Stairway to Heaven Quilt Tutorial

Hi All! In case you missed it, my Stairway to Heaven quilt was featured over on Moda Bakeshop last week. You can find a printable version of it HERE, or simply scroll down. Also, major props to @auntiePami over on Instagram for coming up with the awesome quilt name – thanks again! 😉

This is a super simple quilt that’s great for a beginner or anyone that
wants a fast and fun project, as this pattern uses a quick cutting
shortcut shown below. Your quilt will be done in no time!

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to actually quilt and bind this in time for my MBS blog post so check back if you want to see the finished quilt.

Before I begin, here are some pretty pictures of the quilt top with my child and furry children. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy the tutorial!

My quilting buddy Paige (below) does her signature roll and says “hello!”

And Bodie (a bit unsure of himself, and still terrified of my sewing machine) is wondering if he’s posing correctly like Paige always does. ;-p He’s a sweetheart!

This makes a ~72″x60″ quilt.

Materials

  • 1 Layer Cake (you will need 25 of the 42 squares)
  • *1 Jelly Roll (you will only need 15 of the 42 strips)
  •  1 1/8 yard of solid
  • 1/2 yard binding
  •  3 1/2 yards backing

*Alternatively, you can cut your own strips from five different 1/4 yard cuts (cut three 2.5″ strips along the WOF from each quarter yard for a total of 15 strips)

Instructions: 

Before you begin, please note that “assemble” refers to sewing your pieces together (with right sides facing together, sew a 1/4″ SA and then press open with an iron.

Step 1: Cut the 1 1/8 yard solid fabric into sixteen 2.5″ strips along the WOF.


Step 2: Divide your layer cake into 4 piles of similar colors: color 1, color 2, color 3 and color 4. From color 1, choose 7 squares.
From color 2, choose 7 squares.
From color 3, choose 4 squares.
From color 4, choose 7 squares.

Step 3: Using fabric scissors, trim a jelly roll strip to the same length as the layer cake (I simply aligned the strip to the layer cake and then trimmed). Assemble two strips to the left and right sides as shown below. Note: these strips can be any color/design you want.

Then, assemble a solid strip to the top and bottom. Simply trim the strip to size using fabric scissors as described above.

Repeat the above for all 25 of your layer cake squares, for a total of 25 blocks:

Step 4: Next, use a rotary cutter to quarter all of your blocks. This will give you a total of 100 7″x7″ blocks.

Step 5: Arrange your blocks as shown below. It helps to start by laying out the top row first, then the first block in each row, and then fill the rest in from there.

Start by assembling the blocks within each row together. Then, assemble the rows together.
Tip: Press the seams in each row in alternating directions so that when you assemble the rows, the seams will nest at the intersections.
Step 6: To prepare the backing fabric, cut the 3 1/2 yards in half to yield two 63″xWOF rectangles. Assemble the rectangles along the 63″ side to create the backing fabric. Baste, and then quilt. From your 1/2 yard of binding fabric, cut seven 2.5″ strips then follow my simple Binding Tutorial.
Aaaaand that’s all there is to it!
Thank you for checking out my tutorial and happy quilting! 🙂
Printer-friendly version here.
xoxo jera

 

23 Responses to Stairway to Heaven Quilt Tutorial

  1. Ruth September 7, 2014 at 10:39 pm #

    On my list. And I cannot wait for your book to come out.

  2. Quilt Fabric Pizazz September 9, 2014 at 2:54 pm #

    I keep forgetting about "the quilt as you go method". It is a good old fashioned way to make a quilt especially if you limited in space, like I am in my winter condo by the seaside. I look forward to seeing more ideas in your new book.

  3. Zenia @ A Quilted Passion September 9, 2014 at 7:24 pm #

    Thanks for another great free tutorial! Looking forward to your book!

  4. Tom Cranford September 10, 2014 at 9:49 am #

    The books looks awesome and love all the beautiful colors in the quilts.
    Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the give away! !
    tomdcranford@yahoo.com

  5. China Ali October 9, 2014 at 1:03 pm #

    can you run block.horizontal like a chevron

  6. Anonymous December 3, 2014 at 10:44 am #

    Hi, lovely quilts and colors are to die for.
    starting a quilting classes for the disadvantaged ladies in my country. can you supply patterns for me? DUDU

  7. lovetoquilt December 8, 2014 at 12:27 am #

    This one is totally on my 'to do' list. I really want to try the quilt as you go method too…as I have way too many quilt tops that are not quilted….thanks for sharing!

  8. China Ali December 28, 2014 at 1:20 am #

    it doesn't mention the batting in tutorial and this is a QAYG right?

  9. maureen pisciotta January 6, 2015 at 6:41 pm #

    Hi…Just found your site and I'm "Happy". I'm a beginner and always looking for good tutorials. You offer your time and your skills to us newbies. The site is stock full of information for projects and you explain in your tutorials just how to do those projects.I'm retired now and have the time to learn a new craft. Thank you and I'll be visiting many times in the future.

  10. Angelica O'Connor January 13, 2015 at 8:30 pm #

    ??? Beautiful Quilt pattern and great choice of fabrics! It look amazing! ??

  11. Jan Jones January 14, 2015 at 8:20 pm #

    It's lovely & on my list. Thanks.

  12. Ampmom3 March 1, 2015 at 2:56 pm #

    Please post the fabric names and brands you used for the quilt top, binding, and backing. I love this!

  13. margaret September 12, 2015 at 5:21 pm #

    loving this have just found it through a Piecing it together email

  14. Leslie Ludlow September 10, 2016 at 2:38 am #

    Thank you so much for my first Quit block a day from facebook . What a great name, for your quilt.
    I also love dogs.

  15. Teri Duell October 17, 2016 at 2:56 am #

    I am looking for a pattern for one of your quilts on this page. It is the more vintage looking one (flowers…soft colors), but I don’t where else to look. Have been through your blog and website several times. I didn’t know if it was in one of your books or not and which one? Thanks for your help. You can email me at ftdmidd@yahoo.com Thanks, Teri

  16. Jeri Barnard August 30, 2017 at 3:31 pm #

    Hi! Love the Stairway to Heaven quilt!! I’d like the printable version of the tutorial, but the links aren’t working 🙁

  17. Dee Werner October 14, 2017 at 1:26 pm #

    Love this quilt! I made two lap quilts for a friend’s son, and I used rail fence. I am now making her a quilt and I wanted to stay away from rail fence, but with this quilt, I can use a little larger block (to showcase the florals in hers) while still having the zigzag of one color like rail fence – kind of a tribute to the quilts of her boys!!!! She will love it!!!!!! Thank you!
    P.S. Every one of my quilts ends with my dog on it!!!! Recipients are just told “If you are allergic, wash immediately!!!!! (I don’t make them for money; just gifts!!!)

  18. Mary Galea November 8, 2017 at 11:23 pm #

    What a pretty quilt! Looking forward to making three for my granddaughters.

  19. Jan August 23, 2019 at 4:26 am #

    I am trying to make the quilt, I’m not using jelly rolls so can you tell me what size the middle square is?
    I am using scraps and so far I’m thinking the middle square is 9 5/8? Is this correct in order to cut the large square into 4 individual 7 inch squares.

  20. Sandee November 17, 2021 at 3:57 am #

    I have made this quilt 10 times! It is the best quilt to make in flannels. My daughter loved hers so much, she made me make her a second one, so she would always have one!

  21. Tammy Potts-McNure January 8, 2022 at 3:12 pm #

    Love this can not wait to do this quilt . Love the name after one of my favorite songs .

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Latest shenanigans…(did i mention i’m preggo?) – quiltingintherain.com - January 28, 2016

    […] quilt is a vintage find. The top quilt is my Strawberries Fields Forever quilt, the bottom is my Stairway to Heaven quilt, and the mini hanging on the wall is my Sweethearts Mini […]

Leave a Reply to Jeri Barnard Cancel reply

Site by Spunmonkey.