Free Zig Zag Quilt Pattern and Tutorial
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Make a super easy zig zag quilt using Charm packs with this free Zig Zag Quilt pattern!
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Free Zig Zag Quilt Pattern and Tutorial
I love quilting with pre-cuts!
I know they cost more than yardage, but I don’t mind too much since I only do a few quilt projects each year. (Plus, I’ll only buy them when they are on sale or discounted.)
For the project I a sharing today, I’ve put together this quick and easy quilt pattern and tutorial that is perfect for using charm packs (Or any 5-inch square).
The charm pack I used for this zig-zag quilt is from the Ladies Stitching Club by Oliver and S for Moda line. It had been sitting on my shelf looking pretty for so long that I started to feel guilty.
I decided to make a quilt out of the charm packs for my next project! Rather than randomly sewing the charms together, I opted to make a zig-zag design. It was so easy with the precuts, and I couldn’t wait to share the pattern with you!
I wanted to try a free-motion design to finish the quilt, but I chickened out at the last minute and went straight-line quilting. 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” type project.
The finished quilt measures 58 inches by 68 inches, which is the perfect size for picnicking or snuggling up on the couch.
Using Precut charm packs on this quilt will speed up the piecing process, but you can definitely cut your own 5-inch squares.
Ready to make this quilt? Let’s get started!
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; it 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:
- Quilt: Cut 156 five-inch squares (or 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 the 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. Lay out your fabric squares in your desired color pattern.
2. Start by sewing (right sides together, with a 1/4 seam allowance) all the squares in a row. Press seams for each row.
3. Sew rows 1 and 2 together, then 3 and 4 together, then 5 and 6, until all 14 rows are done.
4. Then sew the combined rows together until the quilt top is assembled. Press the seams.
5. Sew two of the border pieces together end to end (you’ll have an 80 inch piece.) Repeat for the other six border pieces.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Repeat for the 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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