Modern Plus Quilt Tutorial (2024)

The Modern Plus Quilt is finally finished! I've cooked up a tutorial if you're interested in making your own! It's a fun alternative to regular patchwork, but the piecing is just as easy since you're still using squares! I can definitely see myself making more plus quilts in the future!

If you’d rather have this tutorial in downloadable/printed form, check out my Arithmetic Quilt Pattern. It features six different quilt sizes in three different square sizes. That adds up to eighteen different quilt options to customize your project!

Find the pattern in my online shop here: Arithmetic Quilt Pattern.

Fabric Shops: If you'd like to teach classes on this design, I ask that you order paper copies of my pattern for each student. You can order patterns wholesale through this form. Please refrain from teaching directly from this tutorial, thanks!

I used Castle Peeps by Lizzy House* to make my quilt. I added some coordinating Kona Cotton Solids* for the backing and binding. There is also an optional scrappy pieced backing included in this tutorial. It's a great way to use up the leftover scraps from the front of the quilt!

Sewing Level: Beginner Friendly
Finished Size: 64"x75"

Modern Plus Quilt Materials:
- 20 fat quarters of print fabrics
- 2 yards of 90" wide cotton batting
- 4 yards of backing fabric**
- 1/2 yard of binding fabric
- Coordinating thread

**Optional pieced backing: 3 3/4 yards solid fabric + scraps from fat quarters

Modern Plus Quilt Cutting:

- Cut (4) 4.5"x21" strips
- Subcut each strip into (4) 4.5" squares for a grand total of 320 squares.

Modern Plus Quilt Instructions:
Use a 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.

1. Lay out your quilt according to the diagram, you'll have 19 rows of 16 squares each. The process for laying out the pluses is easiest to explain in a diagram! Here is a diagram showing the process below:

(48) - Full 5 square pluses
(11) - 4 square partial pluses
(2) - 3 square partial pluses
(14) - Single squares

Note: The diagram above has eight colors, simply to show the way the plus design is laid out. You'll likely have more than 8 different fabrics in your quilt so it is not meant to show exact fabric placement.

Once you’re happy with your layout, you’ll want to stack up your rows so that you sew them up in the correct order. I choose to stack the squares moving from left to right. Label the top of each row with a small slip of paper attached with a safety pin.

2. Sew your squares together in each row. I recommend pressing seams to one side, alternating direction every other row. I like to sew a few rows and then press 2 or 3 at a time. This breaks up the sewing a bit and doesn’t leave you with a ton of ironing at the end!

3. Now it’s time to sew your rows together. I suggest sewing your rows together in pairs, 1+2, 3+4, etc. You can then sew your pairs together and continue until you’ve finished. This system helps minimize the amount of bulky sewing you’ll have to do. Just like with your rows, don’t forget to press your seams. Your top is done, congrats!

4. Prepare Backing: It’s good practice to cut your backing and batting at least 4” larger than your top on all four sides. I’ve included this overage in the backing yardage requirements. Cut your backing yardage in half. Press. Trim off the selvedges and sew your pieces together lengthwise. Press seam open.

Optional pieced backing instructions can be found at the end of this tutorial.

5. Basting: Using masking or painter’s tape, tape the backing to a clean, hard surface, right side down. Spread out your batting on top of the backing. Smooth out any wrinkles. Carefully spread out your quilt top on top of the batting, right side up. Pin your top, I like to use curved safety pins, spacing the pins a few inches apart. Make sure that your pins are going through all three layers.

6. Quilting: Quilt as desired, by machine or by hand. For my quilting I choose to do straight lines 1/4" on both sides of the seams going vertically and horizontally. Trim away excess batting and backing fabric.

7. Binding: Cut yardage listed for binding into 2.5” strips. Trim off selvedges and sew your strips together to form one long strip, press seams open. Fold in half lengthwise, pressing with your iron as you fold. Attach binding using your preferred method. Find my detailed tutorial on attaching your binding to both sides by machine here: Machine Quilt Binding Tutorial

Optional Pieced Backing:

Pieced Backing Cutting:

- Cut (4) 33.5"x39.5" rectangles

Pieced Backing Instructions:
Use a 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.

1. To make the pieced plus, you’ll need the leftover scraps from cutting your fat quarters. You should have pieces that are 18" long and varying widths of 3"-4". Take all your strips and sew them together on the long side (18"). You'll end up with a big piece 18" wide and around 60" long. Once sewn, press all the seams. Cut this long strip into (3) 6" wide strips.

2. Sew all 3 strips together end to end so that you have one giant strip that is approximately 6"x180". From this large strip, cut (1) 84" long piece and (2) 33.5" long pieces.

3. Take one of your backing pieces (33.5"x39.5") and sew one of the 33.5" scrappy strips to one of the short sides of the backing piece. Repeat with the other 33.5" scrappy strip.

4. Sew the remaining backing piece to the other side of the short scrappy strip for both sides, resulting in two large backing pieces that have two solid pieces with a scrappy strip in the middle. Press seams.

5. Sew one of the large pieced backing pieces to one side of the long scrappy strip. Sew the other large pieced backing piece to the other side of the scrappy strip. Press seams. You’re finished with the backing!

I hope you've enjoyed this free pattern! I have lots of other free tutorials for everything from quilts, pillows, bags, and holiday items to informational series and techniques. Find all my tutorials here: Tutorials. My online shop is filled with patterns for quilts and bags. Find my patterns here: Jeni Baker Patterns

If you make something using one of my tutorials or patterns, I hope you'll tag me @jenib320 and use my hashtag #jenibaker on instagram!

Happy Sewing!

*Note: Any links marked with an asterisk in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click through and buy something, I make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.