King Size Quilt Patterns Made Easy for Beginners
If you’re looking to make your first king size quilt but feel intimidated by the large scale, don’t worry – king size quilt patterns for beginners don’t have to be difficult. From selecting simple designs to choosing the right fabrics, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to complete your first large quilt with ease.
Choosing an Easy Quilt Pattern
Look for designs with large pieces. Patterns made of oversized blocks, stripes, or panels are great for beginners since they require few seams to join large pieces of fabric. Log cabins, courtyyards, and strip quilts are always good options.
Consider pre-cut fabrics. Many quilt shops now offer pre-cut bundles of fabric sized perfectly for common beginner patterns like charm squares or jelly rolls. This eliminates the measuring and cutting stage.
Focus on straight lines. Geometric designs with only straight seams like stars, squares or diagonal lines are simpler than curved piecing. Stay away from intricate applique or English paper piecing for your first king size project.
Gathering Supplies for a King Size Quilt
- Fabric – You’ll need around 5 yards of 42″ wide fabric for the top after piecing, and another 5 yards for the backing.
- Batting – Look for an extra large 100% cotton batting cut to the finished quilt size plus 12″.
- Thread – 50-weight all-purpose polyester thread for piecing and quilting.
- Rotary cutter, mat and rulers – Essential tools for cutting large quilt pieces accurately.
- Sewing machine – Invest in a walking foot or free motion quilting foot for quilting the final layers together.
Tips for Piecing a Large Quilt Top
Take it slow. Break the project into steps like piecing individual blocks, then rows, before assembling the full quilt top. Don’t try to complete the entire thing in one marathon session.
Press as you go. It’s crucial to press seams open or to one side after piecing to keep the large quilt flat and prevent puckering later on. Steam is your BFF!
Pins or spray baste. Use plenty of pins or spray baste to hold the layers together while machine quilting such a large quilt sandwich. This prevents slippage.
Ask for help. Recruit a friend or family member to help you manage and rotate the bulky quilt as you piece and quilt it. Two sets of hands are invaluable.
From my experience, taking breaks and double checking your points and seams are aligned at each step of a giant quilt prevents frustration later on. Let perfectionism go – it’s the process that matters most, not minute specifics. Keeping a king size project lighthearted will serve you well.
King Size Quilting and Binding Ideas
For quilting, consider simple straight line quilting spaced 12″ apart or use a walking foot to quilt straight diagonal lines from corner to corner. This is visible and comfortable for a newbie quilter.
As for binding, instead of mitering corners by hand which can be tricky, try Binding Wizard tools or the jelly roll race technique which produces neat professional-looking binding results effortlessly on a large quilt.
Stepping back regularity to admire progress is motivating. Hang partially completed quilt pieces or sections on a designated design wall for inspiration as the full vision gradually emerges. Celebrate milestones with a friend to boost motivation through to completion of a king size undertaking. You’ve got this!
A Few Quilting Mistakes are Inevitable
No one’s perfect, especially when tackling a king size quilt. I still remember face planting more than once pin-basting an oversized quilt only to lose my balance! And we won’t mention the time I sewed a block on backwards only noticing after joining rows…
The good news is most mistakes like embroidering a name in the wrong spot or realizing you cut a strip too short really aren’t catastrophic on a large quilt. Simply embrace the imperfections or find a clever way to disguise them with some fancy quilting in that area. No one will notice but you!
Remember why you started. Feel proud each time you conquer something new, even if it’s just completing a block or two after work. Celebrate progress over perfection. In the end you will have a beautiful, cozy heirloom to pass down that reminds you of following your dreams one stitch at a time.
I hope these tips help provide you confidence to start your first king size quilt pattern. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions along the way. Now go and get quilting!
King Size Quilt Patterns for Beginners
| Pattern | Skill Level | Colors Required | Block Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Log Cabin | Beginner | 2-3 | Square blocks | Easy piecing, classic look |
| Nine Patch | Beginner | 2-4 | Grid of patches | Great first project, many layout options |
| Checkerboard | Beginner | 2 | Grid of squares | Visual appeal, fast to make |
| Dresden Plate | Intermediate | 2-3 | Circular blocks | Interesting shape, needs practice piecing curves |
| Rail Fence | Beginner | 2-3 | Strips pieced diagonally | Easy layout, great for bold stripes |
FAQ
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What size quilt do I need for a king size bed?
King size beds are pretty big, so you’ll want a king size quilt that’s large enough to cover the mattress without any part hanging off the edges. A standard king size quilt measures 108″ x 98″ which should fit most king beds nicely.
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Is it hard to make a king size quilt for a beginner?
Making a king size quilt can seem tough at first for a beginner, but with the right pattern and some patience, it’s totally doable. Look for simple block patterns that don’t use a bunch of tiny pieces. Straight lines are basically easier than tricky curves. And don’t sweat it if your points aren’t perfect – the overall look matters most.
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What fabric amount do I need for a king?
To calculate fabric needs for a king size quilt, you’ll want to add around 20% to the finished size for extra. That comes out to about 31⁄4 yards of fabric for the border and backing or around 41⁄2 yards if you want enough fabric to cut your blocks from larger pieces without much leftover scrap. It’s always harder to estimate yardage than you think, so buy a little extra “just in case” material.
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How many blocks do I need?
The number of blocks required will depend on the size of each individual block and how you want to lay them out. Most basic king size quilt patterns call for around 100-200 total blocks. Using 12-inch finished blocks arranged in a 10×10 pattern is a good starting point to plan around. But there’s no right or wrong number – do what looks good to your eye!
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How do I join the blocks together?
Sewing square blocks together into rows is pretty straightforward, but mitering the corners and joining rows can look sloppy if not done right. The best method is to pin accurately, use a 1/4-inch seam, press seams to one side as you go, and match points up by laying the pieces right sides together before stitching. Rotary cutting saves time too.
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Is hand quilting a king better than machine?
While hand quilting allows more creativity, machine quilting a king size quilt would probably be seriously time-consuming. Nevertheless, some people enjoy the relaxation of handwork – it just requires some serious dedication! If patience isn’t your strong point, consider a walking foot or even hiring a longarm quilter to finish it professionally. There are options to suit every skill level.
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How long will it take to complete?
The time it takes can vary widely depending on your available time, skills, and patience level. A beginner working part-time could conceivably finish a basic king size quilt in 30-50 hours, whereas an experienced sewer tackling an intricate fully-hand quilted masterpiece may spend 150+ hours. Break it into smaller steps and squeeze in sewing sessions wherever you can in order to keep momentum.
On the other hand, don’t get discouraged if it takes longer – savor the satisfaction when your king size project is finally complete! With any creative endeavor, it’s the journey as much as the end result.