Preparing

• 1). Choose a pattern. Either stay with plain blocks of differing colors or fabrics, or use a simple purchased pattern. Directions in purchased patterns give helpful hints and suggestions.
  
  
• 2). Pick a color scheme. Select colors that appeal to you, that the recipient will enjoy and that go with the pattern's theme.
  
  
• 3). Buy appropriate fabric. Be sure the fabric is sturdy, colorfast and preshrunk. If the material has not been preshrunk, wash and dry it before beginning the project.
  
  
• 4). Select the batting for the center layer. Batting comes in different thicknesses. Decide how the quilt will be used, and choose the thickness accordingly. Try to buy it wide enough so that you can use one piece.
  
  
• 5). Choose the backing. Use a sheet, a light blanket or fabric you buy for the purpose.
  
  

Assembling

• 1). Follow the pattern or cut the blocks into the desired dimensions. Cut the squares at least ½ inch longer and wider than the finished size to accommodate sewing.
  
  
• 2). Position the finished blocks into the final arrangement and piece them together, sewing one block to the next by placing right sides together and stitching along one side at a time. Sew horizontal rows first. Then sew the rows together to form the quilt from top to bottom.
  
  
• 3). Pin the three layers of the quilt together by placing the backing face-down, laying the batting on it and laying the quilt top face-up on the batting. Use long quilting pins to attach the pieces to each other.
  
  
• 4). Baste. By hand or machine, sew the three pieces together in a temporary long running stitch.
  
  

Quilting

• 1). Choose a sewing method. Those who stitch by hand swear that their quilts are more beautiful and more like heirlooms. However, using a sewing machine say is faster and easier.
  
  
• 2). Quilt. This permanent sewing connects the three layers. If you're hand-stitching, use a loom and start in the middle of the quilt. Stitch around each square, cross-hatch (go from corner to corner diagonally on each block) or stipple (sew in a very tight pattern). You can also stitch these patterns using a machine.
  
  
• 3). After quilting, consider tying your quilt. Using a sharp yarn needle, insert a piece of yarn or thread through the corner of each block, bringing it back through the quilt at a small distance from that first insertion and tying the two ends of the yarn in a knot.
  
  

Finishing

• 1). Leave extra material around the edge of the quilt, turn it under and stitch it down.
  
  
• 2). For a sturdier binding, cut a strip of cloth matching the main color of the quilt, sew it onto the edge, turn it under and sew it to the backing.
  
  
• 3). Remove the basting thread, remove the pins and wash the quilt to get out all markings.