Herringbone Baby Quilt Pattern using 8 at a time HST Method
Learn how to make a simple modern baby quilt. This Herringbone baby quilt pattern features a quick-to-piece 8-at-time half-square triangle method.
Last year, we added a new baby to our extended family! My brother and his wife had a baby girl. As soon as I found out my sister-in-law was expecting, I started bugging them about baby quilt designs. Of course, I’m making a quilt for that new baby!
We kept returning to a simple herringbone pattern while talking to my brother about what he liked regarding quilting designs and colors. I was up for making something more intricate, but my brother and his wife have a simple modern style, and the herringbone pattern seemed to blend into their nursery design perfectly.
We settled on using solid fabrics for the front of the quilt, and then he asked me if I had any elephant fabric for the back.
I had to laugh because, YES, I have elephant fabric. My Safari Party fabric line had a print with rows of mama and baby elephants. I was so excited that I could use the print in the quilt.
Quilt Pattern Details
Before I share the tutorial, know I did not “invent” a herringbone quilt pattern. It’s been around for AGES. I’m not claiming that I invented it. I’m sharing how I made this quilt if you want to make one yourself.
Block Details: For this quilt, you need 54 Half-Square Triangles (HST). I will show you how to make 8 HSTs at a time, saving you LOADS of time while making this baby quilt.
Baby Quilt Dimensions: 36″ x 54″
Finished Block Size: The Half Square Triangles in this quilt are 6″ x 6″ finished (which means they are 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ before they are sewn into the quilt). You can make the quilt bigger by making more blocks; you’ll have to do some math.
Easy Herringbone Baby Quilt Pattern
Equipment
- 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ Bloc-Loc Ruler Recommended
supplies
- 1 3/4 Yards Main Fabric (Fabric A) I used Riley Blake solid in Riley Navy
- 1 3/4 Yards Background Fabric (Fabric B) I used Riley Blake solid in Riley White
- 1 3/4 Yards Backing fabric Pink Elephant from Safari Party Fabrics line – out of print
- 3/8 Yard Binding fabric
- 40" x 60" piece Quilt batting I use 100% cotton
Instructions
- Baby Quilt Dimensions: 36" x 54"
Cutting Directions:
- 7 pieces from Fabric A: 13 3/4" x 13 3/4"
- 7 pieces from Fabric B: 13 3/4" x 13 3/4"
Step One: Mark the Fabric
- Draw an X diagonally on the wrong side of all of the lightest pieces of fabric.
Step Two: Pin
- Pin one marked fabric square with one square from a 2nd fabric, right sides facing.
Step Three: Sew
- Ensure you know the 1/4″ seam mark on your sewing machine foot. For these steps, stitching exactly 1/4″ on each side of the line is essential.
- Stitch 1/4″ on each side of the line you drew in both directions.
Step Four: Cut
- You are now ready to cut your square into eight smaller pieces. Using your rotary cutter and quilt ruler, make four cuts.
- First, cut a line horizontally across your block precisely in the center. Next, make a vertical cut also in the center.
- The last cuts are made diagonally along the line you drew in step one.
Step Five: Press & Trim
- You should now have eight pieces of fabric. Open up the HSTs and press the seam towards the darker fabric.
- Trim up each sewn HST to 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″. I like to use a Bloc-Loc ruler to trim and square up my HSTs.
How to Assemble the Quilt Top:
- There are dozens of ways to stitch half-square triangles together to create patterns in quilts. You can create chevrons, triangles, stars, pinwheels, and many other patterns. The herringbone pattern created in this quilt is made by arranging the triangles in such a way as to create a herringbone pattern.
- Usually, I like to stitch my quilts together in rows; for this quilt, I think it’s easier to sew them together by column.
- Follow the diagram below to arrange the HSTs in the quilt. There are 9 HSTs in each column of the quilt.
- After you’ve sewn 6 columns of HSTs together, you will stitch the columns to each other. Again, follow the diagram directions.
- Quilt and bind as desired. I just quilted straight lines 1″ apart using my BERNINA and walking foot to quilt my quilt.
So many cute baby quilts can be made using just Half Square Triangles. If you like this pattern, you may love this baby quilt pattern with six different layout options.
More Free Baby Quilt Patterns:
