I spent a lot of time on Pinterest and google images looking for inspiration for my daughter’s quilt. I never really found what I was envisioning so I created this Gathered Quilt or Duvet Cover. I’ll show you how to make this top with a tutorial and you can quilt it or turn it into a duvet cover if you choose. I actually made it a duvet cover because I thought my daughter would prefer that but I might quilt it down the road. All you need is the ability to sew a straight line and you can make this cover yourself!
I chose some bright quilting cotton fabrics but you could go monochromatic or even use sheets for this. An all white cover would be really cute as well. My daughter just loves, loves color so that is exactly what she got!
Gather your supplies for the top:
- neutral or white thread
- 63– 21″ x 10.5″ fabric pieces for top (more if you are making this larger than twin)
- 63– 10.5″ x 10.5″ fabric squares in white or unbleached woven fabric for a “backing” piece. I used muslin.
UPDATED: For 63 squares like this one you’ll need 9.25 yards of fabric for the top (assuming 44″ wide fabric). You’ll get 6 cut pieces per yard if you want to think of it that way. I think I used 9 different fabrics. The squares are 10″ square when finished which should help with your math if you are making a different size quilt.
For the backing fabric you’ll need 4.6 yards of 44″ fabric or a full sized flat sheet.
Step 1– Gather long sides of fabric pieces. Use a long stitch or a ruffler foot to make the gathered side 10.5″ long just as the short side. It will be a square.
Step 2– Sew gathered piece to a backing piece to stabilize.
Step 3– Sew squares together! I recommend laying them all out to decide how you want them arranged. I chose to alternate the direction of the gathers to create the look I was going for. Then sew one row together at a time with a ¼″ seam allowance. After the rows are sewn you can finish the edges. I serged mine but you can use a zig zag stitch or pinking sheers if you’d like. This will prevent fraying.
After you have all your rows sewn, sew the rows together. Make sure to pin well and match the corners. Then finish the remaining edges.
Step 4– Make your cover into a Duvet or Quilt! I used a flat sheet and stacked the cover, right sides together and sewed around the edges leaving a 4 foot opening on one end to stuff the duvet inside. Design Sponge has a tutorial for making a duvet cover if you want more instructions. To make a quilt you’ll sandwich the backing piece (the same size as the top), top and cotton quilt batting. Stitch in the ditch (the seam) in a grid to sew the whole thing together. Sew on a binding around the edge. There are tons of quilt tutorials and you tube videos if you need help!
Be warned, this is not a super quick project. It is very easy but takes time!
***Edited: You will save a LOT of time buying a ruffler foot for your sewing machine but if you don’t have one you could also save time doing the basting (long) stitch and then pin the top piece to the backing piece THEN pull the thread to gather. I actually don’t love this method but a few people have mentioned they like it.
Comments & Reviews
Ebba says
Do you know how many yards of each fabric do you need and how many fabrics did you use? It’s beautiful thank you!
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
For 63 squares like this one you'll need 9 and a quarter yards for the top (assuming 44" wide fabric). You'll get 6 pieces per yard if you want to think of it that way. I think I used 9 different fabrics. For the backing fabric you'll need 4.6 yards of 44" fabric or a full sized flat sheet.
Twins Squared says
I can’t believe you made this! Actually I can believe it because you make amazing stuff all the time but I mean, WOW! Nicely done!
Bethany @ A Fish Who Likes Flowers says
This turned out beautiful! I’ve been wanting to make a duvet cover for my bed and I think I’ve found the perfect tutorial. Thanks for the inspiration!
Tiffany says
This quilt is absolutely beautiful. What a labor of love and what a lucky little person to get to cuddle in it.
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
Thank you so much for all the lovely comments everyone! I’d added a couple updates to the post to answer your questions! Keep asking any questions!
claudia says
Your gathered quilt it is beautifl! I love the colors you put togeher, so happy! Thanks for doing the tutorial. I really want to make one of these.
Creating Sarah says
Holy cow! This is so beautiful! I am always amazed when people come up with things like this. That is a great talent. Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial. You make it look so easy; I will definitely be trying it out!
Kimberly @ The Brown Eyes Have It says
That is absolutely beautiful! No wonder you were featured on Keeping it Simple. What a labor of love!
[email protected] says
This is beautiful! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
Maureen Cracknell says
This is so beautiful! I just love it!!
Alison says
Wow, this is incredible! I love the bright, happy colors you used!! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!
Amy Lynn says
This is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for the clear and detailed tutorial.
~Amy @ Permanent Kisses
Rachel says
This turned out so pretty! This is a method I may have to try out for my next quilting-type project. Thanks for sharing.
Anne says
The price of the fabric could be inexpensive by buying sheets at the thrift store or perhaps a Dollar Store. This is such a wonderful project! Thanks!
Michelle Lubbers says
Beautiful. Just Beautiful. This might just be a project for me and my new ruffle foot.
StefaniM says
The more I look at this the more I absolutely LOVE it!! I am trying to decide who will be the lucky recipient of the one I am going to make very soon 😉 Thanks for sharing your talents.
Mary Anne Shew says
This would be a perfect project for fat quarters. In the quilting world a fat quarter is a pre-cut piece of fabric 18″x22″. In the above pattern, you’d use 63 fat quarters to make the gathered pieces. Just visit your local quilt shop or JoAnns fabric to get them.
Then you can stack the fat quarters 3-4 at a time to cut them down to size. Easier than cutting up yards of fabric.
What a great fabric stash buster too! I haven’t made this yet but I’ve been looking for a simple quilt to make for my mother-in-law, who is in a nursing home. Her bedspread needs to be replaced.
Thanks!
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
Just a reminder to people that if you use fat quarters you'll have to change the number of squares. If you cut the fat quarter in half you'll have to make 9" squares. If you use the whole fat quarter you'll make 18" squares and need much less than 63 fat quarters.
Warning: fat quarters are often not cut on the grain well (especially the cheap ones at JoAnns) so beware. It isn't the end of the world for this project but just a concern in general.
Ophelia says
I was despairing about how much stash I have and how little fabric an actual quilt uses…Not any longer!! I can use up a lot of great stash on this project and also justify my purchase of that ruffler foot that has sat languishing!! It’s a great guilt-busting project.
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
Glad I could help 🙂
Sydney says
A little intimidated by making two twin sized ones for my daughter’s bunk beds but wouldn’t that be cute miniature for the American Girl doll?
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
Oh yes!
Megan says
Could you use old t-shirts to make this quilt? Do you think it would look alright?
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
I don't think it would look quite right. Try making a couple squares to test it and see if you like it though!