Kids Scrappy Quilt Tutorial (52" Throw)

This kids scrappy quilt comes together so quickly! A perfect beginner quilt to make. Backed in flannel, it's so cozy for snuggling. This post contains affiliate links.

This quilt would be perfect paired with a fleece pillowcase or homemade teddy bear. 

Ruby received a stack of ⅛ yard fabric cuts for her birthday. 18 different colors, all bright and rainbow hued. After months of asking to do something with them, we sat down and began to cut them into small blocks to make a quilt.

Friends, we finished this quilt in two days. I thought that she would get tired of sewing and that we would work on this quilt for a few weeks, but that wasn't the case!

This scrappy quilt is so simple to make and is a great beginner project for kids. When all is said and done, they will have a darling 52" throw to cuddle under.

Kids Scrappy Quilt Tutorial

I'm a bit hesitant to share this tutorial because I am NOT a seasoned quilter. I make quilts, but I only make simple ones---and I'm self taught so I'm sure I'm breaking some of the rules. I rarely follow a pattern---I just start cutting and sewing. That being said, here is how we made our simple scrappy quilt. I've included links to fantastic step-by-step tutorials for some of the techniques.

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Quilt Supplies

seam allowance: ⅜" (edge of pressure foot---easier for kids)

• 120 (4.5" x 5.5") blocks of fabric in a variety of colors (we used 18 different patterns cut from ⅛ yard increments)*
• 12 (4.5" x 19") rectangular blocks in a variety of colors (we used 4 different patterns cut from ¼ yard increments)*
• 4 yards flannel for quilt backing
• fabric for quilt binding
• batting
• thread
• sewing machine
• sewing clips or pins
• safety pins or basting spray
• iron

*The whole point of a scrappy quilt is to bust through your fabric stash. So use whatever combination of fabrics you'd like! We used the ⅛ and ¼ yard cuts that we had.

Assembling Quilt Top

Sew 10 rows, each with 12 smaller blocks, sewing the blocks together on the 4.5” sides so that they are laying horizontal.

Sew 4 rows, each with 3 rectangular blocks, and sewing the 4.5” sides.

Kids Sewing Tip: We like using sewing clips instead of sewing pins, whever possible, as they are easier for kids to work with.

We didn't follow any sort of pattern when stitching the blocks together. We just made sure to use a variety of colors in each row. 

You'll sew these together in a 2:1 ratio. 2 rows of smaller blocks, then 1 row of large rectangular blocks, and so on.

We pressed our seams to the side, all going in the same direction. Here is a guide for pressing quilt block seams. 

Kids Sewing Tip: A normal seam allowance for quilting is ¼", but we found it to be easier for Ruby to line up her fabric with the pressure foot, making a ⅜" seam allowance.

Ruby guided the fabric through the machine, and I took care of the pedal. This was an easy way to keep her focus on the fabric, and giving her some independence without worrying about the pedal this time.

Ruby asked to embroider her name onto the quilt top. We used a water soluble sewing pen to write her name, and she stitched over it. We also added some ribbon and ric rac detailing.

Quilting The Scrappy Quilt

Here is a guide for making your quilt back. I sew my quilt backings with a vertical seam.

Lay the quilt backing fabric out, and cover with batting. My favorite batting to use is the Warm and Natural batting. It's thin, but sturdy, like felt and it very easy to work with.  Place quilt top over the other two layers, and pin safety pins all over to sandwich everything together. I usually use basting spray, but was out. Safety pins work great. Ruby liked using the pins, and could easily do this step on her own.

Note: The batting should be 2" longer and wider than the quilt top, and the quilt backing should be 2" longer and wider than the batting. 

Tying a Quilt

We chose to machine quilt our quilt, but tying is a simple technique that kids can help with. It is also quicker than quilting. Here is a wonderful tutorial for quilt tying.

Machine Quilting

I don't have a special machine for quilting, I just use my trusty Janome, and it does great for simple quilting. Again, I'm not a professional, but here is what works for me. Sometimes there are a few small puckers, but once the quilt has been washed and dried you can't see them.

Quilt (using a walking foot attachment) along each horizontal seam, stitching on BOTH sides of the seam. (See photo above for a visual).

After machine quilting the seams, sew around the perimeter, and trim close to the seam for a nice, clean edge. Trim off any loose threads.

Quilt Binding

I use this method for making and sewing quilt binding. It's super simple!

Sewing clips are perfect for holding the fabric secure when binding your quilt.

Wash and Dry Quilt

I think we can all agree that the best part about making a quilt is pulling it out of the dryer! A quick wash and dry will shrink the fabric and seams, making them all crinkly.

The perfect cozy quilt for kids!

After trimming and straightening the edges, and using a ⅜" seam allowance instead of a ¼" seam allowance, our finished size was 52".