• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Polka Dot Chair logo

  • SEWING
    • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Bag Patterns
    • Costumes
    • Apparel
    • Learn to Sew
    • Beginner Friendly
    • Embroidery Projects
    • Tips & Techniques
    • All Sewing
  • QUILTING
    • Quilt Blocks
    • Learn to Quilt
    • Free Patterns
    • Quilt Patterns
    • All Quilting
  • CRAFTS
    • Disney
    • Cricut
    • Printables
    • All Crafts
  • HOLIDAYS
    • Seasonal Projects
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • All Holidays
  • TUTORIALS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • My Fabric Collections
    • Published Books
    • Press
    • FAQ’s
    • Contact
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • SHOP
  • TUTORIALS
  • SEWING
  • QUILTING
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CRAFTS
  • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
  • ABOUT
    • Published Books
    • My Fabric Collections
  • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • SHOP
    • TUTORIALS
    • SEWING
    • QUILTING
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CRAFTS
    • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
    • ABOUT
      • Published Books
      • My Fabric Collections
    • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Sewing

    Simple Triangle Quilt Tutorial

    Updated: Jun 14, 2021 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 10 Comments

    This triangle quilt is speedy to sew and a great project for a beginning quilter. If you like this quilt project, you may also enjoy this Hexagon Quilt Tutorial. 

    Triangle Quilt

    We just returned from getting my daughter set up for her 2nd year of college. I can’t believe she’s old enough for college, let alone old enough to be starting her second year!

    Before she graduated High School, she picked out some fabric that she liked for a quilt for her dorm room.  She went with Out to Sea by Sarah Jane, as she’s a huge fan of pink and navy. We ordered the fabric, then it sat.

    Table of Contents
    • How I made My Triangle Quilt
    • Quilt Size
    • How Much Fabric Do I Need?
    • Step 1: How to Cut the Triangles
    • Step 2: Lay out the Cut Triangles
    • Step 3: Sew the Triangles Together by Rows
    • Step 4: Press
    • Step 5: Assemble
    • How I Quilted my Triangle Quilt

    Distracted by all of the deadlines I had to meet the last year, her project never made it to the top of the “to do” list. How does that saying about the shoemaker’s children go???

    Triangle Quilt

    She was in London over the summer for study abroad, and I decided that I’d finish the quilt while she was gone. That way, she could take it to school with her this year.

    She left the design of the quilt up to me, in fact, she had no opinion on the layout. I had been itching to make a triangle quilt and thought this would be a great project for it.

    How I made My Triangle Quilt

    This quilt is made from a basket of scraps. Because of this, you won’t find a “precise” tutorial here. Instead, you will find a set of instructions to make your own scrappy triangle quilt!

    Quilt Size

    I know it can seem intimidating to sew this way, especially if you’re new to quilting. Don’t be afraid to make something your own! There are no quilt “rules” that you have to live by. This quilt can be any size you’d like!

    My Quilt is approx. 45″ x 72″.

    How Much Fabric Do I Need?

    As for fabric yardage estimates, I think this quilt is best made “scrappy.” With that in mind, it works well for a “stash buster” quilt. Meaning you can use up some of your stashed and leftover fabrics while making it.

    If you don’t have a “pile” of scraps to begin with (remember it’s a scrappy quilt!) I recommend starting with a fat quarter pack. It will give you a wide variety of prints and colors. You can get 6 triangles from one fat quarter piece.

    Most fat quarter packs have 24 fat quarters, so you can get 144 triangles from one pack, more than enough for a quilt!

    Derby Day Fabric collection by Melissa Mortenson of polkadotchair.com for Riley Blake Designs, fun fabric designs inspired by a day at the Kentucky Derby

    Step 1: How to Cut the Triangles

    To make this quilt, all you really need is ANY 60-degree triangle ruler.

    The quilt was made by cutting triangles using the Jaybird Quilts Hex and More ruler. My triangles are 9 ½″ wide by 8″ tall after they are cut out. The ruler is designed to cut several different shapes, but I just used it for its simplest application, triangles.

    I used 99 triangles in my quilt top.

    Step 2: Lay out the Cut Triangles

    There wasn’t too much rhyme or reason to how I cut the triangles; I cut several out of different fabrics then laid them out on a design wall to balance out the lights and darks.

    I ended up with 11. And 9 rows of triangles down. Note: (the triangles on end are trimmed in half so that you have a straight edge to work with when making your quilt). The finished quilt features 9 triangles across plus two half triangles (one on each end).

    Step 3: Sew the Triangles Together by Rows

    3 Tips for Beginning Quilters on polkadotchair.com

    After I had a layout for the quilt that I liked, I removed the triangles from the design wall one row at a time and stitched them together.

    TIP: Make sure that you label your rows as you sew to put them back together in the correct order. I just use a post-it note and a pin to number the rows.

    3 Tips for Beginning Quilters on polkadotchair.com

    Step 4: Press

    Pree the seams to one side and labeled the row, then move on to sewing the next row. Keep doing that until all the rows are sewn together.

    Step 5: Assemble

    After that, sew the rows together.

    3 Tips for Beginning Quilters on polkadotchair.com

    This quilt is constructed almost identically to my Halloween Hexagon Quilt it just features triangles instead of hexagons.  Cut out the shapes, arrange as you like then sew together in rows.

    If you’re the type that needs a full pattern to work from, you can find a great Triangle Quilt Pattern over at Jeni Baker’s site. 

    If you’re ok with “winging it” then give this technique a try!

    Triangle Quilt

    How I Quilted my Triangle Quilt

    I had considered free motion quilting the quilt (or even sending it out to be quilted), then I decided with all of the straight lines on the quilt that it would look best with straight line quilting. My BERNINA 710 is a dream for this kind of project, and I was able to finish quilting it in about an hour or so.

    Triangle Quilt

    I used 40 WT white Aurifil thread for the top and 50 WT thread in my bobbin. I love how the stitches on the top look with the heavier 40 WT thread; so nice and distinct.

    Triangle Quilt

    For the back, she wanted a chevron. I think I’m about “over” chevron by now, but it’s what she wanted. Plus, I ordered the Riley Blake 108″ wide quilt back, which meant I didn’t have to piece the back.

    Triangle Quilt

    Now it’s done… a year late, but hey…. done!

    More Fun Quilt Projects to Try:

    45+ Beginner Quilt Patterns

    Scrappy Strips Baby Quilt Tutorial

    The Just For Fun Quilt Block Series 

    More Projects You May Enjoy

    • Sewing Machine Needles Explained & Printable Guide
    • Color Combination Ideas for your Next Quilt or Sewing Project
    • 25 Free Patchwork Quilted Pillow Patterns
    • Mini Fabric Envelope Sewing Pattern

    • Share
    • Email

    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Phyllis says

      September 05, 2014 at 2:51 am

      Love this quilt! I know just the new fabric line I would like to make this from 😉 !

      Reply
    2. erin says

      September 05, 2014 at 7:01 am

      it’s cute! and i bet she loves it!
      we need to make a lunch plan soon. 🙂

      Reply
    3. Megan says

      September 05, 2014 at 5:05 pm

      This turned out great and a perfect college quilt! Great for curling up while studying! Chevron has been used so much but so many people still love it. Loving the pink and navy together the most!

      Reply
    4. Kittie says

      May 17, 2015 at 9:32 am

      What size triangles are these? How much fabric does it take, and what is the finished quilt size?

      Thanks!

      Reply
    5. Victoria says

      September 02, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      I would also like the answers to Kittie’s questions. This is a beautiful quilt, and although I could count your triangles, knowing the exact amount of fabric would be great. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 02, 2015 at 1:46 pm

        Oh gosh, I don’t think I could do the math right now to figure out how many fabrics or how much I used. I’d recommend starting with a fat quarter pack. If you want a really detailed pattern then this one from Jeni Baker is great and will give you a lot more information … http://incolororder.bigcartel.com/product/triangularity-quilt-pdf-pattern

        Reply
    6. Monique says

      November 29, 2015 at 12:03 pm

      This is beautiful and your instructions and images are great, but one quick question: you mentioned you used the Hex and More Ruler- I looked it up and noticed it claims to be a template for 60 degree triangles. Is this the size you used?

      Reply
    7. Grace says

      September 13, 2016 at 12:09 am

      I was wondering if you knew who the designer of the Union Jack fabric is (in the second photo). Thanks in advance!

      Reply
    8. jessica says

      January 14, 2018 at 1:05 pm

      What size are the triangles and what size is the quilt.

      Reply
    9. Becky says

      April 30, 2021 at 10:21 am

      I loved this quilt so much that I made a similar (but smaller) one for my daughter for when we switched her to a toddler bed. She calls it “my twiangles banket” 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

    COPYRIGHT POLICY

    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimers
    • About Melissa
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Press
    • Published Books
    • Fabric Collections

    Welcome to the Polka Dot Chair! Here you’ll find easy, step-by-step, sewing, quilting, and crafting projects. We design projects for Makers of all skill levels. Beginners are welcome!

    DISCLAIMER:

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content on this website, the information is made available without warranty of any kind. The Polka Dot Chair accepts no responsibility or liability, whether direct or indirect, as to the currency or accuracy of the information, nor any consequence of its uses. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional.

    Copyright © 2022 Polka Dot Chair

    [ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin