Easy Fat Quarter Batik Quilt tutorial

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Are you looking for another fast and easy quilt to make? Grab your fat quarters and create this beautiful quilt in no time at all.

Easy Fat Quarter Batik Quilt tutorial
Easy Fat Quarter Batik Quilt tutorial

Updated post from January 2017

Lost blog post on quilt tutorial

This blog post was lost in my archives and forgotten about until someone saw a photo of this quilt in a recent newsletter I shared. I love this photo of Miss Sadie and Mr. Mickey who are both gone now.

This photo was taken in 2019 at our river house when the Mississippi River was flooding like it is doing right now. I am thankful we no longer have to deal with floods.

Anyway, I searched and searched and couldn’t find any more photos of the king-size quilt which I gifted to a friend so I’m not sure how many blocks I used to make it.

Sadie and Mr. Mickey on our bed
Dogs on king-size Fat Quarter batik quilt

Fat Quarter batik quilt

Fat Quarter Batik Quilt on ground
Fat Quarter Batik Quilt

The quilt is 56″ x 64″

Here are the quilt blocks on my design wall. Once I had the blocks all made, I just randomly turned them in different directions and then pieced the rows together.

Fat quarters were used to make this quilt

Fat Quarter quilt squares on design wall
Fat Quarter quilt blocks on the design wall

Equipment

Easy Fat Quarter Quilt Tutorial

A fat quarter is usually 18″ x 22″. I made the blocks a little smaller in case you wash your fat quarter. Follow the diagram to get enough pieces for 4 blocks from each fat quarter. It will take 14 fat quarters to make this size of the quilt.

You could also use yardage to make this quilt. A 1/2-yard is 18″ x 42″ so you could use (7) 1/2-yard pieces to make the quilt.

Yardage

Cutting the pieces:

Use the following diagram to cut your pieces.

How to cut the quilt block pieces for a fat quarter
Diagram of cutting

Sewing the block together –  use a 1/4″ seam allowance, press to the dark fabric.

How to cut the HST squares

After you have made your half-square triangles, use the following diagram to piece the rest of the block.

Life along the River quilt block diagram
Diagram of piecing

I put flannel on the back of the quilt and also used Hobbs 80/20 batting so it should be a warm and comfy quilt. Perfect for my niece and her husband to use while watching television, or they can take it with them when they go boating.

Fat Quarter Baby Quilt

I also made this quilt with another beautiful collection of fabrics that weren’t batiks. This was another gift for a baby and I used flannel on the back of it. When gifting a baby quilt I like to wash and dry it first.

Fat Quarter quilt in pink fabrics
Baby quilt

Quilt Size is 48″ x 56″

I used (11) fat quarters to make the baby quilt. You could also use (6) 1/2-yard pieces.

Flannel on the back of the fat quarter quilt
Flannel on the back of quilt

AccuQuilt HST die – just for yardage

AccuQuilt dies make cutting your fabric pieces fast and easy. They have a die that cuts 6-inch finished half-square triangles if you want to use yardage. I wouldn’t recommend using it with the fat quarters as you wouldn’t be able to cut the rest of the pieces.

This quilt is going to a home with 3 cute dogs! I am sure they will enjoy it.

Bulldogs
Bulldogs

I am going to update the pdf that I had for this post and include a couple more sizes. Be sure to get my newsletters and I’ll let you know when it is finished.

Before you go…..

I also made another quilt using the same collection of island Batiks fabrics that you might like!

Starboard Quilt

Starboard Quilt Pattern by the river

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Connie with her dogs

About Connie

Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.

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114 Comments

  1. Dawn Nelson says:

    This looks like a great pattern! Love that it is striking in all different fabrics.
    Thank you for sharing the tutorial.
    You must be so excited about your new home. I’m excited for you! Can’t wait to see the inside, your sewing studio and the back yard.
    By the way, I’m glad you’ve decided to share your life with us again. In all honesty, I wondered why you stopped. I even quit reading you for a while because it felt cold and impersonal. I thought something was wrong. Glad you’re back to normal. 😉

  2. Very lovely and nice and colorful. So attractive and looks easy. Thanks for resharing this beauty.

  3. Fran Connelly says:

    You make me tired just thinking about having to pack up and move again. I moved 5 years ago and I said never again. One thing is that I was able to clean out my stash. I love the quilt pattern. Beautiful colors.

  4. WOW those colors really make the pattern stand out! I like the earth tones, but this spring green is AWSOME! You must have read my mind as a friend came over yesterday to tell me she’s expecting! (I think the girls tell me ahead of time to make sure they get their quilt!) p. s. if you make a quilt for those pugs (?) do you put terry cloth on the back? DOGS, they deserve the best. Thanks, and have fun with the move. So exciting!

  5. Hi Connie! I’m running a little behind these days. As I told you a little while ago, I’m moving, too. Unfortunately, my “studio” is getting smaller, but I’ll certainly look forward to seeing what wonderful things you put into your new studio. You always do such a thoughtful job of laying out everything you need. This quilt that you are showing today is exactly what I need! I had decided I really need a quilt that actually covers my bed (rather than the lap sizes I’m always making). Even though you are only showing a baby and throw size here, it won’t be difficult to size it up and it will be something I can do while I’m waiting for my own move date. I certainly have enough fabric!!
    Like others, I’m not all that surprised to hear you are moving. I think you and Bob just thrive on action!
    I’ve been wondering how your old River House is faring with the flooding that’s going on right now. I’ll bet you are very glad not to have to be dealing with that.

  6. Love your color choices for this quilt. I live along the Shenandoah River in Virginia. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

  7. I finished a batik quilt late last year and want to try another. Those lovely fabrics would be a great foundation to build from. Thank you for the chance.

  8. This fabric is so beautiful! I have been sewing for years but just started quilting! I’m in awe of the talent I have found as I discover this world of quilters. This little bundle would be perfect for a small project (which is all I am comfortable tackling as I teach myself to quilt!)

  9. Elizabeth McDonald says:

    Beautiful quilt! You have used the fabric to great advantage.

  10. Love your work! I like working with batiks, but i always gravitate to cottons

  11. Kathy MacKie says:

    Always love Batiks, thanks for the chance to win.

  12. Love your pattern! Thanks for the chance to win the fabric, too.

  13. Connie as usual you have created another beauty. In all honesty,how do you find the time?

  14. bookboxer says:

    This is the first time visiting your site – what a wonderful quilt this is. I have a friend who loves to use batik fabrics, and I would happily share you fabrics with her!

  15. Beautiful fabric, beautiful colors, beautiful quilt. I’m drooling, much like the adorable doggies!

  16. Tamara Williams says:

    Hadn’t visited your blog before. Nice! Love the bulldogs. Interesting pattern.

  17. What a great way to interpret the theme of New beginnings; I’m sure that they are going to love having this to snuggle under. The colors are happy ones.

  18. What a beautiful quilt – well, both of them are. When I saw the first picture, I thought, “Is that ICE under that quilt?” And sure enough, it is! A gift that will be treasured, I’m sure. Thanks for the giveaway and for sharing your beautiful quilt.

  19. Julie Averill says:

    I Love this collection and the quilt is beautiful.

  20. Beautiful the quilts you made! The batiks are so beautiful ! Thank you for the giveaway!

  21. Pauline Perry says:

    I enjoy your blog and really like your Life ALong the River quilt. Thanks for the chance to win some gorgeous fabric.

  22. Love the quilt. Thank you for sharing the pattern!

  23. Hi Connie, love the new quilt pattern. And of course the batiks.

  24. Thank you for sharing the lovely pattern. I was delighted to open your newsletter. There are so many wonderful things to see.

  25. Love your blog and all that you do…love the giveaway too!

  26. Beautiful quilt! Thanks for the giveaway

  27. The colours of the batiks and the name Lake Life are a perfect match. Your quilt is very pretty and makes a lovely wedding gift.

  28. Wendy Polsson says:

    You come up with some great idesa. Love the batiks – wonderful colors.

  29. I have not used batiks before. These are appropriate for a wedding. Nice quilt.

  30. Just signed up for your newsletter. Thanks for the giveaway.

  31. Always love your quilts. Such great ideas!

  32. Melody Lutz says:

    You put those gorgeous fabrics into an awesome quilt!

  33. This would be perfect for my Dad. If he could manage to sleep in his waders we’d never get him out of the river.

  34. Nicole Sender says:

    What a lovely quilt! Great colors!

  35. Your work is always wonderful and this is no exception! thank you and have a nice weekend!

  36. Pets and quilts just go together, don’t they? I guess because they are both so cuddly!

  37. Thanks for the pattern. It is lovely and I am sure your niece will love that quilt!
    dragonfly9716(at)yahoo(dot)com

  38. carolyn montgomery says:

    your quilts are beautiful.

  39. I live along a good size creek that is pretty snowed over. Great time to sew! Thanks for a chance at some new years fabric

  40. What a striking setting for your quilt photo! We just had a ton of snow here in Oregon–I wish I had thought to take all of my quilts outside and photograph them on the snow, just for the beauty of it. Next time. It will break up the cabin fever. 🙂

  41. Kristine Clay says:

    The quilt looks so friendly and warm! What a sweet gift and thoughtful selection for the icy climate. Thanks for sharing and I’ll definitely check out the pattern!

  42. Karen (Cloud 9) says:

    I always enjoy seeing your creations. I like making scrap quilts and can always use additions to my stash.

  43. Connie,

    Gorgeous quits…love that fabric collection!

  44. I love your Life Along the River quilt, and the pups are so cute! Thanks!

  45. Oh I just love your quilt – thanks so much for the pattern. And your colors are perfect! Thanks so much for the chance to win 😉
    Debby E
    samtaylorcjsmimi at yahoo dot com

  46. Maryellen McAuliffe says:

    Great quilt and a great way to show the gorgeous colors in the group.

  47. Just discovered your blog….love the quilts and fabric.

  48. This looks like a great pattern because it looks like it would be so hard to make, but your comments tells me differently. Sadie says so too, so it must be. Now, why wouldn’t you want that to blow into the river Connie? Don’t you want to go swimming in the icy water? LOL

    Thank you for the free pattern.

  49. another great quilt! and cute dogs- slobbery messy dogs! LOL

  50. Karen Fisher says:

    I follow you on FB and absolutely love all your quilts. But this one has grab me. LOVE the greens

  51. Your quilt is wonderful. I love the colors.

  52. Wow, you can see the water flowing in your quilt with the grayish batik…beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

  53. wonderful! Island Batik never fails to please. And that quilt should be so cozy and comfy. 80/20 batting is my favorite to use.
    reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

  54. Lori Morton says:

    Love Love LOOOOOVE your Quilt!! & Thank you for sharing the Pattern!! 🙂

    Thank you for chance to win some of this beautiful fabric too… 😀

  55. Your quilts just sing Connie! I agree with Sadie! And your photos are also beautiful. Thanks so much for the lovely post, and the great giveaway.

  56. Connie, I love everything you make and this quilt is no exception. It is a gorgeous wedding gift and will be cherished forever. I live along the Mississippi too, and never thought of taking photos with a quilt near the ice. You’re a brave girl and it made for awesome photos!

  57. Brenda Ackerman says:

    Good Evening Connie! Both of these quilts are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing the pattern and offering this wonderful give away!

  58. Your niece will love the quilt. Thanks for the pattern.

  59. Nancy Myers says:

    Thank you for sharing the pattern for free. It is lovely. And the giveaway is very nice, too.

  60. Beth strand says:

    Beautiful! They’re a lucky couple!

  61. Joanne Bates says:

    Your quilts are all georgeous and so is your sweet SADIE. I love seeing pictures of her on your quilts.
    Thank you for the free pattern. I would love to be a winner.

  62. Great! I need a quilt idea for a beachy kind of couple. They love fishing, she loves the beach. I have a little over a year so a quilt is definitely achievable!

  63. Both of your quilts are beautiful and that is a great picture of the dos.

  64. What a great quick quilt pattern. You have to look to see the repeat. Thanks for sharing it.

  65. Both are lovely quilts! Love the fabrics and the colours! Beautiful!

  66. This Lake quilt is such a lovely and thoughtful wedding gift. Sadie is adorable. Your gift of Island Batiks is very generous. Happy Quilting…

  67. Love the quilt pattern and the choice of fabrics, so pretty!

  68. Beautiful quilt and the newlyweds will love it. The colors are so fresh.

  69. Enjoy your blog. Thank you for sharing this fun quilt.

  70. Lynne Stucke says:

    It amazes me that a river that runs as swiftly as the Mississippi can ice over. But, on reflection, I guess it shouldn’t, as the Missouri ices over completely in Great Falls, MT — even the water fall. Must have been a ‘blonde’ moment. Thanks for your blog. I always enjoy it! (lynnstck[at]yahoo.com)

  71. What a lovely quilt. I love the mixture of colours and batiks are always nice.

  72. Beautiful quilt and pictures, thank you for the pattern.

  73. Michele T says:

    Beautiful quilt and photo shoot location!!!

  74. Your batik quilts are lovely. Thanks sew much for sharing the River pattern.

  75. I like the idea of strips that are 5-6 inches wide. It make for a more useful cut of fabric than most precuts.

  76. Love the way those colors worked with your pattern!!!

  77. That is beautiful, Connie, and in my colors too! That is a fabulous gift and I know they will ALL love it.

  78. Kathy Luehrs says:

    Thanks for the pattern love it and the fabric is perfect for it

  79. Loving another one of your quilts. I’ll never get my Want to make list done at this rate! jadahlgr at yahoo dot com

  80. Your quilt is very pretty! Flannel on the back of a quilt makes it so soft and cuddly.

  81. I have never put flannel on the back of a quilt, but what a great idea to make it extra soft and warm! I might have to try that sometime. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  82. Pat Evans says:

    You always have such great quilts and runners. Thank you so much for making some of the patterns free. The greens and golds of this line work so well together.

  83. Lisa Marie says:

    Wonderful! Thanks for the pattern!

  84. Love the quilts you have made… and I love your patterns a LOT… very easy to understand and follow when using them! Thanks for the chance to win some awesome batik fabrics!!! I have a batik quilt to make coming up and these would fit in quite nicely 🙂 Kathi

  85. Quilting Tangent says:

    Pretty quilts, thank you for the pattern.

  86. Dear Connie, what a beautiful quilt, your niece is one lucky young lady. As always, your skill with pattern and color is outstanding. Thank you for sharing.

  87. Allison in Alabama says:

    Lovely quilt and Sadie is very nice letting it go to three other dogs!!!! LOL I am sure they will enjoy it!

  88. I love batiks! My last two Quilts were batiks and I’m running low. Thanks for the free pattern and the chance at the giveaway.

  89. Allison Evrard says:

    Your quilt is beautiful. Thanks so much for the pattern.

  90. Lori Smanski says:

    your quilt is lovely. your niece will love it. I love it when it is pet approved. My Shadow kitty is the one who is quality control/approver in our house. Have a great day.

  91. Thanks so much for the pattern and the chance to win.

  92. Constance P. says:

    I love patterns that are engaging, intriguing, yet deceptively simple, and Life Along the River is one of those. I can picture it in several fabric combinations. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

  93. What a fun quilt! Thanks for linking to Craftsy for the free pattern!

  94. Your quilt is fresh and summery on these icy days. It spoke to me of laying back in a flat bottom boat and looking up at the sky through sun filtered leaves. I can see making this. Love that it’s Sadie approved. Beautiful collection from Island Batiks!

  95. Love your quilt, thanks for the giveaway

  96. I do believe I’ve found a use for those 7″ blue squares I bought years ago. All the blues and some scraps strips I’ve been collecting ought to look pretty nice together. Great design! Looks fast and easy – which is just my speed.

  97. Joyce Carter says:

    Connie, your quilt is so beautiful. I really love the colors and the design. Thank you so much for the giveaway.

  98. Gorgeous fabric and quilt!! I am slowing growing my batik fabrics and really need to win this giveaway!! Thanks for a great pattern.

  99. Darlene H says:

    Nice tropical feel with the fabrics. Good job.

  100. Lovely quilt. You always have such lovely photos.

  101. Lisa Stacey says:

    Hi, I love your Quilts and the way you use the Island Batiks fabrics. Thanks for the giveaway!

  102. Renea Yarolim says:

    Beautiful quilt. Thanks for the giveaway and for the link directing us to the free quilt pattern.

  103. Really enjoy reading your blog and seeing your lovely quilts, especially when they are pictured with the Mississippi River in the background–