Free Zig Zag Quilt Pattern and Tutorial
Make a super easy zig zag quilt using Charm packs with this free Zig Zag Quilt pattern!
I love quilting with pre-cuts. I know they cost more than yardage, but since I only do a few quilt projects each year, I don’t mind too much. (Plus, I’ll only buy them when they are on sale or discounted.) I put together this quick and easy quilt pattern that is perfect to use with charm packs. (Or any 5 inch square.)
I was able to grab a few of these charm packs on sale a while back. (They’re from the Ladies Stitching Club by Oliver and S for Moda.) They’ve been sitting on my shelf looking pretty for so long, I was starting to feel guilty. I decided a quilt out of the charm packs was to be my very next project! Rather than just randomly sewing the charms together, I opted to make a zig zag design. It was so easy with the precuts, I couldn’t wait to share the pattern with you!
I really wanted to try the free motion quilting on this quilt, but I chickened out at the last minute! I still have a bunch of cut pieces from this quilt and I think I will test out my free motion skills on a “quilt as you go” rag quilt. (So look for that in the spring sometime…)
The finished quilt size is 58 inches by 68 inches. The perfect size for picnicking or snuggling up on the couch.
Using Precut charm packs on this quilt will definitely speed up the piecing process, but you can definitely cut your own 5 inch squares.
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Easy Zig Zag Quilt Instructions
Materials needed:
- 156 charms (5 inch squares) (about half were the print and the other half were Bella Solids from Moda.)
- 1 yard for border fabric
- 4 yards for backing fabric
- 1/2 yard for binding
- batting (at least 62 x 72)
Helpful supplies:
- 1/4 inch presser foot (first time using this foot. I am kicking myself for not getting one sooner, makes precision 1/4 seams so much easier!!!)
- walking foot
- quilting needles
- Wonder clips (So much easier to use than pins + safer!)
- Clear quilting ruler (18 inch and 36 inch)
Pattern notes:
- All seams are 1/4 inch
- I find it helpful to lay out squares according to the pattern first.
Cutting Instructions:
Cut 156 five inch squares (or just use charm packs.) 83 of those squares should be a solid color. (I used white, this charm pack has 42 squares)
Border: Cut the selvages off border fabric and cut eight 4.5 inch strips the width of the fabric.
Quilt backing: You can use a flat sheet, extra wide fabric (like this one) or piece together regular width quilt fabric to make a piece at least 64 inches by 74 inches . MAKE SURE TO IRON THE BACKING!
Quilt top assembly:
1. Start by sewing (right sides together, with a 1/4 seam allowance) all the squares in a row. Press seams for each row.
2. Sew rows 1 and 2 together, then 3 and 4 together, then 5 and 6, until all 14 rows are done.
3. Then sew the combined rows together until the quilt top is assembled. Press the seams.
4. Sew two of the border pieces together end to end (you’ll have an 80 inch piece.) Repeat for the other six border pieces.
5. Line up first border piece with top edge of the quilt top. Pin and sew Trim the bottom edge so it is even with the bottom of the quilt top.
6. Line up 2nd border piece on bottom of the quilt, pin and sew. Trim the end to line up with other side of the quilt.
7. Repeat for other side and top. Press the seams.
Finishing the quilt:
Lay out the backing piece, right side down. Layer the batting and the quilt top (right side up on top of the batting.
Baste and quilt using your preferred method.
For the binding, (using straight or bias binding) cut 174 inches of binding 2 3/4 inches wide. Attach to the quilt with your favorite binding method. You’re done!
No go have a picnic on your quilt and take some pictures!
Like this project? Please pin it! 
Looking for more easy quilting projects? Check these out:
Make a Chevron Quilt the easy way.
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What quilting style did you do? What color tbready? Used this to make my first quilt and trying to figure out the best way to quilt it! Was considering ‘stitch in the ditch’ with vertical lines but unsure of what color to use!
I did stich in the ditch and white thread on both sides. (the back was a grey and white chevron print.) You could use a different color thread in the bobbin to coordinate with whatever fabric you use. Have fun!
Love it thanks!
How big is this quilt? Full size or more like a Queen?
this is a lap size quilt, about 62 by 72 inches. You can make it larger or smaller by increasing the # of 5-inch squares.
Approximately how many squares would it take to make a king size quilt? And how many rows would you have to add both vertical and horizontal?
not sure. This is a tutorial for a picnic size quilt. 58 inches by 68 inches.
This quilt is beautiful! It makes me want to finish up some of the quilts I have been avoiding for a while. Thanks for sharing at the Wednesday Showcase party!
I noticed you were asking about the batting coming through on the back; I read up on this and they say it is caused by a dull needle or one that is not the appropriate size. If you do your own quilting, try a new needle for the quilting. If you use a long arm quilter, ask them to change their needle,
Thanks, so good to know!
Beautiful quilt. But I think I missed how you constructed each block. It looks simple enough, but just want to make sure. Thanks
I used charm packs and sewed them together in the pattern shown.
~Jamie
This is fabulous! I love it. Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for being a part of our party! I hope you stop by on Monday at 7 pm. We love to party with you. Merry Christmas! Lou Lou Girls
This is a beautiful quilt. The colors and patterns you chose go together so well. I'm hoping to make my first quilt this winter. We shall see. Definitely looking to your site for advice/patterns.:) Thank you for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in next week's issue.