I have been seeing a lot of versions of this gorgeous Chandelier quilt. It is easy to make and is a perfect design for charm squares or fat quarters. If you are looking for a scrap-busting quilt pattern, this is for you.
Using a beautiful quilt for the Holidays is an easy way to make your home cozy and add a bit of festive charm at the same time.
I’m always looking for easy patterns like this that are gorgeous. What makes this pattern stand out is how striking it is and how simple it is to make.
What is a Chandelier Quilt?
The Chandelier quilt is sometimes referred to as a string of beads quilt. Either way, it’s an easy pattern that combines simplicity with modern design elements.
Featuring cascading diamond quilt blocks set at a 45° angle. This is also referred to as quilt blocks set on point. Normally on a light-colored background, but there are a few versions floating around that use a dark background with bright colored squares.
Bandelier Quilt Blocks. When I was researching this type of quilt, I found out that the name of the block used throughout the entire quilt top is called the Bandelier quilt block. Made up of a center square, four strips and four corner squares.
Charm Packs and Jelly Roll Strips for Christmas Quilt
Make this easy pattern quickly using charm packs and jelly rolls. You’ll need a little bit of yardage for the setting triangles on the ends of each row, the corner triangles, and two of the borders. This is the second one I’ve made now.
The first one I made did not use pre-cuts. It was still very easy to complete. Red and Green Yuletide Quilt Pattern
Using pre-cuts It only took me an hour to get all the pieces cut and trimmed for this quilt top.
Easy Quilt Pattern for Different Quilt Fabrics
This pattern is perfect for using different fabrics. Today I used Christmas fabric. However, it would look great in a wide variety of quilt fabric choices.
When choosing fabrics for your Chandelier quilt, consider the following options:
- Solid Colors: Solid fabrics in light or neutral tones work well for the background. These allow the chandelier design to stand out.
- Low-Volume Prints: Subtle prints with light-colored backgrounds (such as small florals, tone-on-tone designs, or tiny geometrics) create a soft and elegant look.
- Contrasting Fabrics: Use bold, contrasting fabrics for the chandelier diamonds. High-contrast combinations make the design pop. Consider using dark solids or large-scale prints.
- Metallic Accents: Adding metallic or shimmering fabrics can enhance the chandelier effect. Look for fabrics with metallic threads or subtle sparkle.
- Texture: Consider incorporating textured fabrics like linen, chambray, or shot cotton for added interest.
You can audition your fabric choices by laying them out together before sewing. This will help you visualize how they’ll look in the finished quilt.
Directions: Christmas Colors Chandelier Quilt Easy Pattern
Quilting Skill Level
Easy – Confident Beginner
Finished Quilt Measurements
64 X 76 Inch Throw Quilt
This quilt uses 50, 8 1/2-inch finished quilt blocks.
Fabric Requirements
For the quilt top you will need:
4 Charm Packs. Use two squares for each quilt block. They are also used for one of the borders. I used Peppermint Bark from Moda.
1 Jelly Roll. The jelly roll strips worked nicely for making the blocks, Border 1 and Border 1. I used Snow from Kona.
4 3/4 yards of fabric for the background in a neural color. The fabric worked well for the corner triangles, triangles on each side of the diagonal rows, and two of the borders. You can use the jelly roll strips or cut your own for the borders. This longer length works nicely for that.
Three Borders
Border 1
8 jelly roll strips.
Sides = 2 1/2” X 72 5/8”.
Top and Bottom = 2 1/2” X 64 5/8”.
Use the Snow Kona jelly roll strips or cut your own.
Border 2
Use the 66 – 2 ½” X 5” rectangles. I used the units already cut from the charm packs and cut a few more charm squares in half.
Sides = 2 1/2” X 76 5/8”
Top and Bottom = 2 1/2” X 68 5/8”
Border 3
8 jelly roll strips.
Sides = 2 1/2” X 80 5/8”
Top and Bottom = 2 1/2” X 72 5/8”
Use the Snow Kona jelly roll strips or cut your own.
Backing Fabric
68 X 80 inches. 2 ¾ yards of 108” or 5 yards of 44” pieced. The backing fabric will be slightly larger than the quilt top. This will be trimmed after quilting.
I used Crystal Frost 108″ – Snowflakes Red Grey 108″ Wide Backing
Batting
68 X 80 inches. 2 ¾ yards of 108” or 5 yards of 44” pieced.
Binding
2 ½ X 294 inches. ¾ yard cut into 8 – 2 ½ inch strips and pieced together.
I used some of the leftover fabric from the backing.
Pattern Notes
Choose any contrasting or complimenting colors of fabric. This pattern works nicely with a solid light-colored background.
All sewing in this tutorial uses ¼” seam allowance.
All fabric is sewn right sides together unless otherwise noted.
The directions for this quilt are for rotary cutting, machine piecing, and machine quilting. For the binding, I used the sewing machine to sew it on the top. Then folded edge to the back and hand sewed onto the back. Optionally, you can use your sewing machine for the binding to the front and back as well.
Accurate cutting and sewing enhances your final product. Pin your pieces together before sewing them to ensure proper seam alignment.
Be sure to nest the seams.
Materials and Equipment/Tools
Use basic sewing supplies.
- Thread
- Rotary Cutter
- Quilting Ruler
- Cutting Mat
- Rotating Cutting Mat
- Iron
- Ironing Board or Pressing Mat
- Pins
- Clips
- Sewing Machine
Chandelier Quilt Fabric Cutting Instructions
This pattern uses 50, 8 1/2-inch finished quilt blocks.
For each chandelier block you will need
- A = 1, 5 X 5-inch unit of colored fabric
- B = 2, 2 ½ X 2 ½-inch units of the same-colored fabric used in unit A.
For the A and B squares, I used two charm packs and picked out the same fabric color. Use one for the center square (A). Use the second square for (B). You will have a 2 ½ X 5-inch strip leftover. Use that for the second border.
- C = 2, 2 ½ X 5-inch units in a light background color
- D = 2, 2 ½ X 7-inch units in a light background color
This quilt consists of 50, 8 ½ X 8 ½-inch finished, 9 X 9-inch unfinished quilt blocks.
Cutting Instructions for 50 Chandelier blocks
- A = 50, 5 X 5-inch units. I used 50 charm pack squares 5 X 5-inches. (One charm pack and part of another).
- B = 100, 2 ½ X 2 ½ inch units. Use the same color as you did for A. (Another two charm packs with quite a bit left over). I cut 50 charm pack squares in half, then one of the strips I cut in half again to make two 2 ½ X 2 ½ inch squares. Save the remaining 2 ½ X 5-inch squares for the second border.
- C = 100, 2 ½ X 5-inch units in a background color
- D = 100, 2 ½ X 7-inch units in a background color
Setting Triangles
For the quilt there are 18 setting triangles. Those are made using a square that is cut diagonally in all directions to create four triangles.
In the light background color, cut 5 – 13 1/4” X 13 1/4” squares. Cut those squares diagonally twice to create the 4 setting triangles. Note: you will have 2 triangles leftover.
Corner Triangles
To create the 4 corner triangles, use the 2 – 6 7/8” x 6 7/8” squares in light background fabric. Cut these on the diagonal once creating two corner triangles for each square.
Make the Blocks
Each block has three rows.
- Row A and Row C use the 2- 2 ½” squares and 2- 2 ½”x 7” strips.
- Row B uses 2- 2 ½” x 5” strips and 1- 5” square.
*Use a ¼” seam allowance for all seams.
*Sew with right sides together.
Step 1. Gather your fabric units. To make 1 block, use the following fabric pieces:
- A = 1, 5 X 5-inch unit of colored fabric
- B = 2, 2 ½ X 2 ½ inch units of the same-colored fabric used in unit A.
- C = 2, 2 ½ X 5-inch units in a background color
- D = 2, 2 ½ X 7-inch units in a background color
Step 2. With the right sides together, begin by sewing the two 2 ½ X 5-inch units to either side of the one 5 X 5-inch unit using ¼” seam allowance. Press the seams to the colored fabric.
Step 3. Next, sew one 2 ½ X 7-inch background fabric to a 2 ½ X 2 ½ inch colored fabric. Right sides together using ¼” seam allowance. Press the seams to the colored squares. Repeat this step.
Step 4. Arrange the three strips into three rows as shown in the diagram. Sew the bottom strip to the middle strip making sure to nest the seams. Right sides together using ¼” seam allowance. Repeat this process to sew the top strip onto the middle strip. Press the seams open or to one side.
Each Quilt Block should measure 9 X 9 inches unfinished.
Step 5. Repeat steps 1-4 to make all 50 blocks.
Sew the Rows Together
You will sew the blocks on point for this quilt pattern. That means you will sew the rows at a 45° angle that than horizontal rows.
For this example, there are 10 rows total. In the diagram, I have labeled each row with a number. The arrow indicates the pressing direction. This helps nest the seams.
Number of Blocks in Each Row
Here is how many blocks are in each row:
- Top left is a corner triangle made from the background fabric 6 7/8” X 6 7/8” square cut diagonally.
- Row 1: Setting triangle, 1 block, setting triangle
- Row 2: Setting triangle, 3 blocks, setting triangle
- Row 3: Setting triangle, 5 blocks, setting triangle
- Row 4: Setting triangle, 7 blocks, setting triangle
- Row 5: Setting triangle, 9 blocks, corner triangle
- Row 6: Corner triangle, 9 blocks, setting triangle
- Row 7: Setting triangle, 7 blocks, setting triangle
- Row 8: Setting triangle, 5 blocks, setting triangle
- Row 9: Setting triangle, 3 blocks, setting triangle
- Row 10: Setting triangle, 1 block, setting triangle
- Bottom right is the last corner triangle.
Sewing the Three Borders to the Chandelier Quilt Top
Border 1
Sides = 2 1/2” X 72 5/8”
Top and Bottom = 2 1/2” X 64 5/8”
Use the Snow Kona jelly roll strips or cut your own.
Side Strips. Use 2 jelly roll strips. Join them at a 45-degree angle as you would when making your own binding. Sew them end to end so they create a long 2 ½” wide strip. Press the seams open. Repeat this process for the other side.
Top and Bottom Strips. Use 2 jelly roll strips. Join them at a 45-degree angle as you would when making your own binding. Sew them end to end so they create a long 2 ½” wide strip. Press the seams open. Repeat this process for the other side.
Border 2
Sides = 2 1/2” X 76 5/8”
Top and Bottom = 2 1/2” X 68 5/8”
Prepare the strips. Use the 66 – 2 ½” X 5” rectangles. I used the units already cut from the charm packs and cut a few more charm squares in half.
Side Strips. Use 17 of the 2 ½” X 5” rectangles. Sew them end to end so they create a long 2 ½” wide strip. Press the seams to one side or open. You should have a strip 2 ½” X 77 1/2”. Repeat this process for the other side.
Top and Bottom Strips. Use 16 of the 2 ½” X 5” rectangles. Sew them end to end so they create a long 2 ½” wide strip. Press the seams to one side or open. You should have a strip 2 ½” X 73”. Repeat this process for the other side.
Note: You will have a bit extra to trim off after sewing the strips on.
Border 3
Sides = 2 1/2” X 80 5/8”
Top and Bottom = 2 1/2” X 72 5/8”
Use the Snow Kona jelly roll strips or cut your own.
Side Strips. Use 2 jelly roll strips. Join them at a 45-degree angle as you would when making your own binding. Sew them end to end so they create a long 2 ½” wide strip. Press the seams open. Repeat this process for the other side.
Top and Bottom Strips. Use 2 jelly roll strips. Join them at a 45-degree angle as you would when making your own binding. Sew them end to end so they create a long 2 ½” wide strip. Press the seams open. Repeat this process for the other side.
Time Saving Tip
For borders 1 and 3, they all used the Kona Snow color jelly roll strips. I sewed 16 together and just used this to sew onto the sides, top and bottom. Trimming off the excess as I sewed each side.
Sewing the Border Strips
Begin with the Border one Strips, then move onto the second border, and lastly, the third border.
Begin by sewing on the vertical border pieces on the sides.
Using the 2 side strips, pin to the sides of the quilt top with the right sides together. Using ¼-inch seam allowance, sew 1 strip to each side of the quilt. Press all seams to the outside or open.
Horizontal border strips on the top and bottom.
Using the 2 top and bottom strips, pin to the top and bottom of the quilt top with the right sides together. Using ¼-inch seam allowance, sew 1 strip to each side of the quilt. Press all seams to the outside or open.
Repeat this process for the second and third borders.
Your Quilt top is finished at this point and ready for the next steps.
Quilting the Layers Together
Once you finish the quilt top and the three borders, you can create the quilt sandwich. Use the quilt top, batting, and backing fabric for this next step.
Layer the Top, Batting, and Back
Backing Fabric
68 X 80 inches. The backing fabric will be slightly larger than the quilt top. This will be trimmed after quilting.
Batting
68 X 80 inches. Sandwich the quilt backing fabric, batting, and the quilt top.
Begin by placing the backing fabric on a flat solid surface, right side down facing out. Smooth out any wrinkles. Use painters’ tape to secure the edges of the fabric down. This will help hold it in place and reduce the chance of a wrinkle developing as you place the next two layers.
Next, center the batting on top of the backing fabric smoothing out any wrinkles.
Finally, place the quilt top on the batting, centering it with the right side up. Smooth out any wrinkles.
Baste the Quilt Together and Quilt the Layers Together
Once you have the top fabric all smoothed out, baste all three layers together using large safety pins. Use a good quality 1 ½” stainless steel pin for this.
Put a pin in each corner and around the entire quilt about every 5-6 inches or so through all three layers.
This holds things in place, so they don’t move around while you are sewing the layers together using a quilting design of your choice. Optionally, you can use a glue basting spray to secure the layers.
Trim the Batting and Backing Fabric
Once the layers are quilted together in your desired design, it is time to trim the batting and backing. For this, I use a large cutting mat, a longer ruler, and a rotary cutter.
Lay the quilt flat. Place the ruler along the edge of the quilt and use it as a guide to run your rotary cutter against to trim the quilt batting and backing to the size of the quilt top. Do this on all four sides.
Sew the Binding to the Quilt
First, prepare the binding strips. I used leftover backing fabric to make my strips.
Make the binding strips. Piece together 8 jelly roll strips or cut your own width of fabric by 2 1/2-inches. Fold in half wrong sides together the length of the strip. Press.
You can find a tutorial for making binding on the website.
Pin the raw edge of the binding onto raw edge of the quilt top. I generally start in the middle of a side leaving approximately a 3” tail hanging.
Note: This hanging part will be used to sew to the other end of the binding strip when you have finished sewing all four sides of the binding onto the quilt.
Sew the binding onto all four sides of the easy quilt making sure to miter the corners and join the binding. Pro Tip. I find that a walking foot works nicely for this and helps all the layers slide under the sewing foot easier. Less bunching of fabric.
Sewing the Binding to the Quilt Back
I hand stitched the binding to the back of the quilt. Alternatively, you can use your sewing machine to sew the binding to the back of the quilt.
Once all the sides and corners are stitched, you are done.
You’re Christmas Colors Chandelier Quilt is ready to use or give as a gift or use.
This was so much fun to sew a Christmas theme blanket. I can’t wait to use this during the Festive Holiday Season to help create a mood of Holiday Cheer.
We hope that you have enjoyed this lovely quilt pattern.
We hope you love this free pattern. Check out our other designs to inspire your next project.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.