Quilt Tutorial: Seeing Red

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I have a recent thing for antique quilts. This was inspired by a quilt I saw in a magazine (Country Home?). It was solid red and tan, super simple, but made such a big impact in the room. So here’s my take on it, with some really fun red fabrics. And now I have a fabric stash totally void of anything red. Luckily there’s an easily solution for that. This quilt top is going to lay at the foot of my bed, and once again reminds me that simple is (almost) always better. And even better if its red.
 
 
This quilt top measures 61” by 83”.
 
If you’d like to make it yourself here’s a quick tutorial.
 
( Adding to the 100 triangle tutorials already out there. Make that 101 triangle tutorials now. )
 
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Chain piecing comes in handy here and they whip up really fast.
 
Now do this 83 more times. Sounds like fun doesn’t it? Stack 2 or 3 at a time for cutting to make it go faster.
 
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My quilt was 11 squares by 15 squares. If you want it to fit a twin sized bed, I would account for some shrinkage and add one more column, making it 12 squares by 15 squares, or 67” by 83”.
The tan fabric I used is from Joann’s. If I remember right it was country classics in ivory? Double check that because I’m not positive, it was the same color as the linen.
 
 

50 Responses to Quilt Tutorial: Seeing Red

  1. Treasuresofjoy June 17, 2009 at 11:56 am #

    I Heart that!!
    Simply beautiful!!

    • Cyndi September 6, 2015 at 5:46 pm #

      I LOVE your quilt AND the tutorial. I’m a beginner, so it really helps. Unfortunately, I’ve tried to print your directions six times and instead of your tutorial, I get pages and pages of Craftsy ads. This has never happened to me before, and I’ve printed many tutorials. Any suggestions?

      • Colette L December 7, 2015 at 2:28 am #

        Try to copy and paste only that which you wish to print. Copy to a Word document, and you can copy the images to your document so you see what the quilt should look like.
        Hope this helps.

    • Cherry Albertson April 25, 2016 at 3:48 am #

      If I had to buy the fabric. how many yards total for each color?

  2. Amy June 17, 2009 at 12:32 pm #

    That is gorgeous! And a neat little trick :)

  3. Ashe Family June 17, 2009 at 12:53 pm #

    Absolutely beautiful! I love the simplicity of the look of it. I can't believe how much sewing you manage to accomplish!!!

  4. Leslie June 17, 2009 at 12:58 pm #

    LOVE this! Guess I needed that 101st tutorial…I finally understand!

  5. Quilted Cupcake June 17, 2009 at 1:36 pm #

    This quilt is lovely! Great color combo – very inspiring! I have to try this one! thanks for sharing!

  6. scrapworking June 17, 2009 at 2:09 pm #

    Love it! And you're right…simple is good and if it's red, all the better. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Karen June 17, 2009 at 2:10 pm #

    How Striking! What did you use for your tan fabric? Love it!

  8. Sonia June 17, 2009 at 2:18 pm #

    wow, this is so awesome!

  9. Marianne Penner Design June 17, 2009 at 3:16 pm #

    Your red quilt is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the quilt and tutorial.

  10. RED PEPPER QUILTS June 17, 2009 at 10:28 pm #

    Oh I love it! Triangle quilts are such a favorite, and this color combination is really beautiful. Well done!

    Rita

  11. Vanessa June 17, 2009 at 10:34 pm #

    I just recently found your blog and have loved looking through your quilts. They are amazing. Each time I see a new one I say to myself "ooh, that will be my next quilt project…" This time is no different. I LOVE THIS QUILT! Not only do I love red but it looks simple enough that I actually could make it. Anyways, just wanted you to know I love your blog and your quilts!

  12. Kelli June 17, 2009 at 11:37 pm #

    The red and the linen are such a fantastic combo! You are so generous with your tutorials. Thank you!!

  13. amandajean June 18, 2009 at 1:42 am #

    i do love your quilt! it's wonderful with all the variety of red prints.

  14. Starbound Studios June 18, 2009 at 4:06 am #

    Love it! And I've been wanting to do a quilt with this same pattern…the triangles, and you may have just pushed me there :o)

  15. zees5 June 18, 2009 at 5:35 am #

    I have an antique quilt thing too and this is one of my 3 fave designs. You did a totally awesome job with the maximum impact possible with those reds. I am sew inspired. Awesome! (: izazbz at yahoo dot com

  16. Breigh June 18, 2009 at 6:53 am #

    Aww that's so pretty!! :)

  17. essie June 18, 2009 at 1:50 pm #

    that looks great! i love the fabrics you've chosen :)

  18. Tricia and Aimee June 18, 2009 at 3:46 pm #

    Love it! Can't believe what you young moms accomplish…way to go!

  19. farmgirldrygoods June 18, 2009 at 11:21 pm #

    I would have never thought to use tan and red together…it looks amazing! I love the simplicity, and the red just pops!

  20. Cheryl Arkison June 20, 2009 at 3:03 pm #

    I love half square triangles almost as much as I love circles.
    Just a tiny note on your tutorial. I find that if you want a 6 inch finished block it is better to start with 6 and 7/8 cut blocks. Once sewn and pressed you get a 6.5 inch unfinished block. Otherwise I make them exactly as you do.

  21. susan June 21, 2009 at 11:10 pm #

    lovely~

  22. Karin June 22, 2009 at 6:53 am #

    Amazing quilt! Simple is indeed best!

  23. snapdragons June 24, 2009 at 11:44 pm #

    *sigh* So much beautiful theory… which never quite translates to reality for me. I'll just enjoy *your* straight seams and matching corners :) I love that sweet red print with blue and white flowers from Joanns, btw. I have used it many times.

  24. BJ July 8, 2009 at 1:17 pm #

    I really like this quilt, all those red triangles are very striking!
    I would usually think to pair the red triangles with white, but I will have to rethink that because the linen really works.
    Cheers,
    BJ

  25. kinderdiva July 25, 2009 at 3:34 pm #

    Okay, maybe is 101 triangle tutorial, but this is the first one I actually understood! I've been so afraid to try anything but squares and rectangles, but will be tackling triangles today. Thank you!!!

  26. Betty Crocker Ass August 2, 2009 at 3:51 am #

    thanks for this tutorial! it was fun to make…

  27. Millie August 25, 2009 at 3:10 pm #

    Thanks for a great tutorial!

    I have this huge pile of 6.5" blocks from a previous Snowball quilt which I am not sure what to do with. Now I know…I am going to make this quilt. Thanks!

  28. amber November 5, 2009 at 10:23 pm #

    i love this quilt. ever since i saw it i have wonted to make this for my daughter. I am going to feature you on my blog. if this is not ok with you then i will remove it

  29. bingo~bonnie November 10, 2009 at 4:34 am #

    The tan fabric I used is from Joann's. If I remember right it was country classics in ivory? Double check that because I'm not positive, it was the same color as the linen.

    Oh I'm so glad you shared that last tid-bit of information b/c I've been seeing awesome quilts like yours all over blogland and wondering where on earth to find that color fabric to use with the bright and bold prints and colors that everyone is making!!!

    Your quilt is super simple and will certainly make an awesome impact on the room ;) Thanks for sharing! ;)

    Love from Texas! ~bonnie

  30. Yvonne January 8, 2010 at 11:24 pm #

    Wow!Oh I`m so glad to found this great Tuturial.
    Thank you very much.
    Love from Germany

  31. greeblygreebly February 18, 2010 at 2:47 pm #

    Thank you so much! I never would have figured that out, now I can't wait to try it!

  32. Diana March 23, 2010 at 10:20 pm #

    Thank you so much for your tutorial. A friend of mine sent me the link to your wonderful website and this quilt because she thought this would be a good first quilt for me to make.

    I want to use the fabric from my daughter's wedding and I was wondering how many different fabrics do you think I would need? As I was cutting up the fabric that I have I realized that, even though there is a bunch of fabric, there are only seven different designs. How many would you recommend? Will I be repeating too many if I only use these seven? Thanks so much for your help.
    ~Diana

  33. Mirka March 29, 2010 at 4:22 pm #

    It is beautiful !!!I love halfsquqres !!!So many combinations!And red is my favorit colour ( and blue,pink,light yelow,mint green,asw……..ha,ha !Mirka

  34. Amber May 20, 2010 at 5:09 pm #

    that is such an awesome trick!

  35. Bridget Martinelli June 18, 2010 at 5:01 am #

    Hi, I love your blog, so clean & fresh, just like your quilts, lots of energy.. I will come back.. check out my blog to see the quilts and papercrafting that I do. .

  36. Sharon@Sharon at Home October 28, 2010 at 3:51 pm #

    I just found your blog and LOVE it. I made the same quilt, only in blues.
    http://sharonathome.blogspot.com/2009/12/finished-quilt.html

    • Tammy from Michigan May 5, 2016 at 10:09 pm #

      Your quilt with all the blues is GORGEOUS!! I’m wanting to make one with Purples! Thanks for showing pic of your quilt ♡

  37. Helen September 23, 2011 at 3:29 am #

    Well, it looks like I am late to the party, but I really enjoy the blog and the tutorials. Thanks so much, I will be returning again and again.

  38. shona December 3, 2011 at 10:33 pm #

    Hi! I love this pattern and colour scheme!! I have found two red and white patterned fabrics that I want to combine with plain white fabric and maybe another red patterned fabric but can you advise how much plain fabric and how much patterned fabric you used for this project please??
    Thanks in advance!!

    Shona

  39. Suzanne January 14, 2012 at 12:43 pm #

    I love the variety of reds you used. This is definitely a wonderful quilt!

  40. Jen Conlon January 24, 2012 at 12:30 am #

    Great tutorial! You've been featured on the Quality Sewing Tutorials blog.

    We hand select only the best free tutorials and patterns for home sewers.

    Grab a brag button!

  41. adavis6731 July 11, 2012 at 7:20 pm #

    Do you mind sharing how much of the plain fabric you needed to make 83 squares? I have cut my patterned squares out and am ready to purchase the solid. I am making mine for my baby boy, due in September. Thanks!

  42. Siren August 13, 2012 at 1:51 pm #

    Beautiful! Red and beige look really good together :)

  43. Gail September 4, 2015 at 1:44 pm #

    I love this darling quilt. I am confortable in making HSTs but when stitching everything together in rows, pressing seams in the proper direction so seams wil nest ihas always been a problem. I don’t care for oopen seams except for exceptional circumstances. Long story short: how did you press your straigh seams? It seems to me that some will have to be pressed to the light.

    • GENA Lynne BYRD May 1, 2022 at 10:11 am #

      This quilt is gorgeous! I love the red with the cream solid. I think I’m going to have to try this.

  44. Candice Byrd September 10, 2016 at 11:54 pm #

    The red and tan quilt is lovely, so much that I’d like to make one for a friend – but in gray and red. How much background fabric will I have to purchase?

  45. Jill Moen January 12, 2017 at 3:47 pm #

    I have trouble printing your patterns too!!!

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