How to make a plus quilt
- Login or Register. See sidebar or visit the ‘My Account’ page.
- Download tutorial PDF. Click on the download link below. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it here.
- Select your pattern. The tutorial contains two sizes and three Plus quilt pattern styles: A random layout using 9 different fabrics, a structured layout using 4 different fabrics, and graphic featured plus’s using 3 different fabrics — examples of these layouts are below.
- Choose your fabrics. The tutorial contains a blank pattern outline; use scraps of your chosen fabrics to decide on placement.
- Cut. Cutting guides are included in the tutorial.
- Sew! An accurate straight seam will ensure your plus’s align.
- Baste. Use your preferred method and batting/padding.
- Quilt. How is up to you! You could do structural straight lines, or something more free-form.
- Bind.
I made this lovely little quilt for my niece, Lucy. I love the way the plus symbols interlock — it looks complex but is really so very simple, you just need to cut and arrange all your pieces before you begin to sew. I’ve put together some brief instructions for you below, plus collated much more detailed info into a downloadable PDF — you’ll find the link at the bottom of the post (you will need to register download — just enter your email address in the top field in the right sidebar. Or if you’re already registered, you may log in using the fields in the right sidebar). This pattern is super easy, so will suit a new quilter, but I have assumed a little bit of knowledge (I haven’t included any instructions on pre-washing fabrics, or pressing seams, etc.), so if this is your first quilt, you may want to read up on the very basics. Or YouTube it!
Best of luck with your creation, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions — via the contact page or the comments section below. And I would love to see your beautiful quilts, too!
The details
Size: Cot quilt
Dimensions: 38 x 52″
Seam allowance: 1/4″
The pieces
Size A: 4 x 4″
Size B: 4 x 11″
Size C: 4 x 7.5″
Layouts
I have included 3 layout options in the instructions. You could use 9 fabrics and a random layout, 4 fabrics and a structured layout, or 3 fabrics with a structured background and feature plus’ — examples are below (download the PDF for detailed cutting instructions).
Option 1 : 9 fabrics with a random layout
Option 2 : 4 fabrics with a structured layout
Option 3 : 3 fabrics with a structured layout and feature plus
February 2016 update!
Queen size cutting guide and instructions now included in the download.
The details
Size: Queen quilt
Dimensions: 90 x 90″
Seam allowance: 1/4″
The pieces
Size A: 6.5 x 6.5″
Size B: 6.5 x 18.5″
Size C: 6.5 x 12.5″
Layouts
Instructions for one layout is included: 3 fabrics with a structured background and feature plus’ — example below (download the PDF for detailed cutting instructions).
Option 1 : 3 fabrics with a structured layout and feature plus
I would be so excited to see your beautiful quilts — Instagram a shot of yours (finished or in progress), ping me at @love_of_george and tag #madewithlove_of_george :)
This post was originally published on 24th March 2011, updated in July 2015 and February 2016.
| Title | Plus quilt pattern tutorial |
| Type | |
| File Size | 879.09 KB |
Yellow & linen chicken quilt 
Train quilt for girls 
Pink little birdies quilt 
My first quilt
Sarita
Ooooo! This is absolutely delicious! I was directed here from Little Birdie Secrets and boy, am I glad! I sew for a lil more than a year now…so practically a novice and have yet to complete binding my first attempt at a baby quilt. I was looking for something simple and not too daunting for me to try and have fallen in love with your plus quilt! Thank you so much for the free pattern!
Donna
Sent over here from “Little Birdie Secrets”. I love this plus quilt. I made one recently, but the plus’ weren’t lined up perfectly, after washing it looks much better. Now I am making another one but this time I am making it a little larger. Do you have any tips to keep the seams lined up?
Ann Mitchell
So glad I was given this site by someone who made the quilt. Hurray for me. We be back to see other good finds.
Nina
I am making this now..only it’s call the “plus quilt”.. and I love it
Debra
How did you do the quilting? This is absolutely the cutest baby quilt I’ve seen!! Thanks for the download. I donated! ????
Lauren
Hi Debra,
Thank you for your kind words and support!
I quilted this little quilt by stitching a quarter inch from the seam-line on both sides (so it looks like a double-lined cross-hatch) — but you really could do anything! A free-form pattern could also look lovely.
Best of luck, Lauren
karlakbrown
thanks for the pattern — can’t wait to make one!
Lauren
My pleasure Karla! I would love to see your creation — be sure to Instagram it and ping @love_of_george and tag #madewithlove_of_george :)
Jessica Smith
I just saw this on pinterest and fell in love! I have been using this awesome new and free quilt design website called patternjam.com to try and make a plus sign quilt but it’s always so fun to see what others have done too! You should check out patternjam.com. It’s a really cool tool. You can design your own or customize a pattern from their shop. You can upload your own fabric images, and they have a bunch of quilt blocks too. Just thought I would pass it along.
https://www.e-yachtbooking.com/
Useful info. Lucky me I found your site unintentionally,
and I’m surprised why this coincidence did not happened earlier!
I bookmarked it.
tripleaxle93
Hello! I adore this quilt and I just bought my colors to make the cot size! I was directed from Little Birdie Secrets and her blog mentioned a queen size pattern?? I was wondering if that’s still available because I’d love to make this for myself!
sklegstad
I would love to have the updated directions for other sizes of this quilt. Would it be okay with you if I use the tutorial for a Community Education quilting class? Always looking for fun adult projects!
Lauren (blog author)
Hello @tripleaxle93 :) Yes, I have some very basic instructions for the Queen size (just cutting sizes really, but I’m sure you’ll be able to work it out!) — I’ll email them to you! Thanks for stopping by :)
Lauren (blog author)
Hi @sklegstad, I am more than happy for you to share the tutorial with a Community Education quilting class! Share the love :) I’ve got some basic instructions for the Queen size, you would probably benefit from downloading the cot size too. I’ll email the Queen size to you. Enjoy, and thanks for getting in touch. X
bttrflywmn
This is a beautiful quilt, thanks for sharing the pattern and giving me some inspiration. Now to pick fabrics :)
twistnflat
Beautiful quilt but I do not seem to be able to download the queensize pattern. Is there any chance of you emailing it to me. I would be really grateful as I want to make it for my cousin’s 70th birthday. Thank you.
moonlightautodesigns
The quilt is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this.
lilstarlinachik1
I found this through Pinterest from “little birdie secrets” and I too would like the email for the queen size! I want to make quilts for my boys, but they’re past the crib stage now :) Thanks in advance!!!
Lisa
Hi, I found this thru pinterest and it is adorable, but would love to make it for my son and daughter in law, could you please email the instructions for the queen size?
Thank you Lisa
Karen Schlickeisen
I would love to have the queen size directions emailed to me ! I love this pattern thanks so much!
Karen
Rachel ricks
I love it! And the pattern looks great. Could I get instructions for the queen size please?
Dolores Johnson
Please send me the instructions for making the queen size “Plus Quilt”. thank you .
beverlyhall7777
Please please send me the Queen size pluse . God Bless you
starr007
Thanks so much for your time and sharing this plus quilt pattern.
Peg Miller
I would love to obtain your free instructions for the plus quilt but I am having difficulty getting it. I registered.
Rose P. Ortiz
Beautiful ! I love it ! Please could I get instructions for the queen size pattern. Please.
Thank you
Rose P. Ortiz.
GLADYS BELCHER
I WOULD LIKE A FULL SIZE PATTERN TO THE PLUS QUILT, THE COT IS TOO SMALL AND QUEEN IS TOO BIG SO I NEED A FULL SIZE. DO YOU HAVE A PATTERN THAT SIZE? I’D APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.
Joyce Beechly
I also would like the queen Plus Quilt pattern emailed to me. This is beautiful and I am so excited to start picking my fabrics.
Lauren (blog author)
Hi Gladys,
Good idea! I’ll get working on it and send you an email when it’s ready to download :)
Kindest regards,
Lauren
thatamypierce
I am also interested in a double (or twin!) sized pattern.
Thank you!
greenqatar
Good morning,
I really in love with this design but wondering if you have instructions for a lap quilt size, Simple pattern but looks so amazing . Love to do it in 3 or four colours
Thank you
Lauren (blog author)
Hello, thanks for getting in touch! I’m currently working on some additional sizes — including a single/twin — so will try to squeeze a lap size in there, too. Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you get an email when it’s available :)
semaphore197
hello, I love the structured one, the fabric is ordered (I am going to try with pale/dark metalics), could I please have the queen size information emailed to me.
Geri Rickert
Wow! How convenient for me that I ran into your work! I’ve decided to make a lap top ‘plus’ or ‘cross’ quilt for a wedding gift with neutral fabrics. If you’ve already done the work of the layout, I’ll have a jump start on this project! I’ll like a laptop pattern but if that isn’t available the twin size would be much appreciated! Thank you!
Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts
I appreciate the download very much!
ladylauracrafts
Hello Lauren,
I’m bad at math but LOVE this quilt. I’m hoping to try and make it out of a Jelly Roll, can you help me out with the math so that I can make this lovely quilt?!
Thank you!
Also, when are the additional sizes coming out? I’m pretty sure I’m signed up for the newsletter but haven’t seen anything as of recently.
Samantha
Hi there
I just love this quilt of yours and want to thank you for sharing it with us! I love the queen size but was wondering if I could pls ask your advice…what would be the easiest way to add more fabric variety to the queen size pattern you kindly shared with us? I understand the cutting instructions and just wondered which sizes I should cut of different fabrics to have the quilt consist of like 5 or 6 fabrics please?
Thank you so much in advance.