Colorful Squares Quilt Pattern
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The Colorful Squares Quilt Pattern is a vibrant, eye-catching, and wonderfully simple quilt project. This free quilt pattern is available in 4 sizes and comes with a handy printable PDF for you to save. Perfect for using charm packs and layer cake precuts, it’s an ideal way to create a stunning quilt with minimal effort.
Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just starting, you’ll love how simple and fun it is to sew this colorful squares quilt.
Colorful Squares Quilt Pattern
I love sewing for the 4th of July, and when I saw these cute charm packs from Riley Blake. I knew I had to grab a few before they were gone. It took me a little while to figure out what I wanted to do with them, but I decided a simple charm pack quilt would be the way to go.
This large throw-size quilt is made with two charm packs and about three yards of background fabric. The free quilt pattern also includes fabric amounts for crib, twin, and full-size quilts.
If you want something larger it would be very simple to just add a few more rows and columns of charm squares. The quilt looks fantastic, and it is so easy to make.
Now all I need is a few coordinating throw pillows, and I will be set!
Why Make This Quilt Pattern
- It’s a fun, colorful quilt that is super fast to put together.
- Perfect for precuts! You need less than one charm pack for the crib size or two charm packs for the throw size!
- The free pattern comes in four different sizes, so you can sew whatever size best suits your needs.
Quilt Variations
For my quilt, I went patriotic-themed and used two American Beauty Charm Packs from Riley Blake and American Beauty White Burst Yardage for the background fabric.
You can change the look of this pattern in quite a few different ways by using different colors or holiday themes.
Her is an example of a quilt done with a Christmas-themed charm pack.
Another example of the quilt done in solids using the Kona Fabrics Birds of Paradise Palate.
My favorite is probably this scrappy version done in teal scraps. I have so many teal fat quarters that I may have to make this version. Instead of using a 5-inch square of fabric, you would use small scraps and piece together four 2.75-inch squares to get the 5-inch square.
Where do I get the Pattern?
The free Colorful Squares Quilt Pattern/template link is under the Materials Needed section. Click the link, add the pattern to your cart, and check out. (It takes about 15 seconds for the process.) A copy of the pattern will be emailed to you as well. (As long as you enter your email correctly.)
Pin this project for later.
Ready to make the Quilt?
Read on for the fabric amounts, sewing instructions, and pattern templates.
The tutorial below is based on the throw quilt size. Instructions for the other sizes are the same but with more (or fewer) blocks.
Quilt Assembly/Sewing Tips:
- Press and starch fabric before sewing and cutting. Pre-pressing and starching help keep the fabric cuts straight.
- Don’t forget to check your seam allowance before starting to sew! Each time I start a project, I line my needle up using a seam allowance ruler. I also recommend this quarter-inch foot with the guide. (Just choose one that fits your machine.) You can use the seam allowance ruler with this foot, and once I have adjusted my needle, the guide helps keep all my seams perfectly aligned.
Skill Level:
Beginner to advanced beginner. (Basic piecing and sewing knowledge .)
Materials Needed
- Colorful Squares Quilt Pattern
- Fabric (see amounts below)
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Rulers (a basic quilting ruler and a square ruler are about all you need)
- Design wall (not necessary – but oh-so-nice.)
Quilt Finished sizes:
- Crib: 39″ x 45 inches
- Throw: 58″ x 71″ inches
- Twin: 71″ x 90″ inches
- Full: 84″ x 90″ inches
Pattern Notes:
- Please read through the entire pattern before starting.
- 1/4 inch seam allowances used.
- WOF = width of fabric. (WOF for fabric calculations is 42 inches.)
- RST = right sides together.
- Press the seams to the darker/colored fabric side.
Fabric Amounts Needed
Colorful Squares Quilt Sewing Instructions
Step 1: Cut Out All Fabric Pieces.
Cut the fabrics to the following sizes:
Crib:
| Background and border fabric | cut 24 – 2.5 x 5″ strips cut 4 – 2.5″ x WOF strips cut 4 – 4.5″ strips by WOF |
| Colorful squares | cut 30 – 5 inch squares |
Throw:
| Background and border fabric | cut 70 – 2.5 x 5″ strips cut 12 – 2.5″ x WOF strips cut 7 – 4.5″ x WOF strips |
| Colorful squares | cut 80 – 5 inch squares |
Twin:
| Background and border fabric | cut 117 – 2.5 x 5″ strips cut 18 – 2.5″ x WOF strips cut 8 – 4.5″ x WOF strips |
| Colorful squares | cut 130 – 5 inch squares |
Full:
| Background and border fabric | cut 143 – 2.5 x 5″ strips cut 24- 2.5″ x WOF strips cut 8 – 4.5″ x WOF strips |
| Colorful squares | cut 156 – 5 inch squares |
Step 2: Sew the Blocks
Set aside ten squares of different colors to be the end blocks on each row.
Next, sew a 2.5 x 5-inch strip to one of the 5-inch squares. Keep going until all of the blocks are sewn. Press towards the darker color.
Step 3: Arrange your blocks
You will want to take some time to arrange your blocks into a pleasing layout. I love my portable design wall for this. It is also very important to take a photo of your arrangement so you have something to refer back to when sewing.
(You may think you have your blocks lined up correctly and that “you will remember,” but double-checking your photo is much easier than picking out multiple seams, I promise!)
Step 4: Sew the blocks together.
Sew seven blocks plus one of the extra 5-inch squares you set aside, together in a row. Press towards the darker color.
Step 5: Add the Sashing to the rows
Piece together two of the 2.5-inch width fabric strips to create a sashing strip. Trim to the same size as your row. Then, use this trimmed piece to create more sashing strips.
Sew the sashing strips to the rows. Press.
Step 6: Sew the rows together.
Sew the rows together and press.
Step 7: Add the Borders.
Piece together two of the 4.5-inch WOF strips and trim to the length of the quilt. Attach to one side and use the leftover piece to create the second border. Attach to the opposite side.
Press.
Repeat the process to add the top and bottom border. Press.
Step 8: Quilt.
With your batting and backing, make the quilt sandwich. Quilt, bind, and you are done.
That’s it!
For quilting my quilt, I have a new clamshell quilting ruler that I can’t wait to test out!
More Quilt Patterns To Try
- Butterfly Mini Quilt
- Arrow Quilt Pattern (free pdf pattern)
- Chevron Quilt (the easy way…)
- Rainbow Blocks Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern
- Jack-O-Lantern Quilt Pattern for Halloween
Did You Make A Colorful Squares Quilt?
Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmompatterns! You can also share an image to my private Facebook sewing group!
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Feedly, Bloglovin', your favorite feed reader, or signing up via email and have new posts delivered to your email box each week!Colorful Squares Quilt Tutorial
The Colorful Squares Quilt Pattern is a vibrant, eye-catching, and wonderfully simple quilt project. This free quilt pattern is available in 4 sizes and comes with a handy printable PDF for you to save. Perfect for using charm packs and layer cake precuts, it’s an ideal way to create a stunning quilt with minimal effort.
Materials
- Colorful Squares Quilt Pattern
- Fabric (see amounts below)
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Rulers (a basic quilting ruler and a square ruler are about all you need)
- Design wall (not necessary – but oh-so-nice.)
Instructions
Step 1: Cut Out All Fabric Pieces according to the chart in the post.
Step 2: Sew The Blocks
- Set aside ten squares of different colors to be the end blocks on each row.
- Next, sew a 2.5 x 5-inch strip to one of the 5.5-inch squares. Keep going until all of the blocks are sewn. Press towards the darker color.
Step 3: Arrange Your Blocks
- You will want to take some time to arrange your blocks into a pleasing layout. I love my design wall for this. It is also very important to take a photo of your arrangement so you have something to refer back to when sewing.
- You may think you have your blocks lined up correctly and that “you will remember,” but double-checking your photo is much easier than picking out multiple seams, I promise!)
Step 4: Sew The Blocks Together.
- Sew seven blocks plus one of the extra 5-inch squares you set aside together in a row. Press towards the darker color.
Step 5: Add The Sashing To The Rows
- Piece together two of the 2.5-inch width fabric strips to create a sashing strip. Trim to the same size as your row. Then, use this trimmed piece to create more sashing strips.
- Sew the sashing strips to the rows. Press.
Step 6: Sew The Rows Together.
Step 7: Add The Borders.
- Piece together two of the 4.5-inch WOF strips and trim to the length of the quilt. Attach to one side and use the leftover piece to create the second border. Attach to the opposite side.
- Press.
- Repeat the process to add the top and bottom border. Press.
- Step 8: Quilt.
- With your batting and backing, make the quilt sandwich. Quilt, bind, and you are done.
