25cm) quilting cotton in color C—back (pink)
Fat quarter of quilting cotton in color D—front (red)
Fat quarter of quilting cotton in color D—back (orange)
1/4 yd. (25cm) quilting cotton in color E—front (yellow)
1/4 yd. (25cm) quilting cotton in color E—back (purple)
2 1/4 yd. (225cm) of 45" (114.5cm)-wide or 1 2/3 yd. (167cm) of 60" (152.5cm)-wide fleece (thin is preferable) in white for batting

Step 1

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First, cut your fabric pieces according to the chart at left.

Step 2

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Here's another helpful visual.

Step 3

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And another one.

Step 4

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Layer the center of the quilt. Gather all your C1 pieces: fleece, back, and front. With wrong sides together, sandwich the fleece between the cotton pieces, aligning the edges. Gather all your A1 pieces. Layer the front A1 piece over the front C1 piece with right sides facing, aligning the edges. Then layer the fleece over that. Layer the back A1 piece underneath.

Step 5

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Sew the center of the quilt. Sew completely along the edge to join A1 and C1. Then, fold the fabric away and press the seam. This is the quilt-as-you-go method and every seam for the quilt is completed like this. Repeat this by sewing the B1 pieces onto A1.

Step 6

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Complete the center. Layer the first set of A2 pieces over the long left edge of your work and sew them in place. Continue working outward with pieces B2, the second set of A2 pieces, and the B3 pieces.

Step 7

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Begin the corner. Layer the A3 pieces on the top and bottom edges of your work and sew. Continue moving outward with E1 on the top and D1 on the bottom.

Step 8

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Finish the corner. Layer the A4 pieces on the left and right edges of your work and sew. Continue moving outward with C2 on the left and B4 on the right.

Step 9

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Finish the bottom. Layer the first set of A5 pieces on the bottom edge of your work and sew. Continue moving downward with B5, the last A5 pieces, and B6.

Step 10

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Sew the borders. Line up the last two sets of A6 pieces on the left and right and sew in place. Line up the two sets of A7 pieces on the top and bottom and sew in place.

Step 11

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Bind the quilt. Follow the binding instructions on page 85 to bind the edges of your quilt with the binding fabric.

Step 12

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Oops!

Try as you might, it can be hard to get all of your fabric edges perfectly lined up after every ironing, especially as your quilt gets bigger. If it’s gotten bad, you can usually get away with trimming the uneven edges. Just make sure you trim parallel to the other lines of the quilt. Your finished project will be a little smaller, but it means you don’t have to give up!