How to Make a Mosaic Quilt: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

The photo above © Jordan Fabrics

Are you ready to create a quilt that looks like a piece of art? The Mosaic Quilt is a stunning design that mimics the intricate beauty of mosaic artwork, with vibrant colors and bold black accents. Designed by Donna Jordan of Jordan Fabrics, this quilt is surprisingly easy to make, even for beginners. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process, from cutting the fabric to assembling the quilt top. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love the Mosaic Quilt

The Mosaic Quilt is a fantastic project for several reasons:

• Unique Design: The quilt’s mosaic-like appearance resembles stained glass or tile work, making it a standout piece.
• Beginner-Friendly: Despite its intricate look, this quilt is simple to assemble with clear, easy-to-follow steps.
• Customizable: Use your favorite fabrics to create a quilt that reflects your personal style.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following supplies:

• 35 layer cake squares (10-inch pre-cut squares)
• Black fabric for the background and accents
• Rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat
• Sewing machine and thread
• Iron and pressing mat
• Chalk pencil or fabric marker

Step 1: Cutting the Fabric

The first step is to prepare your fabric. Here’s how to do it:

Cutting the Background Fabric

1. Cut two widths of black fabric at 15 inches.
2. Fold the fabric to cut four layers at a time, ensuring accuracy.
3. Cut the fabric into 1-inch wide strips. These will be used as accents between the blocks.

Preparing the Layer Cake Squares

No sub-cutting is required for the layer cake squares. Simply pair them up for the next step.

Step 2: Creating the Blocks

The Mosaic Quilt is made up of unique blocks, each featuring a random cut and black accent. Here’s how to create them:

1. Take two layer cake squares and line them up so the edges are aligned.
2. Make a random cut across the middle of the squares. The angle doesn’t matter—just cut freely!
3. Swap the pieces to create two new blocks. For example, pair the left piece of one square with the right piece of the other.
4. Use a chalk pencil to mark the middle of each block and the black accent strips. This will help you align the pieces when sewing.

Step 3: Sewing the Blocks

Now it’s time to sew the blocks together.

1. Place a black accent strip between the two pieces of a block, aligning the chalk marks.
2. Sew the pieces together using a ¼-inch seam allowance. Press the seam toward the batik fabric.
3. Repeat this process for all the blocks, ensuring each one has a unique angle for the black accent.

Step 4: Adding the Second Accent

To add more interest to the quilt, you’ll add a second black accent to each block.

1. Take two completed blocks and make another random cut across the middle.
2. Swap the pieces and mark the middle of each block and the black accent strips.
3. Sew the pieces together, aligning the chalk marks and pressing the seam toward the black accent.

Step 5: Trimming the Blocks

Once all the blocks are sewn, it’s time to trim them to ensure they’re perfectly square.

1. Trim each block to 9 ½ inches square, removing any excess fabric.
2. This step ensures that all the blocks are uniform and easy to assemble into a quilt.

Step 6: Assembling the Quilt

With all the blocks trimmed, it’s time to assemble the quilt top.

1. Lay out the blocks in a 5x7 grid, arranging the colors so that no two similar colors are next to each other.
2. Sew the blocks into rows, then sew the rows together to complete the quilt top.

Step 7: Quilting and Finishing

The final step is to quilt and bind your Mosaic Quilt.

1. Choose a quilting pattern that complements the design. Donna used the “Calm Waters” pattern, which mimics ripples of water.
2. Quilt the layers together, then add binding to finish the edges. Black binding works well to frame the quilt.

Tips for Success

• Experiment with Colors: While Donna used batiks, you can use any fabric you love to create a unique look.
• Randomize the Cuts: The beauty of this quilt lies in the randomness of the cuts, so don’t overthink it!
• Press Seams Carefully: Pressing the seams toward the black accents ensures a clean, professional finish.

Final Thoughts

The Mosaic Quilt is a fun and rewarding project that’s perfect for quilters of all skill levels. Its unique design and vibrant colors make it a standout piece, while the simple construction ensures it’s easy to make. Whether you choose to add sashing between the blocks or keep it as is, this quilt is sure to impress.

Ready to get started? Gather your materials and follow the steps above to create your own Mosaic Quilt. Don’t forget to share your finished project with us—we’d love to see your creativity in action!

Watch the Full Video Tutorial Here