1 + 2 = Easy Quilt Pattern (Tutorial)

Here is a free quilt pattern on how to make to make the 1+2 quilt.


It's a simple quilt pattern and can be made quite quickly. A perfect quilt pattern for beginners.


The instructions I will give you will make a single (twin) bed size quilt.

This quilt pattern is also easily adjustable - add another row and a couple of columns and you will have a Queen size bed quilt pattern.


To make this quilt, you will need a layer cake and 2 yards of a solid fabric - hence the name 1+2.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the term layer cake, no I'm not talking about an actual cake. Rather, it's a gorgeous pack put out by Moda Fabrics of 42 squares of a range of fabric. Each square measures 10" x 10".

Cutting Instructions:
From your layer cake, choose 7 random squares.
Cut these into 4 x 5" squares (so cut in half long ways and then in half side ways)

The white solid fabric needs to be cut 3" wide by the width of the fabric (WOF). Cut all of your yardage into 3" strips.

Assembly Instructions:
Take one of these strips and cross cut 2 x 5" strips and 2 x 10" strips. These will be the borders around your small squares.


Using a 1/4" seam, sew the 5" strips to the top and bottom of your square. Press outwards.
Next, sew the 10" strips on the remaining sides and press.

This is your finished block which should measure 10"


Repeat this for the rest of your small squares until you have 28 completed blocks.

Now the fun begins!

You're going to sew a 10" layer cake square to one of your newly finished blocks. Choose the squares randomly.

Take another 10" layer cake square and sew to the other side of the bordered block. Then another bordered block and so on... You will need 7 to make up a row.

The next row will begin with a bordered block then a 10" layer square then a bordered block etc...

Row 3 will be the same as the first row.

You get the picture. You don't want to have 10" fabric squares or the bordered blocks adjoining.
You will need to have 7 squares across and 8 rows down.

Sew these together and the press your seams well. Your quilt top is finished!


I opted for extra wide fabric so that I wouldn't have to piece the back - but the choice is yours.

I won't go into detail about how I baste, quilt or add the binding on my quilts as there are many of fantastic tutorials out there on the web.  If you do get stuck and need help locating the information, drop me an email and I'm more than happy to point you in the right direction.

I think straight line quilting would look great with this quilt design, but as straight lines are my nemesis, I opted for a meandering swirly pattern. I am very, very pleased with how it turned out. It's going to be soft and crinkly and most importantly - snuggly!


Attach your binding. I used double fold binding as this quilt will be for my daughter, so I'm foreseeing lots of wear and tear for years to come :-)


And there you have it. A free and easy quilt pattern, which you can make in a weekend.

Online Quilting Class


If you use this tutorial, please feel free to add your photos to the Samelia’s Mum Flickr pool. I'd love to see them :-)




42 comments

  1. When I first read where you clarify what a layer cake is, I suddenly had this image of needing to eat a cake to be able to get through the quilt making progress ;) Like a bottle of wine but without the intoxication LOL

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  2. Great little quilt. Love it!!

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  3. WOW, it's beautiful...I might have to try this with my Bliss fabrics! Thanks for a tutorial.

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  4. lovely quilt....doesn't the quilting just make the whole quilt though....nice job

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  5. So beautiful. I am feeling quite inspired!

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  6. I do like the pattern! Really darling use of the sherbert pips! I would'nt change a thing!

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  7. Thanks so much for the tute! :o) My brother is in Monaco this week for the GP, wish I was there too!

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  8. Love how simple this quilt is. Great tute, I've got a layer cake waiting for this pattern!!

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. Hello new friend!
    Love that quilt and it looks like a good pattern for making a guy quilt too!
    Thanks :)
    Sue

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  11. I love this, so simple!
    I can't do straight lines either. I only discovered this on my first quilt (see it on my blog http://handmadebyclairebear/2011/06/09/the-first-quilt-i-made/) and now I'm starting on my second and third quilts.
    Yes, two at the same time: I have a very low boredom threshold and figure if a have another quilt to swap to, more quilting will get done than if I try and stick it out one at a time.
    I have to figure out how to drop my feed dogs on my machine so I can free motion quilt. By the time both quilt tops are ready to be made into quilts, I'll have worked it out.

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  12. What a fun quick project Anorina. A wonderful way to get some quilts made! I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
    http://quilting.craftgossip.com/?p=10292

    If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
    http://craftgossip.com/link-to-us/

    Warmly,
    Scarlett Burroughs
    Quilting Editor, Craft Gossip

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  13. I am going to make my partner one of these. I plan on starting today. I am new to this so I will take my time, this is going to be my fifth quilt top. I have done a few small pillow covers that I quilted so maybe I will send these out to be finished if I can find someone that will not charge to much. Thank you for this tut,

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  14. How nice is this quilt and how nice of you to give the pattern and tutorial,great stuff and have a great weekend.

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  15. beautiful quilt and thankyou for a great tutorial

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  16. What a fun pattern. Love it! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  17. Oh I'm so excited to get started using some of these great Layer Cakes I've purchased. Fun pattern, simple, but great lines & lovely. Thank you for the GREAT tutorial and inspiration. I've got your blog in my 'favorites'.

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  18. Are you sure the measurements for cutting are right? Aren't the smaller squares 5 x 5"? Instead of 4 x 5? And aren't the strips that go around the 5 inch square 3" wide instead of 2"?? Maybe I'm reading it wrong?
    thanks so much...darling quilt pattern!

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    Replies
    1. i agree with resort mom, i don't understand the 4" measurement for cutting the 10x10 squares!

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  19. I think she means 4 each 5" squares from the layer cake, and the white strips are cut 3" wide, then subcut into two 5" rectangles and two 10" rectangles. Love this pattern, and will make a great quilt out of a layer cake I have!

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  20. A super simple but effective quilt, Love it, thank you.

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  21. URGENT QUESTIONS Can you please confirm that the whole 2yds of solid fabric should be cut into 3" wide strips? Also, how wide should the solid fabric be - most quilting fabrics are 45" wide. Is this wide enough? THANK YOU

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  22. Yes to Anonymous. Also, she probably can't respond to you if you're anonymous.

    I made this in the past two days after seeing it on Pinterest. It is east and quick! Fantastic pattern and tutorial. I just wanted to say thank you :-)

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  23. I have been looking for a more modern looking quilt to make as a QOV and I think I just found it. Thanks so much for the tutorial on your quilt. I will post to you when I give it a try.

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  24. Did you preshrink your batting?

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  25. This is my first quilt, so I'm still very green! What is double fold binding? And did you preshrink your batting? Thanks!

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  26. Just found you through FaveQuilts. Thank you so much for the tutorials. I just don't have the patience for quilts with little fiddly pieces. Yours a perfect for me. Thanks again

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  27. I've been searching to make a Queen size quilt using a layer cake. I wanted to find one that would keep some of the 10 x 10 block to show off the wild print. Well, this is a perfect one for my daughter's quilt. I also will only do 1 row and 1 collum and then add a small border followed by a piano key outer border. My backing will be used for my binding. I have all of these ideas floating in my head and another border idea might pop in my head.. Lizzy -- never preshrink your batting -- I use the Natural cotton brand.. I also don't prewash my fabrics. I use a color spot in the wash when its time to wash. I only do a quilt on cold, dryer for about 10 min and then line dry. I've never had a quilt run either... When you do quilts w/ jelly rolls, honey buns, layer cakes, etc .. they can't be prewashed. So, the rest of your quilt shouldn't either...

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  28. I am making this quilt at the moment. I am using a Batik Layer Cake (Bali Darks by Benartex) and BLACK solids. It's going to look AMAZING. This simple pattern showcases the Fabric perfectly! I love it! The black also makes the colors pop... I will definitely buy another Layer Cake (perhaps 2 to make the Quilt even bigger!!) and make another one!

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  29. Hi..i m from malaysia. I am a teacher. I am very interested with this craft and really want to try when i saw your tutorial. Very helpful for the beginners like me..tqvm

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  30. Just perfection. Thank you so much.

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  31. I have one layer cake and an charm pack, can I make a queen sized quilt with this, or will I need more fabric? This is my first quilt, if it won't fit my bed, I'll be very disappointed!

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  32. I have used this wonderful pattern to make many 1+2 quilts, as I make a lot of charity quilts and gifts for young people. I have an extensive stash that I have cut up into lots of 10inch squares to make these quilts. each one is a gem and a great size for a big bed. many of the quilts I made are for soldiers who have volunteered to join our amazing army here(I live in Israel) and they come from overseas (many from America) This was a special project so if you would like to see them let me know and I will direct you to my blog.

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  33. I've used your tutorial twice and it is very easy to follow and makes a stunning quilt. I put one of them up on the board and will add the other when it is quilted. Thanks!

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  34. I love this quilt pattern and thank you for sharing with us. I'm going to start this patter very soon.

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