Free quilt patterns. “Positive Effect” free charity quilt pattern review. My review of this quilt pattern plus tips and tricks for completing this simple quilt full of personality with the right fabrics.
It’s hard to know what to quilt when you are just starting out. Some patterns look easy but contain advanced techniques that not every beginner can successfully do. That’s where I can help. Before you start a new quilt, check back here to the blog and see what patterns are reviewed and give one a try. I’ll test the pattern, give you my review and tips, then you have all the info to make it or not. I want to help the beginners find patterns that they will enjoy to actually get a finished quilt. You know the best quilt is the finished quilt.
Today I am giving you my review on a free charity quilt pattern called “Positive Effect” by Amanda Niederhauser. Her pattern was featured in American Patchwork and Quilting blog back in 2018 (www.allpeoplequilt.com) but popped up over the weekend on my Pinterest home page. It has a very simple block pattern, sashing and a border.
Can Fit Different Décor Styles
This quilt pattern is so versatile. Depending on the fabric you select and the color you use for sashing, this can be bohemian, modern, country, farmhouse, minimalist or scrappy eclectic.
My go to background or sashing fabric were always bright white or neutral. My quilts were scrappy fabrics with white backgrounds to make the mixed colors and fabrics stand out.
If you stick to colored prints and stay away from low volume prints with white in them, the quilt has more warmth to it. The tan and not light beige sashing really was something new for me. I really like the results. I may try this quilt again with a brown sashing and more earth tone fabrics.
Where to Find Quilt Patterns
I love Pinterest. Don’t you? Such a great resource for finding things to make. I’m still new to using it, I only started using it when I started my blog. I wasn’t really looking for a quilt pattern but this one came up in my home feed and was right up my alley. Look how simple this block is below!
I’ve been wanting to make a quick quilt, but there really isn’t such a thing. Quilts are mostly labor intensive, or so I thought. Having quilt throws for my sofa or a larger one to put on my bed is always on my to do list. Large blocks, super simple pattern, doesn’t require a lot of thinking while sewing either. What a refreshing change, to enjoy quilting and not be stressed out over the blocks being perfect.
Make sure you check this out!
After you read this post, make sure you also check out How To Learn How To Quilt: Beginner Quilting Guide. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free quilt patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!
Grab a copy of my Quilt Planning Journal, filled with graph paper and some note pages to help you design at least 4 quilts or sewing projects! I have been using mine for a little while and already I am jotting down ideas as I see them and reminders about websites where I have seen some ‘must have’ fabric, so I think this can be so much more than just a design book. Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process! Click the bar below.
Quilt Pattern Materials
Materials Needed
20 – Fat Eights or Fat Quarters (prints for blocks)
2 yards Kona Khaki 100% Cotton (center block, sashing and border)
1 yard Kona Navy 100% Cotton (binding)
4 yards backing fabric
Finished quilt should measure 58.5″ x 72.5″
Finished blocks should measure 12.5″ (the other blog said 12″ but why would the sashing need to be 12.5″ if the finished blocks were 12″. All my blocks were 12.5″ without being trimmed)
Measurements include 1⁄4″ seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.
Quilt Fabric Measurements
Take the 20 assorted fabrics and cut the following:
4 – 5″ squares
4 – 3.5″ x 5″ rectangles
Take the tan fabric and cut the following:
7 – 2.5″ x 42″ strips for border
6 – 2.5″ x 42″ strips for sashing
15 – 2.5″ x 12.5″ sashing rectangles
20 – 3.5″ squares for center of quilt blocks
Take the navy fabric and cut the following:
7 – 2.5″ x 42″ strips for binding
Quilt Patterns – Positive Effect Free Charity Quilt REVIEW
Please refer to the free pattern and instructions on the American Patchwork and Quilting blog.
I love free quilt patterns. This quilt is made up of 20 – 12.5″ blocks. Each block has 4 – 5″ squares, 3.5″ x 5″ rectangles and 3.5″ center square. With only 20 blocks, it works up fast. Finish with sashing, border and your quilt top is done. Below is my review along with some tips and tricks for the beginner quilter to complete.
Making the blocks
Choose prints for your 20 fabrics. I kept thinking the quilt needed low volume prints but this quilt would have turned out better if I followed the instructions by the designer.
Chain piece each block, pay attention to prints that are directional. Make sure the print is facing the same way when you make the blocks. Didn’t really have to focus on that except for two prints.
After you make the rows, pin at the seams with sewing pins and take to your sewing machine.
Sewing rows together, using my stiletto to keep the seams facing in the right direction before I sew in place.
Blocks did not need to be trimmed up with a 12.5″ quilt block. If you make sure your seam allowance is 1/4″ them they all end up the same size. I thought that was incredible. Normally the blocks need to be trimmed but not this quilt.
Adding the sashing
It was very easy to attach the sashing for the rows. You need to sew two strips together for the sashing that connects the rows in the center of the quilt.
Connecting the rows with long sashing strips
Attach rows together. You want to line up the blocks so they are all uniform. When connecting two rows, lay one row on top of the bottom row. Use sewing pins to pin in place. Start at the far left and pin. when you get to the middle of the block, you want to look at both rows and line up the center of both blocks by eye balling it. I thought this part would be hard, I normally use cornerstone and line up the seams but the blocks lined up well.
Review and Beginner Tips and Tricks
On this blog you will find How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Review so you can sew, quilt, crochet and repeat! Why pattern reviews? I’m an intermediate beginner after 3 years of weekend quilting. I can share beginner advice and tips for completing the quilt successfully and give it my rating.
Pattern Review
The blog post claimed that it was a “fast-to-sew” quilt made up of large plus sign blocks. They were right! Simple design, a dream to sew up the blocks, super easy and basic skills needed. Definitely a great large block quilt pattern for beginners.
I recommend practicing on small charm pack quilts with borders and then moving onto this beauty if you are a beginner. Basic charm square quilts are the easiest quilt to make. Then you graduate to blocks if you want to do patchwork quilts. This is a great block because it has large pieces, not small ones. Large pieces are easier to sew together and easier to quilt because there is more room between seams.
There are so many great quilt patterns available these day. My go to places for looking up quilt patterns is Pinterest, Etsy, YouTube and Google search for websites. Free quilt patterns are the best in my opinion, then creating your very own pattern and then buying a pdf pattern. The “Positive Effect” quilt pattern was a confidence builder and I quickly added a new twin size throw to my quilt stash. I’m not giving this one away folks!
Sashing Tips
Lay the sashing strip on the quilt block. Place a sewing pin on the far left and the far right. Make sure the strip covers your block. Then place a few pins in the middle to hold down while sewing. If your strip is just shy of covering the block, stretch it a little. If you have to stretch it a lot, then cut a new sashing strip.
It was very easy to attach the sashing for the rows. You need to sew two strips together for the sashing that connects the rows in the center of the quilt. Two ways to handle the seam on the sashing.
Sashing with Seam (Option One)
Lay your sashing strip on top of the quilted row you are attaching it to but do not pin it down yet. Go to where the sashing seam is. Now find the closest seam on the quilted row. Move to your left and not the right. If you move to the left to find the seam and nest together then you will just pull the beginning of the sash to the left and trim.
If you moved it to the right and nested it, you would be short sashing in the beginning of the rows you are connecting. I hope that makes sense, it’s hard to explain. Nest the seams, then finish pinning sashing on both sides of the nested seam. Cut excess sashing off with before taking to machine.
Sashing with Seam (Option Two)
Second option is to just attach the sashing and not worry about the seam line. You won’t even notice that once you get it quilted.
Sashing For Final Border
The instructions were a little fuzzy for the side sashing strips to complete the framed quilt top border. Basically you will have one 2.5″ x WOF strip and scraps from your other sashing that you trimmed off because they were too long. If you take 3 sashing scraps and connect to form one long strip, you will have enough for one side. Repeat and make one more for the other side. I almost panicked and thought I measured wrong or cut the fabric incorrectly but it all worked out in the end.
American Patchwork and Quilting
What a great resource for all things quilting. Check out their blog at www.allpeoplequilt.com for more patterns and info on patchwork and quilting. If only everyone quilted like their website name suggests, what a beautiful world that would be!!
I highly recommend this quilt. Pattern and instructions were well written and easy to follow.
Beginner Quilting Supplies
Here are some quilting tools and supplies I recommend. I make a small commission if you purchase through the links, this helps to support this free content. For more info, check out Supplies for Beginners (Best Tools To Start).
Rotary Mat Cutting Mat (Self-Healing Mat)
28 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
45 mm Rotary Cutter with Sharp Blade (start with this one)
45 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades (start with this one)
60 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
4.5″ Square Ruler for half square triangles
12.5″ Square Ruler for blocks
Sewing Machine Beginner (see my about me page for more info on sewing machines for beginners to the one I use today).
SAVE THIS PIN FOR LATER!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Sew Nikki Free Resources
FREE PATTERNS
Flying Geese Throw Quilt – Flight
Pinwheel Table Topper Pattern – Jolly
Log Cabin Scrappy On Point Quilt
Chevron Placemat Quilt Pattern
Strip Quilt Block Pattern – Roundabout Quilt
TUTORIALS
How to Sew a Handbag with Recycled Jeans
Make Heat Proof Recycled Denim Potholders
Learn How to Quilt Beginners Guide
How Long Does it Take to Make a Quilt for Beginners
Learn to Sew – Conquering Your Fears as a Beginner
How to Quilt on a Regular Sewing Machine
How to Sew Binding on a Quilt – Quilting Tutorial
Best Fabric for Quilting: How to Shop Like a Pro!
How to Make Half Square Triangles – Easy Formula Chart
How to Baste a Quilt: Beginner Spray Basting Tutorial
10 Essential Quilting Tips for Beginners
How to Sew a Pillowcase With Flap in 15 Minutes
How to Sew Quilt Squares Together | Quilting Tutorial
Joining Quilt Binding Ends for Beginners
How to Cut Fabric for Quilting- Easy and Accurate
How Wide to Cut Quilt Binding & Make Easy Strips
Pieced Quilt Backing Ideas – Super Simple Backs
How to Make Quilt with Sashing and Cornerstones
Quilting Supplies for Beginners – Best Tools to Start
How to Machine Quilt with Walking Foot
Heat Proof Recycled Denim Potholders
How to Bind a Quilt – Easy Single Fold Binding
ABOUT SEW NIKKI
If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! My name is Nikki. I’m a weekend quilter, have a super small sewing space and taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos! My blog has How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Reviews. Read more about me here.
Follow me on social media (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) so you get notifications when I post new patterns and tutorials.
Want to learn how to crochet? Then check out this post, How to Learn How to Crochet – Guide for Beginners.
Sew, quilt, crochet and repeat!
Leave a Reply