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A comforter is technically not a quilt; however, creating a comforter introduces you to some basic techniques and it is a fun and simple project. Please don’t be intimidated by the length of the document. I’ve added pictures and comments to help you each step of the way.

Supplies

1 ½ yards each of two contrasting but complimentary fabrics - 44/45” wide
     Example 1                                     Example 2

I enjoy shopping at local quilt shops where you will find the largest selection and highest quality fabrics.   However, you can purchase fabric in the craft section of large discount stores and franchised fabric stores.   What’s the difference? Discount stores will be less expensive with reasonable quality. Fabric stores have more variety and a bit higher quality.   Quilt shops carry the highest quality fabrics and large selection but also the highest cost. Quilt shops typically have helpful staff and are just fun to shop.

I suggest using 100% cotton calico or print fabric for this project; however, flannel, corduroy, denim or wool also make a nice comforter.   Look at the label on the end of the bolt of fabric.   It usually lists the fabric content, width and price.

1 package batting – crib size (45”x60”).
This makes a nice child size play blanket and is also a nice lap quilt size. Batting comes in different “lofts”. I like to use “high loft” batting for comforters.

Scissors
Any scissors will do but a nice pair of shears used only to cut fabric is ideal.

Thread
Pick a shade darker than one of the prominent colors in your fabric. I would use a dark pink on Example 1 above and black on Example 2.

Needles
You will need a standard package of hand sewing needs for completing the comforter’s edge and a darning needle (large enough for yarn to pass through the eye) to tack the comforter layers together.

Yarn
This will be used to tie(tack) the quilt. Pick a matching color, fun color or a variety of colors. I plan to use dark pink for Example 1 above and black for Example 2.

Straight pins

Safety pins – large size

Piece of cardboard – 6 inch square

Instructions

Prepare the Fabric

v Wash, dry and iron your fabric. To wash or not to wash is a point of controversy in quilting circles but my theory is everything I make will eventually be washed. If the fabric is going to shrink or colors run, I want this to happen before I make the comforter/quilt rather than after. Use warm water. Most new fabric colors will not run, but if they do, continue to rewash until the rinse water is clear. Use fabric softener if you like and dry in the dryer. Trim the raveled edges. Iron for a nice finish.

v Trim the “selvage” edges from your fabric. Two sides of your fabric have a tighter weave finished edge created during the manufacturing process, this is called the selvage edge. It is about ¼” wide. Use your shears to trim off this edge.

v Square your fabric. One way to do this is with your fabric folded in quarter, lay the fabric on the corner of a table with the uneven edge hanging over the edge of the table and then trim with your scissors.

Stack and trim layers (a quilt sandwich)

v Lay the fabric you want to use for the back (backing) of the comforter on the floor print side (also known as right side) down.

v Lay the batting on top of the backing.

v     Use your shears to trim the batting to be about ¾” narrower than the backing.   You can be precise and use a ruler or just guesstimate trimming an even width on all sides.

v Lay the remaining fabric on top of the batting and trim to the same size as the batting.

v Secure all three layers together. Use the 6” square of cardboard as a guide. Start in the upper left corner of the comforter. Lay the cardboard square on top of the comforter aligned with the upper left corner. Fasten a safety pin through all three layers at the bottom, right corner of the cardboard guide. Using the fastened safety pin as a guide, move the cardboard right 6” and fasten a second safety pin. Repeat the process moving the cardboard to the right and down until the entire comforter is covered with fastened safety pins. Now you can pick the comforter up and the backing, batting and top will not shift while you finish the binding and tacking the 3 layers together.

Create a finished edge.

v Start at a corner.

Fold the backing corner over to cover the point of the batting and top. Secure with a straight pin.
Fold the backing edge in half to meet the edge of the binding and then fold the folded edge one more time to cover both the batting and top. Use straight pins to hold in place.
When you reach the corner, the folded binding will create a mitered corner. Use scissors/shears to clip off the exposed backing square at each corner hiding the raw edges under the folded binding.

Continue around the entire comforter, starting at step 1 each time you come to a corner.

Attach binding to top - The binding is the finished edge of the comforter.

v Thread your needle. Use a piece of thread about 30” long. Pull it through the needle eye until it is double and then tie a knot.

v Attach the folded edge to the top of the comforter using the following stitch.

Insert the needle just under the folded edge of the comforter (this hides the knot).
Bring the needle through the folded edge and directly into the top (but not through to the back).
Slide the needle about ¼” under the top and then come up into the folded edge.
Slide the needle inside the folded edge about ¼” and then directly into the top.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have about 2” of thread left on your needle
Take a tiny stitch under the folder edge (to hide the knot), cut the thread at the needle, tie a knot close to the fabric and snip the thread tails.

Repeat steps 1 thru 6 around all four sides of the comforter.

v Remove the straight pins.

Tie the comforter

v Cut 6” pieces of yarn (one for each safety pin fastened in the comforter)

v Tie a knot at each safety pin using the following steps

Thread a piece of yarn through the eye of the darning needle (do not knot)
Staring on the top of the comforter, just below one of the fastened safety pins, insert the darning needle through all 3 layers of the comforter.
Take a small stitch (about ¼”) brining the darning needle back through to the top of the comforter.
Remove the needle. You now have two loose ends of yarn on the top side of the comforter.
Remove the safety pin. Tie a double knot and clip the loose ends to about ½”.

Repeat steps 1 thru 5 for each fastened safety pin.

Enjoy Your Comforter