In this pattern, the quilt blocks are quick pieced and go together very quickly. Each quilt block is made up of four smaller units.If you’re not a scrap quilt fan, devise a structured color scheme for the quilt and purchase new material. This photo example is of a scrap quilt, but with a more color controlled appearance. Hugs and Kisses is perfect when you’d like to make an easy baby quilt but can be used for quilts of any size.The 4-part blocks in this pattern finish at 9" square and each quarter of a block finishes at 4-1/2" square. If you like Hugs and Kisses quilts with letters that are more defined take a look at an X’s and O’s baby quilt made with sashing. Two sizes are included, a larger version that could even be used as a lap quilt, and a small baby quilt that’s suitable for a newborn.
Beginning Quilters Should Become Familiar with These Skills
If you’re new to quilting, it’s a good idea to review the following articles before you start your first project:
How to Make a Scrap Quilt Color Value for Quilters Color Wheel Simplified How to Rotary Cut Strips of Fabric How to Cut Patchwork Shapes How to Sew a Quarter Inch Seam Allowance
Hugs and Kisses Quilt Block Options
How Hugs and Kisses Quilt Blocks Are Made
The quilt blocks are made by sewing small squares in two opposite corners of a larger square with the same technique used to make quick pieced Snowball quilt blocks. A portion of the squares are trimmed after sewing, leaving triangles in those two corners. Each Hugs and Kisses quilt block is made from four of the smaller quick pieced squares. Two variations are shown above. Dark fabrics form the X in the block on the left and light fabrics form the X in the block on the right. The two can be mixed in a layout—experiment to see if you like the look. Quilt blocks can be sewn together as O’s, too—like the blocks in this example. The quilt layout will differ somewhat, but it’s actually the outermost areas of smaller units that change the appearance of a scrap quilt. To make the two letters more distinct, create both block configurations, and use the same fabric to sew the patchwork that forms each X or O.
Vary the Size of Your Quilt Blocks
The quilt blocks can be any size, and if you see other patterns for the design you’ll find that some people vary the proportions of the corner squares used for triangles. As long as square sizes are consistent, you should not have any problems with the various dimensions. Many quilters make the quilt blocks with pre-cut 5" squares, often called “charm squares,” which are available in packets of coordinating colors. Some of the large squares are cut into quarters to produce four 2-1/2" squares, which are then used to create triangles in the corners of the remaining 5" squares.
Resizing the Quilt Blocks
If you’d like to change the block size and aren’t sure how large the small squares should be, refer to the following guidelines:
Cut small squares that are 1/2 the size of the larger square. This is different than the traditional pattern, but it works perfectly and will produce chunkier X’s and O’s.Finished block size is the finished size of two square patchwork units across and two down.
Assemble the X’s and O’s Quilt Blocks
Yardage Requirements
Yardages are helpful, but you’ll want to pay more attention to the number of pieces needed if sewing a scrap quilt. You’ll need the following materials to make a quilt similar to the project shown in the first step.
(168) 5" x 5" dark squares (3-1/4 yards)(336) 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" light squares, 2 yards (if you are using charm packs, cut light 5" squares into quarters to create (4) 2-1/2" squares each, the size difference won’t matter)
Other Materials
Backing and batting for a quilt that finishes at 54" x 63" (quilt backing instructions) About 240 running inches of double fold binding to finish at 1/4" (how to make binding strips for quilts)
Assemble the X’s and O’s Quilt Blocks
Design the X’s and O’s Quilt
X’s and O’s Quilt with Different Proportions
This is the slightly different version of a Hugs and Kisses quilt made using corner squares that are half the size of the larger squares. The X’s are more chunky in this variation of the quilt. Fabric Squares for Other Quilt SizesBatting, backing and binding — see previously instructions in step 3. 36" x 45" Hugs and Kisses Baby Quilt (9" blocks as shown in this pattern)
(80) 5" x 5" dark squares (1-1/2 yards) (160) 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" light squares (or 2-1/2" squares for the more chunky X’s on this page) (1 yard)
77" x 88" Bed Quilt (larger, 11" blocks)
(224) 6" x 6" squares (6-1/2 yards)(448) 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" squares (or 3" squares for the more chunky X’s) (3 yards)
How to Alter Your Quilt
Add or subtract blocks from its width and height; remember to add or subtract four larger squares and eight smaller squares per blockSew one or more borders to the quilt.
A few facts about mattress sizes can help you design a quilt perfect for your bed.
