Here's How Many 5" Squares You Need to Make a Quilt 👇



Hi there, Reader!

Ever fall in love with a charm pack… but have no idea what size quilt you can actually make with it?

Maybe you’ve got one (or five) stashed away, waiting for the right pattern—or maybe you’re eyeing that cute pack at your local quilt shop and wondering if it’s enough for a throw.

This week, I’m helping you take the guesswork out of it.

Let’s talk 5" square AKA charm square math—don’t worry, I’ve done all the hard parts for you!

💞 FEATURED THIS WEEK

How Many 5" Squares Do I Need to Make a Quilt?

This week’s blog post walks you through exactly how many charm squares you’ll need to make a quilt—baby size all the way up to king size.

Whether you're planning a new project or trying to figure out if your stash will stretch, this guide makes it easy.

👉 Read the Blog Post Here


🧵 QUICK QUILTING TIP

Charm Square Layouts Made Easy

Before you start stitching, take a few minutes to lay out your charm squares on a design wall, table, or even the floor. This simple step can make a huge difference in how your quilt turns out!

Why This Matters:

Avoid Clashing Colors – Seeing your fabrics together lets you spot areas where colors or prints feel too heavy or unbalanced.

Test Different Layouts – Try arranging your squares in a checkerboard, ombré gradient, or diagonal pattern before committing.

Catch Duplicates Before You Sew – Many charm packs have duplicate prints, and laying them out first helps avoid two of the same fabric ending up next to each other.


How to Get the Best Layout:

1️⃣ Use a Design Wall (or Improvise!) – A piece of batting or flannel-backed tablecloth hung on the wall works great for sticking fabric pieces in place. If you don’t have one, your floor or bed will do!

2️⃣ Snap a Quick Photo – Taking a picture helps you step back and see the overall balance of your design. Plus, if pieces get moved accidentally, you’ll have a reference. Pro Tip: Apply a black and white filter to the photo so you can get a clear look at the balance and value of your fabrics.

3️⃣ Walk Away & Come Back – Give yourself a fresh perspective! Stepping away for a few minutes makes it easier to spot changes you want to make.


By taking a little extra time to arrange your charm squares before sewing, you'll end up with a quilt that feels balanced, intentional, and just how you imagined it! 😊


💌 A QUILTING RESOURCE YOU'LL LOVE

FREE 5" Squares in a Quilt Cheat Sheet

This handy printable tells you exactly how many squares you’ll need to make common quilt sizes.

Stick it in your quilting binder or pin it on your wall—you’ll reach for it all the time.

👉 Click here to get the free cheat sheet sent to your inbox!


🗓️ WHAT'S NEXT?

Flash Sale Alert!

My Blocks in a Quilt Guide (check it out here) will be on sale this weekend.

This bestselling resource tells you how many quilt blocks you need to make any quilt size—based on the size of your blocks.

Keep an eye out Friday for all the details. You're not gonna want to miss it 👀

Talk soon & warm stitches,
Hailey

Hailey Young

Quilter, Content Creator & Owner of Hailey Stitches

2136 Ford Parkway #5410, Saint Paul, MN 55116
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Hailey Stitches

I'm a quilting youtuber, blogger, and pattern designer. I help beginner quilters through simple tutorials, precut friendly quilt patterns, and quilt math resources. Subscribe and join over 45,000+ newsletter readers every week!

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