Shutter Quilt Tutorial

We’re welcoming Mandy Munroe to SewTimeless today to share a free tutorial for her Shutter Quilt! Mandy was inspired to make this quilt after noticing how beautifully the morning light shone through her window. She might eventually make one in black, white and grey tones, too, but it’s just so fun in color!

The weather has been ultra-dreary here in NYC this week, so this bright, cheery pattern could not have come at a better time. We can’t help but smile when we see it!

Shutter Quilt by Mandy Munroe
Finished Size: 40″ x 50″
Fabrics Collections Featured: Hatch, Polka Dot, and Pin Dot Basics

Spray Starch the back of your fabrics before cutting.

Materials Required

20 colors, 10 lights and 10 mediums
(Scroll down to Step 5 for a breakdown of the colors I used!)
You’ll need 14” x 10 1/2” of each.

Neutral thread for piecing
Matching thread for machine quilting (light grey and white)
¼” foot and walking foot if machine quilting
Fine pins and Basting pins
Backing 1 ½ yds
Batting (at least 50″ x 60″)
Masking tape for straight line quilting
Fabric for binding – Hatch Ash, 2 1/2” wide x 5 ½ yds

Arrange your colors in contrasting pairs. Each pair makes one block like the one pictured above.

Step 1. Stack fabrics four high (two blocks).

Cut one 7” x 10 1/2” piece and five 7” x 1 1/2” strips from each fabric.

Step 2. Lay out each block as shown, alternating the colors of the strips, with the top strip matching the colour on the left.

Step 3. Piece the ten strips, setting the seams and pressing them toward the darker fabric. It’s easiest to chain piece them in pairs and press them, then join the pairs.

Do you think it will be bright enough?

My favourite combination: Pin Dot Yellow with Polka Dot Aqua… or Pin Dot Pink with Polka Dot Lime?

Step 4. Add a large piece of matching fabric to each side. Press. The blocks can be rotated 180 degrees, so play with them when deciding on your layout!

Fabrics from left to right (by row)
Top Row: Polka Dot Blue, Hatch Zest, Pin Dot Cream, Pin Dot Orange
2nd Row: Pin Dot Tomato, Hatch Petal, Hatch Surf, Hatch Clover
3rd Row: Pin Dot Yellow, Polka Dot Aqua, Hatch Ash, Pin Dot Royal
4th Row: Hatch Papaya, Hatch Bone, Pin Dot Pink, Polka Dot Lime
5th/Bottom Row: Polka Dot Steel, Pin Dot Lime, Pin Dot Turquoise, Hatch Fire

Step 5. Joining the blocks

Lay out the blocks 2 across x 5 down.
Join each row across the quilt.
Press the centre seams in opposite directions on each consecutive row.
Pin seams to lock in. Join and press.
Ta da –  Quilt top finished!

Finishing

Step 6. Quilting
Layer up quilt sandwich and pin to baste.
Attach walking foot and turn stitch length up slightly.
Starting in the center of the quilt, stitch straight lines along the centre of each strip with light grey thread. Use the masking tape to extend the lines across the quilt.
Work your way down the quilt, checking that everything stays flat as you go.

Step 7. Basting Edges
Pin around the edge of the quilt, turn your stitch length up to maximum and baste around the edge 1/8” in from edge to secure.

Step 8. Binding
Cut seven 2 1/2” strips and join ends, pressing seams open. Apply binding using your favorite method. Add label to back.

Take a step back to admire your bright and beautiful new quilt!