How to Make a No Applique Quilt

Lisa Mullenburg creates adorable quilts that feature dogs, dinosaurs and owls among many other characters. Her story is interesting. She started designing quilts for her Mother to make, so that Mom could make quilts for each of her grandchildren. She quilts with a method she calls “counted quilts” which is a no applique quilt method, and also is the name of her quilt business.

How to Make a No Applique Quilt

The technique is simple, yet brilliant. First, you cut your fabric into strips.

Next, you cut the strips into pieces following the instructions in the pattern.

Finally, you assemble the pieces using 1/4″ straight seams following a map included in the pattern.  These quilts are a quick and easy way to make an adorable character without using applique. The patterns only use straight seams.

Lisa demonstrates her method in this YouTube video.  This video shows, step by step by to make the Dog quilt top from a Counted Quilts pattern. It gives you sewing hints, answers you questions about charts and cutting, etc. You will see just how quick and easy these patterns are to assemble.

Lisa’s 6 year old daughter, now a pin puller and string cutter, recently asked her when they were making their next “Quilt that Counts.”  Lisa says “I told her my shop was called Counted Quilts, but I think she had it right.  I love being part of making a gift that really counts.  A Counted Quilt is a thoughtful gift that will be treasured for a life time.”

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to create a character quilt for a child, you should consider Lisa’s line of Counted Quilts Patterns. We love the adorable pattern that showcases a friendly pair of Dolphins. It is a surprisingly simple pattern inspired from the designer’s trip to Hawaii where she saw some Dolphins right next to the boat as they went out to snorkel.

Thanks for joining us today on our blog! We hope you will enjoy making a no applique quilt using the “counted quilts” method.