Tutorial: Two-Color Quilt

Today, Rebecca who blogs over at Our Busy Little Bunch is sharing a tutorial for a quilt made from large quarter-square triangles--simple, yet beautiful! After you check out her tutorial, head over to her blog for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Lady in Red. 

After seeing the beautiful Lady In Red fabric line from Ro Gregg, my first thought was to make a quilt showing off the stunning contrast of black and red.  I wanted to make this a quick quilt project, and I think the following tutorial would be a perfect beginner project for a quilter - it helps to practice all the necessary and precise quilting rules, but gets you a quick finish to help you fall in love with the world of quilting.

Supplies Needed:

1/2 yard cuts of four assorted red fabrics

1/2 yard cuts of three assorted black fabrics

1 yard cut of a black fabric (for blocks and binding)

3 yards of backing fabric (will be cut in half and pieced together)

Batting measuring 60" x 70"

First, cut out three 14" squares from your four red and four black fabrics.  Then pair them up in red/black color combinations, placing each pair right sides together.  With a pen and ruler, draw a line on the diagonal between two of the corners. Pin in each corner and center to hold in place.

Sew 1/4" on either side of the drawn line.  Do this for each pair.  Then with your ruler and rotary cutter, cut along the drawn line.  

Press each new square. You now have half-square triangle units.

Pair up the half-square triangle units, and place right sides together - making sure to place black half of fabric on top of red, and red half on top of black.  Draw a new line from one corner to opposite corner, your new seams will flow over the seam you just made.  Pin the block in each corner and on center, making sure that the seam is centered.

Just like above, sew 1/4" on either side of the drawn line.  Do this for each pair.  Then with your ruler and rotary cutter, cut along the drawn line.  Press each new square.  You now have quarter-square triangle units.

Lay out your quarter-square triangle units in a random fashion, making a diamond pattern of red and black throughout the design.  Keep playing with the layout until you are pleased with it.  Then sew the blocks together in rows, press, and sew the rows together to give you a finished quilt top.  (You will have four blocks leftover - these are perfect for a couple throw-pillows or a table runner - a small project is a great way to practice your quilting before you tackle this quilt).

Now cut your backing fabric in half so you will have two one and a half yard pieces, and sew those pieces together to form a large 80" x 54" piece.  Press and then cut it down to 70" wide if desired (the quilt top should be approx 50" x 62").  Then use your favorite method of basting to baste the backing, batting and quilt top layers together.  Then you're ready to quilt - I chose to do straight-line quilting on either side of the ditch on the diagonal seams.  And last, bind it with your leftover black fabric.  

And there you have it - a quick and striking two color quilt.  I think this quilt would look stunning in other two-color fabric combinations as well.  Check out the selection of Fabri-Quilt prints to get you inspired!