It’s been on my list for an embarrassing long time = update the Penny Patch sew-along. This beginner-oriented event, circa 2013, was intended to replicate my Vintage Tangerine quilt. It’s an entirely free resource with all the steps broken down for first-time quilters. Only I got the formula a bit wrong when I wrote the quilt-along. Oops!

The original Vintage Tangerine quilt had three types of blocks: plain blocks, simple 4-patch blocks and special 4-patch blocks called Penny Patch blocks. The quilt-along left out the simple 4-patch blocks, resulting in a slightly less-charming aesthetic.

So, it’s finally time! This month I’ll be sewing another Penny Patch quilt true to the original style. While I sew, I’ll be publishing updated versions of several quilt-along posts so that folks who use that resource in the future are led to make the original intended quilt design. Today, it’s the Material’s List!

This post is part of a series Penny Patch: a Beginner’s Quilt-Along, circa 2013.  Please see this page for links to all posts.

Mmmm, gathering fabrics.  I love this part!  This simple supplies list is designed for you self-starters.  If you would like help choosing a balance of color and neutrals to achieve a similar effect to my Vintage Tangerine quilt, please reference the next post in our series - Color Scheme Ideas. 

Penny Patch Supply List

Quilt Sizes: Baby (42" x 54"), Throw (60" x 72") and Twin (66" x 90")

Fabrics

• Quilt Top: Baby (13 Fat Quarters), Throw (21 Fat Quarters), Twin (31 Fat Quarters)

• Backing: Baby (1 2/3 yards), Throw (4 yards), Twin (5 1/2 yards or 2 yards of 108" wide fabric)

• Binding: Baby (1/2 yard), Throw (1/2 yard), Twin (2/3 yard)

• Batting: Baby (crib-sized packaged batting ), Throw (twin-sized packaged batting), Twin (full-sized packaged batting)

• Note:  all supplies assume 44" wide fabric unless otherwise noted.  

Tools

• Neutral cotton sewing machine thread

• 505 Basting Spray (highly recommended!) or basting pins

• Rotary Cutter Setup (cutting mat, rotary cuter and quilter's ruler)

• Walking foot attachment recommended

• Any temporary marking tool (I use these often)

I’ll be sewing my new Penny Patch quilt using a Holiday Classics bundle by Rifle Paper Fabrics, available now at Sojo Fabric. This 29-piece fat quarter bundle is more than enough to sew a throw-sized Penny Patch quilt. I love, love, love Rifle Paper Fabrics, so I can’t wait to dive into their holiday line. It’s going to be Christmas in July!

Using a fat quarter bundle from a favorite collection is a great way to get started as a new quilter. Sojo Fabric has many lovely bundles on offer!

Helpful Info

Q:  What's a fat quarter?

A:  A "fat quarter" is a specific cut of fabric, measuring 18" x 22".  It's a half yard (18" x 44") cut in half to make a quarter yard that's more useful then a "thin" quarter yard.  A thin quarter yard would measure 9" x 44".  Be sure to buy fat quarters, not thin ones!  The cutting directions will be based on working with fat quarters.   Many online shops are happy to sell in fat quarters.  If the shop won’t cut fat quarters, you'll have to buy half yards and spend twice the money.

Q:  Can I buy 1/2 yards instead?

A:  If you know your way around fabric, you can buy anything you like and make it work with a little extra brain power.  You can also work from scraps!  But, if you're a beginner, I recommend sticking to fat quarters.  Doing so will give you more fabric variety than buying the equivalent amount of fabric in half yards (2 Fat Quarters = 1 Half Yard).  If you are making the twin sized quilt, feel free to convert some fat quarters to half yards since you don't need nearly that much fabric variety!  Again, I don't recommend a twin for your very first quilt.

Q: Why basting spray?

A:  It's easier and faster.  In my opinion, this is much more user-friendly than pins.  I'll be demonstrating basting with basting spray.

Q:  What's a walking foot?

A:  Don't you have two?  Kidding.  Without a walking foot, your sewing machine pulls fabric from the bottom only.  When you're sewing a thick quilt, this uneven feeding will easily cause puckers and bunching.  A walking foot pulls the fabric from the top as well.  I promise it will come in handy on countless projects!