How to Make a Whole Cloth Quilt

How to Make a Whole Cloth Quilt: A Simple and Beautiful Gift

Looking for a fun and fast quilt project that’s perfect as a baby gift or a cozy lap quilt? A whole cloth quilt is the way to go! This simple quilt uses just one fabric for the top, one for the back, and a layer of batting in between—no piecing required. It’s quick, easy, and still gives you that handmade charm that makes any quilt feel extra special. Follow these steps to make your own 42" x 42" whole cloth quilt. You’ll have it done in no time!

I’m exploring the world of whole cloth quilts because a woman in my church is starting a new ministry that creates and gives cancer care bags to patients. Since I’ve experienced cancer myself, as well as my mom, and losing my mother-in-law less than a year ago, I knew this was a ministry I wanted to be involved in! I thought making whole cloth quilts would be a lovely gift, and they’re relatively quick to make.

If you’re interested in making whole cloth quilts yourself, you can find kits at my shop here. There’s a variety, and I can’t wait to make one of each to donate!

Here are the steps to making your own whole cloth quilt:

Step 1: Choose Your Fabric

The magic of a whole cloth quilt is in the fabric you choose. For the quilt top, I recommend going for a fun, bold print—something that catches the eye. It could be a large floral, a whimsical animal print, or a striking geometric pattern.

For the backing, go with something a bit more subtle, like a plaid or soft stripe that complements the top fabric. You want the back to have personality but not compete with the top. Plaid is a great option because it adds texture without overpowering the overall look.

When it comes to the binding, choose either a coordinating or contrasting fabric to tie it all together. Personally, I love using a striped binding! It adds a playful touch that really frames the quilt nicely.

Step 2: Cut Your Fabric and Batting

Once you’ve got your fabrics selected, it’s time to cut! You’ll need:

• One piece of fabric for the top measuring 42" x 42"
• One piece of fabric for the backing also measuring 42" x 42"
• A piece of batting cut to the same size

The 42" x 42" size is ideal for baby quilts or lap quilts, making it a versatile and quick project.

Step 3: Make a Quilt Sandwich

Now it’s time to make your “quilt sandwich.” Lay the backing fabric down with the wrong side facing up. Then, place your batting on top of the backing. Finally, place your quilt top on the very top, right side facing up. Smooth out any wrinkles as you go.

You can use pins or basting spray to hold everything in place, making sure all the layers stay lined up during quilting. Depending on my mood, I’ll use either option. For the example I’m showing in my photos, I used basting spray because of how quick it is to use! My daughter was at preschool for 2 hours, and I had this quilt assembled in that amount of time - wow!

Step 4: Quilt Your Preferred Method

You can quilt your whole cloth quilt however you like! Some options include straight-line quilting, cross-hatching, or free-motion quilting if you want to get creative. Straight-line quilting is a great beginner-friendly option, but feel free to experiment. Just make sure your quilting is evenly spaced so the layers hold together nicely. In my example, I used my cutting board as a straight edge and drew a diagonal line from corner to corner with chalk. Then I quilted about 3 inches from that diagonal line for the rest of the quilt. I didn’t cross-hatch to save time, and I still love how it looks.

Step 5: Trim the Quilt

After quilting, trim the edges so they are neat and square. This is an important step to ensure your binding will go on evenly.

Step 6: Make and Attach the Binding

For the binding, you’ll want to cut strips of fabric about 2.5 inches wide. I join strips with a diagonal seam. Check out my blog post here to learn how I make and add binding.

Join the strips together to make one long piece, fold it in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together, and press.

To attach the binding, start by sewing it to the front of the quilt. Then, fold it over to the back and hand-stitch it down. Make this project even quicker by attaching binding to the back and machine stitching it to the front.

Step 7: You’re Done!

That’s it! You’ve just made a beautiful whole cloth quilt in just a few simple steps. These quilts are so fast to make that you can easily whip one up in an afternoon. They make perfect baby shower gifts or thoughtful lap quilts for an elderly loved one or someone in a wheelchair.

Happy quilting!