Today I’m super excited! I have a new pattern all about practicing some quilting basics to share with you and I think you are going to like it

Because it’s free!

I was looking for a good way to practice some quilting basics but I am not really in to small nick nack-ey projects like pot holders or coasters or something.

I wanted a quilt pattern that was designed to work on different quilting skills that wasn’t going to ultimately join the junk drawer.

And on top of that I was interested in finding a quilt pattern that I could be walked through and showed the right way to make the blocks.

Things to look out for, tips and tricks, etc. 

Not just a pattern that was just like “here’s the jist, figure it out from here”.

I don’t know if this is something many people are interested in, but I decided to design one out for myself and offer it to any one else looking to learn this hobby! 

This is a sampler quilt I drafted up, and a pretty minimalist one at that, but it kind of has to be in order to practice the very basics.

So I’m not mad about that. 

I am a minimalist at heart anyway.

What was this pattern designed to practice?

When you are just learning, the quilting basics are often the stuff you skip. 

Or assume.

When you rush to the fun stuff you don’t stop to learn things like how to actually sew a straight line.

So I’ve combined the very basics with some quick piecing blocks to make a pattern that’s quick, fun, and great practice. 

The blocks were chosen to try and focus on a single technique and then get more complicated as you go.

The last few blocks were used to combine techniques and start putting what you’ve practiced into context. 

The techniques you’ll practice:

Sewing straight lines
Getting seams to line up
Sewing on point
Quick piecing half square triangles
Flying geese quick piece
Quick piecing hourglasses 
Working with sashing

And the number 1 thing you’ll practice?

The dreaded 1/4″ seam allowance.

Eeek!

My favorite part about this is that you get all the benefit of practicing the techniques, and at the end you have a full quilt to show off!

Okay what if I don’t already know how to make those blocks?

The free pattern has links to posts for each of the quilting basics that are used in the pattern.

If you don’t know how to complete a certain block, or want some extra pictures to guide you along the way, all of the posts are right in one spot so you don’t have to go looking to find the technique the block was intended to practice. 

So if you only have time to do a single block and want to come back to the project later you don’t have to go searching all over again.

Trick of the Trade

The quilt is designed to build off of previously practiced techniques so while you don’t have to sit down and complete all 12 blocks on the same day, for maximum benefit, it’s best to complete the blocks in the order they are listed. 

But don’t worry, no quilting police will be out to get you should you do them in a different order.

Other than that, have fun with it! 

Pick crazy fabrics, pick coordinating fabrics, scraps you have laying around, whatever you like!

And when you are done with your quilt don’t forget to post it to instagram and tag me @quiltingwemple so I can see it! 

Ready for this free quilt pattern already? Its in the vault so click here to head on over and start practicing!