Olivia sat on her couch, the sewing machine humming in the background as she looked at her finished quilt top. It wasn’t her first quilt, but something about this one felt different. She had heard of Eleanor Burns’ “Quilt in a Day” method but was skeptical at first.
Could she make a quilt in just one day? But as she went through the steps—gathering materials, cutting fabric, piecing blocks, sewing it all together—she began to see just how doable it was. The key she found was preparation, simple techniques, and efficiency.
To make the process even easier, there are numerous free quilt patterns available that can help you create a beautiful quilt in a day.
If Olivia can do it, so can you! Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a quilt in a day.
1. Gather Your Materials
Before you start make sure you have everything you need. Olivia learned quickly that having everything ready to go makes the whole process go much smoother. Here’s a list of the basic stuff you’ll need:
Fabric: For a beginner-friendly quilt cotton is the best choice because it’s easy to work with, durable, and widely available. You’ll need a mix of prints and solids that go together.
Rotary Cutter and Mat: These will help you cut fabric fast and accurately. Make sure your mat is self-healing to protect your cutting surface.
Quilting Ruler: A clear acrylic ruler will help you cut straight lines and measure accurately.
Sewing Machine: A machine is a must for speed especially when you want to finish in a day.
Thread: Choose a neutral color like white or gray that matches your fabric.
Iron and Ironing Board: Pressing your fabric and seams is key to getting clean professional results.
Having these basics ready to go will keep you from getting interrupted.
Eleanor Burns is loved by many quilters, including those who treasure her classic patterns and easy-to-follow books. Her “Quilt in a Day” series continues to inspire quilters of all skill levels with her new and innovative way of doing quick and easy quilts.
Fans share their finds, like brand new editions of her “Applique in a Day” or “Quilt Block Party” series, with full-size patterns and clear instructions. It’s proof that her work is timeless and the creativity it sparks in the quilting community.
Quilt In A Day Eleanor Burns New In Package Applique In A Day Quilt Block Party Series Six New In Package Quilting Book Full Size Patterns#quiltpattern #eleanorburns #quiltinaday #etsycraftshttps://t.co/aDwrBTKpbF pic.twitter.com/R6zy7cBh2l
— Elke Armour (@elkescreations) June 11, 2020
2. Choose Your Pattern
Olivia chose a simple nine-patch pattern for her quilt. It was easy to follow and didn’t require complicated piecing. The beauty of Eleanor Burns’ method is that it encourages quilters to use quilt patterns that don’t require hours of cutting and sewing.
Tip: When choosing your pattern, choose something with basic shapes like squares or rectangles. Simple patterns like a rail fence or log cabin are great for a quick quilt. There are plenty of free quilt patterns online—check out Eleanor Burns’ website or Pinterest for ideas. You can also download a wide selection of quilt patterns to suit quilters of all skill levels.
3. Cutting the Fabric
Once Olivia had her pattern ready she was ready to cut her fabric. She knew efficient cutting was key to finishing in a day so she followed the pattern’s measurements carefully.
Essential Cutting Tips
Stack Your Fabric: Olivia learned quickly that cutting multiple layers of fabric at once saved her a ton of time. If you’re cutting squares or rectangles stack two to four layers of fabric together to make quick work of it. Use a rotary cutter to get clean cuts.
Measure Twice, Cut Once: This adage still applies in quilting! Make sure you measure accurately before you cut. Double-check your fabric measurements to avoid mistakes that will cost you time later.
Olivia kept her fabric pieces organized in small bins or labeled zip-top bags for each block or fabric color. This kept her on track and from losing any pieces during the assembly process.
Eleanor Burns’ “Quilt in a Day” patterns are a treasured resource for quilters everywhere, providing inspiration and guidance for beautiful quilts. Stories from the quilting community, like a Reddit post of a gorgeous double Irish chain quilt made for a granddaughter named Autumn, show how her patterns help create personal connections and memories.
Made with an autumn theme using Joanne’s fabric, the quilt is the epitome of handmade love. Another example of how her patterns turn simple into special.
My humble submission. Double irish chain with an autumn theme for my granddaughter Autumn. Pattern by eleanor burns quilt in a day. Fabric from joannes.
byu/colleen2163 inquilting
4. Assemble the Quilt Blocks
Now that the fabric was cut it was time to piece the blocks together. Olivia arranged her fabric pieces for the nine-patch block and pinned them in place to keep everything lined up.
Step-by-Step Block Assembly
Sew the Pieces Together: Olivia sewed two pieces of fabric together at a time. She used a quarter-inch seam allowance which is the standard for quilting. A consistent seam allowance will ensure your blocks fit together perfectly.
Press as You Go: After sewing the first two pieces together Olivia pressed the seams open with her iron. Pressing as you go will keep the quilt top flat and reduce bulk in the seams.
Quick Tip: Don’t skip pressing! Pressing after each step will keep your quilt looking neat and professional.
Once Olivia had all the blocks sewn she laid them out to make sure the colors and patterns flowed across the quilt top. After everything was arranged she sewed the blocks together to complete the quilt top.
5. Piece the Quilt Top Together
With the blocks done, Olivia moved on to piecing the quilt top. She sewed the blocks into rows and then sewed the rows together.
Efficiency Tip: As you sew use the chain piecing method. This means sewing one piece after another without cutting the thread between them, it saves time and keeps you in the groove.
Eleanor Burns’ “Quilt in a Day” patterns are loved by the quilting community, as seen in all the shared projects and posts online. A Reddit user shared their enthusiasm for these patterns, saying they are easy and fun even for quilters with no time. These posts show the widespread love for Eleanor’s designs and how her methods are still inspiring new and experienced quilters to make beautiful quilts in no time.
Quilt in a day pattern!
by inquilting
6. Quilting the Quilt in a day
Now the fun part—quilting quilts! Olivia decided to use a simple straight-line quilting. She attached the quilt top to a layer of batting and a backing fabric and pinned them all together.
Machine Quilting Tips
Walking Foot: Olivia used a walking foot attachment on her machine. It helps feed the quilt evenly through the machine and prevents bunching.
Straight-Line Quilting: To keep it simple Olivia went with straight-line quilting. She used long even stitches to quilt the layers together. Straight-line quilting is quick and easy especially if you’re trying to finish in a day.
Free-Motion Quilting: If you’re feeling adventurous free-motion quilting is a great way to add a personal touch to your quilt. But this takes more time and practice so straight lines are your best bet for a quick finish.
7. Binding the Quilt
Once Olivia was done quilting she moved on to the binding. She decided to use double-fold binding, a simple and effective way to get a clean edge on the quilt.
Binding Tips
Cut Strips: Cut strips of fabric 2.5 inches wide. Join them together to make one long strip.
Attach the Binding: Fold the binding in half lengthwise and press. Then sew it to the edges of the quilt, fold it over to the back side, and hand stitch it in place.
For Curves: If your quilt has curves use bias binding, and cut on the diagonal which stretches to follow the curves.
Eleanor Burns’ “Quilt in a Day” series is a quilter’s goldmine, with versatile and time-saving patterns that still allow for creativity and personal expression. A Reddit user shared their experience with the “Braid in a Day” pattern, another of Eleanor’s genius designs.
These patterns are loved for their simplicity and beauty, you can make stunning quilts in record time. These posts show how quilters are still finding joy and inspiration in Eleanor’s work and turning their visions into reality with ease.
Braid in a Day Pattern. Eleanor Burns
byu/Tanaisy inquilting
8. Final Pressing and Presentation
After the binding was done Olivia gave the whole quilt a final press. This step makes the quilt pop. With everything smooth and crisp she took a step back to admire her work.
Tip: Use steam when pressing to remove wrinkles. Be careful around seams though as you don’t want to distort them.
Ready to Make a Quilt in a Day?
Olivia’s quilt turned out great and she couldn’t believe she finished it in one day. By following these steps—gathering materials, choosing a simple pattern, cutting efficiently, piecing together blocks, and quilting quickly she was able to make a quilt in a fraction of the time she thought.
There are lots of free quilt patterns available for different skill levels.
Your turn! With a little practice, you can make a quilt in a day too. Remember to keep it simple, stay organized, and enjoy the process. By the end of the day, you’ll have a beautiful homemade quilt to show off just like Olivia did!
