Hey everyone. Today we're making a whole-cloth quilt, so one beautiful wide fabric does all the talking and your quilting becomes the design.
Here we go.
First, the fabric
This one is the Bekah Magenta Cotton Wideback Fabric per yard, from Free Spirit Fabrics.
What we know is right in its listing. It is 100% cotton. The width of fabric is 108 inches. That is wide, y'all. Really wide.
The color story is bold and happy. The listing tags it magenta, pink, and purple, and multi. The tags also list flowers. The tags credit Kaffe Fassett and the Kaffe Fassett Collective.
Most folks reach for a wideback just for a quilt back. But a fabric this wide and colorful can absolutely be the top. Just let the print be the star.
The project: a whole-cloth quilt
A whole-cloth quilt is exactly what it sounds like. One whole piece of cloth on top. No blocks. No seams across the front. The quilting stitches make the pattern.
Ours finishes at about 60 by 72 inches. That is a generous throw size. Big enough for the couch, and for a nap, too.
Why does this fabric suit it? That 108-inch width is the whole reason. Cut 2 yards and you have a piece 108 inches wide by 72 inches long. Turn it, trim it to 60 by 72, and you still have a nice leftover strip for binding accents or a pillow. There is no piecing a back together and no seam to work around while you quilt. Just smooth, continuous fabric.
The quilting can be simple. A big meander works. Feather work works too. Even straight lines spaced 2 inches apart look clean. Completely up to you.
Materials list
- 2 yards of Bekah Magenta Cotton Wideback Fabric per yard for the quilt top
- 2 yards of a coordinating wideback or backing fabric, trimmed to match
- Throw-size batting, at least 64 by 76 inches
- Thread to blend for an all-over design, or a contrasting thread if you want the quilting to show
- 1/2 yard of quilting cotton for binding, cut into 2 1/2 inch strips
- Safety pins or basting spray, and a walking foot
- Rotary cutter, long ruler, mat, and iron
Brief steps
Step 1: Press and square up. Press the top fabric well. Square one edge first, then measure and trim to 60 by 72 inches. Take your time here. A square start makes everything else easier.
Step 2: Layer and baste. Lay the backing right side down. Lay the batting on top. Lay your Bekah Magenta top right side up. Smooth from the center out. Pin every 4 to 5 inches, or use basting spray if that is your preference.
Step 3: Quilt it. Start in the center and work out. If you are on a domestic machine, use a walking foot and a stitch length around 3.0 for straight lines. If you are free-motion quilting, drop to a comfortable speed and aim for about 8 to 10 stitches per inch. Travel across the quilt instead of stopping and starting a bunch. Tie off your ends clean.
Step 4: Trim and bind. Trim the batting and backing even with the top. Join your 2 1/2 inch binding strips, press the binding in half lengthwise, and sew it on with a 1/4 inch seam. Turn it to the back and finish by hand or by machine.
Practical tips
Mark less than you think. With a busy, colorful print, chalk can be hard to see. Try one test corner first. Painter's tape makes a great guide and peels right off.
Slow down in the middle. That is where the bulk bunches up. I have rushed that section before and ended up with a little pucker on the back. Oh my goodness, I noticed it for days. Nobody else did. I left it, and I still use that quilt.
And here's your permission beat, as always. It does not have to be perfect. You're your own worst critic. If your lines wobble a little, that is hand-guided character. Take your time, it's not a race.
Want a calmer look? Use a thread that blends into the magenta. Want drama? Use a lighter thread and let the quilting show. We're not reinventing the wheel here. Super duper fun.
Thanks for sewing along with me today, y'all. If I can do this, y'all can do it. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Bekah Magenta Cotton Wideback Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
