Hey everyone! Today you are going to learn how to turn one beautiful wideback fabric into a whole-cloth quilt, where the fabric itself does all the showing off.
Meet the fabric
This one is the Bud To Bloom Azelias Green Wideback from PBS Fabrics.
It is 100% cotton.
The width of fabric is 116/118 inches.
That changes everything for a project like this.
The description also notes it was made by Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.
The print is all about azelias and flowers.
The main color in the name is green.
The tags call it multicolor, with multiple colors in the print.
It is sold by the yard as a wideback.
Why it suits a whole-cloth quilt
A whole-cloth quilt uses one main piece of fabric for the top.
Your quilting stitches become the design on top of the print.
With a normal 44-inch width, you would have to piece the top.
With 116/118 inches, one width can cover a lot.
A throw at 60 by 70 inches fits easily in that width.
A twin at about 70 by 90 inches fits too.
Even a queen top around 90 by 100 inches can work.
Materials list
- Bud To Bloom Azelias Green Wideback — 2 1/2 yards for a throw about 60 by 70 inches, or 3 yards for a larger quilt, and a little extra if you want the same fabric for backing
- Batting cut about 4 inches larger than your top on all sides
- Backing fabric, wide enough for your size, if you are not using this print on the back too
- Binding — about 1/2 yard of a coordinating fabric, cut into 2 1/2-inch strips
- Thread you like for quilting — I reach for a 50-weight cotton for most whole-cloth work
- A fresh needle — a 90/14 quilting or topstitch needle is a good starting point
- Safety pins or spray for basting, plus a ruler and marking tool if you want guides
Completely up to you on thread color.
A soft green will blend into the print.
A cream will show your stitches more.
Brief steps
Step 1: Prep the fabric. Press it well. Check the full width for any fold lines. Lay it flat and decide which part of the floral print you want centered.
Step 2: Cut to size. For a throw, cut your top about 64 by 74 inches. Keep the leftover for pillow covers or binding tests.
Step 3: Make your sandwich. Backing face down, batting in the middle, top face up. Smooth from the center out. Pin every 4 to 5 inches, or spray baste lightly.
Step 4: Pick a simple quilting plan. Echo the flower shapes freehand. Or do a gentle meander. Or stitch in long, soft waves. We are not reinventing the wheel here. Start in the center and travel outward so you do not push a bubble to one corner.
Step 5: Quilt at an easy pace. Aim for a steady 8 to 10 stitches per inch if you are hand quilting. On a machine, keep your stitch length even and slow down on turns, or you can get skipped stitches. I have done that. The fix is simple. Stop, breathe, and restart slower.
Step 6: Trim and bind. Square the quilt after quilting. Join your 2 1/2-inch binding strips, press in half, and sew around the edge. Fold to the back and finish by hand or machine.
Practical tips from my table
Take your time. It is not a race.
Your quilting does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic. I promise you that.
Your family will see a cozy quilt with flowers.
They will not count your stitches.
Test your tension on a small sandwich first.
Use the same batting and the same fabrics in that test.
If a feather or an echo goes a little wonky, keep going.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Press it, drape it over a chair, and enjoy that green.
Oh my goodness, a whole garden and you did not piece a single block.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 118" Bud To Bloom Azelias Green Wideback Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
