Red and White quilts are some of my favorite to see and make. The classic color combination is timeless and never goes out of fashion.
In 2011 the American Folk Art Museum hosted an exhibit of 650 antique Red and White quilts in New York City. The exhibit drew huge crowds beyond just the quilting community. Individually many of these quilts were works of art and collectively the display took them to another level.
You can see quilts and photos from the stunning display here.
You can still find the book featuring quilts from the exhibit on Amazon. I bought it for myself a few years ago and have LOVED it. So much quilt-y inspiration.
After finishing my Red and White Churn Dash quilt last year, I decided to collect and feature all of my red and white quilts plus some more red and white quilt inspiration all in one post.
This quilt is a great example of how even though the quilt is only two colors, by using different prints and shades of red or white, the quilt design still has a lot of depth and movement.
I have another red & white Churn Dash Quilt variation here made with vintage-style reproduction prints.
Another similar variation with a repeat of a tradition quilt block is this Hour Glass quilt made with a French General Layer Cake.
Here's a more modern, improv-style take on a quilt featuring my Pine Hollow Patchwork Forest quilt pattern. This is one of my all-time favorite makes. I love the Scandinavian vibe this one has.
To get a more "beachy" washed-out look when working with red and white fabrics, choose a lot of prints that have a white or pink background with a pattern with fewer or wider repeats.
Here's a look at the fabric pull for this quilt to give you an idea of what those patterns and prints look like:
Here's a mini quilt with a similar vibe - using pink and red prints to create lighter shades of red.
Red and White Scrap Quilt Idea
And here's another red quilt that came entirely from my red scrap bin. This improv-style log cabin quilt was made using this tutorial for wonky-improv Log Cabin blocks.
And here are more pictures of the finished quilt on vacation.
And here is the first ever red+white quilt that I made and probably the simplest. And I still love it just as much as ever.
If you love the look of red and white quilts, but aren't in the mood to take on a big project, grab your scraps and shoot for a mini project like this cute little heart mini quilt. This one was a sentimental make for me because I used all of the red fabrics from my first 3 fabric collections. 🙂
This quilt pattern is called Down Memory Lane by Aqua Paisley Studios. You can see the finished quilt and find pattern info here.
I also love graphic statement of these red and white flying geese on this quilted stocking.
Sweet and Simple Patchwork
And finally, you can never go wrong with sweet and simple patchwork squares in a simple checkerboard design- like this one. Just grab a stack of "White" background print squares and Red print squares and sew them together.
It's a great design, not only for it's simplicity, but for playing with scraps or busting through your stash of reds!
Another variation on this simple design is using Half Square Triangles. I love this quilt by Julia of Red Rainboots Handmade.
You can find the pattern for this quilt called Jump On It in a variety of sizes here.
Another classic and scrappy variation of tradition patchwork is a Irish Chain quilt like this one called The Subtle Quilt from Crazy Mom Quilts.
This one is on my bucket list to make. I love it every time I see it. Or you could always make a simplified strip-pieced version using this Nine Patch/Irish Chain tutorial.
Another variation on this Irish Chain style quilt is a red and white Plus quilt. Free pattern from Caroline at Sew Can She here.
If you're looking for more complex red and white quilt ideas, check out these two books:
Red and White Quilts I is out of print, but you may be able to still find it in your local quilt shop or find used editions here. Red and White II is available on Amazon.
You can find more red and white quilt inspiration on this Pinterest Board.
I hope this list has provided you with some good inspiration and options for making your own red + white quilt. They're timeless!
Cindi says
Thanks so much for writing this! I'm a new quilter, and it's so inspiring to see all the fabulous designs with just 2 colors!
Linda says
Thank you so much Amy for providing such inspiration on red and white quilts! I love everything you do and you are such an inspiring person. I did the Riley Blake Challenge in 2023 but didn’t care for the layout so I used yours with the Irish Chain layout. I also shared it with my friend and she used yours as well. Thanks again for your wonderful blog. I enjoy it so much.
Catherine Peck says
What a wonderful post! I loved all the red and white quilts! the churn dash is my favorite.
Kathi says
Question. How to you prepare your fabric so there is no bleeding? Thank you!
Amy says
Great question. To be honest, I haven't had any bleeding in the past 8 or so years using high quality quilting cottons. (The kind you get from a quilt shop vs someplace like JoAnn fabrics.) That said, I still throw a Shout Color Catcher sheet into the wash the first time I wash it and wash in cold water . If you're worried about the reds or you have some fabric but you're not sure the age or source, you can always pre-wash it.
Gwyn says
I love Patchwork Forest. Can't wait to listen to the podcast this weekend!
Shannon D’Antonio says
Quilts are fabulous. I have all the fabrics ready for a red/white quilt. All Moda fabric. I’m still stressing about the possibility of bleeding,lol!
Judy G says
I wonder about that, too. I made a retirement quilt for a friend, using a lot of purple batik fabric. I asked quilt guild members if I should wash it before gifting it to her. I finally took a deep breath, put it in the washer with 4 Color Catchers, and they did their job. I gave her a "starter kit" with 4 more Color Catchers in a bag, attached to her quilt.
Marianne says
I remember that red and white quilt exhibition, it's hard to believe it was 14 years ago! I did'nt see it in person, but the photos were beautiful. Thanks for this overview of red and white quilts!
Ruth Runeborg says
I have a client with a Great Red + White Quilt from the 1930s that is 68x84 with a brownish stain and some yellowing of the white part. I'd like to display it on the wall for her new apt, but...cleaning suggestions and care recommendations are welcome!
Mack says
My favorite red and white quilt of all time is by Helen Phillips Designs, out of the UK. It's a very simple checkerboard quilt (in fact, it's called her "red & white checkerboard quilt) but also happens to be one of the most popular on her website. Perhaps it's the way she's photographed it on an old wrought iron bed...just gorgeous. Only 66" square, but it's one you'd want to snuggle down into.
Judy says
I, too, LOVE red and white quilts. Thank you so much for your red and white "quilt show"! I try to add at least one red and white quilt to my collection each year so your post was perfectly timed to inspire a decision on this year's addition.
Amy Smart says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Laura Anne Turner says
Perfect timing for me that you posted about Red & White quilts. Ive been gathering all of my reds and deciding what I want to make. 5” snowballs is what I have finally chosen. Two color quilts are my Favorite quilts. Thank you for all of the time and information that you share in your posts!!! I appreciate it ❤️
Amy Smart says
You're welcome! And a red and white snowball quilt sounds stunning and timeless!
Judy G says
I'm working on a scrappy quilt with heart blocks. I made one block with red fabric, but worried about it bleeding. I put a small piece in a bowl, and there was a little bleeding right away. So my question: should you prewash red fabrics before making a red and white quilt? I don't usually prewash quilt fabric. I only prewash something I'm making as a garment.
Debra says
Hi Amy, Thank you for the article, red & white are not colours I am typically drawn to however I really do like your R&W Churn Dash quilt. It has inspired me to start planning a R&W quilt (just a small one). However I did wonder if there are any "rules" for R&W quilts. Reading through your article I did notice that you had used cream in place of true white in some blocks, also that Caroline had used white & black prints as her background does this technically still make the quilts R&W quilt? Is the "rule" that as long as the fabric reads as predominantly red or white/ivory/lt cream it is OK?
Amy Smart says
In my opinion, no rules. You are the boss of your own quilt and I say, use whatever fabric/colors you like. 🙂 I personally don't mind mixing shades of white/cream as I think it gives the quilt more depth and interest.