Fabric collection “Precuts” are one of my favorite inventions of the fabric industry in the past 20 years. These bundles of fabric come in three most common sizes. 5″ x 5″ squares – sometimes called Charm Squares or 5″ Stackers; 10 x 10″ Squares – sometimes called Layer Cakes or 10″ Stackers; and 2½”x Width of Fabric (42″) Strips – sometimes called Rolie Polie’s or Jelly Rolls. In this post I’ve put together a list of quilts and projects perfect for 5″ precut charm squares.
The benefits of using Charm Squares/5″ Stackers (and basically any collection of precuts) are:
A) you have a variety fabric that is “pre-cut” to an identical size and ready to work with. There are dozens of patterns written with the various precuts in mind.
B) All of the fabrics have a variety of coordinated colors, prints, scales etc. that work beautifully in a quilt.
I just pulled out a 5″ stacker of my latest collection Notting Hill to put together one of my favorite quick baby quilts. Using precuts is a huge timesaver as opposed to having to cut all of the fabric from 24 different pieces of yardage.
I was working in a local quilt shop 15 years ago and vividly remember when the first set of pre-cut 5″ x 5″ squares arrived in the shop. We were cutting a lot of squares kits ourselves at the time and it was SO HANDY to have a pre-cut bundle of squares including every print in the collection show-up ready to go.
Here’s a little bit of the background on “Charm Squares” (as I understand it. Feel free to correct me where I need it!)
Moda was the first company that I remember doing this. They coined the phrase Charm Packs coming from the traditional definition of a Charm Quilt – which is a quilt that is made where no fabric is used more than one time in the quilt. This was usually accomplished by asking for scraps from friends or exchanging fabrics to get this wide variety of different pieces.
In this century, original Charm Packs from the fabric manufacturers included one 5″ x 5″ square of each of the prints in the collections. Now other fabric manufacturers also make these collections, but often have other names such as Riley Blake’s version, 5″ Stackers. In recent years these precut packs have become more standardized at 42 squares in the pack and include repeat prints if there are less than 42 prints in the collection.
You can find Charm Packs in a whole range of collections, colors, and styles from Etsy, the Fat Quarter Shop, and Connecting Threads.
Precuts are still my favorite way to get a good variety of well-coordinated fabrics without having to buy yardage of all of the prints. It’s a great cost-saver and time-saver. Even if you don’t use the exact size (5″ x 5″ or 10″ x 10″, etc) and cut them down to smaller sizes, you’ll still save so much time compared to choosing and cutting fabric from yardage.
In this post I’ve updated a collection of my favorite Charm Square quilts. Some are free tutorials, some are paid patterns – there’s a great variety to choose from! I’ve written and created a bunch myself and will list them all here for a comprehensive list.
Top 25 Charm Square Quilts & Projects:
Here is the most basic, beginner friendly variation on how to make a Charm Pack Patchwork Quilt. Simple patchwork always looks good and using precut charm squares (or 5″ stackers) will save you lots of time on cutting as well as give you a perfectly coordinated fabric selection.
It’s also sometimes fun to mix in some of your own stash with a pre-existing charm pack. Here are some tips for making a basic patchwork quilt with 5″ x 5″ precut squares.
This simple checkerboard baby quilt was also made with 5″ x 5″ squares. These are pieces that were cut from my stash, but you could also alternate a scrappy charm-pack with white or a neutral color for a fun checkerboard look.
This Fast Four Patch quilt tutorial is the most popular tutorial on my blog. It’s a great one for beginners too. It calls for 4 ½″ squares, but slightly cutting down 5″ charms is still the easiest way to get a variety of coordinating fabrics.
Another variation on traditional patchwork squares (and very beginner-friendly) is this easy charm square baby quilt from Coral & Co.
Another variation of the Fast Four Patch Quilt is this version “on-point”. It’s another step beyond the beginner version. You can find the Farmhouse Four Patch Quilt tutorial here. (Once again, squares will need to be trimmed down for this pattern.)
The Baby Lattice Quilt is the second most popular quilt tutorial on my blog. Again, the blocks set on point adds another skill layer as well as dynamic dimension to the finished quilt.
This Patchwork on Point tutorial is another variation of using precut charm squares for traditional patchwork but setting them on point, gives them some added sweetness. (This version is made with my Gretel collection from a few years ago.)
A pixelated quilt is another variation on simple patchwork squares while creating a visible image in the patchwork as with this Pixelated Heart. Any Pixelated quilt pattern would be the same concept. I’ve got a pinboard of Pixelated quilt patterns here.
With pixelated quilts, specific colors and values are important to the finished image, so using a set of precut 5″ squares from a single collection might not work as well, but you can always save leftover squares from projects, sort them by color, and they’re ready to go when you need specific colors for another project.
The Quick Cornerstone Quilt has a great shortcut method for assembly. Charm Squares would make this a fun, curated scrappy quilt.
A similar traditional design with a short-cut method is this Woodruff Quilt tutorial designed by Nicola Dodd.
This sweet baby quilt pattern called Charming Lucy by A Bright Corner requires only one set of 5″ precuts + the background yardage. If you’d like a larger version of this quilt design you can find the pattern here.
Free printable Moda Love Charm Pack quilt pattern – this one made by Sherri of A Quilting Life
Charm Pack Cherry is a free printable quilt pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop.
5″ squares don’t have to stay square! This color Half Square Triangle quilt was made with 5″ charms.
This is my favorite method for making and squaring up HST blocks.
(And there are SO many different ways to lay out Half Square Triangle (HST) blocks. Here are a few ways I played with this layout. A Broken Dishes layout is another one of my favorites for HST blocks.)
Here’s another Half Square Triangle variation using charms. This tutorial is called Fresh Diamonds by Anorina of Samelia’s Mum.
And this pinwheel baby quilt tutorial by Jodi Nelson made with one set of charm squares (including the prairie points) + the white backing yardage.
This Hour Glass block method was also created with 5″ charms. I love the scrappy feel.
Love this Splash Down quilt – a free pattern from Maywood Studio (here). You can see another version made by Zen Chic here.
Here are some Large Charm Square Quilts:
Crossroads quilt tutorial by Melissa of Happy Quilting
Chain Link is one of my patterns and it’s perfect for 5″ precut squares. Chain Link is available here in my shop.
Charming Stars tutorial by Stephanie Roman
Sweet Reflections quilt pattern by Color Girl Quilts
Of course, it’s not just quilts that can be made with the precut 5″ squares. Here are some other projects:
Snowball Table Runner tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew (this would be so cute as a whole quilt!)
Another free table runner tutorial – this one by Lindsey Weight for Ft Worth Fabrics
This Vintage Houses Table Runner Tutorial by Bev McCullough of Flamingo Toes, featuring cute machine applique houses is also made with one charm pack + white background yardage.
I love the finished texture on this quilted bag – and the tutorial instructions are doable and simple!
Small Tote Bag tutorial from Logan Berry Handmade
Charm Pack Tote Tutorial from Melissa of Happy Quilting
Sewing Machine cover by Sew Delicious
Charm Pack Table Topper by Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life
Patchwork Girl’s Skirt from the Polkadot Chair
There’s a lot of inspiration to get you to pull out those precut 5″ charms and put them to use!
lee
Great inspirational quilting post!
Quilt Crossing
Thanks for collecting all these charm patterns in one place and sharing them with your readers. Sometimes I cut my own 5″ squares and just plug them into a charm pattern. Lots of inspiration here, thanks!
Amy
I like to do that too! Or mix precuts with my own stash to make it scrappier. I love how flexible these patterns are.
Shirley Clark
These are all wonderful projects! I’ve been saving some of my 5″ squares to do a quilt some day!
Linda Douglas
THANKS FOR SHARING! WILL ALWAYS LOVE THE “ON POINT QUILT DESIGNS”!
Patricia E Campbell
A wonderful compilation of info all in one place!! Thank you! I think sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are a lot of beginning quilters out here that need creative help!! lol Thank you!! ?
Janet
Thanks for all these together! I just recently make the pinwheel with prairie points quilt- my first time to do prairie points- and it turned out so darling – and only used one charm pack!! I always love your blog!
Amy
Yay! Good job, Janet! (And thank you. xo)
The Joyful Quilter
What a great collection of projects! Thanks for sharing.
Nanna Liz
Thanks so much for the charm pack suggestions. Sometimes, we all need to whip out a mindless easy project with 5″ squares. By the way, I must have loved your Summer Bunting pattern so much that I have it twice in my pattern binders! I used it to make a Quilt of Valor that turned out great.
Amy
Hah! I’m honored. Especially that it was used for a QOV quilt!
Trish Palmer
Thanks for this collection. Good reference for quick quilt
Little Quiltsong
Thank you for all these lovely ideas, Amy! I seldom buy pre-cuts because I like to wash my fabrics before using! Lately though I seem to be on a Layer Cake buying spree – that is like 4 charm packs – bonus :)! These are great pattern suggestions!
kaywelch
So many cute, fun, scrappy quilts to make. I’m planning to enlarge some for QOV quilts. These are perfect for community service quilts, so no adjustments needed. Thank you
Mardell
I love charm packs and have collected a few…alas, I have not used them yet so when I get around to it I will have to look for coordinating fabrics. The projects you’ve shared inspire me. Thanks for a delightful post.
Peggy
Nice list Amy, thanks ! Some new ones I have not seen, very inspirational, yay
I personally have to force myself to not buy Charm Packs, having “imbibed” some (ok, alot) when
they first came out. I now cut down my scraps into certain sizes, ala Bonnie K Hunter and go from
there in using them. I have a tendency to hoard my Charm Packs so have been working on
letting go a bit and actually using them with my stash fabrics.
There is just something about how awesome, useful, easy and coordinated they are 🙂
Amy
I totally get it. I’m trying to empower people to use those Charm Packs! (And so smart to cut your own too! I love Bonnie Hunter.)
Clara
I truly appreciate the review you did of so many creative ways to use the 5″ squares. Several of those ideas will be used to make baby quilts. Thank you, Amy.
Missy
Thanks Amy for putting this all together. I made a new Charm Pack Quilt folder in Pinterest! I love charm packs and have some of yours actually so now I’m inspired with new ideas! I LOVE your fabrics, your one of my favorite designers : )
inspiredquiltingbylealouise
Hi Amy, This varied collection of charm square quilt ideas is greatly appreciated. What a fun collection to look through. Precuts are so popular and make quilt prep time so much quicker. My favorite in your list is the HST made with bright orange and yellow fabric. The color just pops out and looks fabulous! I think I’ll be adding it to my list of ‘must do’s’! Thanks,
Lea
Cheryl Nesbit
Amy. On your blog you showed a magazine that have half square triangles on the cover. There was quilt in it that I was interested in. Where can I purchase this magazine?. Thanks
Amy
Hi Cheryl – you can find the information about that magazine issue and where to find it here: https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2020/03/scrap-happy-quilt-in-love-patchwork-and-quilting.html
Valerie
Hi Amy! I love the charm square colors on the chain link quilt. Any suggestions on where I can find a similar set?
Amy
Those colors were hand picked a few years ago from a variety of favorite fabrics, rather than a specific collection. I can’t think of a similar set off the top of my head, but I’ll keep my eyes pealed!
Kim
Hi. I am new to this charm quilt love/hobby/obsession I was of the understanding that each square should be a different pattern/fabric. I notice your beautiful quilts repeat the same material. Can you advise and put me straight. It’s causing me a nightmare trying to get 1,000 diff fabrics for my ‘scrappy charm’ granddaughters quilt !!?? Love Kim xx
Amy
Really good question! Traditionally “Charm Quilts” were made with no repeating fabrics. Friends, guilds, etc. would swap fabrics to get that big of a variety. About 15 years ago when fabric companies started manufacturing Charm Packs, each pack included a 5″ x 5″ square – one of each print from a coordinating fabric collection. Eventually the packs became standardized to contain 42 5″ x 5″ squares, which meant there would be print repeats as most fabric collections don’t have 42 different prints. Along the way “charm square quilts” has come to mean quilts made with these precut 5″ squares.
Your quilt is totally up to you! You can keep collecting the variety of fabrics to make it a traditional ‘charm quilt’, or not. Your granddaughter is going to love the quilt no matter what – and probably won’t care if there’s repeats, so I say do whatever makes the project most enjoyable. 😉
Donna M
Last year I made your Patchwork On Point quilt from random 5 inch squares. I loved it! Gave it to an admirer. Then, I made one with a blue and white print charm pack and a solid white charm pack. It’s beautiful, but I still like the scrappy one best. I really, really enjoyed making this quilt. Thanks.
Amy
Oh, that’s so awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed making those quilts. Patchwork will always be one of my go-to favorites!
GuitarSix
Pleasant and eye catching. Good collection.
Lou Ann Myers
I too am a person who loves the simple quilt with squares or rectangles. Thank you for the inspiration.
Sandi K Lofton
I did your lLattice Baby Quilt and am planning to Four Patch on point. Great instructions and patterns. This is the most useful post I’ve seen on quilting, maybe ever. Thanks sew much!
Amy
I’m so glad – thank you, Sandi!
Joyce Kottner
I received some fabric in a prize basket that I want to use for making a quilt. Some were 5″ squares that were cut with pinking shears. They measure a little more than 5″ from tip to tip. I’m going to cut my own 5″ squares from some of the coordinating fabrics but wonder how I will sew them together if I cut mine exactly at 5″ and the pre-cuts are slightly bigger. Any suggestions? I like that the pre-cuts don’t fray so I don’t want to trim them! Thanks.
Amy
Great question. You can trim them if you want, but I would just measure the precuts with the pinked edges and see where the 5″ x 5″ line falls. Often, if they’re slightly larger, the measurement is as the valley (bottom) of the zig zag. Then you can line up the edges of the squares you cut with the bottom point of the zig zag cut. Hopefully that makes sense.
Pamela M.
I’m a beginner quilter and have never used precuts smaller than fat quarters, which I used for your Craftsman quilt, actually! The reason: I feel compelled to wash yardage and fat quarters first and obviously can’t do that with smaller cuts. As someone who struggles with color, I think I could benefit from precuts, but color bleeding would worry me. Have you ever had a problem?
Amy
That is a really great question. I personally have never had an issue with precuts bleeding. That said, I still wash my quilts with a Shout Color Catcher on the first wash, just to be safe. But truly most high quality fabric manufacturers these days have very color-safe fabrics.
Kathleen
Thank you for these ideas using charm packs. Inspiring me to try several!