Good Morning Sunshine Quilt: Free Pattern & Tutorial

Oct 28, 2025 by SLV Team 53 views

Hey there, quilting enthusiasts! Are you looking for a bright, cheerful, and easy-to-make quilt pattern to kickstart your day? Well, you've come to the right place! The "Good Morning Sunshine Quilt" is designed to bring a little ray of sunshine into your home. This pattern is perfect for quilters of all skill levels, from beginners eager to learn the basics to experienced sewists looking for a quick and satisfying project. So, grab your favorite fabrics, fire up your sewing machine, and let's get started on this delightful quilt! This pattern uses simple blocks and straightforward construction techniques, making it a great choice for a weekend project. Imagine snuggling under this quilt on a crisp morning, sipping your coffee, and feeling the warmth and comfort it provides. Plus, it makes a wonderful gift for friends and family. Who wouldn't love receiving a handmade quilt that radiates positivity and good vibes? Let’s dive deep into what makes this quilt so special and how you can easily create your own version.

What You'll Need

Before we get started, let's gather all the necessary materials. Having everything on hand will make the quilting process smooth and enjoyable. Here's a list of what you'll need to create your own Good Morning Sunshine Quilt:

Fabrics: Choose a variety of bright and cheerful fabrics. Think yellows, oranges, blues, and greens to capture the essence of a sunny morning. You'll need:
- Background Fabric: 3 yards
- Accent Fabrics: A variety of coordinating fabrics, about 1/4 yard each (at least 5-7 different fabrics)
- Binding Fabric: 1/2 yard
- Backing Fabric: 4 yards
Batting: Choose a batting that suits your preferences. Cotton, polyester, or a blend will work well. Ensure it's large enough to cover your quilt top (approximately 60" x 72").
Thread: Select a thread that complements your fabrics. A neutral color like white, cream, or light gray is always a safe bet.
Rotary Cutter, Mat, and Ruler: These are essential for accurate cutting.
Sewing Machine: A reliable sewing machine is a must.
Iron and Ironing Board: Pressing your fabric and seams is crucial for a professional-looking finish.
Pins or Clips: To hold your fabric pieces together while sewing.
Scissors: For trimming threads and fabric.
Seam Ripper: Because mistakes happen!

With these materials ready, you're all set to embark on your Good Morning Sunshine Quilt journey. Remember, the fabric choices are where you can really express your creativity, so have fun selecting your favorite prints and colors!

Cutting Instructions

Accurate cutting is key to a well- pieced quilt. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure your fabric pieces are the correct size:

From Background Fabric:
- Cut (30) 6.5" x 6.5" squares
- Cut (60) 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles
From Accent Fabrics:
- From each accent fabric, cut (5) 6.5" x 6.5" squares. (You will have a total of 30 accent squares)
From Binding Fabric:
- Cut (8) 2.5" strips across the width of the fabric

Tips for Accurate Cutting:

Pre-wash your fabrics: This helps prevent shrinkage and ensures your quilt will maintain its shape after washing.
Use a rotary cutter and ruler: These tools provide the most accurate cuts.
Cut on a flat surface: A cutting mat will protect your table and provide a stable surface.
Double-check your measurements: Before cutting, make sure your ruler is properly aligned.
Cut multiple layers at once: This can save time, but be sure to use sharp rotary cutter and apply even pressure.

With your fabric cut and organized, you're now ready to start piecing your quilt blocks. Accurate cutting will make the sewing process much smoother, so take your time and ensure everything is just right.

Assembling the Quilt Blocks

The Good Morning Sunshine Quilt consists of simple blocks that are easy to assemble. These blocks combine background squares and accent squares to create a visually appealing design. Here’s how to put them together:

Block Assembly: Take one 6.5" x 6.5" background square and one 6.5" x 6.5" accent square. Place them right sides together and sew along one edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Pressing: Press the seam open or to one side. Pressing is a crucial step as it ensures your blocks lie flat and make the overall quilt look more professional.
Repeat: Repeat this process until you have created 30 half-square blocks.
Adding Rectangles: Take two 2.5" x 6.5" background rectangles. Sew one rectangle to the top edge of the half-square block and another rectangle to the bottom edge, ensuring the background rectangles are on opposite sides of the accent square. Press the seams open or towards the rectangles.
Completed Block: You should now have a rectangular block with a background square on one side and an accent square on the other, bordered by background rectangles.
Consistency: Maintain consistency in your seam allowance and pressing to ensure all your blocks are the same size. This will make the quilt assembly much easier.

Tips for Perfect Blocks:

Use a 1/4" seam allowance: Accuracy is key to ensuring your blocks fit together perfectly.
Press after each seam: Pressing helps set the seams and prevents puckering.
Chain piecing: To save time, chain piece multiple blocks together before cutting them apart.
Square up your blocks: If necessary, trim your blocks to ensure they are all the same size.

With your blocks assembled, you're well on your way to creating your Good Morning Sunshine Quilt. The next step is to arrange and sew the blocks together to form the quilt top.

Assembling the Quilt Top

Once you have all your quilt blocks assembled, it's time to arrange them and sew them together to create the quilt top. This is where your quilt really starts to take shape, so take your time and enjoy the process.

Layout: Arrange your blocks in a 5 rows of 6 blocks layout. Play around with the arrangement until you are happy with the overall look. Consider the placement of colors and patterns to create a balanced and visually appealing design.
Sewing Rows: Sew the blocks together in each row. Start by sewing the first two blocks together, then add the third, and so on until the row is complete. Press the seams in each row, alternating the direction of the seams for each row. This will help reduce bulk when you sew the rows together.
Joining Rows: Once all the rows are sewn, it's time to join them together. Pin the first row to the second row, matching the seams carefully. Sew the rows together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat this process until all the rows are joined.
Final Pressing: Give your quilt top a final pressing. Make sure all the seams are flat and the quilt top is square.

Tips for a Perfect Quilt Top:

Use plenty of pins: Pinning helps keep the fabric from shifting while you sew.
Match your seams: Accurate seam matching is crucial for a professional-looking quilt.
Take your time: Rushing can lead to mistakes, so take your time and enjoy the process.
Square up your quilt top: If necessary, trim your quilt top to ensure it is square before adding the borders.

With your quilt top assembled, you're now ready to move on to the next step: layering and quilting.

Layering and Quilting

Layering and quilting are essential steps in creating a finished quilt. This process involves combining the quilt top, batting, and backing fabric to create a cohesive and durable piece. Here’s how to do it:

Prepare the Backing: Lay your backing fabric on a flat surface, wrong side up. Smooth out any wrinkles and secure the edges with tape or pins.
Add the Batting: Place the batting on top of the backing fabric, smoothing out any wrinkles or lumps.
Layer the Quilt Top: Carefully place the quilt top on top of the batting, right side up. Smooth out any wrinkles and ensure all layers are aligned.
Basting: Baste the layers together using your preferred method. You can use safety pins, basting spray, or hand-basting with needle and thread. Start from the center and work your way outwards, spacing the basting every few inches.
Quilting: Quilt the layers together using your sewing machine or by hand. Choose a quilting design that complements your quilt. Simple straight-line quilting, free-motion quilting, or a combination of both can work well.

Tips for Successful Layering and Quilting:

Use a large, flat surface: A large table or the floor works well for layering.
Smooth out wrinkles: Ensure all layers are smooth and wrinkle-free before basting.
Choose the right batting: Select a batting that suits your quilting style and desired warmth.
Start from the center: Baste and quilt from the center outwards to prevent puckering.
Use a walking foot: A walking foot can help feed the layers evenly through your sewing machine.

Once you've finished quilting, trim any excess batting and backing fabric, leaving about an inch of extra fabric around the quilt top. Now you're ready for the final step: adding the binding.

Adding the Binding

Adding the binding is the final step in completing your Good Morning Sunshine Quilt. The binding not only adds a decorative edge but also protects the raw edges of the quilt. Here’s how to attach it:

Prepare the Binding Strips: Join your 2.5" binding strips end to end using diagonal seams. Press the seams open and fold the binding in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Press along the fold.
Attach the Binding: Starting on one side of the quilt, align the raw edges of the binding with the raw edge of the quilt top. Leave a tail of about 10 inches of binding unsewn. Sew the binding to the quilt top using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Miter the Corners: When you reach a corner, stop sewing 1/4" from the edge. Remove the quilt from the sewing machine, fold the binding up at a 45-degree angle, and then fold it back down along the next edge of the quilt. Sew from the edge of the fold to the corner.
Join the Binding Ends: When you reach the starting point, overlap the binding ends and trim away any excess. Join the ends with a diagonal seam and press the seam open.
Hand-stitch the Binding: Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and hand-stitch it in place using a blind stitch. Ensure the stitches are neat and even.

Tips for Perfect Binding:

Use a walking foot: A walking foot can help feed the binding evenly through your sewing machine.
Take your time: Binding can be fiddly, so take your time and be patient.
Use a blind stitch: A blind stitch will create an invisible seam.
Press after each step: Pressing helps the binding lie flat and makes it easier to sew.

Congratulations! You've now completed your Good Morning Sunshine Quilt. Stand back and admire your handiwork. This quilt is sure to bring a little ray of sunshine into your home and brighten up your day.

Enjoy Your Quilt!

Now that your Good Morning Sunshine Quilt is complete, it's time to enjoy it! Snuggle up with it on the couch, use it as a bedspread, or give it as a gift to someone special. This quilt is not only a beautiful addition to any home but also a testament to your creativity and skill.

Care Instructions:

Machine wash: Wash your quilt in cold water on a gentle cycle.
Tumble dry: Tumble dry on low heat or hang to dry.
Avoid bleach: Do not use bleach, as it can damage the fabric.
Store properly: Store your quilt in a cool, dry place to prevent damage.

Thank you for following this pattern! I hope you enjoyed making your own Good Morning Sunshine Quilt. Happy quilting!