Have you been looking for simple quilts to make for college bound kids? I have 5 easy quilts that are modern and simple and can be sewn up in just a few days. Make a quilt for your grad to take to college this year! Its a fun way for them to take a little piece of home with them.
Easy Quilts to Make for College
It was a tradition growing up in my family to make a new quilt to send a kid off to college. Often the kid would help make the quilt as well. I've been a little late with this tradition in my own house as my grads have mostly preferred store bought blankets, but I do eventually get around to making them a quilt they can use in their apartment so the tradition lives on. Here's a round up of quilts I've made for my kids that are simple to make and even my boys like them.
1. A Simple Half Square Triangle Quilt
I think Half Square triangle quilts may be my favorite to sew. I have certainly made more HST quilts than any other quilts. The design possibilities are endless and the results are always striking.
My oldest boy requested a flannel quilt. I happened to have a bunch of flannel in my closet my mom had given me years ago that he said was perfect. I paired each plaid piece with a solid and sewed them into Half Square Triangles.
I didn't use a pattern for this one but I believe each square started out being cut to 8". Then I stacked 2 squares together and sewed twice down the middle to make 2 Half Square Triangles. I sewed them up in sets of 6 HSTs per block and then laid out all the blocks until they looked "right". It turned out to be the perfect twin size. For the backing I bought a black flat sheet from Walmart. He loved it and uses it in his apartment still today.
2. The Sugar Quilt by Then Came June
My next son liked the half square triangle idea too but for his college quilt he wanted the squares to be smaller. We snapped this pic just before he threw it on his bed in his dorm room.
I also didn't use a pattern for this one but it was inspired by the Sugar Quilt free pattern by Then Came June. I had seen this style scrolling instagram but couldn't find it again when I was looking for the pattern so I had to improvise. I used a bunch of different prints and solids in this quilt including a lot of Art Gallery Fabrics I got from my aunt's shop, Quiltee Pleasures. I started off with 6" squares this time and then sewed them into HSTs. I used 6 sets and needed about 1/2 yard of each fabric.
For the quilting I used a wavy stitch on my Bernina B380. On my machine it's stitch number 4. I played with the stitch length and width until I got the look I wanted. You can see it in action on this baby quilt Instagram post. I was pressed for time so I only stitched this quilt every 2.5 inches or so.
More Half Square Triangle Quilts
3. The Grand Adventures Quilt
Another easy quilt to make is the Grand Adventure Quilt
To make this quilt I followed a tutorial by Missouri Star Quilt Co. You can read all about my experience making this quilt in my Grand Adventure Quilt Post
4. The Dorothy Quilt by Penelope Handmade
This one I sewed up in the baby sized but I have a larger one in the works to give to my daughter. It is really so simple to sew. It sews up fast and its great for using up scraps.
5. The Blakely Quilt by Then Came June
This is a Blakey Quilt my sister made for my brother. I love it because its modern and fresh. He loves it too and wishes it was bigger to fit his queen bed (this the throw size). I believe this quilt pattern only has size options for throw and queen but you could easily add a row as needed to make it fit a twin. I love it the simplicity of this design.
I hope this inspires you to make a quilt for your grad to take to college this year. Its a fun way for them to take a little piece of home with them. And a fun way to show a little love!
Happy Sewing!
See more quilts I've made HERE
