Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to turn one cheerful red dot fabric into a cozy lap quilt.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is Basics Irregular Dots Lipstick Red from Santee Printworks.
It is a 100% cotton quilting fabric.
It measures 44"/45" wide.
It is sold by the yard.
The brand is Santee Printworks, from TC Studio.
The collection is called Basics.
The color is Lipstick Red.
The pattern is irregular dots.
That little detail matters, y'all.
The dots are not all lined up in stiff rows.
They feel playful.
They feel friendly.
And a good basic like this works hard in a quilt.
The product notes call it a dependable dot basic.
It suits bindings, backgrounds, and scrap quilts.
I like it for all three.
But today, we are letting it be the star.
A red this clear does not need much help.
It brings the energy all by itself.
Why it suits a lap quilt
A lap quilt needs to be useful.
It lives on a couch.
It gets folded, unfolded, and loved.
You want a print that hides a little everyday life.
Those irregular dots do exactly that.
No single dot has to line up perfectly.
That makes cutting and piecing more forgiving.
It also makes the finished quilt feel relaxed.
Not fussy.
Just warm and welcoming.
We are making a simple whole-cloth style lap quilt with a bordered center.
Finished size is about 42" by 54".
That is a nice size for one person.
It covers your lap and your feet.
Super duper cozy, if you ask me.
Materials list
- 2 yards of Basics Irregular Dots Lipstick Red for the quilt top center and border
- 1 1/2 yards of a coordinating solid or print for the backing, or piece your backing from stash
- Batting at least 46" by 58"
- 1/2 yard for binding, cut into 2 1/2" strips
- Thread to match or blend with the red
- Rotary cutter, mat, and a long ruler
- Pins or clips, and your sewing machine
Those amounts give you a little breathing room.
Completely up to you if you make yours bigger.
Just add fabric before you start cutting.
Brief steps
First, press your fabric.
Take your time here.
A good press makes measuring honest.
Cut one center panel 30 1/2" by 42 1/2".
Cut border strips 6 1/2" wide.
Add two side borders first.
Press the seams away from the center.
Then add the top and bottom borders.
Your top should measure about 42 1/2" by 54 1/2" before quilting.
Next, layer your backing, batting, and top.
Smooth from the center out.
Pin or baste every 4" to 6".
Now quilt it.
You can stitch in the ditch around the border.
You can echo that line about 1/4" away.
You can meander across the center if you like.
My preference is simple echo quilting here.
It keeps the dots as the focus.
But freehand is fine too.
Completely up to you.
Go slow around any thick seam joins.
Slow down or you can push a needle too hard.
Nobody needs a snapped needle today.
Trim the edges even.
Join your 2 1/2" binding strips.
Sew the binding to the front.
Miter the corners as best you can.
Fold it to the back and finish it down.
Just like that, you have a quilt.
Practical tips from my table
Check your seam allowance as you go.
A steady 1/4" seam keeps your borders lying flat.
If a border waves a little, do not panic.
I have made that mistake myself.
The fix is simple.
Measure through the center of the quilt.
Cut the border to that number.
Ease the rest in with pins.
It works. Really really well.
And here is your permission beat, folks.
It does not have to be perfect.
Your dots do not have to match.
Your corners do not have to be show-ready.
You are your own worst critic.
The person under this quilt will just feel warm.
Take your time.
It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks for spending a little time with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Basics Irregular Dots Lipstick Red Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
