Postage Stamp Quilts are many and varied - with variation in layout and size of each square - and so is the way to approach making a Postage Stamp Quilt. I have chosen to make my Postage Stamp Quilt from fabric scraps and by sewing 16-patch strip pieced blocks with a random layout.
I started by tipping over my scrap bin and noticed that many of my fabric scraps were small/narrow strips (trust me, you don't want to see this mess!). And so it started:
Step 1 - Cutting Strips
You'll need a total of 432 strips to make a Postage Stamp Quilt measuring 54 inches x 54 inches. However I rarely cut all fabric in advance for a project, and prefer to have short cutting sessions followed by sewing sessions.
Step 2 - Sewing Strips
Sew four strips together, pressing all seams to one side (press all seams in the same direction). This block now measures 6.5 inches x 7 inches. Press carefully without pulling the strip set out of shape.
Step 3 - Cross cutting the strip set
Cross-cut the strip set at 2 inch intervals. You will have some excess fabric left over which may you may need if your strip set is a little wonky. Make sure that you are cutting at a 90 degree angle to the sewing lines. If not, straighten up by trimming back.
Step 4
You'll need a total of 324 of these units :: four units for each 16 patch block. (Again, there's no need to make all of these units first ~ it does get a little tedious).
Step 5
Sew together four units into a 16 patch block. Each block now measures 6.5 inches x 6.5 inches.
This is where direction of seams allowances becomes important!
Arrows indicate the direction of the seam allowance.
The direction of the seam allowance is indicated by the arrows above; sewing and pressing ALL blocks the SAME way ensures that you will be able to easily match the seams when eventually sewing the blocks together into a quilt top.
Step 6
Press all final seam allowances in one direction. Be consistent in pressing seam allowances for all blocks. I am left handed and found it easier to press these final seam allowances toward the right.
Make a total of 81 blocks.
Step 7 - Quilt Layout
Arrange the 81 blocks in 9 rows each of 9 blocks. The arrows above refer to the direction of the final seam allowances of the individual blocks in Step 6. (For example, the final seams of all blocks in the first vertical column should be pressed up). By alternating the direction of the final seam allowance all of the other seam allowances will also "lock" together and will make matching of seams a piece o' cake.
Sew blocks together into (horizontal) rows. Press all seams in one direction; and in opposite direction for every second row.
Sew all 9 rows together into a quilt top! Press seam allowances (direction not important).
You're done! Quilt top measures 54.5 inches x 54.5 inches.
Any questions? Please feel free to ask by leaving a comment, and I will reply in the comments sections.
Happy Stitching,
Rita
RELEVANT LINKS:
Work in Progress (Part 1)
Postage Stamp Quilt (Part 2)
Postage Stamp Quilt - Finished Quilt
More FREE TUTORIALS and patterns
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Love this quilt, all those beautiful fabric.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Rita. I will make this one day - just not sure if I have enough patience yet. Thank you for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteYour directions make it seem actually do-able! Thank you---I will soon be tipping over my scrap bin cornucopia as well!
ReplyDeleteWell, how easy is that? I LOVE the colors of yours -- I'm afraid my scraps would be a lot more boring . . .
ReplyDeleteFeliz Páscoa Rita.Você mostrou um jeito muuito fácil de fazer.Imagine que eu já fiz cortando quadradinhos um a um com tesoura,uma colcha que mede 2.20x2.40.Fui lá medir e as peçinhas estão com quase 4cm de lado.Acho que me odeio...Um grande beijo e obrigada.ps:Terça estarei começando outra com a sua maneira de fazer.
ReplyDeleteHoly crap. Amazing.
ReplyDelete♥
Talia Christine
http://taliachristine.blogspot.com
Talia, did you mean "Holy Scrap"? :)
DeleteRita it is just beautiful. But how many different scrap do you have to have to keep from one square of fabric being next to a square of the same fabric? Did you run into that problem? It seem like you have more scraps than me?!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle ~ That's a great question. I had A LOT of scraps and it seems that it doesn't matter how many scraps you have they gravitate towards each other. When I arranged my blocks I found I had to do quite a bit of re-arranging (whilst being careful to keep my seam allowances in the right direction) to ensure that no two same fabrics were alongside one another.
DeleteNow that I've finished the quilt I have noticed that numerous the same fabrics are closely grouped together despite my efforts. I don't think it's too important though, and doesn't affect the overall result.
Thank you for making it so simple! One day I will make one for sure!
ReplyDeleteFantastic way to use up scraps. I may have to start cutting this week-end and storing them for later!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this lovely tutorial! For someone new to piecing like I am, your directions about such things as which way to press seam allowances is super helpful. Have been wondering which project to tackle next, and I think this is a great choice. Since I don't make quilts (gasp), I might use such blocks to make nesting baskets or maybe place mats. Thanks again for generously sharing your talents. Your blocks are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNICE!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat Tute, thank you :)
ReplyDeletePerhaps you might want to add to your tutorial, that it is also important to sew the strips in alternating directions, once from top down and the next row from bottom up. That keeps it from getting lopsided. I hope, you understand what I mean, Rita, my English is not so good ;-) But by looking at your perfectly straight quilt I am sure, you did it that way.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Yes when working with strips (especially longer strips) it works better to sew strips together in alternating directions.
DeleteIf you are having trouble keeping your strip sets from being wonky you might want to try sewing strips together from opposing directions. (Although I did not have any problems with 7 inch strips.)
Thanks for another great tutorial and just the at the right time. I spent last night sorting out my scraps in preparation for a scrappy quilt so this is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! Great job!
ReplyDeleteDo you realise your scrap bin is more varied than my fabric stash lol
ReplyDeleteI've made one postage stamp quilt (Around the world pattern) many moons ago and found seam matching a nightmare I can imagine that making up the blocks would help with that?
I love the colours. How did you manage not to have two fabrics the same coming together? That's the bit I find the most frustrating.
ReplyDeleteWow! I think I would die happy if I ever got to dig into a scrap bin like yours! =D That quilt is amazing! <3
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing quilt, my scraps would never in a million years manage to make this. Great tutorial!
ReplyDeletewhat a great quilt and tutorial, thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteTotally gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tutorial, you really simplified the process. Thanks for sharing, the quilt is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother had a postage stamp quilt that was set on point, and the edges were left zig-zaggy, thus looking like the perforated edges of a real postage stamp.
ReplyDeleteI tried making one myself (when I was in the 7th grade!!!). Rather than tackle binding something that challenging, I stitched around the edges and turned the quilt inside out. Not very neat, but I was so excited about finishing it!
I surely do wish I had that original quilt now, so I could look carefully at how it was finished. Any ideas?
Yours is gorgeous!
I love it! Thanks for an awesome tutorial and I will definitely have to give this one a go!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! thanks for the inspiration and the tutorial Rita!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to explain. This quilt is so beautiful! Definitely on my "to make" list.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tutorial. It makes the Postage Stamp quilt look a little more do-able, rather than laying out each individual square.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! I've always wanted to make a postage stamp quilt, and this does seem like a very manageable way to make one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRita, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI already put it at Works to be performed
Great tute! I think the method you use helps unify the quilt a little bit since there are 4-square strips that are repeated four times. That's (part of) the magic to this quilt! Thank you for sharing Rita.
ReplyDeleteLove that quilt.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt and a great tutorial! Bookmarking!! =D
ReplyDeletesomebody please pass me a pillow- about to do a cartoon backwards faint. Wow! and THANK YOU for the super clear tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great tutorial! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial. You inspired me to clean up my scraps and pile all the strips together. I am going to make a postage stamp quilt.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous and a great way to use up my scraps. Thanks for the inspiration! :)
ReplyDeletewww.ahmelie.com
Happy Easter Rita to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tutorial on another way to use up scraps.
Fantastic tutorial...thanks!
ReplyDeleteHow are you going to quilt this?
Just delightful to look at!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial however why have you blocked people from pinning your images? I don't use bookmarks anymore instead I use Pinterest to help me "bookmark" websites so that I can easily find them when I need them. This seems pointless to block people from pinning your website, why would you put up the tutorial?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know pinning from my blog is not blocked - and my images, including this tutorial is well represented on Pinterest. It doesn't seem that anyone else is having problems pinning from my blog.
DeleteI have blocked pinning from my Flickr Photostream, but you can pin right here from my blog; that way the link included in the pin is back to the relevant blog post and all the information is right there.
Rita
Such a beautiful quilt. A perfect project for scraps and thanks for sharing the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt. I'm going to start one soon. :)
ReplyDeleteHad to try this... And in my excitement a messed up twice. 1. Choosing the same fabric when piecing the strips together a bit to often (I only made 5 strip blocks... call it a practice run for a scrappy pillow...) and 2. I did not pay attention to important part of Step 5... Naughty girl... So my pressed allowances ended up in the same direction at a couple of sides... Well, learned from it and next time I get into making a postage stamp project I will probably do better. Thanks for sharing. I had great fun.:D
ReplyDeletefabulous tutorial Rita - hope I get enough scraps to do one of these - of course the fabrics from your scrap bin really make this quilt so wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't pin either from your blog or from flicker - though I know i have in the past. thanks for sharing the tutorial - it's a beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! Lovely to look at, and inspirational too. I'm starting my postage stamp quilt ASAP.
ReplyDeleteThe inspiration I needed to get started on a postage stamp quilt!
ReplyDeleteRita,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tutorial! I am excited to use up some of my scraps on this beautiful and fun quilt. :-)
love the concept, lobe the colors - fresh and lively.
ReplyDeleteThank you, great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße
Bente
FabYOUlous! Yummy looking colors!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great tutorial. I made a postage stamp quilt from jelly roll strips, didn't really seem like scraps!
ReplyDeleteI like this way better, I'll be giving it a try!
Can I ask... What length of sewn edges are there for each step? I'm doing 1/4" on all of them and having trouble making everything square.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of making a postage stamp quilt using leftover 2 1/2 squares. Kind of like a leaders enders project that I'll make a block and then put it in a box until I have enough to sew together. Should I make them nine patch blocks? Will this system work? I've never made a quilt like this. Thanks! Also, should I make the nine patch in the same color way way, or just mix it up?
ReplyDeleteGreat. Might just be tempted to go through the scrap box!
ReplyDeleteI started making one of these quilts a few months ago and I could not stop! So much FUN! Addictive. I now have THIRTEEN of them completed and ready for quilting. Thanks for sharing a great idea and helpful instructions. Now all I need is 13 grandchildren!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thank you for sharing your process!
ReplyDeleteI've just finished making my first quilt, and it was this one! Thank you for the lovely clear instructions.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished making my first quilt, and it was this one! Thank you for the lovely clear instructions.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt and want to attempt it as my first. I have been saving up my hubby's old work shirts to turn into a quilt for my daughter. I wanted to make it a queen or king size and was wondering if there was a formula used to determine how many strips to cut because I will be cutting first and wanted to make sure I have enough for the larger size. Also, are you sewing 1/4 or 1/2 inch seams? Any help would be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteCan you please let me know size the seam allowance is as I can't work it out from the tutorial. It is a great quilt and I cannot wait to make one!
ReplyDeleteHi Helen (you are a no-reply blogger and I am hoping you'll come and check back here). All seam allowances are 1/4 inch.
DeleteHi! I would really love to make this. I have left over jelly roll strips which are 2.5" wide. Would I have to change the length of the strips and the width of the block strips I cut? If so please help this extremely novic quilter out and let me know what you recommend I should make them.
ReplyDeleteAs always in total awe of your quilts.
Sally
Wonderful tutorial, Rita! I'm working on my own version right now, and I keep coming back to look at your gorgeous photos. If I ever finish, I'll make sure to send you a photo.
ReplyDeleteFantastic clear tutorial! I've been saving up my scraps to make a quilt, and this just might be the pattern I've been searching for :)
ReplyDeleteWow that's gorgeous I hope you get to read this Rita I am wanting to do a scrappy quilt but by hand apart from mind boggling would it be the same process many thanks Susie
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing Rita! I am in awe of your stash. I hope to make this someday soon. Thank you for your kindness to share your amazing talents. Have a wonderful year.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita, Your method of doing this makes it so much easier in the cutting, so I AM going to make one. Love your splashy colours - totally gorgeous. Thanks so much for showing us how!
ReplyDeleteI am in the middle of this at the moment. I don't think I have enough units but plan on putting a border on. Its easy but tedious. I feel virtuous for having finally cleared my scrap bag. I will just have to collect lots more!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your helpful tutorial. I've never made a quilt before; usually make clothing, but I have so many scraps and wanted to do something nice with them. I can't wait to get cutting!
ReplyDeleteadorable! cant wait to start
ReplyDeleteAdorable. I cant wait to start
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this, beautiful quilt. Thanks for a great tutorial.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great quilt for the great grandkids...2 girls and another on the way. Look forward to making it. Thanks for fantastic tutorials. Love them all and your website. Kudos to you. Continued success in all you do. Blessings....Camille
ReplyDeleteRita, this is beautiful and so inspiring. Did you use this same process for your Red, White and Blue postage stamp quilt? Would step 2 be a print fabric, white, print and white? Then have the same number of blocks with white, print, white then print?
ReplyDeleteSo grateful for your guidance in this quilt instruction. I've been cutting my leftover and odds and ends fabric into 2 inch strips ... finally I know why:) I'm also left handed ... cutting fabric that is folded ALWAYS has a curve ... can't figure it out no matter how much pressure I put on rotary cutter ... so I cut everything I can in single cuts or I layer without folds ... doesn't stop me, I keep at it ... thanks again. Love your work!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I saw a postage stamp quilt in Quilt Mania and found this today. :-) I'm a busy, tired (and pregnant) mom, and this seems like the perfect project to do little-by-little. I was woncering - when you finished the quilt, did you stitch in the ditch? Nothing like getting ahead of myself. :-)
ReplyDelete