Summer Jewels Beginner Quilt Pattern Series- Lesson One
We are right in the middle of summer, and you probably aren’t thinking a lot about quilting. But I have a quilt pattern for you that would be perfect for the beginning quilter. A quilt that you can piece in one afternoon! Have any young teens sitting around without much to do? Now is the time to teach them something new! And create a wonderful keepsake that you can look back on for years to come.
For this pattern I want to present to you a simple quilting tutorial using pre-cut strip fabric called Jelly Rolls. A Jelly Roll consists of 10 carefully selected fabrics in light, medium and dark values-in this case 5 Brown fabrics, and 5 Teal/Turquoise fabrics . Each strip is die cut for pinpoint accuracy, 2.5” x width of the fabric or 42/44” approximate.
Want to know how to make it?
In the next four weeks, I will be posting a series of tutorials that will walk you through the process of creating this quilt. All you need is the fabric!
Lesson 1- Summer Jewels Quilt (Piecing the Blocks)
You will need: - One Jelly Roll pack (20 strips of 2.5” wide fabric) 20 strips will make approximately 45 blocks. You will need 42 blocks for this pattern.
- Rotary Cutter
- Ruler
- Sewing Machine and thread
- Iron
Start by separating out your colors. My jelly roll contains 10 teal strips and 10 brown strips. For this project, half the block is teal and half is brown. Select two teal strips and two brown strips.
You will be sewing 1/4″ seams. In order to get even seams, I suggest that you place a marker on your sewing machine. I used a strip of paper and taped it down 1/4″ to the right of the needle. If you follow this marker as you sew, you should have perfect 1/4″ seams.
Take your two teal strips and place them right sides together and sew along the entire length.
Press your strips, pressing the seam to one side. Sew the two brown strips together (right sides together) and then press them.
Now place the two teal strips over the two brown strips (right sides together) and sew a 1/4″ seam down the length of one side, sewing the brown to the teal
Then flip it over and sew another 1/4″ seam down the other side, creating a tube.
Lay your ruler at an angle so that the 5 1/2″ mark is at the top seam and the 0 mark is at the bottom seam.
Use the rotary cutter to cut along the angle of the ruler. Then place the ruler with the 0 mark at the top seam and the 5 1/2″ mark at the bottom seam and using the rotary cutter, cut along that angle.
Open it up, and you have a perfect 5 1/2″ block!
Continue cutting the rest of the length of your tube, alternating the ruler as shown above to create additional blocks. You should be able to get at least 9 blocks out of one set of strips.
Sew another set of four strips together as shown at the beginning of this tutorial and repeat the process. For this quilt, you will need to make 42 blocks. You will use a total of 20 strips. Press all blocks when completed.
Lesson Two (Sewing the Top Together) can be foundhere.
Lesson Three (Quilting) can be found here.
Lesson Four (Binding the Edges) can be found here.
Be sure to check out some of my other quilt patterns!
Grandma’s Garden Sew Along- CLICK HERE!
Retro Flash Sew Along- CLICK HERE!
My mother-in-law is big into quilting. I like this tutorial. It’s very easy to follow. You’ve made some very pretty quilts too.
Thank you for sharing this with us on the #HomeMattersParty. We hope to see you again on Friday at 12 AM EST when we open our doors.
Beautiful quilt! I keep saying I’m going to try to make my own quilt but it seems so difficult. Love seeing what you link up with us at Welcome Home Wednesdays!
Very nice! hanks for stopping by and sharing with us at Merry Monday. I hope you have a great 4th of July weekend!
What a beautiful quilt! Great job, Suzy 🙂
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
GREAT TUTORIAL. You’re explanations are very easy to understand. And when I finish the I will start to make a quilt using your method.
I like Melissa’s Irish Chain.
HI Sylvia!
The original jelly roll was purchased from http://DiscountSewingSupply.com
They have since sold out, but do have some that are comparable.
Hope that helps!
suzy
What is the name of the Jelly Roll and where can I purchase it.
Love the colors.
Thank you
If I were a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, now I’d say “Kogbaunwa, dude!”
Do you have directions on how to make a t shirt quilt?
I also had difficulty getting the blocks cut. I ended up squaring each individual block to 5.25 inches. Which was pretty time consuming, but totally worth it. My layout is 12×12 blocks in a way different layout. I used 16 different strip sets and it’s going to b gorgeous! I haven’t quilted in about twenty years. And am having so much fun!
Hi Shawn!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the pattern! I’d love to see what you come up with! A Queen size quilt is a huge undertaking. The great thing about this particular pattern is it does go together quickly.
In the next week, I will be releasing a new color scheme for Summer Jewels. It’s fun to see how this pattern changes with new colors.
Would love to see your quilt when it is finished!
suzy
this has been so easy! (aside from struggling with the cutting until i got into the swing of things, and aside from laying out the pattern because the free-for-all did not work with the queen size i went with. it looked awful)
but other than that, a very easy quilt. i’m about 60 percent through the quilt-top. if anyone is looking for block amounts for the queen size (i think i remember seeing a question about this in comments previously) i will gladly share the info! thanks again suzy for the inspiration!
I’m so sorry you are having difficulties. Here are a few tips that might help:
It is important that your seams are 1/4″ wide. Your tube when laid flat should measure 4″ from the top seam line to the bottom seam line. (I have the point of the ruler at the top seam line in photo above and the angle of the ruler has the 5 1/2″ mark at the bottom seam line).
If you create a tube like above with 1/4″ seams, you can do an alternate template method that might be easier. Cut a 5 1/2″ square out of cardboard. When you get to this step above, lay your cardboard square with one point touching the bottom seamline and two points touching the top seam line. Cut along the cardboard square.
Hope that helps! If not, let me know if you have more questions.
suzy
so far this is not working for me, my blocks are coming out with a skewed slant? i have marked the placements of the ruler angle at the specified positions and took great care to do my strips at 1/4″ allowance. any ideas or tips are appreciated!
you can cut 14 2.5″ strips per yard
Hi Brenda!
For the lap quilt, I used about 1/4 yard of 10 different prints (5 prints of teal and 5 prints of brown). This makes 45 blocks that are 5″ when finished. To calculate how much fabric you would need for a bigger quilt, figure out how big you want it and how many blocks you would need to get that size.
suzy
Hi Terry,
I’m so sorry you are having difficulties. Here are a few tips that might help:
It is important that your seams are 1/4″ wide. Your tube when laid flat should measure 4″ from the top seam line to the bottom seam line. (I have the point of the ruler at the top seam line in photo above and the angle of the ruler has the 5 1/2″ mark at the bottom seam line).
If you create a tube like above with 1/4″ seams, you can do an alternate template method that might be easier. Cut a 5 1/2″ square out of cardboard. When you get to this step above, lay your cardboard square with one point touching the bottom seamline and two points touching the top seam line. Cut along the cardboard square.
Hope that helps! If not, let me know if you have more questions.
suzy
Was very excited to learn to quilt I chose this as my first looked easy enough. Not over half of my cuts were off. First off my 2.5 were off me being new did not know to check my jelly roll.. So I got up the nerve to try again sewn the sleeve and the cutting was a night mare, just because it looks easy is not so. Some how I need to make this right maybe make them a smaller square? When I tried to square off my roll would not cut the first time, I had some movement I ended up making things worst. I don’t know what to do
I would like to make this quilt into a queen size, but I am new to quilting and I don’t know how to convert the fabric from lap size to larger. Can you help?
Thanks
Love the Summer Beginners quilt! It looks impressive even though the pattern looks so easy. I hope I am not jinxing myself with that comment! I am going to use this patern as soon as I finish the other 3 quilts, 2 skirts and dress I am working on! 😉
Hi Rebecca,
It is important that your seams are 1/4″ wide. Your tube when laid flat should measure 4″ from the top seam line to the bottom seam line. (I have the point of the ruler at the top seam line in photo above and the angle of the ruler has the 5 1/2″ mark at the bottom seam line).
If you create a tube like above with 1/4″ seams, you can do an alternate template method that might be easier. Cut a 5 1/2″ square out of cardboard. When you get to this step above, lay your cardboard square with one point touching the bottom seamline and two points touching the top seam line. Cut along the cardboard square.
Hope that helps! If not, let me know if you have more questions.
I have followed all the instructions like you say, when I go to cut the squares, I end up with a triangle no matter which way I cut it. Any ideas? I’m not understanding the template idea either.
Hi Debbie,
I had to remove the print friendly button last week as it was corrupting my website. I am currently looking for a replacement. In the mean time, you can right click your mouse and then click on the “print” button that will show up in your drop down list. You should be able to print it fine from there.
If you still have problems, I can put together a pdf for you and email it to you. Just let me know.
I do not see a printer friendly button or any print button for that matter, there is nothing by the comments. Disappointed that I can’t get this pattern, I like it very much but it would be nice to be able to print it out!!!!
I cannot print Lesson 2 off of the Summer Beginning quilting Series. Could you please sent it to me. thank you very much!
Great tutorial Suzy.
Cheri
Some have suggested using a template. Try cutting a 5 1/2″ square out of cardboard and using that to cut out your squares. Place a corner of the cardboard square at each edge like you would do the ruler. Let me know if that helps.
suzy
I am having trouble getting the cuts to work out. I can get every other one to work, but the cuts on the initial orientation do not seem to open or if I unravel the stitching, they do not measure 5 1/2. I have checked that the seams are a scant 1/4 inch and the initial width of the jelly rolls was 2 1/2, but when I follow the picture and I line the 5 1/2 on the top seam and the 0 on the bottom, the resulting cut is a stitched triangle. I don’t seem to be able to figure out how to shift it. Can someone help? Thanks
Hi!
The 1/4″ seams need to be exact. I usually add a piece of tape to my machine to ensure that I follow exactly at 1/4″. Your idea of a template is a very good one. If that works better for you, then I would suggest keeping that up. When you finish your quilt, I would love to see it!
suzy
I thought that this summer quilt series would be very easy as I have made many quilts. However, the 5 1/2 inch squares were not quite square when I cut them from the strips. Perhaps my seams were not just right. Anyway I made a paper template to complete the cutting. What did I do wrong?
Save this website on a flash drive and take it to a print shop and they can print the info for you. Just try it, it may work.
Just love this site. Will be making this project. Please post more. LOVE IT.
Hi Robin,
I am so sorry you are having problems! If you look at the bottom of the post, there is a “print friendly” button. Click on that and a new screen will open up that gives you the option to print it out, save it as a pdf file or email it to yourself.
Hopefully, that will help.
suzy
I am so sorry that I can’t print these lessons. I am new at quilting and really wanted to try this quilt. I have tried everything to print it out with no luck. Thanks anyway.
Hi! I am so sorry you had issues with the links. I moved to Wordpress last month and apparently some links were broken. They are now repaired. Enjoy the pattern!
suzy
I agree, lesson 2 & 3 are not working with the link provided. Awesome idea and pattern.
I love the quilt, but it seems like I am having the same trouble as everyone else. I can get lesson 1 and 4 to open, but not 2 or 3. The site always takes me back to lesson 1. Would love to have the pattern and instructions for this quilt. Guess I just won’t have the opportunity to do so. Beautiful quilt though.
Looks like a lot of fun. However, I am experiencing the same problem opening lesson two and three.
Love the summer beginner quilting.Sadly I was only able to get Lesson 1& 4 ,the other links did not work.Where can I get Lesson 2 & 3. Thanks
It would be nice if all the tutorials worked. All I could get was 1 and 4. 2 and 3 weren’t working.
Your links to the different lesson do not work correctly. You should check them out. I find this very discouraging.
Thank You
Thank you for sharing the tutorial for linking this up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week as well!
xoxo,
Vanessa
Absolutely beautiful! I am showing this to my little sisters so that they will have something to do this summer! 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We are so grateful for your support and we hope that you will be back tomorrow to share more great ideas!
Camille @
SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com
I'm so honored that you chose to join the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop. Thank you for adding this special masterpiece to rock my party 🙂
Great tutorial! One day when I have some free time on my hands – I'd like to learn to quilt! I'll be watching your tutorials and tucking them away in my brain for a later date!!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Hi Suzy
wow, what an amazing quilt. I wish I could sew.
But sadly my machine and I do not have a good working relationship, lol.
Unfortunately your quilt is not a valid entry to the Make It Monday linky party. Make it Monday is for paper craft only.
Michelle :o)
Love the tutorial. Simple for me to understand.
Retired last fall and learning to quilt is on my list of to do things and this looks like a great one to start with.
I have collected totes and totes of material just to get into quilting. And you have given me the get up and go I need to give it a try. Thank you and I look forward to the next tutorial on this .
Karan
Beautiful jelly roll quilt! Love the colors.
I do need to study this tutorial! I'd love to make a quilt.
Lovely! The teal and brown look great together.
Wow great bold color choices!
BTW I'm hosting a Fabric Giveaway over at my site and giving away 12 FAT quarters. Swing by if you get a chance: http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2011/07/fabric-love-19-fats-and-fabric-giveaway.html
-Q
Great tutorial and photos! Spread quilting!!
Great tutorial! I love quilting and you made me smile with this post! Thanks for linking up to simply creative over at 365days2simplicity!
Angela
To answer the question on yardage (hope you don't mind, but I did the math already) … 1/4 yard of 10 different prints should do it. (You'll want to divide that evenly among the two colors you choose.)
Please note that you do NOT want fat quarters, since they aren't 44/45" wide.
HTH!
I love the hues! So pretty. Thank you for linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday!
love the colors I wish I had such talent as this
I love quilting, and I have lots of 2" and 2-1/2" strips that I've saved from previous projects. I really like your design, so I'm following along. Thanks!
love the colors!
megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
awesome tutorial.
now if i only i had the patience to follow directions.
Gorgeous!!
Gorgeous, love the colors and design, great work!!!!
Paula
Suzy, I think I would like to hire you to come live at my house and create things for me. I can't actually pay you, but we would have fun! I just love everything you do. And at the end of this post, that is a real compliment because I have to tell you that I don't like very many quilts. They just look sort of…messy and not matchy enough for this engineering nerd! But I LOVE yours! Thanks for doing this series!
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I've always wanted to learn how to quilt. I'll be looking forward to each posting. If I wanted to cut my own strips of fabric, how much yardage would I need?