Once upon a time, a beautiful grandmother (that’s me) had a closet full of brightly colored quilt scraps and wanted something to do with them. She was about to go into the woods for a picnic and wanted a picnic blanket quilt.

This grandmother found a couple great ideas that she combined to make a beautiful picnic quilt. Let’s she what she made!!

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Designing a picnic quilt from my brightly colored scraps was easy and fun. Using a shower curtain as a backing is a fabulous idea (not mine) but it made this picnic quilt waterproof which was perfect for a picnic in the park and because the sand just falls right off it is also perfect for sitting in the sand on the beach.

COMBINING TWO PATTERNS

I wish I could say I came up with the shower curtain backing idea but I actually got the idea from Pinterest.  Mary from Craft Buds designed an all-in-one tote bag using a purchased blanket and a shower curtain bottom.  What a GREAT idea !! Only problem is I didn’t want to use a purchased blanket, I wanted to make it a quilt. 

Here’s where Nana get’s creative AGAIN! 

The tote tutorial cuts the shower curtain to 72 x  60 but the Simple Weave quilt pattern was made for 72 x 96 quilt (6 blocks wide and 8 blocks long).

There is a handy little chart that will help you that is included in the free downloads you receive when signing up for my newsletter.

My shower curtain was 72 x 70, so not big enough to make a 72 x 72 quilt. To accommodate my shower curtain, I made my quilt top 72 x 60 or 6 blocks by 5 blocks.  So basically, you will be making the All-In-One Picnic Blanket Tote using your quilt top rather than a purchased blanket. 

SUPPLIES NEEDED

If you don’t have a lot of scraps, you will need to purchase a jelly roll to make the 2-1/2” strips.

To make the quilt, you will need:

• 2 Jelly Rolls containing at least 40 strips each 
• 2 yards of fabric for background
• Two 18 x 16 pieces  of fabric  for “TOTE” – Fat quarters work great for this ( I am sure you have some lying around) or 1/2 yd of coordinating fabric cut into two 18 x 16 pieces.
• one heavy duty vinyl shower curtain. 
• 78″ x 66″ batting
• Coordinating Thread
• the Simple Weave Quilt pattern for the top  and
• the All-In-One Picnic Blanket Tote tutorial.

INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THE PICNIC QUILT

Following the Simple Weave quilt pattern and tutorial make the top of your picnic quilt.

When done the top, rather than making a quilt “sandwich”, you will simply pin or baste the batting to the WRONG side of the top.  In other words, you will not be using a quilt backing.   Quilt as desired.  I used an all-over meander. 

ADDING THE TOTE AND BACKING

I made the strap for the tote from the leftover background fabric.  Cut the fabric 3 inches wide by WOF.  Fold in half and sew down the open LONG side with a 1/2″ seam (Leave ends open).  Turn fabric right side out and press.  You do not need to finish the ends as they will be sewn inside the seam. If you would rather use a purchased strap, it should be approximately 45 inches long.

You will be using the two pieces of 18 x 16 fabric and your straps to make the tote. Pin and/or baste the straps to the RIGHT side of one of the fabric pieces one inch from the edge of the longer side (18″ side). This is the top of the tote.

Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together. Sew up one of short sides, across the top, then down the other short side. Turn and press. The unsewn side is the bottom of the tote.

Position the tote on a corner of the quilt top one inch from the edge and the bottom ON THE EDGE of the quilt per the diagram below. Top stitch the two short sides.

Next, you will need to trim the shower curtain to match the length of your quilt top – 60 inches. To size your shower curtain, cut off the bulky items like the grommets and magnets or suction cups.

With right side facing the shower curtain, pin the edges of the shower curtain to the top.  Be sure to catch the bottom of the tote between the top and the curtain. Use as little pinning as possible to avoid holes in the backing.

Using a ½ inch seam allowance, sew all around the quilt leaving an opening to turn.  Turn right side out, pin the opening closed, then top stitch around all the edges (closing the opening).

TO FOLD THE PICNIC QUILT INTO THE TOTE

Do you remember “quillows”?  They were all the rage when my kids were little and I think they still make a great gift for a child.  Folding your picnic quilt can be a bit tricky so be sure to bookmark the page.  I forget and need to refer to the post at times to help me fold it up. 

First, lay the quilt on the ground top and tote down. Fold in half, then in half again. Next, flip the tote around to the wrong side of the quilt – like you are turning it inside out. Your tote should be on the bottom of the folded quilt.

Now, fold the quilt down to the tote top (twice). Lastly, fold the picnic quilt  into the tote and you are ready to go on your picnic!! This diagram from the All-in-One Picnic Blanket Tote tutorial should help!!

I hope you enjoy your fun in the sun. Remember if you have any problems, leave me a comment or message me. I will be pleased to help! I would also love it if how me your creation. And don’t forget to share!!

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