Pinterest has literally hundreds of patterns. Also, sites like Missouri Star Quilt Company and Jordan Fabrics have video tutorials if you are someone who likes to see one made ahead of attempting to do it yourself.

Hello Heidi,
Thanks for contacting the National Quilters Circle with your question. A charm square or charm pack is a term used in quilting that refers to a 5″ square of fabric or a set of 5″ squares. In my research, I found that quilts made from these charm squares were quite popular in the late 1800’s. Quilters would swap fabrics so as to create quilts with only one of each print within the quilt. In the last 15+ years fabric companies have begun to offer the charm pack as a way for quilters to enjoy an entire fabric line – many times with one of each print in the package carrying on that 1800’s theme.

In today’s terms we find fabric companies offering pre-cut 5 inch squares packaged with squares that represent an entire line of fabrics. In this way you get to enjoy all the prints that are in a particular fabric line. Sometimes there are multiple squares of the same print and other times only one square of each fabric. The packaging differs from company to company.

There are also patterns, books and magazines available specifically created to use the 5 inch charm square. Usually additional fabrics are required to complete a quilt, such as background, border and binding. In some cases the 5 inch square is used whole and other times it is cut to accommodate the pattern. Do note that the accuracy of the 5 inch cut can vary a bit, but can still be utilized knowing the variance.

The majority of patterns will use a 1/4″ seam allowance. Refer to your specific pattern for any deviation from this standard.

Charm packs are available in many local quilt shops and online. Do know that not all fabric manufactures create charm packs and availability can be limited to the release time of the fabric line and not always reorderable. My advice is buy them when you see them if you have fallen in love with a grouping and buy multiple for larger future projects.

Happy Quilting
Colleen
National Quilters Circle

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