Turkey Tracks Lap Quilt Tutorial

Learn how to sew a Turkey Tracks lap quilt with this step-by-step tutorial. This traditional quilt block is full of movement and makes a striking design when repeated in a quilt top. The lap-size quilt is just right for snuggling, gifting, or adding a handmade seasonal touch to your home.

This block may look tricky, but it’s beginner-friendly with clear steps to follow. It’s also a great chance to practice working with triangles and trying out different fabric layouts. Whether you stick with traditional colors or go scrappy from your stash, this quilt is fun to make and impressive to finish.

The fabric used is the Primitive Gatherings by Lisa Bonjean for Moda. I am in love with her fabric. The tones are so wonderful! I seriously couldn’t stop ‘petting’ the fabric. This line is the dark and dirty one. She is truly a traditional and civil war color style of girl.

I met her first at a sewing class {thank you mother who was out of town and I took her place}. I loved every minute of it. More recently I met up with her at Fall Quilt Market. Her booth was filled with beautiful fabric, wool, and quilts. I loved every single one and was so glad I stopped to say hi again and pet, I mean touch, I mean look at her fabric. She is one talented gal.

Why You’ll Love This Quilt Pattern

• Traditional meets modern – a classic block that works with all kinds of fabrics.
• Perfect size – lap quilts are quick to finish and useful year-round.
• Beginner-friendly – simple shapes and piecing techniques.
• Scrap-buster – mix and match fabrics from your stash for a unique look.
• Giftable – makes a thoughtful handmade gift for family and friends.

Turkey Tracks Lap Quilt Tutorial

Finished size: 56″ X 56″

Materials Needed:

1/2 yard- dark fabric
2 yard- background
1 1/4 yard- green
3/4 yard- red
various fabric scraps for the piano keys border- 5″ X 2 1/2″ –92

Fabric & Color Ideas

• Traditional – earthy tones, browns, reds, and creams for a vintage look.
• Seasonal – use autumn colors for Thanksgiving or bright spring colors for a fresh twist.
• Scrappy – dive into your stash for a fun, eclectic quilt.
• Modern – solids or bold prints with a neutral background for a crisp design.

TURKEY TRACKS MYSTERY QUILT ALONG:

STEP 1—- flying geese

STEP 2—- corner blocks

STEP 3—- block setting

STEP 4—- piano keys

STEP 5—- spacers

STEP 6—- reveal

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This quilt was originaly a mystery quilt, and larger….but for this tutorial I took it down to a lap size. Perfect for beginner quilters.

There are 4 colors/fabrics used for the quilt- a background, a medium and a dark. In this version I tossed in a red to give it a little bit of pop. If you aren’t into limiting your color palet, go for your scraps. This would make a fantastic scrap quilt.

The border is simple piano keys with corner blocks. Simple enough- bordering a 9 block center.

Tips for Sewing Success

Add borders if you’d like to enlarge the quilt beyond lap size.

Double-check your quarter-inch seam allowance to keep blocks consistent.

Lay out your blocks before sewing to plan color placement.

Chain-piece your triangles to save time.

Press seams carefully for sharp, flat blocks.

The Turkey Tracks lap quilt is a timeless design that’s simple to sew and beautiful to display. Whether you stick to traditional colors or experiment with scraps and modern fabrics, this quilt comes together quickly and is always a showstopper.

So, grab your fabric, cut your pieces, and start stitching. Once you finish this Turkey Tracks quilt, you’ll have a cozy lap quilt that’s perfect for gifting—or keeping for yourself.

More Quilt Tutorials:

Use a layer cake to make a quilt in a weekend. It’s super simple!

Another layer cake – sewn into an hour glass quilt.

Dig through your red, white and blue fabric and sew up a super cute Sweet Liberty Quilt.

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