When Elizabeth and Liz of Simple Simon and Co first told me about their upcoming fabric collection, Four Corners for Riley Blake, I was dying to see it and play with it. So of course I jumped at the chance when they invited me to use this collection.
POST UPDATE: Four Corners fabric was produced in 2015 and is now out of print and no longer available to purchase. I'm leaving the post up because it's still a good example of how easy it is to make a simple Strip Quilt.
Fussy-cutting a large-scale focus print is a great way to get more design elements into a simple strip quilt.
I decided it would be fun to cut-up those strips and let them play with the other prints in the collection. I'm a sucker for row quilts - they are a great option for a simple, fast quilt construction and a good way to show off a variety of prints.
I decided to focus mostly on the black, white and gray prints, with just a little bit of color thrown in. But this would be a fun project mixing all the colors in the collection for a really colorful quilt too.
There are some important techniques when making a row quilt. First of all, it's important to square up your fabric edges before you start cutting off strips. First of all match up the two selvage edges. This may mean that the cut edges no longer match up and may require re-pressing the fold. Now place your new folded edge along a straight line on your cutting mat. Line up a straight line on your long ruler along that folded edge and using a rotary cutter, carefully trim off the uneven edge.
Flip your fabric around so that your newly-squared-edge is now on your left side. This way you can use your ruler to accurately measure and cut your strips. Place the ruler at the desired width of fabric and cut using a rotary cutter. This will give you a nice, straight strip instead of something crooked or V-shaped. (These are obviously instructions geared at right-handed folks. If you are left-handed, do the opposite. If you are left-handed, you are probably already a pro at figuring out that kind of thing.)
Strip Quilt Instructions
Finished size 40" x 54"
Cutting instructions
I have a tutorial on my blog with tips for cutting strips. You definitely need to square-up the fabric edges before you cut your width-of-fabric strips, otherwise you will have crooked strips or strips in a slight V shape, instead of straight across.
- From main panel cut two strips 6” x 42” with white background motif and one strip 5” x 42” of back background/cross motif and one strip 16 ½” x 42” for backing (see backing image)
- From gold Weave (cross) fabric cut: one strip 3” x width of fabric (wof), one strip 2 ½” x wof, one strip 34” x wof and one strip 11” x wof (reserve these last two for the backing)
- From black Triangle print cut 5 strips 2 ½” x wof (set aside for binding), one strip 1 ¾” x wof, and one strip 3 ½” x wof
- From black Circles print cut two strips 3 ½” x wof
- From black arrow stripe cut one strip 2 ½” x wof and one strip 4 ½” x wof
- From gray triangles cut one strip 4” x wof
- From turquoise Circles print cut one strip 2” x wof and one strip 2 ½” x wof
- From turquoise triangles cut one strip 2 ½” x wof
- From black Weave (cross) cut one strip 6” x wof
- From gray arrow Stripe cut one strip 3” x wof
- From white arrow Stripe cut one strip 3 ¼” x wof
In my opinion, one of the things that makes a strips quilt interesting is a variety of strip-widths and a variety of scale in the prints used. So if you use this tutorial with other fabrics, keep that in mind.
Quilt Assembly:
Lay out all of the strips in order before sewing. Sew all seams using a ¼” seam allowance.
When you sew the strips together, alternate the direction that you sew your seams. This will help avoid the bowing or arc-ing that happens when all the strips are sewn the same direction. (This happens naturally because the feed-dogs pull the bottom fabric more than the fabric on top. If you have a walking-foot or dual-feed on your machine, this won't be as much of an issue.)
Another important tip when making a row quilt is to sew your rows together in smaller chunks first - rather than starting at the top and attaching rows one after another. (One time I let my 9-yr-old daughter sew fabric strips together to make a quilt for her teacher who was having a baby. I didn't help her and just let her go for it. After sewing about 20 strips together, her quilt was the shape of a parallelogram. whoops! It took some careful quilting and squaring up, but we still made a presentable quilt for her teacher. 🙂 )
Pressing each seam as you go will also help keep your quilt straight and square.
Mix up the variety of colors, scale of prints and width of strips for an interesting mix of color and prints.
Press all seams one direction. Carefully square off selvage edges and square-up quilt sides. (Tip: Line up horizontal ruler markings on top of seams to keep sides square.) Quilt top needs to measure smaller than quilt back in all directions.
Backing:
Here is the back of the quilt. I think I like it as much as the front! So I may just call this "the other front." Using that main Four Corners panel print as an accent framed by yardage is a super-simple way to make a fun, on-trend baby quilt!
Piece gold 34” x wof strip and 11” wof strip on both sides of 16 ½” x 42” panel. Press seams toward gold.
Baste quilt top, batting, and quilt back together and quilt as desired. I used an all-over square stipple design to echo the geometric designs in the fabrics.
Bind: Trim selvages and sew remaining 2 ½” x wof strips end to end to create binding. For more photos and directions on Binding a quilt there is a binding tutorial here.
And there you go! A quick quilt and very on-trend in graphic southwest-inspired fabrics.
Perfect for a quick and popular baby gift!
And are you totally impressed with the staging of this quilt? I am. The timing of making this quilt was so fortunate as we headed to iconic American southwest settings last weekend. Here is where I toted the quilt on a 2 mile hike to Shoshone Point at the Grand Canyon and paid my 11-year-old a $1 to hold it for me. (If my mom is reading this, don't panic. He was very safe the whole time!)
And finally, what you're not seeing in this picture are some strategically placed rocks, holding down the quilt, making sure it doesn't blow away into the Grand Canyon! Quilt staging is very technical business.
And here's an action shot where I made my family pull over to the side of the road in Monument Valley on our way through. Turns out barbed wire fences - if used very carefully - make even better quilt holders than husbands and children. 
And here's a farewell sunset from Monument Valley - not far from the actual Four Corners in the United States. Pretty spectacular, if you ask me.
Post Update: The Four Corners Fabric collection was released in 2015 and is now out of print.
Sharon Gibson
Amy, wow what a quilt and what a setting. Both absolutely brilliant. Take care. Sharon x
Sigi G
What we all do for that perfect picture :)! Beautiful Quilt and beautiful quilting on it!!
Karen
love the quilt and the view -
Beth degayner
Wow, I love it! You do such beautiful work, always the exact right thing with each group of fabrics! Thank you so much for the tutorial, too!
Amy Smart
Aww, thank you! That means a lot. I do love playing with fabric. 🙂
amy deason
I am absolutely in love with this fabric!!!! I was looking for fabric for a baby boy gift. I have now found it!!!! I love it because the precious bundle won't out grow this fabric. Colors are amazing! Can't wait to order it or maybe win it. This fabric went very well with your travel plans. Pictures are stunning! Thanks for the tips for making this blanket. I look forward to reading your blog always.
Sandra B
Love this quilt! And the scenery is awesome!
SuzyMcq
That's photo staging above and beyond the call of duty! It's a beautiful quilt and your photographic efforts are beautiful and much-appreciated.
Ben
Yes, I am totally impressed with your staging. Monument Valley???!!!
Amy Smart
yes!
Ben
But you didn't visit Four Corners? 😉
Amy Smart
I know! So close, but so far away... (with a mini-van full of kids, anyway)
Melissa Corry
I love the quilt staging pictures!!! So awesome!!! And I was glad to hear that the one of the barbed wire was a quick pull over, I though you have been hiking in flip flops 😉
Karen g
WOW. Love the quilt (both quilt fronts) and your staging is the ultimate!
JANN MERRILL
BEAUTIFUL QUILT, THE STRIP PATTERN WAS A PERFECT WAY TO SHOWCASE IT. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE HOPING TO GET A MOTOR HOME AND DO A NATIONAL PARK TOUR AND I FOUND THIS AND YOUR PREVIOUS BLOGS VERY INSPIRATIONAL. IT WAS SERENDIPITY THAT I HAPPENED UPON THEM. IF I COULD ASK A QUESTION,,,,WHAT CAMERA DO YOU USE? YOUR PICTURES WERE STUNNING IN COLOR COMPOSITION AND CLARITY!! KEEP QUILTING AND EXPLORING....
Amy Smart
We went on a long trip to England last summer and I didn't want to haul my big camera so I bough a Sony mirrorless SLR. It's so much smaller/lighter than the big DSLR cameras and I love it! I take it on all our travels now and it takes GREAT pictures!
Pat S
What a beautiful quilt and perfect setting for a photo shoot.
ElizabEth speach
Love it!
Annieo
Beautiful! I've never stopped loving the colors of the Southwest and fondly remember my brief time living in Sedona. Thanks for the grins on quilt staging efforts :).
Katie
Love, love, love this quilt! Pretty sure I will be making one for myself!
Vicky
Beautiful!! Love the quilt(s). How awesome to get 2 quilts! Just deciding which to showcase would be my problem. Thank you for the tutorial.
james udall
I love this! And such beautiful landscapes to compliment the beautiful quilts!
Patty M
Love the quilt but have to say the back is my favorite!! Great pictures too.
Valerie
This is a very striking quilt thanks for sharing it.
I appreciate the tutorials you have posted as of late.
The vacation pictures are always so nice and nature with all it's color variations always inspires and challenges us.
Sandy Lowery
Love all the staging you did with the quilt. It is absolutely beautiful, you did a very good job.
DEbbie
I love your quilt. It is my favorite colorway. Great scenery. I miss Arizona.
kathleen
Love it! I had to laugh at the 'strategically placed rocks,' because I was definitely thinking about the hazards of an unexpected gust of wind. 🙂 And as a grandma, I appreciated your reassuring your mother about son's safety. LOL
Millie
OMG. I JUST SIGNED ONTO THIS BLOG SITE YESTERDAY AND AM THRILLED TO SEE YOUR QUILT . I AM HEADING TO ARIZONA IN A WEEK AND WOULD LOVE TO MAKE THIS FOR MY PLACE THERE. HOPE THEY DONT RUN OUT OF THAT FABRIC BEFORE I CAN GET SOME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSPIRATION . WELL DONE. GORGEOUS. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT,
Amy Smart
The fabric was just released, so you should be safe! 😉 Have fun!
Cocopatch
thanks for the quilt and photos! make me dream...
Jane
Beautifull quilt and scenery plus I love the way you involve your kids! 😉
Teresa PALMER
Love the simplicity and graphic impact.
Janine smith
I love this quilt, the fabric and how you put it together. And, you're right, the back is just as pretty as the front!
Lynn
Just beautiful...I have to make one for Christmas for my daughter!!
Sam
Great quilt Amy and such an amazing setting. Think I may have to try this one myself.
BjoLiz
Thanks for the tutorial on strip quilting. Your quilt is beautiful and the scenery is stunning! Makes me want to get the RV on the road headed west!
chromatobalomata
What a beautiful quilt and amazing view!
Kathleen
Beautiful fabric and quilt!! Reminds me of a cozy bulky sweater. Not sure I would have hung it on a barbed wire fence though!! Nice pics.
Janie
That's a knockout, Amy, a stunner.
Karen
Amy, thanks so much for this post! In a very small space you introduced me to a really gorgeous fabric collection, showed me how to square up fabric, how to cut strips, how to keep strips from taking on a life of their own when sewing them and how to make a really beginner (that's me) friendly and beautiful quilt. Plus all the gorgeous photos! When I retired 4 years ago, we took a 3 month trip in our truck camper and visited almost all of the western National Parks. Your pics bring back so many wonderful memories:)
Juls
Love the quilt! A perfect place to photograph it. I was at Shoshone Point 2 weeks ago- spent 3 nights camping in the Canyon. Truly a remarkable national treasure.
Lisa
The quilt and fabric are looks so beautiful... Thank you for sharing us the procedures of how to make. I think I'm gonna try this myself one day. The Arizona scenery is great too
kathyinmn
Love the pictures of that quilt at the grand canyon! WOW, does that set it all off or what? Really pretty-you highlighted this fabric well using this pattern. And now we know what you were working on in the car!!
Andrea M
Beautiful quilt and photos! It's amazing to be able to find and see so much of your family's history! And now I really miss the Southwest! I traveled there a lot prior to having kids, so my husband and young children have not gone; someday I will drag them all on a road trip out there! The National Park quilt blocks looks like a fun project!! Good luck finding more information on them and please share if you do!
Melinda Meehan
Absolutely stunning photos! Just perfec.. the fabric, background ,and pattern couldn't have complimented each other any better. As I'm just learning I didn't know to alternate sewing the strips together. No wonder mine are so hard to square up. Love learning.. Thank you
Rochelle
A very smart looking quilt. Love the southwest look and colors and the photos on location are great!!
Sam
Wow! So beautiful! This is definitely my next quilting project! Do you know how many yards of each you used? Well done!
Amy Smart
I don't specifically remember what I used, but basically you'd need 10 1/2 yards or 20 1/4 yards of fabric to make a similar quilt top.
Good question - thanks! I added it to the post content because I'm sure others will want to know the same. 🙂
Laurie
Amy, I have searched high and low over at the Riley Blake site as well as your tutorial to find the cutting instructions and fabric requirements to make this quilt. I love it and want to make it for a dear friend. Can you please help me find the link?
Thanks. Laurie
Amy Smart
Here is the link: https://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/blog/2015/10/21/project-design-team-wednesday-four-corners-fabric-/
D'oh! So sorry - I thought I'd updated the link in the post, but clearly I hadn't. yikes. That's fixed now. Thanks so much for the heads up!
Nancy
I love love both sides of this quilt. I hope it is OK to copy it. I have wanted to make a "southwest" quilt for awhile but did not see a pattern I wanted or fabric I wanted and here us both. Thanks.
Diana
By any chance could you repost the tutorial for this quilt or the instructions? I love your quilt and just attempted to find it on the Riley Blake blog and am unable to find it. Please! I would love to be able to make this this weekend! Thank you
Amy Smart
Thanks so much for the heads up Diana! I just updated the post with the full tutorial. Enjoy!
Diana
Yeah!! Thank you so much!
Nik
Wow! I just love this. So beautiful. (And I love the place you took pictures of the quilt afterward!) Thank you for sharing.
Maritza
Where can I buy the fabric to make this quilt?
Amy
Sadly, this fabric was printed in 2015 and is not out of print and not available in stores. I've updated the post with that information. So sorry to not be more helpful.