Penny Patch: Materials List

This post is part of a series {Penny Patch} a Beginner’s Quilt-Along.  You can join in anytime, even if you’re not a beginner!  Please see this page for links to all posts, and join us on Flickr to share your questions and work-in-progress!

Ok, here's the supplies list for your Penny Patch quilt.  You'll want to have quilt top fabrics in hand by the last week of this month so that you can be ready to sew in November!  Finishing supplies, which include backing and binding fabrics, basting spray, batting and walking foot attachments, won't be needed until December.

feeling inspired

Mmmm.... gathering fabrics.  I love this part!  This simple supplies list is designed for you self-starters.  If you would like help choosing a balance of color and neutrals to achieve a similar effect to my Vintage Tangerine quilt, hold off on ordering until you see tomorrow's post - Color Scheme Ideas. 

Note:  all supplies assume 44" wide fabric unless otherwise noted.  

Supplies for a Baby Penny Patch (42" x 54")
Supplies for a Throw Penny Patch (60" x 72")
Supplies for a Twin Penny Patch (66" x 90")
Tools for All Quilts

Helpful Info

Q:  What's a fat quarter?

A:  A "fat quarter" is a specific cut of fabric, measuring 18" x 22".  It's a half yard (18" x 44") cut in half to make a quarter yard that's more useful then a "thin" quarter yard.  A thin quarter yard would measure 9" x 44".  Be sure to buy fat quarters, not thin ones!  The cutting directions will be based on working with fat quarters.   Most online shops are happy to sell in fat quarters.  If you're buying locally and they don't want to cut fat quarters, you'll have to buy half yards and spend twice the money.

Q:  Can I buy 1/2 yards instead?

A:  If you know your way around fabric, you can buy anything you like and make it work with a little extra brain power.  You can also work from scraps!  But, if you're a beginner, I recommend sticking to fat quarters.  Doing so will give you more fabric variety than buying the equivalent amount of fabric in half yards (2 Fat Quarters = 1 Half Yard).  If you are making the twin sized quilt, feel free to convert some fat quarters to half yards since you don't need nearly that much fabric variety!  Again, I don't recommend a twin for your very first quilt.

Q: Why basting spray?

A:  It's easier and faster.  In my opinion, this is much more user-friendly than pins.  I'll be demonstrating basting with basting spray.

Q:  What's a walking foot?

A:  Don't you have two?  Kidding.  Without a walking foot, your sewing machine pulls fabric from the bottom only.  When you're sewing a thick quilt, this uneven feeding will easily cause puckers and bunching.  A walking foot pulls the fabric from the top as well.  I promise it will come in handy on countless projects!