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Weekend Quilting + Fast Quilt Patterns

Weekend Quilting + Fast Quilt Patterns

Somehow it’s already late October, which means the holidays will be here in no time. Hopefully that makes you excited…but for those of us who’ve fallen behind on our gift-making plans, it might inspire panic instead. 

It’s not too late to make quilts as holiday gifts, though! In fact, Lo & Behold Stitchery has quite a few quilt patterns that you can whip up very quickly…even in one weekend.

I’ll (quickly!) walk you through some of our quickest quilt patterns, from pretty fast to lightning fast. So whether you need to crank out five quilts before Christmas, you have a last-minute baby shower coming up, or you forgot about your new in-law’s birthday, you can still create a great, quick gift with one of these quilts patterns!
 
(But you probably should get sewing ASAP. 😉)

Fast quilt patterns

Some block-based quilt patterns come together quickly, especially if you’re making a smaller quilt. 

For example, Nightingale or Christmas Joy definitely have more piecing than some of the patterns we’ll look at next, but these two patterns use relatively big blocks made of larger pieces. That helps them come together quickly…especially if you’re making a baby or lap size. Plus, these classic designs can work for just about any recipient! 

So while I wouldn’t recommend trying to speed-sew something with tons of small pieces (like Knitted Blooms), Nightingale and Christmas Joy are definitely doable in one weekend.

Faster quilt patterns

If you need something just a bit faster, I have a couple ideas.

Upscale Plaid is a quick make, thanks to the big pieces and strip piecing. As an added bonus, the oversized plaid design is a crowd favorite, and in the right colors, Upscale Plaid works for anyone on your list! We’ve seen gorgeous Upscale Plaid quilts for babies, brothers, spouses, and friends. 

Plus, we have Upscale Plaid quilt kits in all kinds of colorways…so you can save time on fabric shopping too!

The Ruby Sue quilt pattern is another great option. The piecing is relatively simple, but the improv-inspired layout makes a big impact! 

We saw the first Ruby Sue quilts pop up just a couple days after the pattern launched, so you know it really is a quick sew!

Fastest quilt patterns

For quilters really short on time, I have two more recommendations:

Summer Pop might be our fastest quilt pattern of all. It’s fun and a little unexpected, and it’s so good for showing off prints! Plus, Summer Pop is great for using your stash, so you can be speedy and scrappy.

The Celtic Crossing quilt pattern comes together almost as quickly as Summer Pop. I’ve made a TON of these quilts (as have other members of the Lo & Behold team), so I can testify that this is one fast project. 

We usually have a variety of Celtic Crossing quilt kits in stock too, which means you can finish your shopping in minutes and get sewing in no time.

Free and fast quilt patterns

Lo & Behold Stitchery has a number of free quilt patterns, and some of them make great weekend projects!

Patchwork Squares uses super basic piecing, so it comes together quickly and beautifully. While larger sizes might take a little longer, you can sew up a smaller Patchwork Squares quilt in no time!

Hexie Mirror looks a little more complicated, thanks to the unique hexagonal shapes. But it doesn’t take long to sew, making it another good option for your weekend quilting.

Tips for making a quilt in one weekend

No matter which quilt pattern you choose as a quick gift, I have some ideas for making your life easier.

PREP YOUR PROJECT

Here’s my number one tip for making a quilt in one weekend…do all the prep you can in advance! At minimum, try to clean up your sewing space before you start. Things will go so much faster if you have a clean, clear space to work and don’t have to spend time moving stuff around or looking for tools.

If you have time during the week, though, I suggest checking off as many of these tasks as you can:

  • Read through the pattern
  • Cut your fabrics
  • Label your cut pieces
  • Wind a bunch of bobbins (especially if you’re quilting it yourself)
  • Make a quilting plan
  • Pre-make your binding cut your fabrics

The more you get done in advance, the easier it will be to buckle down and sew on the weekend.

And even if you can’t get to all of these steps, you’ll find that a little prep goes a long way. Then just put on a good audiobook or podcast, and get sewing!

TAKE IT EASY

You should also try to be realistic about what you can (and should) do in a weekend.

When you’re trying to crank out a quilt in 48 hours, it’s best to stick to what you know. If you’ve never sewn curves before, for example, don’t start when you’re on a time crunch! The patterns above use foundational quilting techniques, which means they should work well for quilters of all levels.

💡

Lo & Behold sample sale
If you don’t have time to make a quilt yourself, give one of ours instead! Our annual quilt sample sale starts on Thursday, October 30th.

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Try to give yourself some grace too. A slightly late gift isn’t the end of the world. So while I definitely think you can make a quilt in one weekend, don’t feel like you have to! You can even pivot to a different homemade gift, 

Good luck with your weekend quilt project…and happy quilting!

 


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Weekend quilt project FAQ

Can you make a quilt in one weekend?

Yes, you can make a quilt in one weekend…but you’ll want to pick a fast quilt pattern and give yourself as much time as possible to sew.

What is the easiest quilt to make?

Our Celtic Crossing quilt pattern is one of the easiest quilts you can make. I designed it specifically for new quilters, so it’s simple enough that anyone can make it…but interesting enough that you’ll be proud of the result!

How fast can a quilt be made?

How fast a quilt can be made depends on things like the complexity of the quilt pattern, desired quilt size, and your own skill level. Experienced quilters can make simple baby quilts in just a few hours, while intricate king-size quilts can easily take months to sew.