Here’s a quick flannel quilt for beginners, perfect as a graduation gift or home decor. You can make it in one day!
My middle son turns 25 today! I had been collecting flannels for a few years to make the Suede Satchel quilt for him, and, while on a retreat at Lake Okoboji earlier this month, I finally put it together! It is smaller than my original pattern – it measures 48″ x 64″ with blocks that finish at 8″ – and I hope he will enjoy it as a throw as he hangs out with his cat, Junior.
The Suede Satchel quilt above with borders measures 58″ x 74″, but I could not find flannel prints I liked for the borders, so I ditched them. I designed this quilt for the Color Wash Woolies collection by Maywood Studio a little while ago. It is a very popular pattern in my Etsy shop.
In preparation for the retreat, I cut the squares and rectangles I needed and grouped them by block. Stitching them was easy and fast: sew square to square, then sew this unit to the rectangle. I was the chain-piecing queen, sewing and pressing seams while listening to a book. I did not have a sewing wall to lay out the blocks and move them around; the layout happened at the sewing machine!
Christopher grew up wearing black, gray, and red clothes. His alma mater’s core colors are red, black, and white (University of Utah). I looked for flannels in those colors with textures and geometric motifs, and I included dots and chickens for whimsy!
What do you think of the chickens? I fussy cut them (it was not easy to cut that fabric, let me tell you. If he knew, he would know how much I love him!). That print is by Timeless Treasures, and I have no idea how long ago I purchased it. I included it to the quilt so Christopher would never forget to add fun and unexpected things to his daily life!
My BFF Courtenay had it quilted for me while we were together, and when I got home, I only had to bind and mail it. Although I usually bind flannel quilts with flannel, I bound it with red cotton this time. I just happened to have coordinating color at hand (that is why quilters have a large stash of fabric!).
Speaking of Courtenay, she gave me a Fat Quarter Shop Valentine’s box, and this cute label was one of the treats inside. I was going to add another label with my signature, but I was in a hurry and forgot. As you can see, the label was stitched ‘after’ the binding was in place, not under it. Dang. Christopher will never know the difference unless he reads this blog post.
I love flannel quilts. There are two folded on the couch year-round – I often cover myself with one or the other. I made a king-size chevron one (click here and here to see it!) for my bed, but I gave it to my oldest son last year. It was not an easy decision because I loved its weight and look. I have a tall stack of Maywood Studio 10″ squares to make another one just like that, but other projects have gotten in the way. I will get to it soon and will share it here.
This flannel quilt for beginners is fun and easy to customize for everyone in your life. I prefer less complicated blocks when I work with flanels. If you have any prints you would like to showcase, this pattern will be perfect for it, whether you use flannels or not.
Happy Birthday, Christopher! You all have a great day!
