Have you ever seen the “Glad All Over” quilt and thought, “Wow, that’s beautiful, but it looks so complicated”? That amazing woven design is a real showstopper. The way the colors weave in and out of each other can seem like a tricky puzzle.
But what if I told you it’s much easier than it looks?
Hi, I’m your expert sewing guide, and I’m here to pull back the curtain on this gorgeous pattern. We’re going to break it down, piece by piece. This simple guide will show you how to make the Glad All Over quilt, from cutting your fabric to sewing the final block. With a little organization, you can create this stunning woven block quilt with confidence. Let’s get started!
Getting Organized: Your Key to Success
Before you make a single cut, the most important step for this quilt is getting organized. This pattern uses lots of small pieces, and keeping them straight from the beginning will save you a lot of headaches later.
This is a perfect jelly roll quilt pattern, as it’s designed for 2.5-inch pre-cut strips. Grab your favorite collection of blues, greens, and yellows, or any colors you love!
First, you’ll cut your colored strips into smaller rectangles and squares. As you cut, you need to create pairs. For each block, you’ll use two fabrics. For example, if you have a blue and a yellow fabric, you will need two rectangles and two squares from each color. The secret is to keep these little piles of fabric paired up. Don’t mix them! This simple bit of organization is the foundation for your woven block.
Cutting Your Background Fabric: The Setting Pieces
The background fabric is what makes your colorful woven blocks “float” and stand out. For the “Glad All Over” quilt, you’ll need to cut two different kinds of triangles from your background fabric. These are often called “setting triangles” because they set your block into a perfect square.
Making Your Triangles
You will cut two different sizes of squares from your background fabric strips. These squares will then be cut into the triangles you need.
One set of squares will be cut into Half-Square Triangles (HSTs). You do this by cutting the square in half just once, from corner to corner. This gives you two triangles.
The other set of squares will be cut into Quarter-Square Triangles (QSTs). For these, you’ll cut the square diagonally from corner to corner, and then again from the other two corners. This cuts the square into four smaller triangles.
Here’s a simple table to help you keep track of your background cuts. Be sure to check your specific pattern for the exact measurements, like the 3 and 3/4-inch and 4-inch squares mentioned in the original tutorial.
| Triangle Type | How to Cut the Square | Where It Goes in the Block |
|---|---|---|
| Half-Square Triangle (HST) | Cut diagonally once | On the four straight sides of the block |
| Quarter-Square Triangle (QST) | Cut diagonally both ways | In the four corners of the woven section |
How to Make the Glad All Over Quilt Block
Now for the fun part! This is your step-by-step quilt block tutorial. We are going to build your block in diagonal rows because this is an on point quilt block, which means it’s tilted to look like a diamond.
First, lay out your pieces on a table next to your sewing machine. This helps you see exactly how the woven pattern comes together. Arrange your colored rectangles and squares in their diagonal rows. You should see how one color seems to weave over and under the other. This is the magic of the design!
Sewing Your Rows and Pressing Your Seams
Once you have the layout right, you’ll sew the pieces in each row together. You will have three main diagonal rows made of your colored fabrics.
Here is a game-changing tip: pay attention to your seams! For the top and bottom rows, press your seam allowances towards the center square. For the middle row, press the seams away from the center square. When you go to join the rows, the seams will “nest” together perfectly. This little trick helps you get those sharp, perfect points where the corners meet.
Adding the Corner Triangles
Your block still has some empty spots in the corners, right? This is where those smaller Quarter-Square Triangles (QSTs) come in.
Place a QST on each of the four corners of your colored block layout. A great little tip is to use tiny applique pins to hold these pieces in place. This keeps everything organized as you move from your table to your sewing machine.
Sew these triangles on using a quarter-inch seam. Once they are attached, press the seam allowance towards the outside, away from the center of the block.
Assembling the Main Block
Now you can join your three diagonal rows together. Start by sewing the top row to the middle row. Because you pressed your seams in opposite directions, you’ll feel them lock into place. This ensures your block’s center joins beautifully.
Next, add the bottom row. Again, your seams will nest together, helping you keep everything aligned. Press these long new seams toward the outside of the block. You now have the main woven part of your block finished!
Finishing Your On Point Quilt Block
Your block looks like a diamond, but we need to make it a square. This is where your larger Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) come into play. These will fill in the four straight sides.
Here is the most important tip for this step: how to line up the triangle. The long edge of your triangle will not match the edge of your block perfectly, and that’s okay! To get it right, lay the triangle on top of your block. The center point of the triangle’s long edge should line up exactly with the seam on the block below it. This is your guide!
Align that point with the seam, make sure the cut edges on the side are lined up, and sew it down. Do this for all four sides. When you’re done, press these final seams toward the outer corners. Trim off the little “dog ear” fabric points, and you have a perfect block for the Glad All Over quilt!
FAQs
What is the golden rule in quilting?
The golden rule is a perfect quarter-inch seam. This seam is very important. It helps all your pieces fit together. Your points will match up nicely. Always check your seam allowance. An accurate seam makes quilting easier.
How do you quilt as you go step by step?
Quilt As You Go is also called QAYG. First, make one quilt block. Cut your batting and backing fabric. Layer them: backing, batting, then block top. Now, quilt this small sandwich. Repeat this for all your blocks. Then you join the finished blocks.
How to make a quilt top step by step?
First, choose your pattern and fabric. Next, cut your fabric into pieces. Sew the pieces into quilt blocks. Press your seams very carefully. Join the blocks to make rows. Then sew the rows together. You can add borders at the end.
What is the basic rule of quilting?
The most basic rule is to be accurate. A common saying is “measure twice, cut once.” This saves fabric and time. Your cuts must be straight. Your seams must be the same size. Accuracy is the key to a beautiful quilt.
What is the magic 8 method in quilting?
The Magic 8 method is a great shortcut. It makes eight half-square triangles at once. You start with two squares of fabric. Place them right sides together. Draw an “X” on the top square. Sew on both sides of each line. Then cut the block apart. You will get eight perfect triangles.
Putting Your Quilt Top Together
Once you’ve made all your blocks, it’s time to assemble the quilt top. This pattern uses a clever technique called “pre-sashing.”
This means you will sew a sashing strip to just one side of most of your blocks. Your pattern will tell you exactly how many blocks get pre-sashing. Some blocks, which will be on the outer edge of the quilt, won’t get a sashing strip.
Then, you’ll lay out your blocks and join them into rows using long sashing strips that run the full width of the row. This method creates the wonderful “floating” effect, where the blocks don’t touch each other. Finish the quilt with a border and binding, and you’re all done!
You’ve successfully learned how to make the Glad All Over quilt. By breaking it down into simple steps—organizing your pieces, pressing your seams carefully, and using those clever alignment tricks—you’ve turned a complex-looking design into a fun and rewarding project.
What part of this quilt are you most excited to try? Share your progress or ask any questions in the comments below. We love cheering on our fellow quilters